Flaget Memorial Hospital Recognizes Outstanding Medical Staff

BARDSTOWN, Ky. (April 26, 2026) – Flaget Memorial Hospital recognized its 2026 Physician of the Year, Advanced Practice Provider (APP) of the Year, Employee of the Year and Leader of the Year award recipient during a hospital celebration on Thursday, April 2. This year’s recipients are:

•  Physician of the Year – Sanjiv Mehta, MD, Louisville
• APP of the Year – Scott Ohler, CRNA, Elizabethtown
• Employee of the Year – Paige Cissell, Manager, House, Bloomfield
• Leader of the Year – Sarah Gabehart, Manager, Nursing, Bardstown

Each year, Flaget Memorial Hospital recognizes an outstanding Physician of the Year and APP of the Year who help build healthier communities and exhibit Saint Joseph Health’s core values of compassion, inclusion, integrity, excellence and collaboration. Sandeep Valluri, MD, was nominated for Physician of the Year by his colleagues.

“Dr. Mehta demonstrates all the core values of our organization. I have never met a more compassionate physician. He is caring and his patients genuinely love him because of his compassion and care. He makes them feel important and special. He is an excellent surgeon. He always wants the best for his patients and constantly tries to gain more knowledge and skill for their benefit,” said his nominator. “He respects everyone and believes everyone should receive the best care he can offer and he strives to deliver that for them. I have known Dr. Mehta for over 20 years. He strives to live with integrity, staying true to his values and always acting ethically in his profession. I am also proud to say Dr. Mehta encourages his team. He supports his staff and always encourages everyone to be the best they can be. He inspires our orthopedic team to achieve and he lets it be known that every person is important and we all have a contribution to make.”

The 2026 APP of the Year is Scott Ohler, a CRNA at the hospital.

“Our department process changed about two years ago, and Scott took the lead for both his team and the department without hesitation. He deeply values the quality and safety of his team members and ensures that everyone is on the same page. He takes patient safety to the highest level by taking extra steps to gather comprehensive information, ensuring patients are safe for their procedures. He also collaborates effectively with other leaders in the department to discuss issues and maintain alignment across the team,” said his nominator.

Flaget Memorial Hospital also recognizes an Employee of the Year and Leader of the Year who go above and beyond their duties and demonstrate the health care system’s core values.

Flaget Memorial Hospital’s 2026 Employee of the Year is Paige Cissell.

“Paige is a very comforting presence to patients, family members and employees.  Even in her busiest times she has a calm tone and reassuring presence. She explains procedures to patients simply, calmly and compassionately,” said her nominator. “Paige seamlessly helps all departments and does not make one feel more important than another. She will help with a radiology procedure, help with a difficult IV, manage a rowdy family in the ER and then help deliver a baby.”

Sarah Gabehart has been named the 2026 Leader of the Year, recognized for her outstanding leadership in a managerial position.

“Sarah consistently exemplifies compassion through her kind nature and thoughtful approach, evident even during crucial conversations or difficult patient follow-ups. Her commitment to inclusion is clear in how she treats her staff with respect and actively values their feedback. Sarah demonstrates integrity in her daily work, even in challenging situations, by her eagerness to do the right thing. She sets the bar for excellence for her team in her patient interactions and team leadership. She fosters collaboration by effectively working with cancer center providers and others who refer patients, creating a care environment that is seamless and supportive,” said her nominator.

Additional Saint Joseph Health winners include: 

• Saint Joseph Health Corporate - Mersi Lawhorn, Employee of the Year, Lexington; Elizabeth Sword, Leader of the Year, Lexington

• Saint Joseph Medical Group - Benjamin Neltner, MD, Physician of the Year, Lexington; Jessica McMaine, APP of the Year and overall Saint Joseph Health APP of the Year, Richmond; Julie O’Nan, Employee of the Year, Harrodsburg; Jasmine Ellis, Leader of the Year, Lexington

• Continuing Care Hospital - Ibrahim Shahoub, MD, Physician of the Year, Lexington; Regina Mullins, APP of the Year, Pikeville; Jennifer Osborne, Employee of the Year, Carlisle; Joann Rose, Leader of the Year, Richmond

• Flaget Memorial Hospital - Sanjiv Mehta, MD, Physician of the Year, Louisville; Scott Ohler, APP of the Year, Elizabethtown; Paige Cissell, Employee of the Year, Bloomfield; Sarah Gabeheart, Leader of the Year, Bardstown

• Saint Joseph East - Eric Schafer, MD, Physician of the Year, Charlestown, MA; Ashley Frankowski, APP of the Year, Lexington; Danny Hunt, Employee of the Year and overall Saint Joseph Health Employee of the Year, Lexington; Jen Spegal, Leader of the Year, Richmond

• Saint Joseph Hospital - Kathleen Martin, MD, Physician of the Year and overall Saint Joseph Health Physician of the Year, Woodbury, NJ; Isaac Hughes, APP of the Year, Lexington; Alban Hayden, Employee of the Year, Versailles; Elizabeth Hatfield, Leader of the Year and overall Saint Joseph Health Leader of the Year, Charlestown, IN

• Saint Joseph Jessamine - Joseph Grossman, MD, Physician of the Year, Greenville, NC; Josh Sykes, APP of the Year, Palestine, TX; Stanley Puumala, Employee of the Year, Crab Orchard; Rosetta Tuggle, Leader of the Year, Lancaster

• Saint Joseph Berea - Joshua Huffman, MD, Physician of the Year, Lexington; Kristina Rose, Employee of the Year, Berea; Raylee Kirkland, Leader of the Year, Berea

• Saint Joseph Mount Sterling - Kayla Hollins, MD, Physician of the Year, Lexington; Jenna Newkirk, APP of the Year, Mount Sterling; Amanda Cline, Employee of the Year, Salt Lick; Jim Hamm, Leader of the Year, Richmond

Learn more about Saint Joseph Health.

About Saint Joseph Health

Saint Joseph Health, part of CommonSpirit Health, is one of the largest and most comprehensive health systems in the Commonwealth of Kentucky with 100 locations in 15 cities, including hospitals, physician groups, clinics, primary care centers, specialty institutes, home health agencies and an ambulatory Care Center. The hospitals in Saint Joseph Health are Flaget Memorial Hospital, Saint Joseph Berea, Saint Joseph East, Saint Joseph Hospital, Saint Joseph Jessamine, Saint Joseph London, Saint Joseph Mount Sterling, and Women’s Hospital at Saint Joseph East. In total, the health system serves patients in 35 counties statewide. Saint Joseph Health is dedicated to providing a wide array of services to build a healthier future for all. Saint Joseph Health embodies a strong mission and faith-based heritage and works through local partnerships to expand access to care in the communities it serves.

About Flaget Memorial Hospital

Flaget Memorial Hospital, part of Saint Joseph Health, is a 52-bed facility located in Bardstown, Kentucky. Established in 1951 by the Sisters of Charity of Nazareth, the facility serves residents of Nelson, Hardin, Marion, Washington, Spencer, Bullitt and LaRue counties. The facility is also home to Nelson County’s first full-service cancer center and is nationally recognized for orthopedic and surgical care, as well as inpatient satisfaction.