CHI Saint Joseph Health - Flaget Memorial Hospital & Foundation

10/01/2025

It's October 1, and we’re kicking off Breast Cancer Awareness Month at Saint Joseph Health! Let's honor this important month by spreading awareness and taking action. 💖 This year, help amplify the impact of a decade of no-cost breast cancer screening by participating in our 10th annual Yes, Mamm! Yes, Cerv! 5K – form and sponsor a team of 10, or run/walk in-person or virtually.

Supporting the Yes, Mamm! Yes, Cerv! program makes a difference because:

▪️Screenings save lives: Don't delay your mammogram.
▪️Symptoms aren’t standard: Check for new lumps, skin changes or ni**le discharge.
▪️Family history matters: Talk to your doctor about your risk factors.
▪️Supports early detection: The sooner detected, the more effective the treatment outcomes.

Sign up to celebrate 10 years of making an impact and providing breast and cervical screenings to the uninsured and underinsured:
https://ow.ly/RWbl50X4uWB

09/30/2025

Last week, CHI Saint Joseph Health - Flaget Memorial Hospital & Foundation proudly launched its first Future Healers program session as part of our partnership with the nonprofit Christopher 2x Game Changers, welcoming inquisitive 5th grade students from Bardstown Elementary School for a fun-filled day packed with learning and discovery.

Students had the chance to tour a primary care office and experience a health care provider’s workday. Safety was also a key focus, with Justin Robertson, APRN, and Nathan McCauley, rehabilitation supervisor, leading an informative session on bike safety that culminated with free bike helmets for attending students. Misty Roller, manager of the violence prevention program, presented a "calming station" to teach kids essential techniques for managing their emotions during emergency situations, and to round out the day, Cannon Pender, manager of inpatient nursing, and Alaina Dowell, RN, demonstrated practical and possibly life-saving skills as part of a first aid station.

We had so much fun spending the day with these talented students. A special thank you to Nelson County Area Technology Center Health Science students for joining us. It was a fantastic day of engaging with and educating the next generation of health care workers!

09/30/2025

Last week, Flaget Memorial Hospital proudly launched its first Future Healers program session as part of our partnership with the nonprofit Christopher 2x Game Changers, welcoming inquisitive 5th grade students from Bardstown Elementary School for a fun-filled day packed with learning and discovery.

Students had the chance to tour a primary care office and experience a health care provider’s workday. Safety was also a key focus, with Justin Robertson, APRN, and Nathan McCauley, rehabilitation supervisor, leading an informative session on bike safety that culminated with free bike helmets for attending students. Misty Roller, manager of the violence prevention program, presented a "calming station" to teach kids essential techniques for managing their emotions during emergency situations, and to round out the day, Cannon Pender, manager of inpatient nursing, and Alaina Dowell, RN, demonstrated practical and possibly life-saving skills as part of a first aid station.

We had so much fun spending the day with these talented students. A special thank you to Nelson County Area Technology Center Health Science students for joining us. It was a fantastic day of engaging with and educating the next generation of health care workers!

09/30/2025

Congratulations to Refuge for Women Kentucky, recipient of a 2025 Humankindness and Health Justice Award presented by the Lloyd H. Dean Institute for Humankindness and Health Justice.

Refuge for Women Kentucky provides long-term and emergency housing for women who have escaped human trafficking or sexual exploitation. Their work exemplifies humankindness in action and has made a lasting impact not only in Kentucky, but in the South Region of CommonSpirit Health as a community partner advancing health equity, social justice and compassion.

We are proud to celebrate this recognition and the difference it represents in our communities.

09/29/2025

Saint Joseph Health announced today that Jarrett B. Millsaps Jr., MBA, FACHE, has been selected as president of Saint Joseph East in Lexington and Saint Joseph Mount Sterling. Jarrett, a U.S. Navy veteran with over two decades of experience in the health care industry, will take over the leadership role at both hospitals on Oct. 20.

“As we continue to align Saint Joseph Health to the needs of Kentuckians, we are excited to welcome Jarrett to our ministry,” said Matt Grimshaw, MBA, president, Saint Joseph Health / CommonSpirit Kentucky. “He brings a history of strong and effective leadership in health care and we look forward to having him on board leading two of our hospitals.”

Jarrett is a Chattanooga native, but is excited to return to Lexington with his family.

“You couldn’t pick a better time to be on the Saint Joseph team,” he said. “Saint Joseph East and Saint Joseph Mount Sterling are jewels within central Kentucky, and I am excited about the potential for growth at both hospitals as we reinforce an amazing culture that puts humankindness toward our patients and our caregivers first.”

We’re thrilled to welcome Jarrett back to Kentucky as part of the Saint Joseph team!

09/26/2025

Saint Joseph Health has announced that Armaghan Soomro, MD, FACC, FSCAI, RPVI, has joined Saint Joseph Medical Group – Cardiology in Lexington. His patient care philosophy emphasizes compassion and respect.

“I treat my patients with respect, dignity and compassion, as I would want my family or myself to be treated,” Dr. Soomro said. “It’s a relationship, and I respect the sanctity of that. I feel I am an ambassador to advocate for new treatments while also respecting what the patient prefers.”

Welcome to the team, Dr. Soomro!

09/26/2025

In loving memory, we invite you and your family to join us at Calvary Cemetery on Sunday, October 5 at 3 p.m. for our annual Walk to Remember. Sponsored by The Avery Elizabeth Foundation, this community walk is for our cherished families who have known the unimaginable loss of a precious baby.

Join us for an afternoon of remembrance, support and connection. All are welcome to attend.

09/26/2025

In loving memory, we invite you and your family to join us at Flaget Memorial Hospital on Sunday, October 5 at 3 p.m. for our annual Walk to Remember. Sponsored by The Avery Elizabeth Foundation, this community walk is for our cherished families who have known the unimaginable loss of a precious baby.

Join us for an afternoon of remembrance, support and connection. All are welcome to attend.

09/25/2025

Saint Joseph Health is pleased to welcome Darcy Taddeo, PA-C, to its team at Saint Joseph Medical Group – Neurology in Lexington. Darcy sees a broad range of neurological conditions, with a particular focus on epilepsy and stroke. She has experience in both inpatient and outpatient neurology and has most recently focused on inpatient neurology for the past five years. Her patient care philosophy emphasizes education and collaboration.

“I like to tell patients they are the stewards of their own health,” she said. “My goal is to partner with them, share information and explanations, and help them have a clear understanding of their diagnosis and plan of care.”

We’re excited to have you on our team, Darcy!

09/25/2025

Many parents take their children to the doctor only when they get sick or need immunizations, but pediatric nurse practitioner Natalie Chelf, APRN, DNP, Saint Joseph Medical Group – Primary Care, says regular visits to make sure children are well are very important.

09/24/2025

Join our radiology team at Saint Joseph Health – where your expertise meets exceptional rewards!

🌟 $25K sign-on bonus*
💵 Up to $24K student loan forgiveness*
💼 Competitive pay
⏰ Flexible shifts/schedules
*for eligible positions

Join our passionate, dedicated teams at Saint Joseph Health and be part of a health care family that puts YOU first. Whether you're just starting out or are a seasoned professional, we want you to help us make a difference in the communities we serve.

Ready to take the next step in your career? Apply today! https://ow.ly/GkxJ50X1FPc

09/24/2025

Join our radiology team at Saint Joseph Health – where your expertise meets exceptional rewards!

🌟 $25K sign-on bonus*
💵 Up to $24K student loan forgiveness*
💼 Competitive pay
⏰ Flexible shifts/schedules
*for eligible positions

Join our passionate, dedicated teams at Saint Joseph Health and be part of a health care family that puts YOU first. Whether you're just starting out or are a seasoned professional, we want you to help us make a difference in the communities we serve.

Ready to take the next step in your career? Apply today! https://ow.ly/ZMFO50X1G6v

09/24/2025

At the first Survivorship Day event in Lexington since the pandemic, Lauren Esposito, breast cancer survivor, did something she never thought she would do – tell her story. At the Cancer Center at Saint Joseph East, among bounce houses, food trucks and a crowd of fellow survivors, Lauren shared her story to empower, inspire and encourage others facing what she faced.

"It's wonderful. I did not realize how big and beautiful this community was until you actually, like, join it and see I'm, you know, it's incredible," she said.

Survivorship Day is about recognizing, honoring and empowering cancer survivors, who face a roller coaster of emotion, uncertainty and treatment after their diagnosis. Diagnosed last July and now cancer-free, Lauren encourages others battling cancer to “be mad at it, fight back” – and if they can, to use their experience to empower others in the cancer survivor community.

Hear more of Lauren’s story and about Survivorship Day in this LEX 18 article: https://ow.ly/6p2J50X1B0e

09/24/2025

John "Tyler" Morgan, patient experience coach at Saint Joseph London, says his calling at work is to share positive energy with others. When he started in his role over three years ago, he quickly realized the traditional approach to improving patient experience wasn't changing the data. So, he tried something new, placing a greater focus on our frontline caregivers and making sure they have the resources, supplies and support they need to do their jobs well.

Tyler is recognized for his innovative “three-for-one” approach—supporting caregivers, monitoring hospital resources, and connecting directly with patients. By focusing on the wellbeing of caregivers and making personal connections with others in the patient care space, he has helped foster a culture shift in patient experience that ensures we provide the best possible care at every touchpoint. Thanks to his creative thinking and example of humankindness at work, Tyler was named 2024 Employee of the Year for both Saint Joseph London and Saint Joseph Health.

“I try to bring high energy every day, just to keep people’s spirits uplifted, to keep our lamps burning hot, burning bright,” Tyler said.

Read more about Tyler on our blog: https://ow.ly/vCBP50X1xr3

09/23/2025

Sept. 22-26 is ! 🩺 Advanced practice providers (APPs) are highly qualified caregivers with advanced degrees, and they’re playing an increasingly important role in medicine.

In this HealthBreak, Rebecca Kraftick, PA-C, market director of Advanced Practice at Saint Joseph Health, describes the role of advanced practice providers and the high-quality care they provide as part of Saint Joseph Medical Group.

09/22/2025

Meet Heather Mills, APRN, FNP-C with Saint Joseph Health – Cancer Care, who helps empower our clinical team. By providing vital education and implementing evidence-based practices, she's elevating the care we provide and amplifying humankindness across our ministry.

This , join us in thanking APPs for their service, compassion and commitment to patient care.

09/19/2025

Thank you to our incredible community, caregivers and all survivors who attended our Survivorship Day event at Flaget Memorial Hospital last week. Held annually to honor cancer survivors and acknowledge their journey, this event included a community picnic, family-friendly activities, inspiring stories of healing and an opportunity for survivors to share heartfelt support. Caregivers made the "Superheroes Unite!" theme come to life as a symbol of the survivor community's strength and resilience. It is survivors who are the real heroes, and their courage inspires us every day.

Thank you to everyone, survivors, families and friends, who joined us for Survivorship Day, and special thanks to Backroads BBQ for catering and Our Best Shot Photography for taking photos. To view all photos from this year's Survivorship Day event, visit https://ow.ly/3Y6750WZCqz.

09/19/2025

Rapid response during an emergency can make a life-saving difference.

09/17/2025

Thank you to all of our caregivers for chalking it up in their communities last month as part of our annual Chalk It Up to Humankindness challenge! Using a sidewalk, driveway, chalkboard or asphalt surface as their canvas, caregivers across Saint Joseph Health shared messages of positivity and humankindness through chalk art for a chance to win one of three prizes. This initiative is a yearly reminder that humankindness at every touchpoint can leave a lasting impact on those we share it with.

We’re excited to showcase all of the amazing submissions we received this year and spotlight our randomly selected winners – congratulations to Angela Ayers, Brooke Fultz (and Waylon!) and Allyson Shepherd, PT, and thank you to our caregivers, their families and their friends for participating!

09/16/2025

🚨 BIG NEWS: Increased Sign-On Bonus! 🚨

Flaget Memorial Hospital in Bardstown, KY is now offering a $25,000 sign-on bonus for night shift RN positions — but only for a limited time! 🌙✨

That’s not all:
🎓 Up to $24,000 student loan repayment
📚 Tuition assistance to support your growth
💙 Open to all experience levels — including new grads!

If you’re ready to make an impact, grow your career, and join a team that feels like family, now is the time.

👉 Apply today and take the next step in your nursing journey!
https://ow.ly/7gq450WXMvk

Search for available job openings at CommonSpirit Health

09/13/2025

Word on the street is…our words matter. Add some kindness (and color!) to your neighborhood with sidewalk chalk. 💙

09/12/2025

Last month, Saint Joseph Health held its 2025 Service Awards Celebration, a formal event held annually to recognize our caregivers celebrating a milestone service anniversary. These milestone achievements, from 15 years to upward of 50, represent a commitment to our mission to make the healing presence of God known in our world. Our caregivers make that mission possible.

To each of our caregivers celebrating a service anniversary this year, thank you on behalf of our ministry for your years of service and dedication to Saint Joseph Health.

09/11/2025

Will we see you at our upcoming Survivorship Day event? Join us from 1-3 p.m. this Sunday, September 14, at Flaget Memorial Hospital for a special day honoring cancer survivors and recognizing the journey of survivorship. This event offers a community picnic, family-friendly activities, heartfelt support shared between survivors, powerful testimonials from featured speakers, inspiring stories from our ministry and more.

All are welcome to attend this community celebration honoring cancer survivors – please RSVP to (502) 350-5700. We can't wait to celebrate with you!