Flaget Memorial Hospital President Retires after 44 Years in Health Care - Archived

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Flaget Memorial Hospital President Retires after 44 Years in Health Care
Sue Downs spent 20 years at the hospital, including five years as President

Bardstown, Ky. (November 2, 2016) – Sue Downs, president of Flaget Memorial Hospital, part of KentuckyOne Health, has retired after 20 years at the hospital, and 44 years in health care. Downs was named president of the hospital in 2011 and officially retired on October 20, 2016.
 
"I appreciate the opportunity I was given to serve this community for so many years," said Downs. "I grew up in Nelson County, and am truly grateful for all the community members who supported me along the way."
 
Downs began her career in health care as a nurse. During her tenure at Flaget Memorial Hospital, she oversaw the development of a medical office building for orthopedics, as well as outpatient rehabilitation services and physician offices.
 
Flaget Memorial Hospital has achieved numerous accolades under Downs’ leadership, including being named the only hospital in Kentucky as one of the “Top 100 Rural and Community Hospitals” by iVantage Health Analytics. Downs was also recognized as one of “50 Rural Hospital CEOs to Know” in Becker’s Hospital Review in 2015. In 2016, Flaget earned The Joint Commission’s Gold Seal of Approval for Advanced Certification for Total Hip and Total Knee Replacement.
 
In honor of Downs’ service, the Flaget Memorial Hospital Foundation has dedicated the nursing station at Flaget Memorial Hospital’s Cancer Center as the “Sue Downs Nursing Station.”
 
"In recognition of 44 years of service in health care and exceptional patient care, the Flaget Memorial Hospital Foundation bestowed to Sue Downs a lasting tribute of her legacy," said Leslie Buddeke Smart, CFRE, division vice president of development, KentuckyOne Health. "We thank Sue for her steady leadership at Flaget Memorial Hospital, and to the community."
 
Downs plans to remain active in the Bardstown community, supporting the Flaget Memorial Hospital Foundation and current fundraising efforts to expand the cancer center and invest in 3-D mammography.
 
Rick Vancise, vice-president of ambulatory services at Flaget Memorial Hospital, has been named as interim site executive. His proven record of extraordinary growth in the outpatient settings, strong operational leadership, and exceptional leadership in special projects will continue the work in progress at Flaget Memorial Hospital.
 
About KentuckyOne Health
KentuckyOne Health, the largest and most comprehensive health system in the Commonwealth, has more than 200 locations including, hospitals, physician groups, clinics, primary care centers, specialty institutes and home health agencies in Kentucky and southern Indiana. KentuckyOne Health is dedicated to bringing wellness, healing and hope to all, including the underserved.  The system is made up of the former Jewish Hospital & St. Mary’s HealthCare and Saint Joseph Health System, along with the University of Louisville Hospital and James Graham Brown Cancer Center. KentuckyOne Health is proud of and strengthened by its Catholic, Jewish and academic heritages.