At the end of this month, Gov. Sam Brownback will have the opportunity to appoint three individuals to serve on the Kansas Board of Regents. Few gubernatorial appointments are more important and can make as great a difference in the development of the state as those to the Board of Regents.

These men and women oversee the state’s six major universities, the Kansas University Medical School, numerous community colleges and the state’s vocational-technical schools. It’s a critical responsibility, and it is essential Brownback place high priority on these selections.

These men and women can make changes on the various campuses when changes are needed. The caliber and excellence of those appointed as regents play a big role in the degree of confidence state legislators have in the recommendations they receive from the board.

Unfortunately, there have been news reports lately about regents blaming state legislators for the tuition increases regents approved for state universities. They claim the Kansas Legislature has not funded higher education at the levels it deserves and needs and, consequently, the regents have had to OK tuition increases at the various schools.

Actually, if the regents, along with the chancellor and presidents, had been able to present a compelling case for better funding, there’s reason to believe the lawmakers might have come up with added dollars. As it is, the current band of regents do not carry much weight with the lawmakers, and university leaders have not presented a strong, visionary case for higher education to legislators or to the public.

Individuals with visionary and courageous leadership can make a big difference, the difference between mediocrity and excellence.

A case in point is the KU Hospital, which sits next to the KU School of Medicine in Kansas City, Kan.

Last week, this writer was invited to visit the Center of Advanced Heart Care at KU Hospital. There is no better example of what can be accomplished by enlightened leaders than what has taken place at this hospital. Fifteen or so years ago, the hospital was almost on the auction block with numerous financial, patient and quality-of-care issues.

Today, the hospital is recognized as the best in this region, gaining national attention year by year. Patient satisfaction numbers are high, and the risk-adjusted mortality numbers are among the nation’s best. U.S. News & World Reports ranks KU Hospital as the best hospital in Kansas City, and the excellence of the heart program, as well as many other areas, is truly outstanding. The goal of the hospital is to be the best hospital in the country for patient care.

Staff morale is excellent, and there are few hospitals that enjoy the level of cooperation and partnership among various medical specialties that exists at the Advanced Heart Care Center.

The leadership and excellence of Dr. William Reed and Dr. Lynn Kindred helped launch the development of the heart center, and today it is one of the nation’s best. The level of cooperation between cardiologists and surgeons is unique, with Drs. Randall Gorton, Jeffrey Kramer, Loren Berenborn, George “Trip” Zorn, Peter Tadros and many other doctors and nurses working together to develop a unique environment of excellence.

This same commitment exists throughout the hospital.

KU Hospital’s turnaround began under the strong, demanding and visionary leadership of former President and Chief Executive Officer Irene Cumming and has continued under the very strong and effective leadership of Bob Page. The hospital also is fortunate to have a committed board of directors led by Robert Honse.

KU Hospital is growing with a beautiful physical plant, rising patient numbers, new and talented physicians, record levels of fiscal support for the KU Medical School and the enthusiasm, excitement and pride of the entire staff.

But at the nearby KU Medical Center, morale is low, and faculty have gone so far as to show their dissatisfaction by signing a document indicating a lack of confidence in the center’s leadership.

It’s not a good situation. Some critics go so far as to suggest the name of a current staff member who should be playing a major role in the leadership of the school.

One health care facility — KU Hospital, an independent operation — is breaking all kinds of good records, while the adjacent KU Medical Center is in trouble, with poor morale and serious questions about its leadership.

Brownback has made it clear he wants to see the medical school climb in national rankings. Think how great it would be if the medical school could rise to the level of excellence the KU Hospital now enjoys and what such a complex would provide in terms of care, teaching and research for this part of the country. It would be a true national leader.

Hopefully, the governor, along with three new regents, can find a way to solve the leadership problem at the medical school. So far, the responsible officials have failed to address this serious issue.