2021 Excellence in Leadership (Unclassified)

Kimberly Rex

Kimberly Rex, CEO of Wright State Physicians and chief administrative officer of the Boonshoft School of Medicine, was honored with the 2021 President’s Award for Excellence in Leadership (Unclassified).

Since she was named Wright State Physicians CEO in 2017, Rex has led the organization helping it evolve and grow through new billing and patient check-in processes, additional clinic locations, managing student health services for Wright State and, most recently, the COVID-19 pandemic.

During the pandemic, Rex helped guide Wright State Physicians through the ever-changing situation with a focus on serving patients, employee safety and the community. Telehealth was quickly implemented to maintain patient access to care. Wright State Physicians became a COVID-19 testing site for Wright State Boonshoft School of Medicine students so they could continue their education, and for Wright State athletics, allowing student-athletes to resume competition.

Wright State Physicians also held multiple public vaccine clinics, providing COVID-19 vaccines to over 2,000 people.

As chief administrative officer of the Boonshoft School of Medicine, Rex is responsible for leading the medical school’s business and financial operations.

“Our dedicated staff and faculty at BSOM turn in award-winning performances every day. We are proud that our outstanding team members are receiving special recognition from the university,” said Dean Valerie Weber, M.D.

David Dhanraj, M.D., Wright State Physicians’ chief medical officer and associate dean for clinical affairs and chair of the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, said, “Serving in top leadership roles with both Wright State Boonshoft School of Medicine and Wright State Physicians, one of her many roles is to ensure alignment and synergy between the academic and clinical missions, and she does this with remarkable skill and grace. She is an extremely creative and resourceful leader who constantly supports our physician educators, allowing them to effectively deliver care and teach. This ensures our medical students have the learning environment and resources needed for them to achieve.”

Rex’s leadership has inspired Wright State Physicians to live the mission of educating tomorrow’s physicians, as well as the organizational values of wisdom, integrity and compassion. Providers and staff are consistently recognized as Dayton Business Journal Health Care Heroes and Dayton Magazine’s Dayton’s Best Docs.

Wright State Physicians was also recognized as a Best Place to Work by the Dayton Business Journal, a recognition based on employee surveys about workplace culture.

Rex’s leadership extends into serving the community. She is part of the executive leadership team of Go Red for Women, the American Heart Association’s signature women’s initiative to increase heart health awareness. She also serves as chair of the board of directors of the American Heart Association, Dayton metro chapter.

“Working closely with Kim Rex has been incredibly valuable to me and to the Department of Psychiatry at BSOM. Kim inspires others and has outstanding strategic thinking skills. She realizes the importance of effective communication and the value of collegial relationships. Kim influences others daily because she is aware that leadership is about growth, for yourself, your relationships, your productivity, and your people,” Julie Gentile M.D., professor and chair of the Department of Psychiatry.