Chief Operating Officer/Chief Nursing Officer, Central Baptist Hospital
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Photo by Mick Jeffries
Karen Hill has known what she wanted to be when she grew up since the tender age of age 14, when she worked as a candy striper at Central Baptist Hospital. “I developed a love for nursing by watching the nurses take great care of their patients and decided this was the career for me,” said Hill, who now works as chief operating officer/chief nursing officer at the same hospital where she volunteered as a young girl.
Hill received her bachelor’s, master’s and doctorate degrees in nursing from her hometown-based University of Kentucky in Lexington. She first worked as a new graduate nurse at Good Samaritan Hospital and then moved to Nashville, Tenn., upon marrying her husband, Brian.
The couple returned to Lexington in 1982, when Karen became a staff nurse in the operating room at Central Baptist and began working her way up the system.
Hill has strengthened her dedication to her profession over the years by holding several nursing industry-related leadership positions. Some of her current roles include being a member of the Hospital Advisory Board; treasurer and board member of the National League for Nursing’s National Advisory Council; member of the International Advisory Board for Reflections on Nursing Leadership; and board member of the Commerce Lexington Executive Committee.
Hill has seen a lot of highs and lows within the nursing field during her more than three decades on the job. When asked about the biggest current challenge for her industry, she said, “It’s providing the quality and range of health-care services that everyone wants for their families while keeping cost low.”
In spite of some obstacles along the way, Hill has persevered in her career mainly because she loves what she does.
“I love the fact that I can help people, find meaningful work and feel that I make a difference for people every day,” she explained. “I continue to find challenges and learning opportunities in my profession that keep things interesting.”
A typical day in Hill’s life starts extremely early. She rises before the sun –– at 5 a.m. ––reads the paper, eats breakfast, completes a treadmill workout and gets to work before 7:30 a.m. to start communicating with people via meetings or email.
“I interact with physicians, nurses, other hospital leaders and staff, as well as some patients throughout the day,” she said. “Frequently I have meetings outside the hospital either for Commerce Lexington or organizations such as the Diabetes Association, March of Dimes, Susan G. Komen or with other health-care leaders.”
Hill usually leaves the hospital between 5 p.m. and 6 p.m., unless she has evening meetings, and then she cooks something healthy for her husband for dinner. The couple’s son, Chris, is in special operations training for the Air Force in Ft. Walton Beach, Fla., while their daughter, Melissa, will soon graduate from law school at the University of Dayton.
During the evenings, Hill also dedicates time to her second job as the editor of an international nursing administrative journal by reading submissions and reviews.
“Last year, I processed 380 submissions and produced 11 journals,” she said.
In the midst of her busy life, Hill always remembers and is thankful for the people who have inspired her throughout her journey.
“My parents were my first mentors, because they always expected me to do my best and be a good person,” she said. “I never wanted to disappoint them, so there was no question about high goals.”
Hill also credits her current boss, Bill Sisson, for believing in her abilities and providing her with opportunities to learn and grow, as well as her husband, Brian, for always giving good advice.
“Brian is my trusted adviser and best friend,” she said. “He is always a role model. Although I do not always agree with him, as he will tell you, I always listen. He is the one who encouraged and supported me to take risks in my career and return to school to pursue my dreams.”