Saint Joseph East recently recognized Amy Carrillo, DO, as the 2021 Physician of the Year, and Karen Hillenmeyer, PA-C, as the 2021 Advanced Practice Provider of the Year. Dr. Carrillo, of Lexington, practices at CHI Saint Joseph Medical Group – Obstetrics and Gynecology, and Hillenmeyer, of Lexington, is director of the CHI Saint Joseph Health – Center for Weight Loss Surgery. Both were recognized during a virtual ceremony.
 
The hospital annually recognizes an outstanding Physician of the Year who works to bring wellness, healing and hope to patients and families, as well as exhibits the core values of reverence, integrity, compassion and excellence.

Amy Carrillo for CHI St Joe, Tuesday Dec. 8, 2020 in Lexington, Ky. Photo by Mark Mahan Mahan Multimedia

 
“Dr. Carrillo consistently demonstrates compassion for both patients and staff,” said her colleague. “She does not shy away from difficult clinical situations and always stands up for what is right. She practices with integrity and excellence and stays on top of current recommendations in clinical practice. She collaborates with physician peers and the nursing staff regularly to assure patients receive excellent care and demonstrates caring and empathy to both patients and staff. She is always so kind to the nursing staff and the Women’s Hospital (at Saint Joseph East) would not be the same without her.”
 
Karen Hillenmeyer

This year’s Advanced Practice Provider of the Year recipient, Karen Hillenmeyer, was also nominated by a colleague.

 
“Karen has been on the medical staff at Saint Joseph East for 39 years,” said her colleague. “She has developed a vast network of colleagues and patients that respect her for her compassion, strong work ethic and relentless dedication to our mission and to her work. She has been a right arm extension of surgical teams with practices of general, vascular and bariatric surgery. Not only has she devoted time to patients, but she has shared her experience by also mentoring students in nursing, physician assistant studies and other medical fields.”