Kimberly Rex, MHA, Wright State Physicians CEO has been honored by the Office of the President at Wright State University with a 2021 President’s Award for Excellence, specifically the Excellence in Leadership award. Wright State recently announced the recipients of the 2021 President’s Awards for Excellence to the university community.
“It is the exemplary work of our staff and faculty that allows Wright State to meet its mission to transform the lives of our students and the communities we serve. Recognizing the outstanding contributions of our staff is one way to show our appreciation for the amazing jobs they are doing,” said Wright State President Sue Edwards, PhD, in regard to the significance of the awards and their recipients.
Rex became Wright State Physicians’ (WSP) CEO in April of 2017, and since has led the organization helping it evolve and grow through new billing and patient check in processes, additional clinic locations, taking on managing student health services for Wright State University, and most recently a pandemic.
Throughout the pandemic Rex has helped guide WSP through the ever-changing situation, focused on serving patients, employee safety, and the community. Telehealth was quickly implemented to maintain patient access to care, and WSP became a COVID-19 testing site for Wright State Boonshoft School of Medicine (BSOM) students so they could continue their education, and for Wright State athletics, allowing athletes to resume competition. WSP also held multiple public vaccine clinics. Over 2,000 people have received COVID-19 vaccines from WSP.
Along with leading WSP Rex is also Chief Administrative Officer for BSOM, responsible for leading the medical school’s business and financial operations. “Our dedicated staff and faculty at BSOM turn in award-winning performances every day! We are proud that our outstanding team members are receiving special recognition from the university,” said BSOM Dean Valerie Weber, MD.
David Dhanraj, MD, WSP’s CMO, and associate dean for clinical affairs, chair and professor with BSOM, shared about Rex, “Serving in top leadership roles with both Wright State Boonshoft School of Medicine and Wright State Physicians one of her many roles is to ensure alignment and synergy between the academic and clinical missions, and she does this with remarkable skill and grace. She is an extremely creative and resourceful leader who constantly supports our physician educators, allowing them to effectively deliver care and teach. This ensures our medical students have the learning environment and resources needed for them to achieve.”
Within the organization Rex’s leadership has inspired WSP to live the mission of providing expert care while educating tomorrow’s physicians, as well as the organizational values of wisdom, integrity and compassion. WSP providers and staff are consistently recognized as Dayton Business Journal Health Care Heroes, and Dayton Magazine’s Dayton’s Best Docs. WSP was just recently recognized as a Best Place to Work by the Dayton Business Journal a recognition that comes from employee survey results about workplace culture. Outside the organization Rex’s leadership extends into serving the community. She is part of the executive leadership team of Go Red for Women, the American Heart Association’s signature women’s initiative to increase heart health awareness. She also serves as chair of the board of directors of the American Heart Association, Dayton metro chapter.
“Working closely with Kim Rex has been incredibly valuable to me and to the Department of Psychiatry at BSOM. Kim inspires others and has outstanding strategic thinking skills. She realizes the importance of effective communication and the value of collegial relationships. Kim influences others daily because she is aware that leadership is about growth, for yourself, your relationships, your productivity, and your people,” Julie Gentile MD, professor and chair BSOM Department of Psychiatry.
The formal award presentation ceremony is scheduled for Monday, October 10, 2022, 3:00 to 4:00 p.m. in the Wright State University Student Union Apollo Room.