Awards
Each year, KHA honors individuals and institutions that have made significant contributions to advancing health care in Kentucky.
KHA Presents 2025 Quality Awards
KHA Quality Team Presents Patient Safety Hero Award to Millicent Caffey, Medical Center at Bowling Green
KHA Quality Team Presents Patient Safety Hero Award to Blake Cantrell, Morgan County ARH Hospital
KHA Quality Team Presents Patient Safety Hero Award
KHA Patient Safety Hero Award
KHA Honors Senator Danny Carroll as KHA Legislative Champion
KHA Distinguished Service Award
KHA’s highest honor, this award is presented to an individual who has given untiring and exceptional service to their hospital, community, the state, and KHA.
- Nina Eisner, The Ridge Behavioral Health System
- Charles Lovell, Barbourville ARH Hospital
- Larry Gray, Baptist Health Louisville
- Carl Herde, Kentucky Hospital Association
- Brian Brezosky, Kentucky Hospital Association
- Sheila Currans, Harrison Memorial Hospital
- Wayne Meriwether, Owensboro Health Twin Lakes Regional Hospital
KHA Award of Excellence
KHA’s Award of Excellence is a prestigious award given to individuals who have made significant contributions to health care in Kentucky.
- Danny Bentley, PharmD, State Representative
- Hollie Harris Phillips, Appalachian Regional Healthcare (ARH)
- Donovan Blackburn, Pikeville Medical Center
- Dave Anderson, Jackson Purchase Medical Center
- Jerry Penner, Murray-Calloway County Hospital
- Steven Stack, MD, Kentucky Department for Public Health
- Deborah Campbell, RN-BC, MSN, CPHQ, Kentucky Hospital Association
KHA Governance Leadership Award
The purpose of this award is to acknowledge individuals who have had a positive and sustainable impact on the quality of care in their communities.
- Gavin Roberts, Chair, Owensboro Health Board of Directors
- Thomas “Tommy” K. Elliott, Baptist Health
- Martha Jones, CHI Saint Joseph Health
- Aaron Thompson, PhD, Baptist Health
KHA Legislative Awards
KHA regularly recognizes state legislators who have exhibited exemplary service to the hospitals of Kentucky and the patients they serve.
- KHA Legislative Champion Award: Representative Josh Bray
- KHA Legislative Hero Award: Representative Wade Williams
KHA Quality Awards
This award honors hospital leadership and innovation in quality, safety, and commitment to patient care.
2025
- Deaconess Union County Hospital
2024
- Mary Breckinridge ARH Hospital
2023
- Bluegrass Community Hospital
- Deaconess Union County Hospital
2022
- Fleming County Hospital
2025
UofL Health – South Hospital
2024
- Rockcastle Regional Hospital
2023
- Ephraim McDowell Regional Medical Center
- Saint Claire Regional Medical Center
2022
- Rockcastle Regional Hospital
2021
- Rockcastle Regional Hospital
2025
- CHI Saint Joseph Health – Saint Joseph East
2024
- Ephraim McDowell Regional Medical Center
2022
- Ephraim McDowell Regional Medical Center
2021
- Frankfort Regional Medical Center
2025
- Baptist Health Corbin
2024
- Baptist Health Paducah
2023
- Saint Joseph Hospital
- Owensboro Health Regional Hospital
2022
- Baptist Health Louisville
- Saint Joseph Hospital
- Elizabeth Edgewood
2021
- Baptist Health Corbin
2025
- UofL Health
2025
- Millicent Caffey, Clinical Outcomes Specialist, Medical Center at Bowling Green
- Blake Cantrell, Director of Pharmacy, Morgan County ARH Hospital
- Kiara Farris, Staff Nurse, UofL Health Center for Women and Infants
2024
- Heather Hope, Quality Improvement Specialist at Owensboro Health Muhlenberg Community Hospital
- Lisa Lockhart, Nursing Quality Manager/Patient Safety Officer, Ephraim McDowell Regional Medical Center
- Dr. David Worthy, Vice President and Chief Medical Officer, Baptist Health Corbin
2025
- Select Specialty Hospital – Central Kentucky
2024
- Continuing Care Hospital
2023
- Continuing Care Hospital
2022
- Continuing Care Hospital
2021
- Continuing Care Hospital
2025
Infection Prevention/Sepsis
Hospital: Norton Hospital
Title: “Wound Care Nurses: Decreasing Superficial Infections Among High-Risk Patients Having Cesarean Deliveries”
Mental Health/Substance Use/Suicide Prevention
Hospital: UofL Health
Title: “Optimizing Naloxone Accessibility Through Specialty Pharmacy Services”
Patient Safety/Safety Culture
Hospital: T. J. Regional Health
Title: “Reducing Patient Falls”
Quality Leadership/Strategic Development/AI
Hospital: Baptist Health Richmond
Title: “Impact of an Inpatient Pharmacist’s Review of Discharge Oral Antibiotic Prescriptions on Composite Appropriateness at a Community Hospital”
SDoH/Population Health/Health Equity/Readmissions
Hospital: Whitesburg ARH Hospital
Title: “Seamless Meds: From Pharmacy to Patient”
2024
FIRST PLACE:
Hospital: Owensboro Health Regional Hospital
Title: “The Eyes on the Lines Project for Reduction in Device Utilization & Healthcare Associated Infections”
SECOND PLACE:
Hospital: Med Center Health, Bowling Green
Title: “Shining a Spotlight on CAUTI Prevention”
THIRD PLACE:
Hospital: CHI St. Joseph Health
Title: “A Multidisciplinary Approach to Improving Responsiveness Across an Acute Care Facility”
HONORABLE MENTION:
Hospital: Baptist Health Richmond
Title: “Aim for the Target: Optimizing Anti-Pseudomonal Antibiotic Utilization at a Community Hospital”
2025
- Lincoln Trail Behavioral Health System
2024
- UofL Health – Peace Hospital
2023
- The Brook Hospital- KMI
2022
- UofL Health – Peace Hospital
2021
- UofL Health – Peace Hospital
2023
- UofL Health
- St Elizabeth Healthcare
KHA Grassroots Advocacy Award
- Claire HealthCare
- Claire HealthCare
- Claire HealthCare
Angela Portman
