APRIL NIBJ: Young Leaders in Health Care: How Kootenai Health’s Top 40 Under 40 Honorees Are Shaping Community Health

Kootenai Health is home to a growing group of emerging leaders who are redefining what it means to serve a rapidly evolving region. This year, two Kootenai Health professionals — Anthony Perrotti, director of Culture and Learning, and Sarah Cushman, manager of Regional Development and Clinical Outreach — were named to the North Idaho Business Journal’s Top 40 Under 40, recognizing their growing influence on community health.

Perrotti leads Kootenai Health’s Culture & Learning team, supporting leader development, employee engagement, and learning systems that shape the day-to-day experience of employees and patients. His focus is partnering with leaders to strengthen how work is led so teams execute reliably and caregivers feel supported, connected, and able to thrive.

“Every patient interaction starts with a caregiver who feels equipped and valued,” Perrotti said. “When we foster a culture where people love coming to work, that positivity extends to every corner of the hospital and ultimately improves outcomes for the community.”

Cushman’s work centers on building and maintaining relationships with clinical partners throughout the region, ensuring patients can receive the care they need closer to home. Her team connects external clinicians with Kootenai Health programs, educates them about available services, and helps reduce unnecessary travel for specialty care already offered locally.

“North Idaho is growing, and we have to grow with it,” Cushman said. “My goal is to make sure patients in communities from Orofino to Bonners Ferry know they can access high-quality care right here, without leaving the region.”

Both leaders bring a forward-looking vision to Kootenai Health. It is a vision focused on strengthening the workforce that cares for North Idaho and expanding the pathways through which patients receive exceptional, local care.

    Sarah Cushman