Kathy Tussey earns Doctor of Nursing Practice
Kathy Tussey, Chief Nursing Officer and Chief Operating Officer recently earned her Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) from Eastern Kentucky University.
Dr. Tussey is a native of Nicholasville, Kentucky. She received her Bachelor of Nursing degree from Midway College, Midway, KY, and then earned her Master of Nursing in Administration from Eastern Kentucky University, Richmond, KY in 2016. Her commitment to advancing her education and continuing to enhance the nursing profession led her to pursue the DNP, which she completed in December 2023.
The DNP program at Eastern Kentucky University focuses on preparing students for leadership roles, emphasizing practical application and the implementation of evidence-based practice improvements in healthcare organizations.
As part of the DNP program requirements, Dr. Tussey completed a noteworthy project. She developed a program that provided surgical patients an opioid disposal packet and education on proper disposing of unused opioids, appropriate opioid use and misuse risk, and appropriate storage of opioid medication in the home. She felt the project was important as Kentucky is still ranked high in overdose deaths with 2,135 reported in 2022. The project was utilized by HMH with a 46% success rate of patients disposing of their unused opioids. HMH will continue to provide these disposal packets for surgical patients as a part of their discharge plan.
As Chief Nursing Officer and Chief Operating Officer, Dr. Tussey oversees all day-to-day operations and projects in regard to the clinical areas and plant operations at HMH.
Under Dr. Tussey's leadership, HMH achieved a significant milestone in February 2023 by successfully completing the acquisition of the Harrison County EMS. This accomplishment reflects her ability to lead and execute complex initiatives within the healthcare setting. Also, in 2023, Dr. Tussey realigned nursing support and leadership by adding a nursing administration department. The new department assists to streamline nursing operations, regulatory policies, treatment protocols and quality improvement projects. This change should continue to support the hospitals high marks of Five Star Rating through Medicare and Medicaid Services as well as the recent recognition of America’s Best-in State Hospital for 2024 by Newsweek Magazine.
Dr. Tussey is married to Brent Tussey, who is the President/CEO of a custom home building company, Cornerstone Homes, LLC. They have two sons, Pierce, 20, who is a Sophomore at the University of Kentucky and Parker, 23, who graduated from UK in 2021 and is working as a licensed real estate agent and project manager for Cornerstone Homes, LLC. In her spare time, she enjoys spending time with her family, watching, and attending UK sports and traveling.