Karen Hunt, RN, said her commitment to being the type of leader she’d want as a nurse was confirmed, and she’s working every day to serve her team as the best leader she can be.
Recognized as the 2022 Leader of the Year at Saint Joseph Mount Sterling, Karen became the women’s services nursing manager two years ago. She spent 18 years of her career as a labor and delivery nurse prior to joining the ministry.
“I really try to be a voice for our bedside nurses and caregivers and advocate for their safety so they can have the best experience providing care to our patients,” Karen said. “When I found out my team nominated me, it was a big surprise. It makes me tearful thinking about it, and I feel like it’s the highlight of my career.”
Karen understands what it takes for a patient to have the best experience having been in the patient’s position. A mom of two boys, Karen said she remembers the nurses who helped her through childbirth.
“I remember making a close connection with my nurses, and how they were my cheerleaders when I felt like I couldn’t keep going,” Karen said.
“With my second child, I ended up having a C-section. I remember the support they gave me during that very vulnerable time, physically and emotionally. I’ve always wanted to make that same connection with my patients as I experienced.”
Karen said being part of that time in a patient’s life, when they bring their newborn into the world, is the reason she became a nurse. She also wanted to be there during the difficult times, when patients face one of the hardest moments in a parent’s life.
“I decided in kindergarten that I wanted to be a nurse who takes care of mothers and babies,” Karen said. “I feel very blessed to be part of that special moment. It’s an amazing feeling to see parents be called mom or dad for the first time — the look they get on their face and the sparkle in their eyes.”
“On the flipside, to be part of someone’s last stages of life is also a blessing, to be able to be that support person while they say goodbye to someone,” Karen added.
Karen spends time with her family outside of her work at Saint Joseph Mount Sterling. She has two sons, Austin, 21, and Brady 16, with her husband, Jimmy, whom she’s been married to for 26 years. The Hunt family resides in Flemingsburg. Karen said she’s spending as much time with Austin before he graduates from Morehead State University and moves to St. Louis for chiropractic school, and attends as many of Brady’s football games at Fleming County High School as she can. Karen said the beach is her happy place, where she can relax and read.
From bubble wands and Hot Wheels to Barbie dolls and more, ER technician Irina Dulina is bringing comfort to our littlest patients through the Toy Chest project at Saint Joseph Jessamine.
Read More Additional information about Bringing Comfort to Our Littlest Patients
In the right place at the right time, off-duty Saint Joseph London nurse Jenni Hughes saved a baby’s life. She didn’t find out until afterward that it was kind of a family affair.
Read More Additional information about Celebrating Our People – Meet Jenni
Stephanie Fields, RN, Saint Joseph Berea, helps heal broken hearts through her volunteer work with search and rescue dogs.
Read More Additional information about Celebrating Our People – Meet Stephanie
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Spirit of Health magazine's print edition is distributed quarterly and focuses on topics related to our CHI Saint Joseph Health purpose and values.
