Honoring Our Past Recipients

Amy Beck & Martha Barnes

For more than 60 years, Amy Beck and Martha Barnes have had a successful partnership—as identical twins! Over the course of 35 years, they’ve had successful careers in the banking industry. Amy is a VP of Private Banking at Republic Bank and Martha is retired from PNC Bank. These roles have provided a solid footing for the fundraising activities they’ve spearheaded over the years, most notably the Rally for the Cure golf outing. For 17 years, Rally for the Cure has been raising funds for breast cancer patients in the Tri-State area. Too often, patients find themselves uninsured, underinsured and unable to obtain the necessary exams and tests to maintain breast health. Rally for the Cure steps in to assist these patients. After Martha’s breast cancer diagnosis in 2005, helping patients through their cancer journey has become a priority for the twins. Now, Martha volunteers in the Cancer Center at St. Elizabeth. Amy and Martha currently serve as the Co-Chairs of Rally for the Cure, and have volunteered for many community-minded organizations over the years, including Redwood, Omega Phi Tau Sorority, the NKY Chamber, and they are both active in their church, St. Pius X. They are also past recipients of the Notre Dame Academy Women Making a Difference Award.

“Your world can stop on a dime; it’s how you react that makes the difference. I’ve been so blessed to have won the cancer battle, and I believe part of my recovery is to help others through their journey,” said Martha. “I am truly humbled to have been chosen as an Outstanding Woman of NKY. Thank you to my husband Kevin, and extended family and friends, for their never-ending love and support.”

“I am very blessed to be a part of a loving, close family with parents who taught us to give back. Quickly, I discovered I was rewarded more by giving than receiving,” said Amy. “Thank you to my family, George, Lauren, Johnny, and Kyle for always cheering me on and supporting me. I am proud to be surrounded by such amazing women leaders in our community. Thank you to the NKY Chamber of Commerce for this honor and to Carri Chandler for nominating Martha and me for this award.”

Kathy Jennings

Kathy Jennings began her nursing career at St. Elizabeth Healthcare more than 39 years ago as a nurse assistant while in nursing school at Northern Kentucky University. She soon found her passion in oncology—a passion that has never wavered. Kathy’s career was nurtured within the oncology program during her time providing direct patient care—her first love—to leading the vison of the oncology program to become the beacon of hope it is today. Under her leadership as Senior Vice President of Oncology & Patient Care Services for St. Elizabeth Healthcare, the new Cancer Center has come to fruition. This Center offers patients quality cancer care under one roof, including medical, radiation, and surgical oncology, as well as a full complement of services that prioritize the patient’s psychosocial care. In addition, her Oncology Research team is providing local access to cuttingedge clinical trials, while the Precision Medicine and Genomic Health team focuses on healthcare disease treatment and prevention by utilizing genomic information to guide the patient’s healthcare path.

“I am humbled and honored to receive this award. I am grateful to the senior leadership team at St. Elizabeth Healthcare for their support and mission-driven efforts that allow me to lead a talented team of healthcare professionals in providing patient-centered, quality cancer care,” said Kathy. “Additionally, I am so very grateful for my personal support system, my husband, Tom and my children. Without their inspiration and their patience in helping me achieve a successful work-life balance, I would have never realized the professional fulfillment and privilege I’ve been afforded in making a difference in the lives of the people and community we serve. Lastly, thank you to the NKY Chamber for honoring me with this award.”

HONORING OUR PAST RECIPIENTS

1985

Sandra Easton Vanda Langham Mary Miller Vesta Moore Naomi Turner

1986

Betty Daniels Garnet Grant Karen Malott Cheryl McDaniel Pat Sommerkamp

1987

Nancy Barone Sister Alice Gerdeman Dale Meyer Marie Weber Judy Moberly West

1988

Rita Bardo Kim Brooks Angela Casanova Patricia Fann Jan Gerding 1988 Woman of Distinction Award Governor Martha Layne Collins

1989

Martha Bunch Kathleen Finck Arlene Gibeau Pamela Mullins Betty Zimmer

1990

Sister W. Burkhard Helen Ernst Linda Verst Edwina Walker Fran Zaniello

1991

Kathleen Collins Elizabeth Herald Alice Lambert Tina Moore Ann Richards

1992

Claudia Branham Michelle Budzek Bennie Doggett Patricia Deanna Skees Carol L. Woodyard

1993

Mary B. Blake Marie Cannon Sister Mary Dorgan Lois Jean Lambers Rosalie Rothfuss

1994

Dr. Julia Hudson Carter Beth Fennell Elizabeth Grause Esther Johnson Mary Middleton 1994 Founders Award Nancy Janes Boothe

1995

Virginia Clare Katherine Meyer Jayne Morgenthal Gayle Payne Mary Ann Plummer

1996

Dr. Susan K. Cook Betty Cottingham Helen Cummins Bert Huff Cathy Kunkel-Mains

1997

Linda S. Allen Ann Haegele Sister Juanita Nadicksbernd Margo Otto Laura Thomson

1998

Elizabeth “Betty” Bernard Barbara Black Juanita Mills Patricia Summe Dianne B. Yelton

1999

Lauren Abel Barbara J. Martin Irene Patrick Alice Sparks Janice Way

2000

Dr. Joyce J. Fortney Bari L. Joslyn Dr. Rosetta J. Mauldin Charlene R. Palmer, P.E.

2001

Barbara Dahlenburg Bonar Mary A. Hemmer Mary Northington Ginger O. Paul Martha Snider

2002

Ruth Bauman Kit Hammons Alice Kennelly Roberts Dr. Angela Taylor Nancy J. Tretter

2003

Karen L. Collins Brenda J. Sparks Sandra J.H. Strauss Gail W. Wells Nancy Ziegler Trailblazer Award Rosana Aydt & Mary Beth Beimesch