Healthy Kentucky Champions
The Healthy Kentucky Champions Award Program
is how the Foundation recognizes Kentuckians who are working to improve the health of their community and/or the commonwealth.
Who to Nominate
> A Kentuckian who has invested their personal time, energy and dedication to improving the health of their community and/or the commonwealth. If related to their profession, they are going above and beyond the requirements of their job.
> A leader who has demonstrated their commitment by advancing programs, research, policy advocacy, and/or initiatives to address unmet health needs of Kentuckians.
> An exceptional person who has participated, led and/or mentored others in efforts to address and reduce health risks and disparities and promote health equity in Kentucky. This includes addressing the social drivers of health.
Nominations must meet these requirements:
Nominee either lives or works in Kentucky
Nomination is for an individual. This award is not for organizations or collective groups of people
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To recognize community members for their great work.
To highlight efforts in your community or region.
To promote the value of improving the health of Kentuckians.
Healthy Kentucky Champions are eligible for the Gil Friedell Award (which comes with a $5,000 grant to a Kentucky-based nonprofit, in the winner’s name).
Things to consider when filling out nomination:
Who has been impacted by their work and how?
Is there any evidence of improved health outcomes AND/OR evidence of improvements in the social drivers of health related to their efforts? This can include:
qualitative or quantitative data
the establishment of a program or resources that weren’t previously available to a certain community
a policy change at state, local, or organizational level
Is this someone who deserves to be recognized for their work and has not yet been?
What makes this person’s efforts to improve health stand out?
Have questions while filling out your nomination? Check on this 20-minute webinar.
Healthy Kentucky Champions Nomination Form
Nominations are currently be accepted for the 2025 awards cycle. The window to submit a nomination for this year closes on May 30, 2025.
Additional information to support your nomination may be emailed to Alexandra Kerley.
Nominations may also be mailed to: Foundation for a Healthy Kentucky, ATTN: Alexandra Kerley, 1640 Lyndon Farm Court, Louisville, KY 40223.
For questions, please contact Alexandra Kerley at akerley@healthy-ky.org or call 502-326-2583.
Previous Healthy Kentucky Champions
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Renee Basham - Hope’s Embrace
Suzanne Craig - Green River District Health Department
Crystal Fox - Mayfield Minority Enrichment Corp
Kyle May - Open Doors Counseling Center
Dr. Elizabeth Ottman - Ohio County Healthcare
Taylor Ryan - Change Today, Change Tomorrow
Tamarra Wieder - Planned Parenthood Alliance Advocates
Dr. Alex Wright - Wright Medical, PLLC
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Dr. Muhammad Babar – Doctors for Healthy Communities
Shelly Baer – Emerald Therapy Center
Mark Birdwhistell – UK HealthCare
Donovan Blackburn – Pikeville Medical Center
Dr. Lacretia Dye – Western Kentucky University
Dr. Lacretia Dye – Western Kentucky University
Dr. Ellen Hahn – University of Kentucky College of Nursing
Jeremy Harrell – Veteran’s Club Inc.
Dr. Susan Jones – Western Kentucky University
Dr. Whitney Jones – Colon Cancer Prevention Project
Dr. Karl Lange – Mission Health Lexington
Dr. Katherine Marks – Department of Behavioral Health, Developmental and Intellectual Disabilities
Rhondell Miller – HOTEL INC.
Jerry Ugrin – Primary Plus
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Dr. Patricia Bautista-Cervera, La Casita Center
Eric Crawford, Kentuckians for Medicinal Marijuana
Terry Gehrke, Kentucky Diabetes Network
Denise Hall, Trimble CARES Coalition
Michelle Howell, Need More Acres Farm
Dr. Patrick Kitzman, UK College of Health Sciences
Mark Thomas, Todd County School District
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American Red Cross Kentucky Region - Sickle Cell Disease Initiative
Juliana McGuinn, MPA - Outreach to Hispanic Community in Northern Kentucky
Dr. Lynne Saddler, MD, MPH - Policy Change to Address Substance-Use Epidemic and Disease Prevention
Bill Wagner - Expanding Health Care Access
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Abby Hefner
Richard Seckel
Sadiqa Reynolds
Fran Feltner
Melissa Patrick
Albert Gray
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JUUL Breakers (Johnson County Middle School)
Valerie Horn
Carolyn Richey
Alice Bridges
Hazard High school Tobacco-Free Ambassador Partnership
Teresa Koeller
Jamie Bloyd
Sheila Schuster
Neva Francis
Scott Lockard
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Dr. Pat Withrow
Andy Shea, President and CEO, Lexington Legends
Jim Gray, Mayor of Lexington, Kentucky
Brandi Harless, Mayor of Paducah, Kentucky
Dr. Van Breeding
Jack Rose, Mayor of Murray, Kentucky
McCreary County Kentucky
Wayne County Kentucky
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Casey County Youth Coalition