Ky. Hospital Association presents awards at annual convention

Nina Eisner, Lexington (KHA photos)

Kentucky Health News

The Kentucky Hospital Association honored several health-care leaders in the state at its annual convention in Lexington on May 21.

KHA’s highest honor, the Distinguished Service Award, was presented to Nina Eisner and Charles Lovell for untiring and exceptional service.

Eisner has served in clinical and administrative health-care positions for 45 years. In 2002, she became CEO of The Ridge Behavioral Health System in Lexington, She has been a strong advocate for Kentucky’s psychiatric hospitals and their patients and is a long-serving KHA trustee and has served in many other roles with KHA, the association said in a news release.

Charles Lovell, Barbourville

Lovell has been part of the Kentucky and Tennessee health-care landscape for the past 45 years. After serving as an emergency-room nurse in Memphis, he became CEO of several Tennessee and Kentucky hospitals, coming to Kentucky in 2003, to run Caldwell County Hospital in Princeton. He helped build a replacement hospital to serve Caldwell and Lyon counties.

In 2015, Lovell became community CEO at Barbourville ARH Hospital, which added many services and was the 2023 Knox County Chamber of Commerce Business of the Year. Lovell himself was the chamber's Man of the Year. Lovell has also held many roles with the KHA, chairing its Board of Trustees in 2013-14.

KHA’s Award of Excellence, given to individuals who have made significant contributions to health care in Kentucky, was presented to State Rep. Danny Bentley, R-Russell. 

Bentley, a pharmacist, has represented House District 98 (Greenup County and part of Boyd County) since 2017. He is known for helping his neighbors with health issues, and as a legislator helped pass measures that helped rural hospitals.

The KHA Health Care Governance Leadership Award, for individuals who have had a positive and sustainable impact on the quality of care in their communities through their work as hospital trustees, was presented to Gavin Roberts, chair of the Owensboro Health Board of Directors. The hospital is Owensboro’s largest employer, and Roberts has chaired the Owensboro Chamber of Commerce.

Kentucky tobacco-free advocates win Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids' national Group Youth Advocates of the Year award

The Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids named the #iCANendthetrend Youth Advisory Board Group Youth Advocates of the Year. Front, from left: Saumya Sikhwal, Jasmin Hernandez, Sarah Larkin and Philena Ash. Back: Jordan Joslin, Chloe Brady, Ksenia Miller, Relena Aispuro and Olivia Hardigree.

By Melissa Patrick

Kentucky Health News

The University of Kentucky's #iCANendthetrend Youth Advisory Board has been named the Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids' 2024 Group Youth Advocates of the Year.

The Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids says it is the leading advocacy organization working to reduce tobacco use in the United States and around the world. 

The group was recognized for its advocacy summit at the state Capitol, where over 100 youth came together to push for stronger enforcement of Kentucky’s law prohibiting the sale of tobacco products to anyone under the age of 21. This event was held Feb. 15, following its second Kentucky Youth Tobacco Control Conference the day before. 

The #iCANendthetrend Youth Advisory Board is made up of high school students from across the state who applied to join the group, which works on empowering young people to prevent tobacco and e-cigarette use.

The board is part of UK's #iCANendthetrend program, which utilizes college-student facilitators who offer presentations in schools across the state about the dangers of tobacco and electronic-cigarette use.

The program was started in 2019 and the students found such passion from the high-school students that they created a program for them in 2021, said Griffin Nemeth, the group's coordinator and a student  at UK's College of Pharmacy.

Board member Saumya Sikhwal, a senior at South Warren High School, said one of the board's biggest projects this year was to advocate for compliance checks and enforcement of the law barring sales to those under 21. 

"So my main thing was to advocate for having stricter policies and compliance checks . . . holding retailers accountable for selling nicotine products to underage youth," Sikhwal said. 

She said that for most of the students, including herself, it was the first time they had talked directly to the legislators and that they got both positive and negative feedback to their requests. 

Board member Ksenia Miller, a freshman at Villa Madonna Academy in Kenton County, said students at the conference were educated about the tobacco laws in Kentucky and how they are enforced and were then able to talk with legislators the next day "about putting in more laws to further enforce the laws."

"It was a really, really big project to work on," she said. "But it was definitely a fun one."

The students who attended the awards ceremony in Washington, D.C. and accepted the award on behalf of the group, spoke about their work in a video. Sikhwal and Miller were joined by board member Jasmin Hernandez, a junior from Casey County High School.

Asked about their experience, Miller said she enjoyed sharing the hard work that the Youth Advisory Board did and meeting fellow advocates. "It was a really great experience," she said. 

Sikhwal agreed. "It was definitely not just an award, it was more of an experience where you get to learn from others," she said. " I did not know how big Campaign for Tobacco Free Kids was. Just seeing people from across the world being there and advocating for tobacco prevention was really eye opening for me, and more inspiring. And it motivated me to do more advocacy work as I go into my next college years. " 

Sikhwal added that she was moved by Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids' President and CEO Derrick Johnson's words, when he said we should put "people above the profits."

She said, "I will remember that for a long time."

Nemeth said, "It really just goes to show the amazing work of all the young advocates."

Kentucky treatment and recovery leaders honored with awards

By Melissa Patrick

Kentucky Health News

Six Kentuckians were honored with 2024 Champions of Recovery Awards at the Kentucky Chamber of Commerce's ninth annual Kentucky Workforce Summit held in Lexington on May 14. 

The awards are sponsored by the Kentucky Association of Independent Recovery Organizations and the Recovery Consortium of Kentucky.

Recipients of the inaugural KAIROS Legislative Champion Award, recognizing state legislators who have partnered to advance significant legislation to improve treatment resources, standards of patient care, and long-term results for Kentuckians, were:

• Rep. Kim Moser, R-Taylor Mill — lead sponsor of this year's House Bill 505, which amended requirements for peer-support specialists to increase accountability and standardize qualifications, training and oversight across the industry to help better serve persons in treatment.
• Rep. Samara Heavrin, R-Leitchfield — lead sponsor of last year’s HB 248 (and co-sponsor of this year’s HB 462), which established quality standards for recovery housing in Kentucky – a critical component to sustaining long-term recovery among individuals with substance-use disorder.
• Sen. Phillip Wheeler, R-Pikeville — lead sponsor of this year’s Senate Bill 71, which implemented guidelines for addiction-treatment centers to provide transportation services to clients leaving recovery programs and included important guardrails for the alternative sentencing worker program.

“The 2,100 plus dedicated professionals represented by KAIROS are extremely grateful for our strong legislative partners,” John Wilson, Addiction Recovery Care market president and KAIROS chairman, said in a news release from the two groups. “Thanks to their collaboration and commitment, we are advancing the commonwealth as a national leader in addiction treatment and recovery.”

Three Kentuckians were inducted into the fourth annual RECON Kentucky Recovery Hall of Fame. These awards recognize individuals in long-term recovery and those who have taken a leading role in addressing Kentucky’s addiction crisis through prevention, treatment, education and advocacy efforts. Two of the awards are named after inaugural inductees U.S. Rep. Hal Rogers and Jay Davidson of The Healing Place.

Nancy Hale
(All photos provided)

Nancy Hale, of Mount Vernon, received the Congressman Hal Rogers Award, which recognizes Kentucky public officials who have advocated legislation and policies that address the addiction crisis and help Kentuckians with substance-use disorders reach long-term recovery.

Hale received the award for her 34-year career in public education and her efforts to help lead Operation UNITE, an innovative substance misuse and recovery collaboration serving 33 southern and eastern Kentucky counties, for more than a decade. Hale served as Operation UNITE's third president and CEO from 2015-2023. UNITE is an acronym for Unlawful Narcotics Investigations, Treatment and Education. 

Dr. Burns M. Brady

The late Dr. Burns M. Brady of Louisville posthumously received the Jay Davidson Award, which recognizes an individual in recovery who has helped to support Kentuckians with their long-term recovery.

Brady was a family doctor for 25 years, co-founded The Healing Place, an award-winning Louisville-based addiction recovery program serving individuals at no cost to the client, and volunteered extensively across the U.S. to help with recovery efforts in the prison system, the release said.

Logan Aluminum of Russellville received the Second Chance Employer of the Year Award for its fair-chance employment of people in recovery and advocacy of the Chamber’s Workforce Recovery Program. Logan Aluminum was also influential in the passage of SB 191 in 2020, which provides businesses with liability protections when hiring individuals in recovery through the Kentucky Transformational Employment Program, according to the release.

Kentucky Center for Smoke-Free Policy honors communities, groups and individuals who help create smoke-free communities

The Kentucky Center for Smoke-Free Policy at the University of Kentucky and the Kentucky Department for Public Health’s Tobacco Prevention & Cessation Program honored communities, groups and individuals from across the state who are leading the way to enact smoke- and tobacco-free policies at the 2024 Kentucky Tobacco Control Conference held April 23-24 in Lexington. 

“While tobacco use has decreased across the general population, disparities persist by geographic location, socioeconomic status, race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability status, and mental health status,” Amanda Bucher, director of tobacco policy research and outreach in the College of Nursing at UK, said in a news release. “This is in part due to the tobacco industry’s targeted marketing of these populations. Our vision for a tobacco-free Kentucky must promote health equity and eliminate these disparities.”

Sydney Shaffer, the 2024 Smoke-free Youth
Advocate of the Year, poses with Lexington
Mayor Linda Gorton. (Photo by Tim Webb)

Sydney Shaffer, a high-school student from Scott County, received the Smoke-free Youth Advocate Award for excellence in promoting smoke-free policy and education about secondhand smoke. Shaffer has advocated for lung-health policies and youth-vaping prevention since losing her grandfather to lung cancer. She has spoken to policymakers about the importance of tobacco control policies at the local, state and national levels.

The Northern Kentucky towns of Corinth and Highland Heights received the Everette Varney Smoke-free Indoor Air Excellence Award for their "exceptional leadership" and collaborative efforts in promoting the health of their citizens by enacting comprehensive smoke-free workplace ordinances.

Dr. Timothy W. Mullett, medical director of UK's Markey Cancer Center Network, received the Lee T. Todd Jr., Smoke-free Hero Award for his courage, leadership, perseverance, and continuous commitment to smoke- and tobacco-free environments in the face of adversity.

Centre College received the Tobacco Free Campus Award for its exceptional leadership and collaborative efforts in promoting healthy campus environments by implementing a tobacco-free campus last year.

Jelaine Harlow, health-education coordinator for the Lake Cumberland District Health Department, received the Ellen J. Hahn Lifetime Achievement in Tobacco Control Award for an exceptional life devoted to leadership in advocacy and public service contributions in tobacco control.

Jessica L. Burris, UK Department of Psychology and Markey Cancer Center received the Timothy W. Mullett M.D. Lung Cancer Prevention Award for her leadership, devotion, and passion toward preventing lung cancer through policy change in tobacco control.

Dr. Michael Gieske, diredctor of lung-cancer screening at St. Elizabeth Healthcare in Northern Kentucky, received the David B. Stevens M.D. Smoke-free Advocate of the Year Award for excellence in promoting secondhand smoke education and smoke-free policy.

The event was also sponsored by UK Healthcare, the Kentucky Health Collaborative, the Kentucky Asthma Management Program, Aetna Better Health of Kentucky, the Kentucky Office of Community Health Workers, Appalachian Regional Healthcare, the Kentucky COPD Program, CHI Saint Joseph Health and Kentucky Voices for Health, a coalition of health-advocacy organizations.

Six Kentucky hospitals get national recognition for specialty care

By Melissa Patrick

Kentucky Health News

Six Kentucky hospitals have been awarded 2024 Healthgrades Specialty Excellence Awards, for placing in the top 5% or 10% of hospitals within a health-care specialty. 

"We celebrate the recognized hospitals for their steadfast dedication to high quality specialty care,” Dr. Brad Bowman, chief medical officer and head of Data Science at Healthgrades, said in a news release. "Healthgrades 2024 Specialty Excellence Awards and Ratings showcase hospitals nationwide that deliver consistently exceptional patient outcomes in a given medical specialty."

Healthgrades is an online source for information about physicians, hospitals and healthcare providers.

Mercy Health Lourdes Hospital in Paducah was recognized as one of the top 100 hospitals in the nation for five specialties, including critical care, gastrointestinal care, gastrointestinal surgery, pulmonary care and stroke care. 

Saint Joseph Hospital in Lexington was recognized as a top 100 hospital for critical care and pulmonary care. 

Frankfort Regional Medical Center was recognized as a top 100 hospital for prostate surgery. 

Owensboro Health Regional Hospital was recognized as one of the nation's top 50 hospitals for vascular surgery. 

St. Elizabeth Edgewood Hospital was the recipient of a "Cardiac Surgery Excellence Award," "Stroke Care Excellence Award" and "Surgical Care Excellence Award." 

Baptist Health Paducah was the recipient of  a "Vascular Surgery Excellence Award." 

Healthgrades says data for the rankings come from Medicare Provider Analysis and Review (Medpar) files for 2020-22. The analysis looked at patient outcomes for 31 common procedures and conditions from virtually every hospital in the country. Medpar files have records for all Medicare beneficiaries who use hospital inpatient services.

CEO of Pikeville Medical Center wins 2023 Gil Friedell Memorial Health Policy Award from the Foundation for a Healthy Kentucky

Donovan Blackburn

By Melissa Patrick
Kentucky Health News

Donovan Blackburn, CEO of Pikeville Medical Center, is the latest winner of the Foundation for a Healthy Kentucky's Gil Friedell Memorial Health Policy Award for his work in changing the landscape of health care in Eastern Kentucky. 

“Donovan Blackburn has been a visionary for Eastern Kentucky and has helped bring the type of high-quality care to the region that its residents have long deserved,” Ben Chandler, president and CEO of the foundation, said in a news release. “A chance for a healthy life shouldn’t be determined by the area of Kentucky in which you live, and Donovan’s work is making the commonwealth a more equitable place to access healthcare.”

Gary Dryden of Louisville, chair of the foundation's Community Advisory Council, noted that the expansion of health-care options in Appalachia facilitated by Blackburn's hospital has provided care that residents previously had to travel hours to larger cities to obtain. 

"Because of his vison," Dryden said Wednesday, "thousands of Kentuckians have access to resources needed to sustain a healthy life." 

Blackburn’s ability to foster consensus through collaboration has helped secure millions in investment in healthcare delivery, the release said.

Under his leadership, in 2020, PMC opened its Appalachian Valley Autism Center.  In 2021, the Mettu Children’s Hospital opened, allowing clinicians to partner with specialists in cardiology, endocrinology, and pulmonology at the University of Kentucky Children’s Hospital. In 2022, a satellite center in Floyd County opened, enabling the Autism Center to provide services to children from Pikeville and Prestonsburg.

PMC also opened its Heart and Vascular Institute of Eastern Kentucky, the result of a $35.2 million capital investment. The new space includes a new cardiac rehabilitation department, 29 exam rooms and three state-of-the-art interventional cardiac catheterization labs. 

“I am deeply honored and humbled and honored," Blackburn said about receiving the award. "I recognize and realize what this award stands for and I wear it as such also as a badge of honor, not for myself, but for the 3,100 employees that I have the opportunity to lead from the back. . . . And so on behalf of our organization, I'm very proud to accept this award."

Donovan Blackburn accepts a $5,000 donation to the non-profit of his choice, Appalachian Valley Autism Center from Ben Chandler, and Gary Dryden. (Foundation for a Healthy Kentucky photo). 

Blackburn also expressed his gratitude for the $5,000 donation to the non-profit of his choice.  Blackburn selected the Autism Center, which provides applied-behavior-analysis therapy to children between the ages of 2 and 12 on the autism spectrum. 

Blackburn explained that his granddaughter, Ava, who is now 6, was the inspiration for the center because she was born with sensory disorder and is on the spectrum. His wife, Debbie Blackford, is the executive director of the center, which is called the AVA Center. 

"We sincerely appreciate not only the award, acknowledging the work that we've done throughout Eastern Kentucky, but also for the generosity and the gift for the AVA Center that is changing so many kids lives in the region as well," he said. 

According to the news release, the center supports 90 children and is projected to double that by the end of 2024.

The winner of the Gil Friedell Memorial Health Policy Award is chosen from recipients of a Healthy Kentucky Champions Award, which recognizes Kentuckians who are working to improve the health of their community and the commonwealth. This year, there was a record number of nominees. Click here to read more about each of them.

The other 2023 Healthy Kentucky Champions are: 

• Dr. Muhammad Babar – Doctors for Healthy Communities, Louisville
• Shelly Baer – Emerald Therapy Center of Murray
• Mark Birdwhistell – UK HealthCare
• Lacretia Dye – Western Kentucky University
• Donald Frazier – UK Science Outreach Center
• Ellen Hahn - UK Kentucky Center for Smoke-free Policy
• Jeremy Harrell – Veteran’s Club of Louisville
• Susan Jones – Western Kentucky University
• Dr. Whitney Jones – Colon Cancer Prevention Project
• Dr. Karl Lange – Mission Health Lexington
• Katherine Marks – Commissioner, state Department of Behavioral Health, Developmental and Intellectual Disabilities
• Rhondell Miller – Hotel Inc. of Bowling Green
• Jerry Ugrin – Lewis County Primary Care Center

Postsecondary education council honors Stivers for legislation

Stivers receives award from Dr. Aaron Thompson, president of
the postsecondary education council, and Dr. Leslie Sizemore,
its executive director for workforce and economic development.

State Senate President Robert Stivers received the Innovative Healthcare Leader Award from the state Council on Postsecondary Education at its Workforce Collaboratory awards luncheon in Lexington Tuesday.

"The award celebrates Stivers’ tenacity, creativity, and dedication to building a diverse and highly skilled healthcare workforce for Kentucky’s future," a Senate press release said. It cited Senate Bill 10, a Stivers measure that passed the legislature and "made significant strides in removing artificial barriers that prevented eligible students from entering the nursing profession. It made it easier for nurses outside Kentucky to practice here, addressing major workforce shortages. It also removed arbitrary caps on admission to nursing programs.

"Most importantly, SB 10 restructured the Kentucky Board of Nursing to reflect more of Kentucky’s geographical diversity and bolster the voices of nurses by requiring 10 board members to be practicing nurses. It also requires Senate confirmation of the members.

Stivers, a Republican from Manchester, said in the release, “I wholeheartedly believe we have to tackle our health-care challenges with innovative ways and bring in new partners to invigorate the industry that holds so much promise for Kentucky in so many ways. Everyone in Kentucky has a reason to be excited about how we are changing the health-care landscape because it means better opportunities for those seeking health-care professions and better outcomes for those receiving higher quality care.”

WellCare of Kentucky, a manager of Medicaid, honors nine Kentucky health heroes with Community Health Champion awards

Front row, from left: Matt and Jennifer Westwood, Chelsea Ryann’s Festival of Hope; Christy Hinton, River Valley Behavioral Health; Faith Fountain, Ramey-Estep/Re-group; Sonja Grey, Exploited Children’s Help Organization; Stacy Kuhn, Farmstead, Inc. Back row, from left: Katina Hayden (overall winner), Catholic Charities of Owensboro; Dustin Bowman, Frankfort Police Department; Tiffany Riley, Kentucky Care; Corey Ewing, WellCare plan president; Dr. Key Douthitt, Breathitt County Long-Term Recovery.

Kentucky Health News

WellCare of Kentucky, one of the companies that manages Medicaid coverage for the state, honored nine people as "community health champions" for their efforts to improve the physical and mental well-being of Kentuckians.

 

Gov. Andy Beshear spoke at the Wednesday event, recognizing the health-care professionals who work to improve the quality of life in Kentucky’s communities through service, volunteerism and advocacy.

"All of this year’s nominees are integral partners in supporting the well-being of Kentuckians, and I am proud to be a part of this ceremony honoring their efforts," said Beshear. "Thank you to WellCare of Kentucky for continuing to recognize those who go above and beyond in helping their neighbors."

The statewide award was presented to Katina Hayden, director of case management of Catholic Charities of Owensboro.

Hayden's nomination by her peers said she played a crucial role in managing recovery efforts from the tornados that ripped across Western Kentucky in July, and helped the most marginalized Kentuckians recover from the natural disaster, a nws relese said. Hayden provided assistance to more than 4,000 survivors through her tireless work, helping to provide hope to 14 counties.

“Katina represents exactly the type of service, commitment, and passion that we want to support in Kentucky,” WellCare Plan President Corey Ewing said. “We know that people like her help make Kentucky communities healthier.”

The 2023 Regional Community Health Champions, by Medicaid region, are: 

Region 1: Tiffany Riley, Kentucky Care community health worker, for her "remarkable" impact on the lives of homeless individuals with physical and mental health problems. She was also recognized for her work as a lead facilitator at Western Kentucky Situation Table, connecting people at risk with essential resources. "Thanks to her valiant efforts, countless individuals who often slip through the cracks have been provided medical, dental, vision, and behavioral health services," says the release.

Region 2: Christy Hinton, River Valley Behavioral Health 988 mental-health first responder, for putting in up to 70 hours a week, and her volunteering for New Beginnings and her local church. "But her commitment does not stop there. Hinton goes above and beyond for everyone she meets, always having a smile on her face," says the release. 

Region 3: Sonja Grey, Exploited Children’s Help Organization, for her dedication to preventing and reducing child abuse through education, advocacy and support services in Louisville. It also says she actively partners with non-profit organizations, schools, and youth-serving organizations while serving in multiple leadership roles, with more than 15 years of experience in leading nonprofit organizations and for-profit businesses "Grey is extensively involved in the community, serving on multiple task forces and advisory councils for organizations like Kosair for Kids-FaceIt Movement campaign and Jefferson County Public Schools," says the release.

Region 4: Stacy Kuhn, Farmstead Inc., for her work as a volunteer providing pro bono equine-assisted psychotherapy to veterans. "Kuhn, a trauma survivor, holds multiple licenses in counseling. Her unique qualifications and personal journey make her the perfect advocate for our veterans," says the release.

Region 5: Dustin Bowman, Frankfort Police Department, for his work in addressing substance abuse treatment and prevention, and understanding that arresting people is not a long-term solution. "Bowman is involved in school activities, substance abuse prevention initiatives, and organizations addressing homelessness and affordable housing. Chief Bowman has secured grants for collaborative efforts between law enforcement and service organizations," says the release.

Region 6: Matt and Jennifer Westwood, Chelsea Ryan Festival of Hope, for their efforts to spread awareness about mental health, having "turned their pain into purpose," the release says. "After their daughter's tragic suicide, they dedicated themselves to helping the students at Lloyd Memorial High School. Through their fall festival, Chelsea Ryann Festival of Hope, they not only raised funds but also spread awareness about mental health. It is a joyful event where the community comes together, and mental health resources are readily available. Every year, they raise an average of $10,000, which helps the counselors bring in outside help for students in need." 

Region 7: Faith Fountain, Ramey-Estep/Re-group, for her work to better people's lives. She joined the organization as a youth support specialist in 2012 and has worked with more than 200 young people. "Faith is a passionate advocate for diversity and inclusion within the community. She serves on several community action boards, working to ensure equitable representation and opportunities for all. Faith initiated programs such as free ordainment ceremonies, fostering inclusivity and supporting individuals from various backgrounds," says the release.

Region 8: Dr. Key Douthitt, Breathitt County Long-Term Recovery Team, for his work as the medical director of the North Fork Valley Community Health Center, where he played a pivotal role in in helping rural communities during the flood of 2022. According to the release, "He organized door-to-door medical teams to hit the hardest affected areas across Breathitt, Knott, Perry and Letcher counties. He coordinated 13 teams and administered over 2,500 tetanus vaccines. Dr. Douthitt also established a hotline for flood-related medical needs. Furthermore, he also helped replace lost medications for those in shelters at Wolfe and Perry counties."

Nominations are due by Aug. 31 for the Dan Martin Award recognizing lifetime contributions to rural health in Kentucky

Since 2003, the Kentucky Rural Health Association has presented an individual with an award for lifetime contributions to rural health in Kentucky. The award is named for its first recipient, Dr. Dan Martin of the Trover Foundation in Madisonville.

The Dan Martin Award is given to someone who has provided many years of service to rural health, whether in patient care, administration, health-professions education, health administration, health promotion or public advocacy.

The rural health association is seeking nominations for this year's award. To nominate someone, complete this form. Theis year's deadline for nominations is Thursday, Aug. 31.

Based on the responses and the criteria of the candidates received, the Dan Martin Award Committee makes recommendations to the KRHA Executive Committee, which will select the 2023 honoree. The award will be presented at the KRHA Annual Conference on Nov. 16-17 in Bowling Green. 

If you are a KRHA member and would like to serve on the award committee or have further questions, email Garrett Anspach at gban222@uky.edu.

Nominations sought by Aug. 31 for Dan Martin Award, which recognizes a lifetime contribution to rural health in Kentucky

The Kentucky Rural Health Association is seeking nominations for the 2022 Dan Martin Award, which honors an individual's lifetime contribution to rural health in Kentucky.

The award is named for its first recipient, a physician at the Trover Foundation in Madisonville. Winners' contributions have come in areas of direct patient care, health-professions education, health administration, health promotion and public advocacy.

To nominate someone, please complete this form no later than Aug. 31.

If a nominee is deemed appropriate, the award will be presented at the KRHA annual conference, Nov. 16-17, in Bowling Green.

For further information or questions, contact Garrett Anspach at gban222@uky.edu.

Ky. Hospital Assn. hands out annual quality awards to hospitals

The Kentucky Hospital Association recently gave Kentucky hospitals its annual Quality Awards, honoring them for their leadership, innovation in quality, safety and commitment to patient care. The recipients were: 

• Bluegrass Community Hospital in Versailles and Deaconess Union County Hospital in Morganfield - critical access hospitals 
• Rockcastle Regional Hospital in Mount Vernon - hospitals with fewer than 100 beds
• Ephraim McDowell Regional Medical Center in Danville and St. Claire Regional Medical Center in Morehead - hospitals with 100 to -250 beds
• St. Joseph Hospital, Lexington, and Owensboro Health Regional Hospital - hospitals with more than 250 beds
• The Brook Hospital-KMI, Louisville - psychiatric hospitals
• Continuing Care Hospital, Lexington - physical rehabilitation or long-term acute care hospital 
• St. Elizabeth Healthcare of Northern Kentucky - system project
• U of L Health, Louisville - KHA Quality-Centered Health System Award, a new one for the association

"These hospitals and systems demonstrated not only a dedication to patient safety, but their persistence in going above and beyond what is expected for providing quality care," a KHA news release said.

Hospital group honors health-care leaders at annual convention

By Melissa Patrick

Kentucky Health News

Larry Gray of Baptist Health Louisville and Carl Herde of the Kentucky Hospital Association were awarded the KHA's Distinguished Service Award at the association's 94th annual convention in Lexington May 17. 

The award, considered the association's highest honor, is given to individuals who have given untiring and exceptional service to their hospital, community, the state and KHA, according to a news release. 

Larry Gray accepts Distinguished Service Award
from KHA President Nancy Galvagni (Photo provided)

Gray is president of Baptist Health Louisville and has served in the Baptist Health system for more than 35 years. A hospital news release in February said he plans to retire this year.

The KHA release notes that Gray led the hospital through the Covid-19 pandemic and that Louisville Business First named him a Healthcare Hero for his extensive Covid-19 vaccine outreach and his leadership abilities. 

Prior to his role at the Louisville hospital, Gray served as the director of pastoral care in 1988, the vice president for System Support and Administrative Services at Baptist Health Lexington and president of Baptist Health Corbin. 

Carle Herde accepts Distinguished Service
Award from Nancy Galvagni (Photo provided)

Herde, vice-president of financial policy at KHA, also received the Distinguished Service Award. 

Herde started at Touche Ross & Co., the predecessor firm of Deloitte & Touche in Louisville. He joined Baptist Health in 1984 as a controller and eventually served as the chief financial officer and vice president during his 23 years with the system. He also served on multiple boards throughout his career. After retiring, Herde joined the KHA in 2016.  

During his time at the association, Herde led the charge to secure funding for Kentucky’s hospitals with the Hospital Rate Improvement Program. A KHA release said the program has helped keeping hospitals open during a financially difficult time.

KHA gave the late Thomas "Tommy" Elliott of LOuisville its Health Care Governance Leadership award, for individuals who make a positive and sustainable impact on the quality of care in their communities through their work as governing-board members. Elliott was killed in the mass shooting at Old National Bank in Louisville on April 10.

The KHA release says Elliott was committed to providing health equity for the people of Kentucky while serving on the boards of Baptist Health Louisville, the Baptist Health System and the Greater Louisville Foundation from 2008 to 2022. He also served on several charitable organizations’ boards.

2023 Healthy Kentucky Champion nominations are due May 1

The deadline to nominate someone for a 2023 Healthy Kentucky Champion award is Monday, May 1. 

The award, sponsored by the Foundation for a Health Kentucky, is meant to recognize people leading the change to improve the health of Kentuckians.

The foundation offers some guidelines for whom to consider: 

• A Kentuckian who has invested time, energy and dedication to improving the health of their community and/or the Commonwealth.
• A leader who has demonstrated their commitment by advancing programs, research, policy advocacy, and/or initiatives to address unmet health needs of Kentuckians.
• An exceptional person who has participated, led and/or mentored others in efforts to address and reduce health risks and disparities and promote health equity in Kentucky.

Click here for the nomination form and to view a 20-minute webinar that answers questions about the program.

Learn how to nominate someone for recognition as a Healthy Kentucky Champion in a 30-minute webinar at noon ET March 21

Mental-health advocate Sheila Schuster, center, was the first Gil Friedell Health
Policy Champion, selected from several Healthy Kentucky Champions, in 2019.

Kentucky has many "Healthy Kentucky Champions," people recognized by the Foundation for a Healthy Kentucky for their efforts to make our state a healthier place. You may know someone worthy of this award, but don't know how to nominate them. Here's your chance to give them the recognition they deserve.

The foundation will host "Health for a Change: Recognizing Healthy Kentucky Champions," a 30-minute webinar, at noon ET Tuesday, March 21. Viewers will learn about the program, its benefits, and how to nominate someone. "You’ll get the inside scoop on how to make your nomination stand out from the bunch," the foundation says in a news release. "Let’s promote the efforts of people working to improve the health of Kentuckians!" To register, click here. 

Panelists on the webinar will be Ashley Brauer, the foundation's vice president of communications, and Matthew Coleman, a member of its Community Advisory Council and a project manager for the Kentucky Office of Rural Health in the University of Kentucky Center of Excellence in Rural Health.

Denise Hall awarded Gil Friedell Health Policy Award for her substance-use prevention efforts with youth in Trimble County

Left to right: Foundation for a Healthy Kentucky Board Chair Dr. Clifford Maesaka, Denise Hall, Foundation President and CEO Ben Chandler, and Council President Tim Marcum.

Denise Hall of Trimble County is this year's winner of the Foundation for a Healthy Kentucky's Gil Friedell Health Policy Award for her  substance-use prevention efforts among youth. 

“Drug addiction is something far too many Kentuckians have seen first-hand, and that’s why Denise Hall’s work is so critical,” said Ben Chandler, president and CEO of the foundation. “Her efforts to prevent future addictions and support the overall wellbeing of the youth of her community makes her the perfect person to receive the Friedell Award. At a time when so many young people are struggling with their mental health, Trimble County students can take comfort in knowing what a strong advocate they have on their side.”

Hall began working in the substance-use prevention field in 1998 at Seven Counties Services. In 2003, she became coordinator for the Trimble County Family Resource and Youth Services Center, an organization that connects students and their families to needed services, like utility assistance or clothes and food, as a way to remove nonacademic barriers to learning. 

While with the FRYSC, Hall wrote two Drug Free Communities grants and directed them. In 2017, she gave up her coordinator position to focus on the grant program, which is in its 10th and final year. 

Hall retired Oct. 1, with plans to assist local nonprofits and schools with grant writing and continue attending meetings of the Trimble CARES Coalition, of which she was managing director. CARES stands for Community Assessing Resources and Education on Substance misuse. 

Hall’s work also includes implementing a Drug Education Series and a Sources of Strength group at Trimble County Junior/Senior High School. She made tools such as drug-testing kits and medication-deactivation kits available to parents and she provided one-on-one education for students who violated school drug and alcohol policies. She was also crucial in getting vape detectors installed at the high school. She has written grants for a small kitchen that allows for life-skills lessons in a special-needs classroom and for a washer and dryer at TCJSHS, and was instrumental in finding money to build a new wheelchair ramp after the old one broke. 

“I am so honored to be chosen for this award,” Hall said. “So many wonderful people worked on these projects with me, and we so appreciate the amazing students of this community.”

The Memorial Health Policy Award is named for Gil Friedell, first director of the Markey Cancer Center at the University of Kentucky and cofounder of the Kentucky Cancer Registry. He helped launch a nonprofit advocacy education organization in 2005 that later became the Friedell Committee for Health System Transformation. The Foundation created the award when it united with the Friedell Committee in 2018.

The foundation makes a $5,000 grant to a Kentucky nonprofit working to improve health policy in the commonwealth in honor of the Friedell Award winner. Hall selected Trimble CARES Coalition, which works against the harmful effect of substance abuse and strives to ensure that all youth have support available to make positive, healthy choices.

Hall was selected from the foundation's 2022 Healthy Kentucky Champions, Kentuckians honored for making a difference in the health of their communities or the state. Click here to nominate someone for the 2023 class of Healthy Kentucky Champions. 

Kentucky among 6 states with 2022 Medicaid Innovation Award

Dept. for Medicaid Services graphic

Kentucky’s Medicaid program has received a national award for enrollment innovations it implemented during the Covid-19 pandemic.

The Medicaid Innovation Award from the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation and the National Academy for State Health Policy recognizes states for demonstrating creativity, leadership and progress in their programs despite significant public health challenges in recent years.

“We are honored to be one of only six states to receive this recognition,” Gov. Andy Beshear said in a news release. “Team Kentucky is committed to continuing this progress to make our commonwealth a better place for our people to live full, healthy lives for generations to come.”

The public-health emergency Beshear declared in March 2020 made the Department for Medicaid Services change how it enrolled its participants. That included the implementation of a fast track to Medicaid enrollment and eligibility. This expedited application process allowed screeners to identify if applicants were also eligible for other types of help, such as food assistance

“In the early days of the pandemic, hundreds of thousands of working Kentuckians suddenly lost their employer-sponsored health insurance," Emily Beauregard, executive director of Kentucky Voices for Health, said in the release. "When faced with an unprecedented public-health crisis, Medicaid leaders pivoted quickly to provide temporary coverage through Medicaid presumptive eligibility. Their innovative approach to outreach and enrollment saved lives and provided the financial security workers and families needed to get back on their feet. It's an essential part of our safety-net that is there to catch us when we least expect we'll need it."

A release from the foundation says the state won its Enrollment Innovations category because "Kentucky implemented a range of measures during the Covid-19 pandemic to simplify Medicaid enrollment and increase access to coverage including targeted, data-driven marketing and outreach; a simplified application; and coordination with other state agencies."

“We are so pleased to recognize state Medicaid programs that have creatively addressed significant challenges over the past few years to meet the needs of their residents,” Hemi Tewarson, executive director at the National Academy for State Health Policy, said in the release. “We hope these state efforts can provide ideas and inspiration for other states.”

Other states honored at the academy's annual conference in Seattle were Arizona, California, North Carolina, Minnesota and West Virginia.

Kentucky Medicaid covers more than 1.6 million people, more than half of them children covered under Medicaid or the Kentucky Children’s Health Plan. Approximately 625,000 Kentuckians are covered under Medicaid expansion under the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, passed in 2010 and implemented in 2014.

Seven Healthy Kentucky Champions named by Foundation for a Healthy Kentucky; finalists for Friedell Award to be given Oct. 17

The Foundation for a Healthy Kentucky has announced its 2022 class of Healthy Kentucky Champions. The awards recognize individuals dedicated to improving the health of Kentuckians at a community level or state level; they are finalists for a statewide award to be announced in October.

“These seven Healthy Kentucky Champions are an inspiration to all working to better the health of our state,” said Ben Chandler, president and CEO of the foundation. “We owe them much gratitude for their dedication to addressing some of the health challenges Kentuckians face. The commonwealth is better because of these Healthy Kentucky Champions.”

The seven Healthy Kentucky Champions are nominees for the 2022 Gil Friedell Memorial Health Policy Champion Award, which comes with a $5,000 grant from the foundation to a Kentucky-based nonprofit of the winner’s choice. This year’s Friedell Award winner will be announced at the Howard L. Bost Memorial Health Policy Forum Oct. 17. The forum will focus upstream the social determinants of health on the connection between educational opportunities and health outcomes of Kentuckians. To learn more and register for this free, virtual event, click here.

The Healthy Kentucky Champions are Dr. Patricia Bautista-Cervera of Louisville, Eric Crawford of Maysville, Terry Gehrke of Louisville, Denise Hall of Trimble County, Michelle Howell of Scottsville, Dr. Patrick Kitzman of the University of Kentucky and Mark Thomas of Todd County.

Dr. Patricia Bautista-Cervera

Dr. Patricia Bautista-Cervera is a pediatrician and pediatric allergist at the La Casita Center, an organization dedicated to enhancing the well-being of Louisville’s Latinx and immigrant community. As health empowerment coordinator, Bautista-Cervera works to promote health through workshops, informational videos, one-on-one communications, and other various means. During the COVID-19 pandemic, she delivered important information to the Spanish-speaking community through the online video series, “Consejos de Salud con la Dra. Paty.” She also was instrumental in developing virtual forums with stores and restaurants to educate the Hispanic community about the virus and promote preventive measures and vaccination. In 2020 she supported 994 Covid-19-positive patients, offering medical guidance and, through an empowering model, connecting them to LCC’s wrap-around services and other resources in the community.

Eric Crawford

Eric Crawford, a Maysville native, joined Kentuckians for Medicinal Marijuana in 2013. Crawford’s education in the endocannabinoid system and cannabis, as well as his experience as a quadriplegic, has fueled his passion for advocating for the legalization of medical marijuana in Kentucky. He has been involved in crafting legislation and has testified at the state Capitol about how cannabis improves his quality of life. He is a member of the Governor’s Medical Cannabis Advisory Committee and has also traveled the state with Kentuckians for Medicinal Marijuana for more than 50 medical cannabis educational seminars. Crawford remains active in the Maysville community by serving on the Lions Club and volunteering at a nursing home. He is a Finis Davis Fellowship recipient through the Kentucky Lions Eye Center and a past member of Kentucky Partners in Policymaking through the Commonwealth Council for Developmental Disabilities.

Terry Gehrke

Terry Gehrke has been in the fitness-wellness industry for more than 30 years. She founded Balanced Wellness LLC in 1999 in Jefferson County and still leads the organization as president and wellness consultant/health educator. Gehrke joined the Kentucky Diabetes Network in 2019 as executive director and has guided the organization to promote better health for Kentuckians at-risk for and living with diabetes. She leads KDN’s symposium committee each year to offer the largest professional education opportunity for diabetes training in the state, the Kentucky Diabetes Symposium. Gehrke’s background includes teaching in the University of Louisville Health and Sport Sciences Department and working with Southeast Christian Church’s Sports & Fitness Ministry. Gehrke is a member of several organizations including the National Wellness Institute, the National Physical Activity Society, and Exercise is Medicine.

Denise Hall

Denise Hall of Trimble County began working in the substance use prevention field in 1998 at Seven Counties Services. In 2003, she became coordinator for Trimble County Family Resource and Youth Services Center before writing two Drug Free Communities grants and directing them. The DFC grant is now in its 10th and final year. Hall’s work includes implementing a Drug Education Series in Trimble County and a Sources of Strength group at Trimble County Junior/Senior High School. She administers a survey to middle and high schoolers to understand the needs for substance-misuse prevention. Hall was crucial in getting vape detectors installed at the high school and is managing director of the Trimble CARES Coalition.

Michelle Howell

Michelle Howell co-owns Need More Acres Farm in Scottsville with her husband Nathan. She has an agriculture degree from Western Kentucky University and previously worked for University of Kentucky Cooperative Extension assisting tobacco farmers as they transitioned to fruit and vegetable production. She collaborates with local and state partners to increase equitable opportunities for farmers. Howell has also been involved in writing grants worth more than $2.4 million to benefit food access, women’s life courses, and urban-rural development. Need More Acres co-founded the Community Farmers Market in Bowling Green, which piloted several Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program incentives. CFM was essential to growing Kentucky Double Dollars into a statewide program and CFM is one of the organization's pilots of the Fresh Rx MOMs program for expecting mothers on Medicaid. Both programs help under-resourced Kentuckians access fresh, healthy food from farmers markets. Additionally, Howell partners with UK, WKU and Kentucky State University for interactive professional development on diversity and inclusion.

Patrick Kitzman

Dr. Patrick Kitzman is a professor in the University of Kentucky Department of Physical Therapy. He’s also founding director of the Kentucky Appalachian Rural Rehabilitation Network, a team that develops strategies to reduce disability and improve the quality of life for individuals with neurological impairments living in underserved rural Appalachian counties. Kitzman and his team established projects CARAT and CARAT-TOP. In CARAT (Coordinating and Assisting the Reuse of Assistive Technology) students learn to refurbish used medical equipment and donate it to those in need in the community. CARAT-TOP (Coordinating and Assisting the Reuse of Assistive Technology- Together One Priority) is a training program created through a partnership with the UK Center of Excellence in Rural Health. It brings together community members and high-school students of all abilities to learn new skills to help individuals and communities affected by disability.

Mark Thomas

Mark Thomas, Todd County Schools superintendent, was instrumental in establishing the AXIS Program: Centering All Services in the district. In partnership with the Todd County Health Department, the program addresses students’ social and emotional well-being through mental-health case management. The program also assists with basic needs such as nutrition, clothing, toiletries, housing, transportation, and treatment for substance use disorder. Thomas played a crucial role in gaining needed buy-in of the program from staff and the community. Through his support, the program is expanding services to include parenting classes, prenatal classes, and mental health awareness programs for students and staff. Thomas began his career in Shelby County in 1996 as a middle school teacher. He has served in a number of school and district administrative roles across Kentucky before starting his current position in 2020.

Deadline is nearing for nominations for the Dan Martin Award for lifetime contributions to rural health in Kentucky

Since 2003, the Kentucky Rural Health Association has presented an individual with an award for lifetime contributions to rural health in Kentucky. The award is named for its first recipient, Dr. Dan Martin of the Trover Foundation in Madisonville. 

The Dan Martin Award is given to someone who has provided many years of service to rural health, whether in patient care, administration, health-professions education, health administration, health promotion or public advocacy.

The rural heath association is seeking nominations for this year's award. To nominate someone, complete this form. The deadline for nominations is Wednesday, Aug. 31. 

KRHA members who would like to serve on the Dan Martin Award Committee should email Garrett Anspach at gban222@uky.edu. The committee ranks the candidates using established criteria and makes a recommendation to the  KRHA Executive Committee, which selects the honoree, if one is deemed appropriate.  The award will be presented at the KRHA Annual Conference Nov. 16-17 at the Center for Rural Development in Somerset.

"There are many dedicated, compassionate people at work in rural health in Kentucky and we look forward to being able to give them some well-deserved recognition," the KRHA said in a news release. "Now is your chance to help us thank someone that you think deserves recognition. We need and appreciate your input."

Ex-Govs. Fletcher, Beshear in 2022 Recovery Hall of Fame class

By Melissa Patrick

Kentucky Health News

Four Kentuckians were inducted into the 2022 Kentucky Recovery Hall of Fame at the fourth annual Kentucky Chamber of Commerce Recovery in the Workplace Conference in Lexington on Tuesday. 

“Our 2022 Kentucky Recovery Hall of Fame inductees have spent years pioneering a comprehensive approach to recovery in the commonwealth,” said Tim Robinson, president and CEO of Addiction Recovery Care. “They exemplify the collaborative effort it takes to ensure every Kentuckian has the best opportunity for sustained recovery. We’re grateful for their leadership and commitment to ending the addiction epidemic once and for all.”

Two of the awards are named after inaugural inductees U.S. Rep. Hal Rogers and Jay Davidson of The Healing Place; an Employer of the Year award was added this year. The awards are sponsored by Recon Ky, a consortium working to promote long-term recovery in Kentucky.

Former U.S. Rep. and Gov. Ernie Fletcher and former Gov. Steve Beshear (who ousted Fletcher in the 2007 election) were the recipients of the Rogers Award, which recognizes Kentucky public officials who have advocated for legislation and policies that address the addiction crisis and help Kentuckians with substance-use disorders reach long-term recovery. 

Ernie Fletcher
Fletcher Group photo

During his tenure as governor, Fletcher established a recovery housing program called "Recovery Kentucky" that is still in operation. He is the founder of the Fletcher Group, which works to help rural communities with safe, sustainable recovery housing and other best practices for people with opioid and other substance use disorders. 

“While addiction is still one of the commonwealth’s most pressing issues, I’m proud of the comprehensive and collaborative approach Kentucky has taken to address this public health crisis,” Fletcher said in the news release. “Since leaving public office, I’ve kept my commitment to helping Kentuckians return to healthy, purposeful, addiction-free lives, and it is an honor to be inducted into the Kentucky Recovery Hall of Fame.”

Steve Beshear
Bipartisan Policy Center photo

During Beshear's second term as governor, he expanded Medicaid under the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, which has been instrumental in allowing more Kentuckians access to comprehensive, inpatient and outpatient addiction care. He also launched Rewarding Kentucky, a program to help people in recovery with job training and meaningful employment, and secured funding to strengthen the treatment and recovery infrastructure across the states. Beshear is one of seven members on an opioid crisis task force of the Bipartisan Policy Center in Washington, D.C. 

“Expanding and protecting access to care for all Kentuckians, including those struggling with substance use, was one of my top priorities as governor, and I am grateful for this recognition,” Beshear said in the release. “This crisis is far from over, and I will continue to work alongside other advocates and stakeholders to help more Kentuckians reach long-term recovery.”

Mike Barry
People Advocating Recovery photo

Mike Barry is the recipient of the Jay Davidson Award, which recognizes an individual in recovery who has helped to support Kentuckians with their long-term recovery. 

Barry is the former CEO of People Advocating Recovery, an organization committed to mobilizing, organizing, training and rallying people in recovery and their allies. He also spearheaded the creation of PAR's Advocacy Training Center to help spread the message of recovery through public policy and legislation. Barry recently announced his retirement, but continues to serve as chairman of the board for PAR. 

“I’m humbled to receive the 2022 Jay Davidson Recovery Hall of Fame Award,” Barry said in the release. “During my time at PAR, I was able to use my personal recovery experience to advocate for meaningful policies that promote long-term recovery, and I will continue to support these efforts however I can. It is a privilege to be honored for this work alongside so many other distinguished recovery leaders.”

Rob and Diana Perez (Kentucky.com photo)

DV8 Kitchen of Lexington is the Hall of Fame’s inaugural Employer of the Year, which recognizes a business that has championed second-chance employment and helped to reduce stigma around recovery in the workplace.

DV8 Kitchen now has two locations and all of the bakery's employees are in recovery. Owners Rob and Diana Perez have also created the DV8 Kitchen Vocational Training Foundation, which allows employees the chance to participate in professional development workshops and network with local business people. 

“After experiencing the loss of so many employees to substance use, we felt compelled to step up and do more to address addiction in our community,” Rob Perez said in the release. “We became intentional about hiring Kentuckians transitioning out of treatment and providing them with meaningful employment and mentorship. As the Kentucky Recovery Hall of Fame’s first Employer of the Year, we will continue to champion second chance employment, destigmatize addiction and encourage others in the business community to do the same.”