Bryan Stalder
Contributor

Samuel U. Rodgers Health Center hosted its inaugural Heart of the Community Awards Gala on Wednesday, May 20, at the College Basketball Experience, 1401 Grand Boulevard. This event brought together civic, faith, and medical professionals from across the metropolitan area to recognize nine individuals who contribute to health equity, public service, and local advocacy.

The gala benefits the health center’s ongoing community outreach, health education programs, and patient care services. Founded in 1968 by Dr. Samuel U. Rodgers, the center currently serves more than 21,700 patients annually throughout the region.

The event highlighted a diverse group of regional leaders recognized for their work in community development, public health, and civic engagement:

• Joseph Thomas — Business entrepreneur and community advocate.
• Dr. Emanuel Cleaver III — Senior Pastor of St. James United Methodist Church.
• Dr. Vincent Key — Orthopedic surgeon and sports medicine specialist with The University of Kansas Health System.
• Sandra Olivas — Community Development Director at First Federal Bank.
• Melesa Johnson — Jackson County Prosecutor.
• Mayor Christal Watson — Mayor of the Unified Government of Wyandotte County and Kansas City, Kansas.

Among the night’s honorees were three prominent figures representing organizations and initiatives based in the Historic Northeast neighborhoods:

Annette Campbell, MPA, BSN, RN

Senior Advisor for Community Health Programs, Kansas City University

Campbell was recognized for her role in bridging clinical education and public health within the community. Based at KCU’s Northeast campus, she oversees community health programming that facilitates preventative care, health screenings, and neighborhood wellness initiatives.

Leo Prieto

Chief Community Impact Officer, Guadalupe Centers

Prieto was honored for his leadership in expanding social services and cultural advocacy through the Guadalupe Centers’ Northeast operations. His work centers on managing community impact programs that support family stability, educational access, and neighborhood equity.

Bobbi Baker

CEO, Northeast Kansas City Chamber of Commerce

Baker received recognition for her work driving economic development and supporting small businesses within the neighborhood. As CEO of the chamber, she oversees commercial revitalization efforts and advocacy projects along the Independence Avenue corridor.

The gala serves as a primary fundraising and awareness vehicle for the Samuel U. Rodgers Health Center, ensuring the continuation of mobile medical services and subsidized care for uninsured residents. Organizers stated that partnerships highlighted during the event will help guide the health center’s collaborative outreach strategies heading into the summer and fall.