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    Published on March 19, 2025

    Owensboro Health COO Beth Steele Named 2025 Athena Award Winner

    woman being handed a trophy

    OWENSBORO, KY—Owensboro Health Chief Operating Officer Beth Steele was honored this morning with the 2025 ATHENA Award at the Girls Inc. ATHENA Award Luncheon. The award recognizes her outstanding leadership, dedication to empowering women and lasting impact on healthcare and the community.

    The Athena Award celebrates individuals who demonstrate professional excellence, community service and a commitment to mentoring and supporting women in reaching their full leadership potential. Steele, who has served as Owensboro Health’s COO since 2022, embodies these values in every aspect of her work.

    group of people in a ballroom

    A Legacy of Leadership in Healthcare

    Steele leads operations for a health system that serves 18 counties and focuses on exceptional patient care and a thriving work environment. Under her leadership, Owensboro Health has made strides in improving quality, culture, and workforce development.

    Her efforts have led to:

    • A 20% reduction in hospital-acquired infections and the highest patient satisfaction scores in three years.
    • A record-breaking reduction in nursing turnover through innovative workforce initiatives.
    • The development of a shared governance model and a nursing professional practice framework empowered nurses and led to over 180 system-wide improvements in 2024 alone.
    • Key technological advancements, including the addition of the DaVinci and ION Robots, have expanded surgical capabilities and improved patient outcomes.

    Beyond operational excellence, Steele has been a champion for women in leadership. Throughout her career, she has mentored rising healthcare professionals, including six Masters of Health Administration Fellows and multiple nurses pursuing advanced degrees. At Owensboro Health, she has led leadership pipeline programs aimed at helping women advance in healthcare careers.

    A Commitment to Community and Women’s Empowerment

    Steele’s dedication extends far beyond the walls of the hospital. She actively supports Girls Inc., speaking at events like the Athena Award Luncheon and Red on the River, helping to empower young women to reach their full potential. She also serves as a Brescia University Board of Trustees member, playing a key role in launching the university’s new Physician Assistant Program.

    Through partnerships with local colleges and workforce initiatives, Steele has helped increase healthcare program enrollment by 16%, ensuring more women and young professionals have access to healthcare education and career opportunities.

    Her advocacy for nurses, healthcare workers and future leaders has shaped Owensboro Health’s workforce for the better. She has fought for fair and competitive compensation, built a strong culture of engagement, and led efforts that have improved both patient and team member experiences.

    A Well-Deserved Honor

    Steele’s selection as the 2025 Athena Award recipient reflects her commitment to healthcare excellence and passion for mentorship and women’s empowerment.

    With this award, Steele joins an elite group of women who have made a lasting impact on Owensboro and beyond. Her leadership, both at Owensboro Health and in the community, continues to inspire the next generation of women in healthcare and beyond.

    Congratulations, Beth Steele, on this well-deserved honor!

    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.