Larry Kahl
Chief Operating Officer
Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services
Larry W. Kahl was hired as the Chief Operating Officer for the Department for Health and Human Services for the State of Nebraska in September 2020. He brings more than 30 years of healthcare leadership experience, starting in behavioral health and the past 15 years in senior healthcare leadership. He has far reaching experience in healthcare, as evidenced by performing turnarounds, program development, operating efficiency and developing exceptional high performing teams.
In his role with the Department of Health and Human Services, he is responsible for all of the Department's residential services, including three adult hospital facilities and four youth residential treatment centers as well as a number of other traditional COO duties.
He has mapped a path to stability and growth for these service lines with a focus on operational excellence within three key areas:
- Evidence based best practice programs
- Well trained and appropriate staffing of people and
- Adequate, functionally designed facilities
He is dedicated to supporting the CEO, her vision and initiatives across the organization.
Prior to joining NE DHHS, Mr. Kahl was COO of Sole Community Hospitals in Oregon and Washington state. He also has extensive experience developing and operating services in behavioral healthcare in Wisconsin and Iowa.
He holds a Bachelors of Business Administration from Iowa State University – Ivy College of Business and a Masters of Education from the University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh. He has a passion for education and taught graduate students at the University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh for ten years, followed by two years of additional teaching experience at Grays Harbor Community College. Demonstrating the highest level of credentialing in healthcare, Kahl holds Fellow status with the American College of Healthcare Executives.
He and his wife Ronni reside in Lincoln, while his children and grandchildren live in Wisconsin and Florida. When not at work, Kahl enjoys a round of golf and woodworking.
Contact:
Michelle Isley, Executive Assistant
(531) 249-1733
Michelle.Isley@nebraska.gov