WNH Names Leaders in Key Financial Positions

Jul 28, 2023

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Earlier this year, Kara Goff stepped into the chief financial officer role at William Newton Hospital. Goff assumed this position from Brian Barta, who was named chief executive officer in December. In May, Goff’s controller position was filled by Beth Zimmerman.

“I’m excited Kara’s stepped up to be the next CFO,” shares Barta. “It’s a position that comes with responsibility, and over her career, Kara has proven she is capable and well-suited to handle everything that comes her way. Kara is a strong financial leader, and WNH is fortunate to have her in our efforts to continue improving the hospital’s financial position.”

Goff began her career at William Newton Hospital in May 2012 as a staff accountant. She was promoted to senior staff accountant and then controller in 2016. She began serving in the interim CFO role in June 2022.

A Kansas native, Goff grew up in Syracuse and spent summers in Winfield with her grandparents. After graduating from Hutchinson Community College, she earned a bachelor’s of business administration in finance from Kansas State University in 2001. Goff would spend the next 10 years in Kansas City in investment banking and trading, including tenures at UMB Bank, BATS Trading, and Tradebot Systems.

Goff moved to Winfield in 2011 and joined William Newton Hospital after briefly working at American Family Insurance.

“At my interview, there was a sense of pride, and the staff was so friendly and encouraging,” says Goff. “I immediately felt like this is where I wanted to be.”

In her role as CFO, Goff oversees health information management, provider billing, William Newton Healthcare Foundation, and the business office, which includes admissions, registration, and scheduling.

“I’m looking forward to giving back,” Goff explains. “My experience here has been amazing, and it’s my goal to mentor and support the next generation of William Newton Hospital employees.”

Goff plans to focus on the hospital’s financial stability by streamlining the revenue cycle and implementing strategies to increase revenues and decrease expenses.

She resides in Winfield with her husband Erik and their two boys. She is a member of the Trinity Lutheran Bell Choir and has been active with Soroptimists and Young Professionals of Cowley County. She is also a member of the Healthcare Finance Management Association.

In her role as controller, Beth Zimmerman oversees the general accounting department. She holds a bachelor’s of accounting from Divine Word College in the Philippines. Upon moving to the U.S. permanently, she gained experience by working in various accounting positions across multiple industries. Her first job in the States was at Dollar General as assistant manager. Zimmerman then moved to Creative Community Living in 2010 as payroll clerk and became the assistant controller at Capper Foundation.

Working as a financial analyst at General Electric, she had the opportunity to explore the aviation industry starting in 2019. Prior to joining the hospital, she was the accounting manager at Century II in Wichita.

“I am very excited to be part of the team. There is so much for me to learn, being my first time in the healthcare field,” says Zimmerman. “This is a big challenge but it is exciting at the same time. With my experiences, wanting to grow more, and with a great team beside me, I know I will be successful in this role.”

Goff says Zimmerman is quickly acclimating to healthcare.

“We are happy to have Beth join our accounting team. Her diverse background in the field will be an asset to WNH. I foresee a successful future for her here.”