Baptist Health Foundation Hardin welcomes new Director of Philanthropy Nate Cox

Elizabethtown, Ky., Dec. 12, 2022 – Nate Cox has recently joined Baptist Health Foundation Hardin as director of philanthropy. Cox, a native of Hardin County, brings two decades of nonprofit and marketing experience to the position.

“Our growing foundation will benefit with Nate in this role,” said Tracee Troutt, vice president and chief development officer for Baptist Health Hardin. “His unique experiences, his passion for philanthropy and building relationships, and his healthcare knowledge will help us strengthen Baptist Health Hardin.” 

Cox earned a Bachelor of Science in Public Relations, Advertising and Applied Communications from Liberty University in Lynchburg, Virginia in 2001, and later went on to earn a Master of Arts in Management and Leadership from the university in 2013. 

Cox worked 12 years with the nonprofit organization Young Life. Working in West Point, New York for nine years and in Honolulu, Hawaii for three years, Cox served as area director for the organization before transitioning to commercial marketing in Columbus, Ohio and Charlotte, North Carolina. Cox most recently served as marketing manager for Novant Health in Charlotte. 

“I visited the Hardin County area several times throughout my life and each time, was impressed by the region’s growth and energy,” Cox said. “Donors can help people of all ages, races, and income brackets from all across central Kentucky when they give to our foundation, and that makes this role so exciting.” 

Cox will work to help grateful patients, generous donors and committed community members align their philanthropic interests with the needs of Baptist Health Hardin. 

“From contributing to cancer care to pet therapy to employee wellness, there are many unique ways individuals can support Baptist Health Foundation Hardin,” Cox said. “And best of all, every penny of every dollar donated to the foundation stays in the 10-county region Baptist Health Hardin serves and goes directly to funded projects since the hospital pays Foundation expenses.” 

Looking toward the future, Cox said he will work to ensure the foundation raises money for as many extra enhancements to patient care as possible as Baptist Health Hardin’s Outpatient Medical Pavilion nears completion. The pavilion will be 75% of the existing hospital’s size and will house a new comprehensive cancer center with all patient services together for the first time; 12 new surgical suites including a hybrid operating room; a multidisciplinary outpatient medical office building to accommodate new physicians and specialists; and patient-centric spaces designed to promote emotional and spiritual healing. 

“This will be more than another building,” Cox said. “The Outpatient Medical Pavilion will play an important role in our region’s healthcare, and the foundation is committed to ensuring that patients, families and staff enjoy the many amenities donors provide.” 

Baptist Health Foundation Hardin has raised more than $11 million in its eight years of existence to support Baptist Health Hardin’s patients. The extras purchased by the foundation include cooling caps for chemo patients to help them keep their hair, and more than $1 million worth of new equipment for the Level II Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) to help keep the tiniest and most vulnerable patients safe. Donors also support pediatric therapy, cancer care, pet therapy, emergency pediatric care, and the Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner/Forensic program.