Saint Joseph East Honors Outstanding Staff With Employee, Leader of the Year Awards for 2020

LEXINGTON, Ky. (Dec. 3, 2020) – Saint Joseph East has announced its 2020 Employee of the Year and Leader of the Year award recipients. Kathy Carpenter, RN, of Nicholasville, was presented with the Employee of the Year award, and Mary Beth Keeton, RN, nurse manager, of Mount Sterling, earned the Leader of the Year award.

Saint Joseph East annually recognizes one outstanding Employee of the Year who demonstrates the core values of reverence, integrity, compassion and excellence.

“Kathy will always make sure that her work is correct and efficient,” a co-worker said in nominating Carpenter. “For instance, she once offered to draw blood from an infant for me, and when I told her I could do it, she insisted. She just goes the extra mile to help others and is always there for others who are experiencing tough times. People can learn the importance of integrity by following Kathy.”

Known around the hospital for her smile and consideration of others, Carpenter is frequently praised by her colleagues for being a team player and a go-getter. When reporting for a shift, she is often the first to arrive and one of the last to leave. Carpenter’s co-workers say she treats everyone around her with respect, and in turn, she receives the same.

Similarly, Saint Joseph East annually presents one employee serving in a managerial position with the Leader of the Year award. Selection criteria include an outstanding demonstration of leadership led by CHI Saint Joseph Health’s core values of reverence, integrity, compassion and excellence. This year’s recipient, Mary Beth Keeton, was nominated by several colleagues.

“Mary Beth embodies the core value of integrity by forming relationships with others that are built on trust,” said one nominator. “She would never ask something of anyone that she wouldn't do herself, and she will be the first person to advocate for another whenever it’s needed. She holds herself and others accountable, and is truthful with all her interactions as a leader. Mary Beth is an amazing asset to this organization, and I'm so glad I stumbled into her life 14 years ago as a new graduate nurse and made a lifelong ally and friend.”

At Saint Joseph East, Keeton is widely known and respected by her colleagues by the way she collaboratively works with her fellow unit managers, leadership and staff – even those outside of her unit. Keeton leads by example, and colleagues say always lets the highest ideals lead her work. Her co-workers say she is willing to sacrifice personal convenience for the greater good of the organization because she is truly committed to the ministry that Saint Joseph East provides to the local community.

Both award winners were recognized during a special virtual event.

About CHI Saint Joseph Health
CHI Saint Joseph Health, part of Catholic Health Initiatives, is one of the largest and most comprehensive health systems in the Commonwealth of Kentucky with 135 locations in 20 counties, including hospitals, physician groups, clinics, primary care centers, specialty institutes and home health agencies. In total, the health system serves patients in 35 counties statewide. CHI Saint Joseph Health is dedicated to building healthier communities by elevating patient care through an integrated physical and behavioral health delivery system. CHI Saint Joseph Health embodies a strong mission and faith-based heritage and works through local partnerships to expand access to care in the communities it serves.

About Saint Joseph East
Saint Joseph East is a 217-bed full service community hospital located in the southeastern section of Lexington, KY. Established in 1983, the facility serves residents of central and eastern Kentucky. At Saint Joseph East, ambulatory surgery, 24-hour emergency care and women’s health services are supported through a vast array of inpatient and outpatient programs.

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