Saint Joseph Health Jessamine Staff of the Year 2026

NICHOLASVILLE, Ky. (April 29, 2026) – Saint Joseph Jessamine 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 Wednesday, March 11. This year’s recipients are:

• Physician of the Year – Joseph Grossman, MD, Greenville, NC
• APP of the Year – Josh Sykes, PA, Palestine, TX
• Employee of the Year – Stanley Puumala, Environmental Services Tech, Crab Orchard
• Leader of the Year – Rosetta Tuggle, Supervisor, Environmental Services, Lancaster

Each year, Saint Joseph Jessamine 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. Joseph Grossman, MD, was nominated for Physician of the Year by his colleagues.

“As a young tech, Dr. Grossman was understanding and patient with me when I had questions or needed extra guidance,” said his nominator. “He has demonstrated constant collaboration whenever I expressed interest in learning about a certain condition or diagnosis. Dr. Grossman’s drive for a successful department does not go unnoticed.”

The 2026 APP of the Year is Josh Sykes, a physician’s assistant at the hospital.

“Joshua Sykes consistently demonstrates compassion, respect, and professionalism in every interaction. He takes time to listen to patients, ensuring they feel heard and understood, and he extends that same patience and clarity to nursing staff and colleagues. Josh explains care plans thoroughly and thoughtfully, fostering trust and collaboration across the team. His positive attitude, approachability and constant smile create a welcoming environment for both patients and staff,” said his nominator.

Saint Joseph Jessamine 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.

Saint Joseph Jessamine’s 2026 Employee of the Year is Stanley Puumala.

“Stanley continuously shows compassion for those in need. He donates his time and money to helping others. Sometimes, it’s a coworker and other times it is someone in the streets, or another staff member in another department, who has lost a loved one, or experiences a house fire or flood,” said his nominator. “His ability to collaborate with others is obvious to everyone. His quality work and participation speaks volumes. He is honest and speaks up when he has ideas, which is always appreciated.”

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

“I am honored to nominate Rosetta Tuggle for her dedication and service to Saint Joseph Jessamine. With a thirty-year commitment to our organization, Rosetta embodies the values of excellence, compassion and teamwork,” said her nominator. “Rosetta’s warm and supportive demeanor makes her a beloved leader among staff at all hospitals. She consistently lends a helping hand, offers words of encouragement and goes above and beyond to ensure her team feels valued and appreciated.”

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 - Dr. Eric Schafer, 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 Saint Joseph Jessamine

Saint Joseph Jessamine is located in Nicholasville, Kentucky. Established in 2009, the Saint Joseph Jessamine RJ Corman Ambulatory Care Center serves residents of Jessamine, Boyle, Fayette and Garrard counties. The facility is Jessamine County’s first and only full-service, 24/7 emergency room, and also offers primary care and a full range of services.