LEXINGTON, Ky. — Saint Joseph Health announced its 2026 Physician of the Year, Advanced Practice Provider of the Year, Employee of the Year and Leader of the Year award recipients across its system on Thursday, according to a press release from the healthcare network.

Dr. Kathleen Martin, a gastroenterologist at Saint Joseph Hospital, earned the overall system Physician of the Year award. Martin is chief of gastroenterology for the health system and chairs the Provider Recruitment and Engagement Committee on the board of Saint Joseph Medical Group. Danny Hunt of Lexington, an employee at Saint Joseph East, received the Employee of the Year honor. Elizabeth Hatfield, also at Saint Joseph Hospital, was named overall Leader of the Year.

Jessica McMaine, an employee at Saint Joseph Medical Group, received the App of the Year award for the overall system.

At Saint Joseph Hospital, the system's flagship 433-bed facility, the 2026 winners also include Isaac Hughes, PA-C (Advanced Practice Provider of the Year) and Alban Hayden of Versailles (Employee of the Year).

Saint Joseph East, a 217-bed community hospital in Lexington's southeastern section, named Dr. Eric Schafer Physician of the Year, Ashley Frankowski of Lexington as Advanced Practice Provider of the Year, and Jen Spegal of Richmond as Leader of the Year.

Continuing Care Hospital recognized Dr. Ibrahim Shahoub of Lexington (Physician of the Year), Reginia Mullins, APRN of Pikeville (Advanced Practice Provider of the Year), Jennifer Osborne, RN of Carlisle (Employee of the Year), and Joann Rose of Richmond (Leader of the Year).

Saint Joseph Health, headquartered in Lexington, operates 100 locations across 20 Kentucky counties, making it one of the state's largest health systems.