Individuals and organizations were honored on September 1 at the ninth annual MediStar Awards. Held at the
Hyatt Regency Louisville, the MediStar Awards are the region’s premier venue for recogni z ing excellence in the
business of healthcare.
Hyatt Regency Louisville, the MediStar Awards are the region’s premier venue for recogni z ing excellence in the
business of healthcare.
This year’s award ceremony introduced a new format where the eight honorees were announced in print and online in August and celebrated more extensively at the award ceremony. More than 200 attendees showed up to congratulate the honorees and celebrate their accomplishments in advancing healthcare in Kentucky and southern Indiana.
After a toast by Janet Craig of Stites & Harbison, the MediStar Award cocktail sponsor, Ben Keeton, publisher of Medical News and emcee, said, “I’m excited to celebrate, for the ninth year in a row, the best of the best in healthcare in our region. All of the honorees have shown real ingenuity and passion in their work.”
From the Honorees
The new format allowed for more time to learn more about each honoree, such as what influenced them, what they
are proud of, what concerns them, who they are thankful for. Honorees such as Kim Hobson, the KAHCF Nurse of the Year, gave an impassioned speech about personal alarms and relationship staffing at Nazareth Home. Hobson said, “I strongly encourage you not to use personal alarms on elders because they increase the risk for injury and increase the risk for fall. They are very confusing, especially to frail elders who hear these noises. They think it’s a
doorbell. They think it’s a cat next door. They don’t know.”
The new format allowed for more time to learn more about each honoree, such as what influenced them, what they
are proud of, what concerns them, who they are thankful for. Honorees such as Kim Hobson, the KAHCF Nurse of the Year, gave an impassioned speech about personal alarms and relationship staffing at Nazareth Home. Hobson said, “I strongly encourage you not to use personal alarms on elders because they increase the risk for injury and increase the risk for fall. They are very confusing, especially to frail elders who hear these noises. They think it’s a
doorbell. They think it’s a cat next door. They don’t know.”
Kendra Grubb, MD, the KLSC Healthcare Innovation Honoree for her direction of the Percutaneous Valve Replacement Program, reminded us that behind each innovation are people who are profoundly affected by the procedures they are now able to have. Grubb explained, “My team figured out how to take an 80 year old heart patient, put a new heart valve in and have them stay awake the whole time, which has revolutionized our entire program.” Grubb marveled at the newfound ability of these patients to go home the very next day, “An 80 year old
goes to the operating room, by nine a.m. he is in the intensive care unit, he walks to physical therapy, sits in a chair for lunch and the next day is able to get in a car go home.”
goes to the operating room, by nine a.m. he is in the intensive care unit, he walks to physical therapy, sits in a chair for lunch and the next day is able to get in a car go home.”
All of the nominees took time to recognize team members, co-workers, board members and family. Hall Render
Leadership in Healthcare Honoree, Tony Zipple, CEO of Seven Counties Services said, “I’m grateful to my family for their intense support of my work over the years. They’ve tolerated my crazy schedule, gave time to chase more graduate degrees, supported our move here from Chicago and have embraced Louisville as their new home. They have been my anchors and it’s their love that makes the rest of my work and life possible.”
Leadership in Healthcare Honoree, Tony Zipple, CEO of Seven Counties Services said, “I’m grateful to my family for their intense support of my work over the years. They’ve tolerated my crazy schedule, gave time to chase more graduate degrees, supported our move here from Chicago and have embraced Louisville as their new home. They have been my anchors and it’s their love that makes the rest of my work and life possible.”
The MediStar Award Honorees represent the innovative work that Kentucky’s healthcare professionals are contributing to our nation’s healthcare system.
The night’s winners were:
Tony Zipple with award presenter Brian Veeneman (photos by Frankie Steele)
The Hall Render Leadership in Healthcare Award
Presented to a progressive and entrepreneurial individual who is not afraid to take risks and whose job performance is considered exemplary by providers, patients and peers.
ANTHONY ZIPPLE
President and Chief Executive Officer
Seven Counties Services
Kendra Grubb, MD, with award presenter Kyle Keeney
The Kentucky Life Sciences Council Healthcare Innovation Award
Presented to an organization that has developed a new procedure, device, service, program or treatment that improves the delivery of
care.
PERCUTANEOUS VALVE PROGRAM
Providing patients at high risk for open heart surgery with minimally invasive options that can save lives and improve a patient’s quality of life.
Kim Hobson with award presenter Betsy Johnson
The Kentucky Association of Healthcare Facilities Nurse of the Year Award
Presented to a nurse who has gone above and beyond their normal responsibilities to improve best practices and contribute to patient edu
cation.
KIM HOBSON
Director of Nursing
Nazareth Home
Philip Patterson with award presenter Janet Lively
The Harshaw Trane Facility Design Award
Presented to an architectural firm that demonstrated functional or innovative design in a new or renovated healthcare facility, which improves the delivery of care.
OWENSBORO HEALTH REGIONAL HOSPITAL
Designed by HGA
Liz Fowler with award presenter Chris Rollman
The BOK Financial Aging Care Award
Presented to an organization that has advanced the level of care for the senior community through innovative methods resulting in r
educed costs and improved quality of care.
HOSPICE OF THE BLUEGRASS
A national leader in delivering high quality end-of -life care and a pioneer in developing new programs that respond to the evolving needs of the seriously ill and their families.
Melissa Currie, MD, with award presenter Judge David Holton
The Seven Counties Services Health Advocacy Award
Presented to an individual or organization that has worked to raise awareness of health challenges in our region and worked to affect change.
MELISSA CURRIE, MD
Medical Director and Chief
Kosair Charities Division of Pediatric Forensic Medicine
University of Louisville Physicians
Neal Richmond, MD, with award presenter Janet Craig
The Physician of the Year Award
Presented to a physician who has shown outstanding leadership and vision and has contributed to their workplace leaving a lasting legacy.
NEAL RICHMOND, MD
Former Medical Director and Chief Executive Officer
Louisville Metro EMS
Trudi Matthews with award presenter Glenn Sullivan
The A.O. Sullivan Award for Excellence in Education
Presented to an organization that takes creative approaches to developing and implementing programs, which enhance the level of knowledge, education and career opportunity in healthcare.
KENTUCKY REGIONAL EXTENSION CENTER
One of a select group of organizations throughout the United States charged with assisting providers, practices, and hospitals in the achievement of Meaningful Use of Electronic Health Records (EHRs)
More information about the event and honorees, as well as photos of the event can be found at www.MediStarAwards.com.
