Meet the 2023 President’s Award Winners

Each year, Owensboro Health recognizes individuals who embody our core commitments: Integrity, Teamwork, Excellence, Service, Respect, and Innovation.... in extraordinary ways. These exemplary individuals are presented with the President’s Award, the system’s highest honor.

Individuals are nominated for the award by their peers, giving team members the chance to recognize those they see going above and beyond. The nomination is then reviewed by a committee made up of former award winners. Nominees' names are kept secret, so they are selected solely for what they do, not who they are.

These are the 2023 President's Award recipients. They cultivate their own unique strengths and put them to work every day, in every relationship. They change the lives of others in positive ways and strive to reach the highest potential when caring for patients, families and colleagues. They serve with distinction. We thank each of you for your devoted service to Owensboro Health. We are grateful for each of you and thankful you are a part of our Owensboro Health family!

---

 

Terri Bailey

Nuclear Medicine
Owensboro Health Regional Hospital

Daviess County native Terri is married and has two children and two grandchildren. She said raising a family is her proudest achievement, along with being a part of Owensboro Health for 45 years. Her family and being involved in her grandkids’ lives get her out of bed in the morning, as well as her work and knowing she might make a difference in a patient or coworker’s life. Outside of work, she enjoyed shopping, spending time with her family and working in the yard.

When asked what her favorite core commitment is, she replied: “All of them are important, but teamwork is what I relate to daily. Teamwork makes the patients have a much smoother experience during their visit. With teamwork, you help when other areas are in need and make your co-workers much more satisfied. I learned the meaning of working as a team many years ago. To be successful is to work as a team.”

 

---

 

Robert Bowling

Maintenance
Owensboro Health Regional Hospital

Robert is a McLean County native with three kids and one grandkid and raising them is his proudest achievement. Going to the health park gets him out of bed each morning, and outside of work, he enjoys going on vacation. When asked what his favorite core commitment is, he replied: “Teamwork. Collaborative effort of a team to achieve a common goal.”

 

---

 

Colleen Brey, RN

Outpatient Oncology
Owensboro Health Regional Hospital

Colleen and her husband John have been married for 14 years, with three amazing daughters who keep them laughing and busy. She grew up in Owensboro and attended Owensboro Catholic schools where she made many great memories and long-lasting friendships. Colleen said she is thankful to have the opportunity to get her BS in, oncology certificate and work each day helping cancer patients. “I enjoy my job, and not everyone can honestly say that,” she said.

She’s most passionate about her faith and her children. “Every day, I am thankful to have been blessed with my family, friends and coworkers,” Colleen said. Beyond her career, she enjoys spending time with her family watching her kids’ sporting events, reading and traveling.

When asked what her favorite core commitment is, she replied: “Teamwork. Helping each other and working is the best way to ensure patients receive excellent care.”

---

 

Richard Burgan, PA

Cardiology
Owensboro Health Medical Group

Richard and his wife Amie have been married for 21 years and have three children, Alli, Liz and Scott.

He grew up in the small town of Sheridan, Indiana. “Sheridan has a population of about 2,500 people. Sheridan only had 1 family practice physician in our community and no specialists. People in our community would travel 30 minutes or so for most of their healthcare needs,” he said. “I attended Butler University where I completed my Physician Assistance Studies.”

“It is an honor to be able to work as a healthcare provider in this community,” Richard said. “Becoming a PA has allowed me to practice medicine and serve this community in a way that I am able to work with great people and make a difference in the lives of many patients. Owensboro is unique in having a healthcare system with the innovation that Owensboro Health has that can offer a level of care that a lot of patients in similar-sized communities would need to travel to large cities to receive. I’m proud to be a part of this system.”

Each day he strives to be better than he was yesterday. “From serving the patients and their families that I see to being a team player, in my personal life serving as a husband and father and growing in my faith. I strive to be better today than yesterday, better tomorrow than today,” he said.

Outside of work, he enjoys family time and learning. “I enjoy spending time with our family, especially as my girls have gone off to school, it has taught me that time together as a family is limited and we need to make the most of it,” he said.

“I have spent a lot of time over the years furthering my medical knowledge. Working in healthcare is fun because it is constantly changing. With the advancement in medical technology and treatment options, all healthcare providers are required to continue their education. This passion for learning has continued for me outside of my professional life, and I have found myself enjoying the opportunity to learn anything from woodworking skills, improving my golf fame, how other professions are able to successfully complete their tasks, to how common everyday items are manufactured.”

When asked what his favorite core commitment is, he replied: “Our core commitments as an organization are much more important than most people realize. They are all important commitments to everything we do. Personally, Integrity and Teamwork are the two that stand out as the most important. I think that if we successfully work as a team with integrity, everything else falls into place. As a provider, I must make the right decisions for the right reason. My patients and their families trust that I am going to make recommendations that are the best for them to the best of my ability. If I don’t hold myself to a high standard, that has a negative impact on the community we serve.

I don’t think many of us realize all the moving parts that make OH run. We’re a large team. I cannot do my part without the support of all the others serving on the team. It is the medical staff, the allied health staff, nursing staff, lab, radiology, housekeeping, facilities, IT, the business team and all the other teams working together that make our organization successful.”

---

 

Crystal Day

Laboratory
Owensboro Health Medical Group

Crystal was raised in a large family in Dawson Springs. She has five children and three grandchildren, who love to fish, hunt and spend time together. Crystal said she is very proud to have finished college, but her biggest achievements will always be who she raised and not what she has done.

“I can honestly say that I love my job,” she said. “I enjoy the people I work with, the work that we do and the help that we provide to our patients.”

Outside of work, she likes spending time with family. “We enjoy just about anything if we can do it together. We like to thrift shop, go fishing and we love our afternoon golf cart rides through town,” she said.

When asked what her favorite core commitment is, she replied: Excellence. The quality of care we give makes all the difference in the world. There are several clinics in our area, but the way we treat our patients keeps them coming back to us.

---

 

Brittany Desper, RN

Surgical Care
Owensboro Health Regional Hospital

Brittany has worked at Owensboro Health for the last 17 years. “I started in Medical Records and worked full-time while going to nursing school. I later became a Labor & Delivery Nurse, and then Clinical Supervisor there. About a year and a half ago I began my journey as the Nurse Manager of the Surgical Care Unit. I am married to my husband Ryan, who has worked at Owensboro Health in the Cardiac Cath lab for 14 years. We have 2 children: Kennedy, 18, who is in her first year of college at OCTC and Collin, 8, who is in the third grade at North Hancock Elementary School in Hancock County.”

She grew up in Hancock County. “I guess you could say I lived the ‘small town life’ where Friday night football games and nightly supper with your family all around the dinner table are what mattered most.” She later attended the University of Kentucky where she obtained a Business Administration Degree. “When I realized that my heart was in healthcare, I went to nursing school at OCTC and then to Western Governor’s University for my BSN.”

“With a career in healthcare, the opportunities and challenges are endless to achieve anything you want to achieve. Most recently, I made a big change when I left the Labor and delivery specialty I had always known and was confident in, to begin my journey as the leader of the pack on the Surgical Care Unit. With that came a huge learning curve, but so far, I have been able to invest in our team of nurses and nursing assistants. I have seen so much growth in my team and have loved investing in each one of them. I have learned so much in the last year and a half and am proud of how far we have come and the family we have developed into. I work hard to lead and guide them and watching it pay off is a huge achievement for me personally. I wholeheartedly enjoy leading my team,” she said.

She is most passionate about patient care. “My heart truly cares for each patient I have the pleasure of encountering. Being there for my team and ensuring they have what they need to take care of our patients is what gets me out of bed every morning. Making a positive impact in some way on every patient is what keeps me fulfilled in my job.”

Beyond work, most of my time is spent on the things her kids are interested in, whether it be sports or school activities. “The highlight of every week for me is Sunday afternoons spent at my parent’s house with the entire family swimming, fishing, and just spending good old-fashioned quality time with my extended family.”

When asked what her favorite core commitment is, she replied: “While I think it is important to be well-rounded with each core commitment, Integrity is my favorite core commitment. Integrity is the foundation on which all the other core commitments are built upon and is essential for professional growth. Integrity means you are honest and ethical, and follow basic moral principles. I have found that practicing with integrity is what truly makes me successful when leading my team.”

---

 

Heather Duty, RN

Pulmonology
Owensboro Health Medical Group

Heather’s husband Russell is an attorney, and they have been married for eight years and have three daughters. She also has two stepdaughters. Heather grew up in Leitchfield, Kentucky where “everyone knows everyone, or at least someone in your family.”

Heather is proud of her children and family, first and foremost, but also that she earned her nursing degree as a non-traditional student while working as a legal secretary. “I am honored to receive the President’s Award and to be recognized by my team,” she added.

She’s most passionate about caring for our patients. “Coming to work and feeling I am making a difference, working with a great team to help our community and being a role model for my daughters is what drives me,” she said.

Beyond nursing, she enjoys spending time with all her family and exploring new things and places. She likes to read when she has the time and loves going to museums.

When asked what her favorite core commitment is, she replied:

“Excellence. Because excellence is not only providing high-quality care but also compassionate care. I am proud to work in an organization that values compassion.”

---

 

Michelle Lyon, RN

Rehabilitation Heart & Lung
Owensboro Health Regional Hospital

Michelle and her husband, John, have been married for 27 years and have three children. She grew up in Sorgho and attended Owensboro Catholic High School and then Western Kentucky University for her Bachelor of Nursing degree.

“My biggest achievements are my children. Seeing their successes is one of my biggest joys. The second would be winning the President’s Award. I am truly humbled by this honor and the relationships I have with my co-workers and patients,” she said.

“I am very passionate about making the most of every day,” she added. Every day is a gift.”

Outside of work, she enjoys spending time with family and friends. “I enjoy traveling, anything outdoors, hiking, swimming, biking, gardening or simply a good book.”

When asked what her favorite core commitment is, she replied: “Service. One of the most important of the core commitments. God calls us all to serve. In healthcare, we have a unique opportunity to care for others. I’m very fortunate to work for an organization with a great team. My co-workers are the best!”

---

 

Renee Orange

Accounting
Owensboro Health 

Renee has been married to David for 19 years. “I have a beautiful daughter, Kaitlyn who is attending college at Brescia. In addition, I have a stepson, Josh and 4 grandchildren. I also have a beautiful sister, Tammy Francis who is my best friend.”

She grew up in Manitou, KY on a 20-acre farm originally settled by her grandparents. “It is somewhat

remote and very quiet,” she said. “I went to West Hopkins High School and graduated with a class size of 86. I continued my education at Madisonville Community College until I figured out what I wanted to do in adulthood. I finished up my education at the University of Dayton and graduated cum laude.”

“Professionally, I am most proud of obtaining my CPA and graduating cum laude. At Owensboro Health, there have been many things that have been challenging. but none more than the implementation of Workday. I feel that has been my greatest. achievement at OH. Personally, I am proud of my daughter who is smart, athletic and strong-willed.”

“I try to remember daily that I am a child of the King and that Ephesians 2:10 tells us that. ‘For we are God's handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.’ In addition, Colossians 3:17 tells us that ‘whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.’”

Outside of work, she loves teaching a middle school Sunday School class and watching her daughter play volleyball. “I also love working in my yard. When time permits, my most favorite thing to do is to ride on the lake at dusk when the waters are calm,” she said.

When asked what her favorite core commitment is, she replied: “It's hard to pick just one of the core commitments, but if I had to, it would be Service. I believe that I work hard to ensure high service to my staff and to anyone in the organization who needs assistance. I do take pleasure in assisting others.”

---

 

Joseph Porter, MD

Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation
Owensboro Health Medical Group

Dr. Porter grew up in Madisonville in a family of five with two brothers, one of whom is his twin and is also a rehab doctor in Lexington.

He went to Transylvania University in Lexington, followed by the University of Louisville and residency training at Emory University in Atlanta.

“I am proud of the work we do on the rehab unit. It’s kind of a special place in the hospital that a lot of people don’t know about,” he said. “I genuinely just enjoy coming to work every day. I really like the people I get to work with.”

Beyond healthcare, he enjoys traveling to different cities and visiting friends.

When asked what his favorite core commitment is, he replied: “Teamwork. I’m pretty worthless by myself. It’s the people around me that make me look a lot better than I really am.”

---

 

Adam Proctor

Cardiac Cath Lab
Owensboro Health Regional Hospital

Adam says his wife of 24 years, Ira, is a wonderful mother, wife and nurse. They have twin daughters and a son. He grew up in Hancock County, which he called a wonderful place to grow up and raise a family. “I went to HCHS, graduated in 1995, then graduated from UofL with a BS in Business in 99. I decided to switch careers and graduated from OCTC in 2009 from the radiology program.”

He’s most proud of seeing his children succeed. “Nothing means more than supporting my kids and seeing them reach their goals,” he said.

“I get up every day with the intent of doing my best. I like to help people, make them smile and have a great day,” he added.

Outside of work, he enjoys treasure hunting! “Metal detecting, finding a hidden gem in a flea market, spending time with my family and restoring cars,” he said.

When asked what his favorite core commitment is, he replied: “Integrity. It is the pillar life rests on, whether at work or in the community.”