Ingram's: 2025 Heroes in Healthcare
Each year, Ingram's chooses a select group of Heroes in Healthcare to feature in an issue of their magazine. The Heroes in Healthcare installment was established by the Kansas City business magazine to recognize outstanding healthcare professionals in the area that are driving high-quality care.
In its 22nd year, Saint Luke's Health System is proud to have a leader named as one of Ingram's 2025 Heroes in Healthcare. Here is his feature, as seen in the latest issue of the magazine.
Kirk Showalter, RN, Nursing House Supervisor at Saint Luke’s Hospital
A chance meeting at the airport brought Kirk Showalter face to face with a man whose mother had been a Saint Luke’s Hospital patient in her final days. “He was so thankful for the care we provided,” says Showalter, who had been part of her care team. “He refused to let me load my bags on the airport bus and drove me directly to my flight. … It was a reminder to me that my ‘normal’ days at work are critical moments in patient and patient family lives.” And a powerful career affirmation for Showalter, who was
born at the old Bethany Hospital in Kansas City, Kan. He was influenced toward a nursing career watching his sister, six years older, who became a pulmonary critical-care physician.
“I had the opportunity to shadow her on a few occasions, and I quickly realized how much I enjoyed the hospital setting and the opportunity to make a difference in people’s lives,” Showalter says. “While I admired the work physicians did, I was especially drawn to the comprehensive,
hands-on care provided by ICU nurses. That experience ultimately led me
to pursue nursing.”
As House Supervisor at Saint Luke's, he supports the daily operations across the hospital. “I round on each unit to stay informed about patient flow, staffing needs, and any unresolved issues. I also make sure staff knows they can reach out to me for guidance,” he says. A significant part of his role involves responding to emergencies—code blues, rapid responses, and crisis interventions. “I also serve as a resource for staff when they have questions about hospital policies and procedures,” he says, and he also works closely with the staffing, patient placement, and transfer teams to ensure that resources are allocated efficiently. “This role aligns perfectly with my professional goals,” he says, “because it allows me to combine leadership with direct patient care. I enjoy being a point of support for both patients and staff, ensuring that high-quality care is delivered across the hospital.”
