photo by: Gaskins Photography Collection

LMH Health volunteer Shirley Anderson talks with Dr. Shelly Kortkamp

LMH Health is proud to welcome Dr. Shelly Kortkamp as our new President and Chief Executive Officer. With a deep commitment to service, community, and innovation, Dr. Kortkamp brings a wealth of experience and a fresh perspective to Lawrence.

Drawn to LMH’s mission and spirit

Dr. Kortkamp was inspired to join LMH Health by our mission of lifelong health, independence, and the strong sense of community she felt throughout the CEO selection process.

“Lawrence has a spirit of warmth, purpose, diversity, and pride that immediately felt like home,” she shared. “I believe strongly that when a health system thrives, the community thrives and vice versa.”

Her belief in LMH’s independence is central to her vision for the organization’s future.

“Remaining independent allows LMH to make decisions locally, based on what’s best for the people we serve,” Dr. Kortkamp said. “It preserves our ability to tailor care to the community’s needs and to be agile in how we respond to challenges.”

She also emphasized that being independent doesn’t mean isolation. It means that we’re able to take advantage of opportunities for strong partnerships that align with LMH’s mission and values.

“I’ve seen firsthand how an independent organization can innovate quickly, foster a close-knit culture, and stay deeply connected to the people who depend on it. That’s the kind of strength I believe in nurturing at LMH,” she said.

Leadership rooted in service and collaboration

Dr. Kortkamp values authenticity, empathy, and adaptability and describes leadership as “helping people see what’s possible, clearing barriers in their path, and celebrating their success.” Her leadership journey is shaped by her clinical background and her time in the Air Force. She comes from a military family, one where her father and her uncles served in the Marines. While serving had been on her radar, one day everything changed.

“I’d finished medical school and was getting ready to start my residency, and then 9/11 happened. I made a call within days and signed up for the Air Force,” she said. “I completed my residency, went to officer training school and was stationed at Scott Air Force Base.”

Located just east of St. Louis, the base had a residency program with St. Louis University’s medical school. That provided Dr. Kortkamp the opportunity to become an attending faculty member, which she credits as a launching pad for her leadership career.

Following the end of her service, Dr. Kortkamp took on another challenge – beginning a hospitalist service at St. Elizabeth’s Hospital in O’Fallon, Missouri.

“I was very interested in hospital medicine, and I knew that St. Elizabeth’s could really benefit from the service. I pitched the idea to the administration and they said yes,” she said. “I thought I’d arrived. Little did I know, there was more in store down the road.”

Dr. Kortkamp’s leadership journey continued, eventually leading to serve as Chief Medical Officer and hospital president at St. Peter’s Health in Helena, Montana. Each experience has prepared her to become the first woman to lead LMH Health in our 104-year history, and to do so with both head and heart.

“I’m proud to serve as the first woman in this role, but more than that, I’m grateful to the many women who’ve helped shape healthcare through compassion, resilience and quiet strength and who allowed the opportunity to be realized,” she explained. “I don’t see it as leading because I’m a woman but leading as one. My hope is that my leadership helps others see what’s possible for themselves, too.”

Vision for the future

As she begins her tenure, Dr. Kortkamp’s priorities include meeting with and learning from those on the frontlines to understand what’s working and where LMH Health can grow stronger. She plans to spend her first 30 days rounding in clinics and departments, attending team huddles, and engaging in open conversations.

“My first priority is to listen to our teams, our board, our physicians, and our community. I want to understand what’s working well and where we can grow stronger together. I also want to ensure our people understand our challenges and barriers and to feel ‘in the know. We are in this together and have to figure it out together,” Dr. Kortkamp said.

“Being visible and accessible matters. People deserve to know their new CEO is genuinely interested in their work, their ideas and driving change. Those first impressions and insights will shape how we move forward together.”

As she learns more, Dr. Kortkamp anticipates that her focus will include financial sustainability, workforce engagement, access to care and maintaining LMH Health’s independence.

“I also believe that how we lead matters as much as what we achieve, so building trust, transparency, and teamwork will be essential to everything I do,” she said.

Connecting with the community

Dr. Kortkamp also envisions LMH Health playing a deeper role in community health, strengthening partnerships, and innovating to make care more seamless, personal, and affordable. She is passionate about addressing access to primary and behavioral health care, especially for those facing barriers, and is eager to collaborate with local organizations, schools, and employers to build shared impact.

“Partnership is at the heart of community health. We already have strong partnerships in place, and I want to build upon that foundation. Whether it’s through community health initiatives, education, or prevention programs, we’re stronger when we work side by side,” Dr. Kortkamp shared.

One idea she’s especially excited about? Pop-up coffee chats to connect with community members.

“There’s no better way to understand a community than through conversation and connection,” she said. “You don’t have to ask me twice for a good cup of Joe.”

Welcome to Lawrence

Dr. Kortkamp and her husband, Todd, recently relocated from Montana to Lawrence with their two dogs and three cats. They’re excited to put down roots and make Lawrence their forever home.

“We love sports, the outdoors, and the changing seasons,” she said. “We’re looking forward to exploring the area, attending Jayhawk games, and becoming part of this wonderful community.”

Outside of work, Dr. Kortkamp enjoys yoga, cooking, and spending time with her family, which includes three grown children – one of whom is newly married.

Looking ahead

Dr. Kortkamp’s arrival marks a new chapter for LMH Health–one grounded in connection, collaboration, and community. She feels that one of LMH Health’s cultural values, “Better Together,” reflects her belief that great care and great partnerships go hand in hand.

“I’m honored to be part of LMH’s continuing story,” she said. “We have work to do, and I’m ready to roll up my sleeves and figure it out together.”

Autumn Bishop is the marketing manager and content strategist at LMH Health, which is a sponsor of the Lawrence Journal-World health section.