Wil Franklin is the CEO of KC CARE Health Center in Kansas City, MO, a role he has held since 2019. Hailing from Southwest Louisiana, Wil spent 15 years in St. Louis before moving to Kansas City. His educational journey began with undergraduate studies in psychology and philosophy at Louisiana College, followed by a graduate degree in Clinical Psychology from Northwestern State University. Most recently, he furthered his expertise by completing a graduate healthcare executive program at UCLA.
Wil’s professional background is rooted in clinical psychology, with a career spanning clinical provision and leadership within safety net settings. Before joining KC CARE, he was the Chief Operating Officer at a large Federally Qualified Health Center in St. Louis and served as the Chief Program Officer at the St. Louis Integrated Health Network, where he led regional strategic planning and cross-organizational projects.
At KC CARE, Wil has fostered a culture of learning and leadership aimed at driving innovation and enhancing care quality. His tenure has seen a 31% increase in staff retention over three years, a near tripling of patient numbers over five years, expansion into mobile medical and dental services, and a successful capital campaign that raised $10 million to renovate facilities and boost capacity by 30%. Additionally, he has transformed the organization’s financial health, turning a $2 million deficit on a $16 million budget into a robust $40+ million budget with six months of cash reserves.
Wil credits much of the organization’s success to a strategic emphasis on diversity within the leadership team and Board of Directors, as well as ensuring competitive compensation for all staff. He views his primary role as supporting and empowering the team members who provide care.
As a senior leader, Wil excels in executive leadership, consensus building, and strategic planning, creating outcome-based service models that enhance efficiency, focus on quality, and advance the organizational mission. His expertise in innovation, efficiency, and strategic collaborations has consistently improved health outcomes and addressed gaps in care due to social determinants of health. Wil is a passionate advocate for health equity and aims to improve care quality while managing healthcare costs effectively.
Outside of his professional life, Wil and his wife Kelly, who have been together for over 20 years, are parents to four children. His diverse interests include coaching soccer, robotics, and contributing as a Field Crew member for his kids’ high school marching band. In his spare time, he enjoys exercise, ping pong, and delving into behavioral economics and Star Wars. He also indulges in occasional DIY projects, such as building garden boxes or chairs.