The Kentucky Hospital Association (KHA) presented several awards on May 17 during an awards luncheon at the 94th Annual KHA Convention. This year’s event was held at the Central Bank Center in Lexington, Kentucky.

KHA’s highest honor, the Distinguished Service Award, was presented to two individuals: Larry Gray and Carl Herde. The Award is presented to an individual who has given untiring and exceptional service to their hospital, community, the state, and KHA.

Larry Gray joined Baptist Health as a clinical chaplain, becoming director of pastoral care in 1986. Throughout his 35-year-long career he also took on executive duties at Baptist Health Lexington, becoming vice president for System Support and Administrative Services. He was then named President of Baptist Health Corbin. Under his leadership there, the 273-bed hospital expanded and enhanced its services, including heart, cancer, women’s care, Neonatal Intensive Care, behavioral health, and addiction treatment. Later in his career, Gray became president of Baptist Health Louisville, leading the 519-bed hospital through the COVID-19 pandemic. Gray was acknowledged for his extensive vaccine efforts and leadership abilities when Louisville Business First named him a Healthcare Hero.

Carl Herde is a seasoned finance executive whose career began at Touche Ross & Co., the predecessor firm of Deloitte & Touche in Louisville. He then joined Baptist Health in 1984 as a controller, eventually serving as the Chief Financial Officer and Vice President during his 23 years with the system.

He served on multiple boards throughout his career, including Stock Yards Bancorp, Inc., the American Excess Insurance Exchange (AEIX), and serving as President of the Board of Directors of Assumption High School where he was honored with the 2010 Business First CFO of the Year Community Service Award.

Herde joined the KHA as the Vice President of Financial Policy in 2016 after retiring from an already successful career. During his time at the Association, Herde shared his expertise with hospitals across the Commonwealth, leading the charge to secure funding for Kentucky’s hospitals with the Hospital Rate Improvement Program (HRIP). HRIP contributed to the success of keeping hospitals open during a financially difficult time, ensuring access to care for patients across Kentucky.

Both Gray and Herde’s many contributions to Kentucky hospitals and health care were lauded by their peers from across the state.

KHA’s Health Care Governance Leadership Award was awarded in honor of the late Thomas “Tommy” K. Elliott. This award acknowledges individuals who have had a positive and sustainable impact on the quality of care in their communities through their work as governing board members. Elliot was a passionate advocate for Baptist Health and an admired community leader. Through this passion, he was committed to providing health equity for the people of Kentucky while serving on the Baptist Health Louisville Administrative, Greater Louisville Foundation, and Baptist Health System boards from 2008 to 2022. He also served on multiple charitable organizations’ boards to further help the Commonwealth be a better place to live and thrive.

Elliot’s 40-year career spanned a wide range of financial services within the banking industry in Kentucky. He served as Senior Vice President of Old National Bank in Louisville, Kentucky, where he led new commercial, investment, and retail business development, as well as directing marketing strategies and executing opportunities to grow Old National’s presence.

Elliot’s wife, Maryanne Honeycutt Elliott, accepted the award on his behalf. He was remembered and honored at the event for his dedication to the community and the patients of Baptist Health.