Staff Report
MURRAY – Murray-Calloway County Hospital recently named Kim Simmons, a registered nurse in the emergency department who has 32 years of service at the hospital, its 2025 Employee of the Year.
Simmons was recognized for creating a pediatric education plan and coordinating an area-wide pediatric symposium, according to a post announcing the honor on the hospital’s Facebook page.
“Her impact at MCCH is nothing short of inspiring,” the post said.
According to a news release, multiple co-workers in the emergency department recommended Simmons, including a submission from Emergency Department Manager Debbie Ferguson.
“Words I would use to describe Kim are organized, tenacious, patient, compassionate, and tireless,” Ferguson wrote. “She has a passion for making sure staff members are well educated and have the tools they need to give excellent patient care. She thinks outside the box and isn’t afraid to ask if we can try new things. Kim has organized multiple classes for staff and organized an area-wide pediatric symposium. She is always willing to lend a hand and is a great asset to our ER team and we are definitely better educated because of her efforts.”
The employee of the month recipients are selected through a nomination process, the release said. Employees submit recommendations, which are reviewed by a committee. The final selection is made by MCCH’s executive team.
The 2025 MCCH Employee of the Year nominees are listed below:
January – Kaitlyn Keel, RN, Labor and Delivery
February – Shannon Kidd, Materials Management
March – Matthew Severns, RN, Perioperative Services
April – Kayla Verburg, RN, Float Pool
May – Whitney Villanueva, MMA assistant manager
June – Susan Page, RN, Emergency Department
July – Mackenzie Wilson, RN, Endoscopy
August – Korie Nance, RN, Float Pool
September – Kim Simmons, RN, Emergency Department
October – Lea Ann Brandon, unit secretary
November – Lori Callihan, RN, Education
December – Paula Mathis, RN, CCU
“We also want to extend our heartfelt congratulations to all of this year’s nominees,” MCCH said on Facebook. “Your hard work, excellence, and dedication do not go unnoticed – you each play a vital role in making MCCH such a special place. Thank you all for what you do every single day!”
