Saint Joseph Mount Sterling Recognizes Outstanding Medical Staff

MOUNT STERLING, Ky. (May 13, 2024) – Saint Joseph Mount Sterling has announced its 2024 Physician of the Year, Advanced Practice Provider (APP) of the Year, Employee of the Year, and Leader of the Year award recipients. They will be recognized during the CHI Saint Joseph Health Foundations’ Humankindness Gala on Saturday, May 18. This year’s recipients are:

• Physician of the Year - Byram Ratliff, MD, Lexington

• APP of the Year - Sean Lawson, Somerset

• Employee of the Year - Vanessa Harris, RN, Clay City

• Leader of the Year - Kayla Isaacs, manager, laboratory, Richmond 

Each year, Saint Joseph Mount Sterling recognizes an outstanding Physician of the Year and APP of the Year who help build healthier communities and exhibit CHI Saint Joseph Health’s core values of compassion, inclusion, integrity, excellence and collaboration. Dr. Byram Ratliff was nominated for Physician of the Year by his colleagues.

“Dr. Ratliff has dedicated his entire career to this community, first at Mary Chiles Hospital and then at Saint Joseph Mount Sterling,” his nominator said. “You could not ask for a more caring, kind and knowledgeable physician, but he is much more than that. He never acts like he is above any patient or coworker. He is always ready to lend a hand, whether answering the phones or opening our locked unit doors; he will jump in and help. His calmness in an emergency is amazing, and it helps to keep the rest of the staff calm, too. He is very deserving of this honor.”

The 2024 APP of the Year is Sean Lawson.

“Sean is diligent in working to make Saint Joseph Mount Sterling Surgical Services a success throughout our market,” said his nominator. “He is the first to take on extra cases or stay late to help expedite cases so the teams can finish cases quicker. Sean takes control in critical situations and ensures the patient is taken care of. He collaborates with the physicians and surgical team to provide optimal outcomes for each patient. He always includes the team regarding suggestions on positioning and care plans to prevent any errors and ensure a successful surgical outcome.”

Saint Joseph Mount Sterling also recognizes an Employee of the Year and Leader of the Year who go above and beyond their duties and demonstrate the health care system’s core values.

Saint Joseph Mount Sterling’s 2024 Employee of the Year is Vanessa Harris.

“Vanessa extends her compassion to all her patients,” her nominator said. “She provides inclusion to everyone’s beliefs. She maintains her integrity as an excellent nurse despite her own humble opinions. She is easy to get along and collaborate with. I always feel comfortable asking her for help and guidance.”

Kayla Isaacs has been named the 2024 Leader of the Year, recognized for her outstanding leadership in a managerial position.

“Although not new to CHI Saint Joseph Health, Kayla is a relatively new leader for the laboratory at Mount Sterling,” her nominator said. “Kayla moved into the manager position and has excelled in the role. Not only has the work environment in the lab improved, but there is significantly more interdepartmental collaboration. Kayla is a positive force and has been welcomed and embraced by both staff and leadership and is well-deserving of the award.”

Additional CHI Saint Joseph Health winners include: 

• CHI Saint Joseph Health Corporate - Carlis Richards, Employee of the Year, Berea; Andre Fomby, Leader of the Year, Lexington

• CHI Saint Joseph Medical Group - Derrick Williams, DO, Physician of the Year, Richmond; Chris Clark, APP of the Year, Nicholasville; Andrew Roberts, Employee of the Year, Corbin; Jennifer Jones, Leader of the Year, Manchester

• Continuing Care Hospital - Ghassan Shakhashiro, MD, Physician of the Year, Lexington; Emily White, Employee of the Year, Winchester; Dawn Erb, Leader of the Year, Lexington

• Flaget Memorial Hospital - Olivia Kelley, MD, Physician of the Year, Bloomfield; Janette Yingling, APP of the Year, Lexington; Barbara Hunter, Employee of the Year, Bloomfield; Brooke Dadisman, Leader of the Year, Bardstown

• Saint Joseph East - Dr. Kevin Donohue, Physician of the Year, Lexington; Heather Smith, APP of the Year, Lexington; Kathy Williams, Employee of the Year, Lexington; Jason (Jay) Elery, Leader of the Year, Lexington

• Saint Joseph Hospital - Korey Brammell, DO, Physician of the Year, Huntington, W.Va.; Michael Farran, APP of the Year, Lexington; Dee Thompson, Employee of the Year, Lexington; Rachel Kennedy, Leader of the Year, Frankfort

• Saint Joseph Jessamine - Erica Houp, Employee of the Year, Nicholasville; Patsy Harlow, Leader of the Year, Versailles

• Saint Joseph Berea - Asad Jadoon, MD, Physician of the Year, Richmond; Reida Sowden, APP of the Year, Richmond; Teresa Fightmaster, Employee of the Year, Richmond; Jackie Maynard, Leader of the Year, Berea

• Saint Joseph London - Abdul Siddiqui, MD, Physician of the Year, London; Angel Patterson, APP of the Year, London; Loretta Philpot, Employee of the Year, London; Joshua Holland, Leader of the Year, London

Award winners were also previously recognized at a local celebration.  

About CHI Saint Joseph Health

CHI Saint Joseph Health, part of CommonSpirit Health, is one of the largest and most comprehensive health systems in the Commonwealth of Kentucky with 100 locations in 20 counties, including hospitals, physician groups, clinics, primary care centers, specialty institutes, home health agencies and an ambulatory Care Center. The hospitals in CHI Saint Joseph Health are Flaget Memorial Hospital, Saint Joseph Berea, Saint Joseph East, Saint Joseph Hospital, Saint Joseph Jessamine, Saint Joseph London, Saint Joseph Mount Sterling, and Women’s Hospital at Saint Joseph East. In total, the health system serves patients in 35 counties statewide. CHI Saint Joseph Health is dedicated to providing a wide array of services toward a goal of building a healthier future for all. 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 Mount Sterling

Saint Joseph Mount Sterling is a 42-bed community hospital located in Mount Sterling, Kentucky. Established in 1918, the facility serves residents of Montgomery, Bath, Menifee, Powell and Rowan counties. An investment of $60 million opened the current facility in 2011.

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