HMH Hires Accomplished Nursing Leader to Manage Growing Emergency Department

Hardin Memorial Health (HMH) welcomed Deanna Parker as its new Assistant Vice President

ELIZABETHTOWN, Ky. – Hardin Memorial Health (HMH) welcomed Deanna Parker as its new Assistant Vice President (AVP) of Emergency Services. HMH created the new AVP position to bring a higher level of management and experience to the growing emergency department that is the fourth busiest in Kentucky.

Parker previously served as the Director of Nursing, Medical Surgical and Intermediate Areas at Jewish Hospital in Louisville. She was also a nurse leader at Kentucky’s two teaching hospitals – University of Louisville Hospital and University of Kentucky Albert B. Chandler Hospital.

“We are excited to have someone with Deanna’s superb clinical and leadership experience join the HMH team,” said Sharon Wright, chief nursing officer at HMH. “During this time of tremendous growth, Deanna will work to make sure our team provides the best possible care to the nearly 70,000 patients we see each year.” 

Parker, who began her career as an intensive care nurse, will oversee daily operations of the emergency department that is in the midst of a 14,000-square-foot expansion slated for completion later this year.

The expansion will create a more secure emergency department that responds to patient safety needs, optimizes flow and provides even higher quality treatment.

The expanded emergency department will include a separate entrance and rooms to serve all populations including victims of sexual assault and individuals with behavioral health needs.

“Emergency care provides daily challenges and countless rewards as we help patients when they need it most,” said Parker. “I am thrilled to join this talented team of highly skilled nurses and physicians, many of whom have worked in major trauma centers.”

Parker added that all HMH Emergency Department physicians are board certified, many with long tenure from academic centers.

Parker and her team will soon move their operations into the newly constructed section of the emergency department to allow for renovations to take place in the existing space.

There will be no interruption of service during the construction.