Nov. 7, 2025
The 2025 Mizzou Healthcare Leadership Symposium, formerly known as the Fall Institute, took place Oct. 22-24 at the State Historical Society of Missouri at the University of Missouri. This annual event brought together a record number of alumni, students, alumni board members, faculty, staff and friends for networking and professional development.
The event began Wednesday, Oct. 22, with an engaging early careerist panel moderated by Emmy Bonderer Matthews. The panel featured alumni Dan Vogel, Madeline Cremin, Rachel Norman and Shelby Miller. The panelists’ insights on lifelong learning, networking, mentorship and taking advantage of extracurricular activities as a student set an inspiring tone for the event.
Thursday evening opened with networking and a welcome from College of Health Sciences Dean Kristofer Hagglund, Department of Health Sciences Chair Botswana Toney Blackburn and MHA program director Sue Boren.
A highlight of the evening was a fireside conversation led by Todd Pridemore, senior advancement director with the college, and Professor Emerita Lanis Hicks, a longtime supporter and beloved faculty member of the Mizzou MHA program. Dr. Hicks shared reflections on her career in health care leadership, global travel and continued commitment to philanthropy and mentorship. Her message to alumni and students was clear: Give back to the next generation.
The evening concluded with the presentation of the 2025 MHA Alumni Awards, recognizing outstanding contributions to the profession and the MHA program:
- Distinguished alumni award: Dana Evans, MHA ’07
- Excellence in healthcare innovation award: Matthew Wenzel, MHA/MS ’04
- Emerging leader award: Daniel Vogel, MHA ’18
- Alumni mentor of the year award: Lindsey Lehman, MHA ’15
- Outstanding service award: Emmy Matthews, MHA ’20
Additional MHA alumni were honored through College of Health Sciences awards:
- Citation of merit: Gail Peace, MHA ’92
- Excellence in mentoring: Richard Sommer, MHA ’84
We extend heartfelt gratitude to all nominees and nominators for celebrating the impact and spirit of Mizzou MHA alumni who continue to give back through their time, expertise and generosity.
Friday’s program featured interactive panel discussions, networking sessions and a guided Mizzou campus tour. Panels focused on key themes in modern health care leadership, including technology and innovation, financial strategy and a special alumni legacy panel celebrating the Class of 2005.
We are deeply grateful to moderators Dexter D’Costa, David Moxley, Rick Sommer and Brian Hensel, and to the many alumni panelists who shared their perspectives: Abhi Ray, Andrew Johnson, Andrew Lovewell, Bill Schneider, Blake Riley, Christine Shepherd, Dillon Falk, Gail Peace, Jackie Burczyk, Jeff McKune, John Aucar, Marjorie Matzes-Thies, Matthew Coffelt, Ming-Yuan Chih, Rebecca Baker, Rebeka Lortz and Shari Riley.
The 2025 Mizzou Healthcare Leadership Symposium once again demonstrated the strength, dedication and community spirit of the Mizzou MHA network, continuing the tradition of developing leaders who make a difference in health care across the nation and beyond.
Special thanks to Sue Boren, David Moxley, Diki Lama, Audrey Schutte and the Department of Health Sciences for their invaluable support in planning this year’s symposium.
