Saint Joseph Health APRN Recognized Nationally for Heroic, Lifesaving Action

CORBIN, Ky. (July 29, 2025) – Candice Fox, APRN, an advanced practice provider at Saint Joseph Medical Group – Primary Care in Corbin, has been nationally recognized with the Compassion Award as part of the CommonSpirit Health Physician Enterprise Vision Awards, for her quick actions that helped save a patient earlier this year. This award honors individuals who demonstrate impactful empathy and kindness.   

Fox was nominated and recognized for her response during a medical emergency on February 12, 2025, when a patient collapsed during a routine appointment at the primary care clinic in Corbin. Drawing on years of experience as a critical care nurse, Fox administered 13 minutes of continuous CPR and coordinated the clinic staff until emergency medical services arrived. Her actions helped the patient regain a pulse, and after receiving advanced cardiac care at a nearby hospital, the patient made a full recovery.

“Candice’s actions exemplify humankindness in its truest form – offering compassionate care with skill and composure under pressure,” said Carmel Jones, president, Saint Joseph Medical Group. “Her response reflects the very core of our mission, and we are proud to see her recognized with this well-deserved honor.”

Fox joined Saint Joseph Medical Group in 2022; she had spent 18 years working as a critical care nurse at Saint Joseph London. Her experience and certifications in basic life support and advanced cardiovascular life support allowed her to immediately respond.

“I am appreciative of the recognition with this CommonSpirit Vision Award, but the real reward is seeing my patient doing well,” Fox said. “My goal is to always provide the care my patients need with compassion and humankindness. I know that God has placed me on the path to help people in need.”

The CommonSpirit Health Vision Awards celebrate clinical excellence across CommonSpirit Health, which operates hospitals and care sites across 21 states, including those of Saint Joseph Health. The annual program honors team members whose work exemplifies the organization’s mission and vision: A healthier future for all – inspired by faith, driven by innovation, and powered by our humanity. Award categories include Inspiration, Compassion, Innovation, Patient Experience, Quality, and Academic.

As part of her recognition, Fox received an award plaque and commemorative pin. 

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 20 counties, 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 toward a goal of building 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 Saint Joseph Medical Group
Saint Joseph Medical Group is the employed provider network of Saint Joseph Health with 88 locations in 17 communities throughout central and eastern Kentucky. 

About CommonSpirit Health
CommonSpirit Health is a nonprofit, Catholic health system dedicated to advancing health for all people. It was created in February 2019 by Catholic Health Initiatives and Dignity Health. With its national office in Chicago and a team of over 150,000 employees and 25,000 physicians and advanced practice clinicians, CommonSpirit operates 140 hospitals and more than 1,500 care sites across 21 states. In FY 2021, CommonSpirit had revenues of $33.3 billion and provided $5.1 billion in charity care, community benefit, and unreimbursed government programs. Learn more at www.commonspirit.org.