In this episode of Beyond the Benchmarks, host Stephanie Dorwart, CEO of Altius Healthcare Consulting Group, sits down with Dr. Kay Kennedy — nurse, educator, researcher, and nationally recognized leadership expert — for a powerful conversation on what it truly means to lead in healthcare today.

Drawing on more than 40 years of experience from the bedside to the C-suite, Dr. Kennedy shares the story behind Human-Centered Leadership, a research-backed framework designed specifically for healthcare environments. Built from the voices of nurses and leaders across roles, this approach reframes leadership as something that starts with self-awareness, is sustained through relationships, and ultimately drives better outcomes for teams and patients.

Together, Stephanie and Dr. Kennedy explore:

• Why leaders people would “follow to the ends of the earth” all share the same traits

• How burnout, turnover, and disengagement are often leadership problems — not staffing problems

• The role of mindfulness, emotional regulation, and self-care in effective leadership

• Why frontline nurse leaders must be empowered — not sidelined — in staffing and productivity decisions

• How human-centered leadership improves engagement, retention, patient experience, and quality outcomes

Dr. Kennedy also shares exciting news about the expansion of her work through a new partnership with Healthcare Plus Solutions Group, allowing this leadership model to reach organizations nationwide — and internationally.

If you believe productivity is about more than numbers, culture is built through relationships, and leadership must be both human and accountable — this episode is for you.

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