Kerri Jenkins. Source: https://news.centralmethodist.edu/2018/04/introducing-distinguished-alumni.html
Central Methodist University. Photo: OrthoArchitectDU, CC BY 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:T._Berry_Smith_Hall_-_Central_Methodist_University_-_panoramio.jpg)
Central Methodist University. Photo: OrthoArchitectDU, CC BY 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:T._Berry_Smith_Hall_-_Central_Methodist_University_-_panoramio.jpg)
Kerri Lynn Jenkins was born on July 21, 1963, in North Kansas City, Missouri, to Arthur Stanley Hopper and Billie Marie Kaiser Hopper. She later married Todd D. Jenkins on September 26, 1980, and has two daughters, Dalyn Marie and Lyndal Faye.
Jenkins began her nursing education at Central Methodist College, where she earned an Associate Degree in Nursing in 1985. The institution, founded in 1854 in Fayette, Missouri, developed from a Methodist college into a comprehensive university serving the liberal arts and professional education.
She later completed a bachelor's degree in management and a Master of Business Administration at William Woods University, as well as a bachelor's degree in nursing at Chamberlain College of Nursing. These qualifications combined clinical nursing preparation with management and organizational training relevant to her later hospital-administration career.
Jenkins began her professional career in Missouri nursing. She worked as a staff nurse at Moberly Regional Medical Center from 1984 to 1989, served as a practical nurse instructor at Moberly Area Junior College from 1988 to 1989, and provided home health nursing through Home Care Mid Missouri from 1986 to 1987. She became head nurse at Moberly Regional Medical Center in 1989.
Moberly Regional Medical Center served the healthcare needs of Moberly and surrounding communities in central Missouri. Jenkins subsequently moved into progressively broader healthcare-management responsibilities, including work with Province Healthcare, American Healthways, Mosaic Life Care, Mission Regional Medical Center, and Abrazo West Campus.
At Mission Regional Medical Center in Mission, Texas, she served as chief nursing officer. At Abrazo West Campus in Goodyear, Arizona, she served in hospital nursing leadership and participated in the development of clinical services, including trauma-care initiatives. She later became executive vice president and chief operating officer of SSM Health St. Mary's Hospital in Jefferson City, Missouri.
Jenkins joined North Kansas City Hospital as senior vice president and chief operating officer in February 2019. North Kansas City Hospital, now operating within NKC Health, is a regional hospital system serving the Kansas City area. In this role, she has overseen hospital operations and contributed to initiatives involving patient care, staff coordination, technology implementation, and organizational performance.
Jenkins progressed from frontline nursing and nurse education into senior hospital administration, leading clinical and operational functions at multiple hospitals and healthcare organizations.
She contributed to hospital performance improvements and the development of high-performing healthcare teams during her executive career.
Jenkins has been associated with the Missouri Council of Practical Nurse Educators and the Missouri Vocational Association. These organizations supported professional education and vocational practice in Missouri.
Jenkins has been described in institutional biographical material as a committed and highly engaged frontline leader who emphasizes leading by example and maintaining direct contact with patients, employees, and medical staff.
Quotes from others about the person
Central Methodist University described Jenkins as a highly engaged healthcare leader whose career included hospital turnarounds and the development of high-performing teams.
Jenkins married Todd D. Jenkins on September 26, 1980. They have two daughters, Dalyn Marie Jenkins and Lyndal Faye Jenkins.
