Via Christi has appointed Tripp Owings as Chief Executive Officer for its Kansas ministry market. In this role, he will oversee more than 5,650 associates, six hospitals and more than 75 other sites of care across the state.

Owings brings more than 16 years of healthcare leadership to the role, having served as a chief executive officer for HCA hospitals in Florida and Kansas. He most recently served as chief executive officer for HCA Florida Brandon Hospital, where he was responsible for leading hospital operations and financials, provider recruitment and alignment, service line development and optimization as well as revamping ER operations across the six-campus network.

He will begin in his new role in Kansas starting July 6, 2026. Owings knows Wichita well from his seven years in hospital leadership positions with Wesley Healthcare, including serving as chief executive officer for Wesley Woodlawn Hospital. Prior to that, he served as chief operating officer and vice president of business development for Wesley Medical Center, where he helped lead the design and construction of Wesley Children's Hospital.

"We are incredibly excited to welcome Tripp's leadership during a time of growth and innovation for our ministry," said Michael Flores, Via Christi board chair. "His track record of executing growth strategies, elevating quality of care and achieving improvements in employee engagement make him an ideal leader to help move our mission forward."

Owings earned a bachelor's degree in finance from the University of Georgia and an MBA from Mississippi State University. He is a Fellow with the American College of Healthcare Executives.

"I am excited to return to Kansas and join the Via Christi ministry," Owings said. "I look forward to working alongside Via Christi's dedicated leadership and care teams to continue advancing our mission and serving our communities throughout Kansas, especially those in greatest need."