Rural community grows to meet rising needs

From caregiver to patient: a full-circle experience 

When Judy Stephens accepted a position at what is now Baptist Health Hardin in 1978, she didn’t imagine she would spend the next 35 years of her life building a career there, or that after her retirement, she would find herself as a patient in the unit she spent over two decades managing. 

“I spent years of my life in this hospital and was so confident in the care they were capable of providing that I used to drive my parents and family members from Hopkinsville in order to receive care by the best of the best,” she said. “So, when I was put in the position of needing care myself, there was no doubt about where I was going to be admitted as a patient.”

For over 25 years, Judy managed the Critical Care unit (CCU). She admits that although she never wanted to become a patient necessitating the level of care provided in the CCU, she found comfort in the quick response of those who were part of her care team. “The nurses kept my family informed and helped them to be at ease, and their willingness to answer every need as soon as it arose made a scary situation a little easier.” 

“When the physician team walked into my room and I recognized them, I felt like a weight was taken off my shoulders,” she said. “I knew that they would take care of me. The care that you get within your own community is unmatched. You can’t find a team of caregivers who care more for your health and well-being than those you see at church, bump into at the grocery store, or have built relationships with from years of being from the same area. Other places have good people, but they don’t have the right people to give me the care that I need.”

Judy believes that continuity of care isn’t the only benefit of local healthcare, but that when you are able to stay within your own region you are reducing travel and decreasing additional costs. “Have you ever sat in traffic on the interstate? When you need emergent care being able to do that is the difference between life and death.”

During her hospitalization, Judy was put on a medication that had consequences she was familiar with from her time as a nurse. “When something felt off, I told my nurse. She didn’t question me, she dropped what she was doing and immediately began checking to make sure things were OK. She saved my arm.”

Judy recognizes that although Hardin County is still a rural community, it is growing every day. 

“With that growth comes new needs, and that is what Baptist Health Hardin is working to meet. You can’t beat this hospital. It’s big enough to provide the care you need, but small enough to know those who are providing that care. We’ve come so far, and together, there is still so much more that we can do, and I believe that Baptist Health Hardin is going to get us there.”