2025 Kennedy-Kafer Service Award Recipient: Joyce Grayson

The Kennedy-Kafer Service Award is presented to a 3RNET member who demonstrates the same passion, dedication, and loyalty toward 3RNET's mission as the awards namesakes: Nikki Kennedy-Kafer and Jerry Kafer. 3RNET staff members select the Kennedy-Kafer Service Award recipient. The first Kennedy-Kafer Service Award was presented in 2014.
 
As a Kennedy-Kafer Service Award recipient, we’d like to showcase your connection to and service of 3RNET. Please answer the below questions. We’ll use your responses to put together a write-up featuring you as our most recent Kennedy-Kafer Service Award recipient. 

We sent a few questions to our 2025 Kennedy-Kafer award recipient, Joyce Grayson (Kansas) to learn more about her history with and service toward 3RNET, and what these mean to her.

Tell us about when and how you were first connected with 3RNET.

I was first connected with 3RNET in 2004 when I joined the Rural Health Education & Services’ team to further develop the Kansas Recruitment and Retention Center (KRRC).  KRRC provides direct recruitment and retention services to rural and urban underserved healthcare organizations.

Tell us about your history with 3RNET. How long have you served as an associate member? What committees, projects, events, and more have you helped with?

I became an associate member of 3RNET when I joined the Rural Health team to lead KRRC in 2004.  While I had extensive healthcare recruitment experience, my knowledge and interaction with rural recruitment was limited.  3RNET provided me with a wealth of knowledge, support, and mentorship. The 3RNET team has created a community of mission-minded, forward thinking rural experts that are quick to lend a hand, share an idea, and offer encouragement.  I have benefited greatly from this community over the years.

It has been a privilege to serve on a variety of committees as well as the 3RNET board.   I have also enjoyed the exchange of ideas and resources through the behavioral health interest group.  There are a lot of ways to engage with 3RNET and I have found each of them to be rewarding.

What does ‘service’ mean to you?

For me, service relates directly to the core of our mission.  It means coming together in partnership and collaboration to address the healthcare needs of the underserved with humility and purpose.  Service is about listening to, understanding and respecting the people we serve so that we can work alongside them to make a difference.

What does the 3RNET Network of membership organizations mean to you?

The 3RNET network of members embodies the spirit of collaboration, innovation, and partnership.  It provides opportunities to learn, teach, and share ideas.  Even though we may all work differently, we are united by the same mission of strengthening the healthcare workforce in rural and underserved communities.  The collective work of the 3RNET membership makes a positive impact nationwide – I’m proud to be a part of that!

What advice would you give to someone new to 3RNET or new to recruitment?

My advice to someone new to 3RNET or new to recruitment is to dive in and get involved!  The 3RNET website, staff, and membership offer a lot of resources to help you succeed.  Don’t hesitate to ask questions – there’s always someone willing to help.  Also, share your ideas and experiences – your perspective adds value to our network.

Anything else you’d like to add?

Thank you for the award!  Coming from the 3RNET team elevates the honor.  Thank you!