Saint Joseph Medical Group Recognizes Outstanding Medical Staff

LEXINGTON, Ky. (April 26, 2026) – Saint Joseph Medical Group 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 Friday, March 17. This year’s recipients are:

•  Physician of the Year – Benjamin Neltner, MD, Lexington
• APP of the Year – Jessica McMaine, Nurse Practitioner, Richmond
• Employee of the Year – Julie O Nan, Medical Office Representative, Harrodsburg
• Leader of the Year – Jasmine Ellis, Manager, Clinic Practice, Lexington

Each year, Saint Joseph Medical Group 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. Benjamin Neltner, MD, was nominated for Physician of the Year by his colleagues.

“Dr. Neltner goes above and beyond for his patients, he also does so for his co-workers. He provides the best care possible and demonstrates all aspects of our core values and deserves to be acknowledged for it,” said his nominator. “Dr. Neltner has improved our office significantly since starting here. He boosts our morale, provides positive feedback and is always kind, no matter how overwhelmed he gets.”

The 2026 APP of the Year is Jessica McMaine, a nurse practitioner.

“Every day, Jessica goes above and beyond in her patient interactions. She ensures that each patient feels heard and understood by actively listening to their concerns. Her empathy shines through, providing comfort and support during their times of need. Jessica truly is the epitome of what our organization stands for in promoting humankindness, reflecting our core values in every aspect of her work,” said her nominator. 

Saint Joseph Medical Group 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 Medical Group’s 2026 Employee of the Year is Julie O Nan.

“Julie is an amazing asset to our team. She brings positive energy and treats everybody so kindly,” said her nominator. “She is a multi-tasker. She is able to do referrals and is the go-to person if anything is needed. She is kind to patients, co-workers and makes every person feel special.”

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

“Jasmine shows true leadership skills, while never failing to remind us that we can depend on her, that she is there to teach us and she can help us resolve any problem. She shows compassion and excellence every day,” said her nominator. “I remember a patient having trouble getting their medication approved, and after speaking with Jasmine, the patient felt immediate peace. Jasmine’s willingness to step in and show our patients kindness is a daily thing for her..”

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 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.