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    Published on August 07, 2024

    Summer Semester Vicki M. Stogsdill Nursing Award Recipient

    Braxton Bratcher

    Braxton Bratcher is this year’s Summer Vicki M. Stogsdill Nursing Award recipient.

    Braxton's journey into healthcare began two years ago when he started as a Certified Nursing Assistant on the Medical-Surgical Unit at Owensboro Health Regional Hospital. His experiences in this role inspired him to pursue the Accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing (ABSN) program at the University of Louisville, building on his previous bachelor's degree.

    "Growing up, I had a mentor who told me that life is all about relationships, and it's your success in those relationships that allows you to create a positive impact," Braxton said. "I believe healthcare, specifically nursing, is the perfect career in which I can develop relationships with members of my community while simultaneously being a comforter and help to them."

    Currently, Braxton works in the Critical Care Unit at Owensboro Health Regional Hospital, a position he finds immensely fulfilling. "Not only is the family I work with incredible, but I have the opportunity to learn more about the complex health issues our community faces, which I feel will only make me a better nurse," he shared.

    Winning the Vicki M. Stogsdill Nursing Award has been a validating experience for Braxton. "To be the Vicki M. Stogsdill award recipient means that someone somewhere has seen leadership and servanthood through my interactions either with my peers or the community in which I serve. That is the ultimate goal, to be a leader through service. To be the recipient of this award tells me that my actions speak to others the mission I have set for myself being that I aim to lead by example what it looks like to serve others first."

    For Braxton, this award signifies the worth of the sacrifices he and his family have made to pursue his nursing dream. "This means to me that the sacrifice my family and I have made to put our lives on hold in pursuit of this dream of nursing has all been worth it. More importantly, that I have held my integrity intact while keeping my goals and morals at the forefront of who I am because those around me have noticed. I have renewed hope that I can one day follow in Vicki M. Stogsdill's footsteps to become a leader by example for our Owensboro community. I am very thankful for her efforts in bringing a BSN program to our Owensboro area."

    Congratulations to Braxton Bratcher, our Summer Semester Vicki M. Stogsdill Nursing Award recipient. Your dedication and passion for nursing inspire us all.

    Learn more about the Vicki M. Stogsdill Nursing Award and the application process.

    Find more information about the BSN program.

    About Owensboro Health

    Owensboro Health is a nonprofit health system with a mission to heal the sick and to improve the health of the communities it serves in Kentucky and Indiana. The system includes Owensboro Health Regional Hospital, nationally recognized for design, architecture and engineering; Owensboro Health Muhlenberg Community Hospital; Owensboro Health Twin Lakes Medical Center; the Owensboro Health Medical Group comprised of over 350 providers at more than 30 locations; three outpatient Healthplex facilities, a certified medical fitness facility, the Healthpark; a weight management program, and the Mitchell Memorial Cancer Center.

    On average each year, we have more than 19,000 inpatient admissions, deliver 2,000 babies and provide the region’s only Level III NICU. Owensboro Health physicians perform nearly 33,000 surgical procedures, including nearly 150 open-heart surgeries. Our physicians and staff have 90,000 Emergency Department visits and more than 1.25 million outpatient visits annually. Visit our home page for more information.