Each year, Medical News takes stock of the local healthcare sector by sitting down and talking with a group of healthcare leaders. These interviews provide an insight into the challenges and accomplishments of the past year as well as a preview of the year to come. The healthcare landscape continues to change, but Kentucky remains at the forefront of healthcare innovation.

With the gubernatorial election behind us and the election of a Republican governor for only the second time in recent history, Kentucky is poised for significant change. How Kentucky’s new leadership will address the affordable
care act is top of mind for many of our leaders, specifically if Governor Bevin will dismantle kynect or roll back expanded Medicaid. Either decision may have implications on the workforce and payments to local healthcare providers.

While our leaders ponder the future, they are working to address the current state of healthcare. A common theme among our leaders is innovation. Companies like Passport are diversifying their portfolio by adding new products and Kentucky Space is looking beyond earth to create new methods for addressing our healthcare challenges.

Workforce development is also a consistent theme in our interviews. The Affordable Care Act increased the number of people using the healthcare system and our leaders are working hard to make sure there are enough resources to serve the growing population. Schools like Spencerian College are working to help provide a well-trained workforce by reaching students while they are in high school and our healthcare systems are working with local institutions to develop the next generation of healthcare leaders.

There are many challenges ahead, but our region has the leaders to create new solutions and improve the delivery of care. We hope you enjoy the conversations we had with our healthcare leaders.

For a more in depth conversation, please take a moment to check out the interviews in their entirety at medicalnews.md.

2015 LEADERS

Christopher Roszman | article
Senior Vice President & Chief Financial Officer at Seven Counties Services

James Jackson, MD | article
Chief Medical Officer at Family Health Centers, Inc.

Ernest Dreher IV (Ernie) | article
Vice President of Architecture/Planning at TEG Architects

Kris Kimel | article
President of Kentucky Science and Technology Corporation, Founder of Kentucky Space and Exomedicine Institute and Co-Founder of Space Tango

Liz Fowler | article
President and CEO at Hospice of the Bluegrass; President and CEO at Palliative Care Center of the Bluegrass

Alfonso “Al” Cornish | article
System Vice President of Learning & Organizational Development;
Chief Learning Officer at Norton Healthcare

Linda Blair | article
Dean and Chief Academic Officer at Spencerian College

Emily Beauregard | article
Executive Director at Kentucky Voices for Health

Cindy Stowe | article
Dean and Professor at Sullivan University College of Pharmacy

Dan Goulson, MD | article
Vice President of Medical Affairs and Chief Medical Officer at St. Joseph Hospital, a part of KentuckyOne Health

David Henley | article
Vice President and Chief Compliance Officer, Risk Management Leader and Culture Leader at University Health Care, Inc. dba Passport Health Plan

Michael Scherm, MD | article
Executive VP and Chief Medical Officer at Owensboro Health

Dianne Timmering | article
Vice President of Spirituality and Legislative Affairs at Signature HealthCARE

Daniel Eichenberger, MD | article
President and CEO at Floyd Memorial Hospital and Health Services