Why it matters: Last week at the Utah Hospital Association’s Annual Awards ceremony in Midway, Katy Welkie, recently retired Vice President of Intermountain Children’s Health, received UHA’s Distinguished Service Award for her four-decade career transforming children’s healthcare.
The big picture: Welkie’s remarkable journey took her from bedside pediatric ICU nurse to CEO of Primary Children’s Hospital and later to Vice President of Intermountain Children’s Health, where she consistently championed the philosophy “The Child First and Always.”
What they’re saying:
“Katy’s leadership style is this incredible blend of warmth, compassion, but extreme insight and expertise. She combines this knowing all things with curiosity and interest.” – Dustin Lipson, President, Primary Children’s Hospital
“She inspires others because it’s real. It’s not her job. It wasn’t because of her title, her position. It’s because of her passion.” – Susan Robel, Canyons Region President, Intermountain Health
Between the lines: Colleagues describe Welkie as someone who “galvanizes people around the good and the difficult” with authentic leadership that inspires teams to elevate care quality and improve outcomes for children and families.
The bottom line: Welkie’s extraordinary contributions to children’s healthcare have created a lasting legacy that will continue to benefit Utah families for generations to come.