Ascension announced today that three leaders from across its national health ministry have been recognized by the Catholic Health Association (CHA) as 2026 Tomorrow’s Leaders. Chad Dilley, Jayna Kelly, and Preston Becker were selected for their exceptional leadership, measurable impact, and steadfast commitment to Ascension’s Mission of serving all persons with special attention to those most vulnerable. Honorees will be recognized at the 2026 CHA Assembly.
The CHA's Tomorrow's Leaders Program encourages the promising young leaders of today to continue their careers in Catholic Health ministry. Each class consists of an impressive cadre of dedicated, high-performing individuals who already have demonstrated commitment to advancing the healing mission. The full list of honorees for this year’s award can be found here: https://www.chausa.org/news-and-publications/publications/catholic-health-world/archives/may-2026/young-up-and-comers-blaze-a-trail-while-building-a-transcendent-legacy
Chad Dilley, President of Ascension St. Vincent’s Central Region (Indiana), leads culture, quality, safety, growth, and community relations of this 967-bed Level 1 Trauma Center, which includes Peyton Manning Children’s Hospital, the Women and Infants Hospital, Lucas Family Brain and Spine Hospital, Stress Center, and Seton LTAC. Chad’s career highlights include executing over $380M of complex strategic capital projects, developing cultures through challenging team unifications and change management, growing leaders through coaching and mentoring, recruiting physicians, and recruiting and developing board members. A fellow of the American College of Healthcare Executives, he is also a frequent presenter and committed mentor to emerging leaders.
Jayna Kelly, Director of Nursing at Wamego Health Center (Kansas), exemplifies Mission-rooted leadership shaped by her journey from volunteer to senior nursing leader. She has transformed workforce culture and clinical performance through trust, compassion, and a deep commitment to rural healthcare. Under her leadership, Wamego Health Center earned the Kansas Healthcare Collaborative’s Award for Quality as the Best Small Hospital in Kansas. She is also a vocal advocate for rural health, providing testimony at the Kansas Legislature to advance access and equity for underserved communities.
Preston Becker, Director of Spiritual Care for Ascension St. Vincent (Indiana), is recognized for his exceptional leadership rooted in Catholic identity, compassion, and justice. During his time with Ascension Michigan, he oversaw spiritual care strategy across 16 hospitals with more than 3,000 staffed beds, leading a team of 50 chaplains and collaborating with four dioceses to ensure sacramental ministry remains integral to patient care. Preston played a key role in guiding spiritual care through the joint venture between Ascension Michigan and Henry Ford Health, supporting leaders through complex transitions while preserving Catholic identity. His work in acute care, PACE centers, and prison chaplaincy reflects a vocation to serve the most vulnerable. In 2023, he received the National Association of Catholic Chaplains Emerging Leader Award in recognition of his national impact on the field.
About the Catholic Health Association
The Catholic Health Association of the United States is the national leadership organization of the Catholic health ministry, representing the largest nonprofit provider of health care services in the nation.
- 1 in 7 patients in the U.S. is cared for in a Catholic hospital each day.
- Catholic health care, which includes more than 2,200 hospitals, nursing homes, long-term care facilities, systems, sponsors, and related organizations, serves the full continuum of health care across our nation.
