Continuing Care Hospital Honors Outstanding Staff With Employee, Leader of the Year Awards

LEXINGTON, Ky. (Dec. 2, 2020) – Continuing Care Hospital has announced its 2020 Employee of the Year and Leader of the Year award recipients. Melissa “Missy” Barnes, of Richmond, care assistant health unit coordinator, was presented with the Employee of the Year award, and Regina Masters, RN, director of nursing, of Nicholasville, earned the Leader of the Year award.

Continuing Care Hospital annually recognizes one outstanding Employee of the Year who demonstrates the core values of reverence, integrity, compassion and excellence. This year’s recipient, Melissa Barnes, was nominated by several colleagues.

“Missy demonstrates professionalism and is always caring to all patients in our unit,” said one colleague. “She goes above and beyond to ensure that our patients receive the best care possible at Continuing Care Hospital. She is a light to everyone she meets.”

Barnes is described as “a team player through and through – always willing to provide a helping hand to her coworkers.” Her colleagues say she is eager to take on any role given to her, and her compassionate, collaborative demeanor have made her a star employee.

Similarly, Continuing Care Hospital 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 is Regina Masters.

“Regina is a star example of excellence,” a nominator said. “Continuing Care Hospital as an entity provides high-quality care for the patients we care for. This starts with Regina’s leadership – she has clear expectations for the care provided.”

Under Masters’ leadership, Continuing Care Hospital has won numerous Quality Awards. These achievements speak volumes about Masters’ leadership skills and her high level of expertise.

Both award winners were recognized during a special, virtual ceremony.

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 Continuing Care Hospital
Continuing Care Hospital is a long-term acute care hospital in Lexington, Ky., located within Saint Joseph Hospital. Established in 2002, the facility is licensed as a general acute care hospital that serves residents of central and eastern Kentucky, and addresses the unique and complicated physical, emotional, spiritual, nursing and rehabilitation needs of long-term patients.

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