Owensboro Health Foundation Honors Community Champions at the Celebration of Gratitude

On February 15, Owensboro Health Foundation gathered supporters, donors and healthcare professionals for the Celebration of Gratitude at the Owensboro Convention Center. This annual event honors individuals who make a lasting impact on healthcare and the well-being of our community.

This year’s honorees embodied service, generosity and an unwavering commitment to helping others.

Physician Ambassador Award: Dr. Barney Elliott (Posthumous)

The inaugural Physician Ambassador Award was given posthumously to Dr. Barney Elliott, a beloved physician whose career spanned nearly 60 years. Dr. Elliott began his practice in Morganfield, Kentucky, and later became medical director at the Breckinridge Job Corps Center. He played a crucial role in founding the Green River District Health Department, where he served as medical director.

For 24 years, Dr. Elliott was a steady presence in Owensboro’s emergency rooms, later transitioning to urgent care until his retirement in 2020. His passion extended beyond medicine—he was an accomplished artist and historian, donating a vast collection of medical antiques to  Owensboro Health Foundation. Today, this collection is displayed at the Parrish Avenue campus, preserving a piece of medical history for future generations.

Though he was scheduled to receive recognition in 2020, the pandemic delayed the honor. His family accepted the award on his behalf, ensuring his legacy was celebrated at last.

Legacy Award: Ernie & Loueva Davis (Posthumous)

For 30 years, Ernie and Loueva Davis were steadfast supporters of Owensboro Health Foundation, contributing over $250,000 to programs and services that transformed lives. The couple, who co-owned Ernie Davis & Sons Mechanical and JED Rentals, had a deep passion for giving and always extended a helping hand to those in need.

Their generosity went far beyond financial contributions. Ernie, a dedicated community servant, worked alongside the Salvation Army and other charitable organizations, setting an example of servant leadership.

Although Ernie and Loueva passed away in 2022 and 2023, their legacy of giving lives on. Their family proudly accepted the 2025 Legacy Award, honoring their extraordinary impact on Owensboro.

Impact Award: Ken Medley & Debi-Chism Medley

Philanthropy often begins with a moment of realization, and for Ken and Debi Medley, that moment came in the waiting room of the Mitchell Memorial Cancer Center (MMCC). They overheard a patient struggling to afford gas for her next treatment appointment, a heartbreaking reminder that cancer’s burden extends beyond medical care.

Determined to help, the Medleys established and continue to maintain the Patient Resource Closet at MMCC, ensuring patients have access to food, toiletries, clothing and other essentials. Their generosity has extended to fundraising, including the donation of rare bourbons that have raised thousands of dollars for cancer patients.

Their impact reaches far beyond financial contributions—they have changed the way the Foundation engages with donors, prioritizing gratitude and storytelling. For their dedication, they were awarded the first-ever Impact Award.

Jessica Browning Servant’s Heart Award: Scott Kingsley

The Jessica Browning Servant’s Heart Award was created to honor the memory of Jessica Browning, a beloved member of the Owensboro Health team. Jessica, who passed away from cancer in December, was known for her boundless energy, kindness and devotion to helping others. Her to-do list, shared by friends after her passing, included simple yet profound reminders: Practice kindness. Love with my heart. Expect great things. Make the world better.

This year’s award was presented to Scott Kingsley, a dedicated volunteer and leader at Owensboro Health. Since 2008, Scott has played a key role in planning the Foundation’s Annual Golf Classic and Divots & Divas tournaments, events that have raised more than $2.5 million over the years.

Scott’s leadership, countless volunteer hours and deep commitment to the Foundation’s mission made him the perfect recipient of this award, ensuring Jessica’s legacy of service continues.

Emerging Difference Maker Award: The Thompson Family & Take 10/Barrel Heads

When Krista Thompson was diagnosed with cancer, she and her family felt blessed to have the resources they needed. Instead of asking for help, they asked how they could help others. Through their efforts—including “Give Cancer the Boot,” a benefit concert and art performance featuring their son, country musician Cam Thompson. 

Their generosity inspired another partnership. Take 10 Market and Barrel Heads Liquor Market & Tasting, owned by the Patel family, joined the cause by donating a portion of every gallon of fuel sold and assisting with a rare bourbon raffle. The efforts of these two families raised $74,000, providing direct support for patients at the Mitchell Memorial Cancer Center.

The Thompson Family and the team at Take 10/Barrel Heads were honored with the Emerging Difference Maker Award for their selflessness, creativity and determination to give back. 

A Night of Gratitude

The Celebration of Gratitude was more than just an awards ceremony—it was a reminder of the power of generosity, compassion and community. Every honoree leaves a lasting mark on Owensboro Health and their communities, proving that even the smallest acts of kindness can change lives.

The Triune Society 

Owensboro Health Foundation is pleased to present the 2024 members of our “Triune Society”. The Triune Society reflects the three distinctive wings noted in the architectural design of Owensboro Health Regional Hospital, the home of Owensboro Health, Inc. It is reminiscent not just of the design, but also the architectural strength and stability of structures built on a triangular foundation. Such structures are most aptly prepared to bear weight, distribute stress and balance capacity.

Similarly, Owensboro Health Foundation is built upon the time, talent and treasure generously given in support of our mission to help heal the sick and improve the health of the communities we serve. The Triune Society honors those who give sacrificially, invest in healthcare initiatives that align with their philanthropic priorities, and find joy in knowing they make a difference by doing so. Triune Society members serve as the bedrock of the work Owensboro Health Foundation undertakes to help support the health and wellness of the communities we serve.

Lifetime Membership

Anonymous
Atmost Energy Corporation
Boardwalk Pipeline Partners
City of Owensboro
Commonwealth of Kentucky +
CRS OneSource +
Dart Foundation
Daviess County Fiscal Court
Department of Defense, Office for Violent Crimes
Epic Systems
Ernie Davis & Sons Mechanical, Inc.
Estate of Charles D. Ralph
Felix E. Martin Jr. Foundation
Mr.* and Mrs.* Reyburn Ford
Health Resources and Services Administration
Jeanne Gish Gatton Charitable Trust
Mr. * and Mrs. Frank Mitchell
Morrison Healthcare
Owensboro Health, Inc.
Owensboro Health Volunteer Auxiliary
PNC Bank
Sheffer Law Firm
Mr. and Mrs. Ronald Sheffer
Susan G. Komen Foundation
Michael E. Horn and the Michael E. Horn Family Foundation
The Community Hospital
Dr. and Mrs. James Tidwell
Lisa Townsend-Troutman
Turner Universal Construction Co., Inc.
Theresa Vonderschmitt
United States Department of Agriculture
WHAS Crusade for Children, Inc.
Wyatt, Tarrant & Combs, LLP

Triune Visionary

Anonymous
Jeanne Gish Gatton Charitable Trust
Optum
Owensboro Health, Inc.
WHAS Crusade For Children, Inc. +

Triune Fellow

Community Foundation for a Greater Richmond +
Epic Systems
Grayson County Healthcare Foundation, Inc.
Green River Regional MH/MR / River Valley Behavioral Health +
Russell Moore +
T&T Construction
Take 10 Market +
Dr. and Mrs. James Tidwell

Triune Founder

Anonymous
Anonymous
Barrel Heads Liquor Market & Tasting Bar +
Dr. Brad Brasher +
Johnathan Clark +
Data Link
Employees of Optum +
Grand Stable Venue +
Ramona Hieneman +
Ken Medley and Debi Chism-Medley +
Morrison Healthcare +
Southern Star Central Gas Pipeline +

Friend of the Foundation

Advanced Investment Management  +
Align Wealth Management +
Alpha Mechanical Service, Inc.
Alton Group, LLC +
Dianna Ambrose+
Anonymous
Anonymous
Associated Pathologists +
Assured Partners
Atmos Energy Corporation
Audubon Area Community Services
Ward and Susan Begley
Beltline Electric
Sherrie and Todd Bennett +
Big Rivers Electric Corporation
Birth Tissue Donor Services/Seeds Maternity
Brasher's Little Nashville
Brewco Marketing
Dr. Bridget and Joey Burshears
Business Environments
Cain Brothers, a division of KeyBanc Capital Markets
Centene Management (WellCare)
Cincinnati Children's Heart Institute
Dr. Darby Cole +
Compass Group
Christopher Cornett +
Jason and Ashley Collins +
Gay Cook
Melinda Cornell +
Corporate Design, Inc.
Jason Cox and Tracy Naylor
CRS OneSource
Danco Construction, Inc.
Daugherty-Phelps Team
Angie Dennis 
Disaster Team, Inc.
Don Moore Automotive Team
Mary Kay Dorris
Employees of Owensboro Health Regional Hospital
Empower
Debbie Enoch +
Evergreen Lawn Care
Dr. John Farmer
First Impressions Trucking +
First United Bank and Trust Company - Madisonville
April Fulkerson +
Fuller Physical Therapy, PLLC +
Gavin Roberts - Kentucky Farm Bureau Insurance +
German American Bank
Greenwell-Chisholm Printing
Robert Groves +
Haley McGinnis Funeral Home & Crematory +
Dr. Jon Hall +
Robert and Casey Hamilton +
Chad and Kristen Hart
Hartz Contracting, LLC(a division of Scott, Murphy & Daniel)
Ed and Lisa Heath
Henry Schein
Ashley Herrington
Houchens Insurance Group
Michael Horn
Mack and Melissa Howell
HUB International
Independence Bank
Ruby Jacildo
Bill Jagoe +
Louise James +
Jimmy Jones
JP Morgan Chase
Dr. and Mrs. Michael Kelley +
Kenergy Corporation
Kentucky Wesleyan College
Aaron Kizer +
Koorsen Fire and Security
Logan's Healthcare Linen/Uniform Rental
Tammy Logsdon +
Mark and Julie Marsh
Dr. Anthony McBride
Jeb and Cathie Medley
Malcolm and Tammy Neel +
Kathleen Myer
NeuVision Consulting +
NTW Holdings LLC
Nancy O'Bryan +
Old National Bank
Tish Osborne +
Owensboro Municipal Utilities
Patrick Padgett +
Deval Patel +
Kantilal Patel +
Patient Choice Labs +
Dr. and Mrs. Archie Pollock Jr. 
Russ and Jennifer Ranallo
Teresa Rascoe
Dr. Suzanne Rashidian +
Daryl Reed
Chris and Char Rhoads
Ricoh, USA
Erin Roby
Ruoff Home Mortgage
Chris and Sarah Sale
Deanna Sandefur
Danny Sharber +
John and Laura Sheffer +
Beth and Joe Steele
Cathy Stewart
Wndi Stovall
Summit Medical Specialist +
Mia Suter
Joe Taylor
To The Max Behavior Therapy LLC +
Truist
University of Kentucky
Valor Oil, LLC
Craig Wainland +
Jeffrey Wallace +
Dr. and Mrs. Carl Watkins
Todd West
Dr. and Mrs. Reid Wilson
Wyatt, Tarrant & Combs, LLP
Dr. and Mrs. Adrian Yeiser
Dr. and Mrs. Michael Yeiser
Deanna Young
Mr. and Mrs. William Young
David and Stephanie Zurmehly

Owensboro Health Foundation is grateful for every donor, volunteer, and supporter who has helped advance its mission. Together, we are making a difference.

To become a partner in healthcare with the Owensboro Health Foundation, call 270-688-2113 or email Found@OwensboroHealth.org.