Meet our Award Winners…
Each year, Health Partnership Clinic (HPC) bestows two awards, the Founders Award and the Leadership Impact Award. The Founders Award is given to an organization or individual who has had a lasting impact on the health and wellness of the communities served by the clinic; the Leadership Impact Award recognizes efforts of an individual or organization that has advanced the mission and philosophy of Health Partnership and has contributed leadership expertise in the promotion of the clinic, health care and wellness in the communities served by the clinic.
Johnson County Department of Health and Environment received the 2023 Founders Award, and Jeffrey O. Ellis, J.D., received the 2023 Leadership Impact Award at our Opening Doors Luncheon on April 20, 2023.
Founders Award – Johnson County Department of Health and Environment
Since the beginning of Health Partnership’s history, the Johnson County Department of Health and Environment has been a steady partner—both working to improve both the community’s health and wellness. Our two organizations are part of a multi-prong approach to improve our community’s health, particularly those who are underserved. By working together, we use our resources wisely and help make health care work better for everyone. This is accomplished by improving healthcare delivery through better coordination and an increased focus on wellness and prevention.
Thanks to referrals to and from Johnson County’s Health and Environment team, thousands of patients receive quality, affordable and accessible health and wellness care. Most recently, our teams came together and collaborated on several lifesaving initiatives during the COVID-19 Pandemic. By working together, we ensured our community residents and providers received vaccines, testing kits and other vital supplies.
We are also proud of our combined efforts to educate and care for our community with initiatives such as the Healthy Heart Ambassadors, Diabetes Preventive Initiative (DPI) and nutrition programs. In addition, our participation in Community Health Assessments and Community Health Network continues to strengthen our ties. Most importantly, the residents and employees of Johnson County benefit most.
We appreciate the leadership, vision and collaborative spirit in supporting Health Partnership and embracing the mission of providing quality, affordable and accessible health care to our community’s most vulnerable.
Leadership Impact Award – Jeffrey O. Ellis, J.D.
Thanks in part to Jeffrey O. Ellis, J.D.’s leadership, vision and collaborative spirit, HPC exists today. As a volunteer board member, Mr. Ellis’ legal experience and expertise proved invaluable with the establishment of the clinic in 1992. Years later he rejoined the board and spearheaded efforts to transition to a Federally Qualified Health Center model in 2011. Mr. Ellis’ business acumen, foresight and dedication played a key role in the success of the clinic.
Mr. Ellis graduated from the University of Kansas in 1966 with a Bachelor of Science Degree. He taught history and English for two years in the Shawnee Mission School District before entering the Army and being commissioned a Second Lieutenant in 1969. He served six years on active duty including service as a General’s Aide in Washington, D.C. and a one-year tour in Vietnam.
After military service, Mr. Ellis attended law school at Washburn University in Topeka. He received a Juris Doctorate Degree in 1977. Mr. Ellis retired in 2015 after a 38-year career as an attorney focusing his practice on healthcare regulatory and corporate issues facing hospitals and physicians. He represented healthcare providers on a wide variety of matters including hospital general corporate law, corporate restructuring of diverse healthcare systems, government regulatory compliance and restructuring of hospital physician relationships.
He participated extensively in national, state and local government activities dealing with healthcare planning, policy development and public health and welfare issues. Mr. Ellis’ military service instilled in him a strong motivation to continue a spirit of service in his community, and he was able to leverage his legal expertise to advise and assist nonprofit organizations focused on addressing the healthcare challenges of our community.
Mr. Ellis served on the organizing board for HPC from 1992-1996 when it was first formed by United Community Services of Johnson County. He again served on the HPC board as chair from 2006-2010.
During his legal career, Mr. Ellis was recognized by his peers as a Kansas and Missouri Super Lawyer during the years 2005 until his retirement. He was also recognized by the Kansas City Business Journal among the Who’s Who in Health Care in 1996 and in Who’s Who in American Law and Best Lawyers in America.
We thank Mr. Ellis for his service to the clinic, community and nation.
