NEWS RELEASE – March 7, 2025
Morgan County ARH Pharmacist Honored with KHA Patient Safety Award
West Liberty, March 7, 2025 – The Kentucky Hospital Association (KHA) presented Blake Cantrell, Director of Pharmacy for Morgan County ARH Hospital with the KHA Patient Safety Award on February 25, 2025, for his outstanding commitment to patient safety and patient care.
Morgan County ARH Hospital CEO Allie Archer says, “We are incredibly proud to see Blake recognized as a KHA Patient Safety Hero. His hard work and compassion are evident in his commitment to serving patients and we congratulate him on this well-deserved honor.”
Cantrell was nominated by a colleague who describes him as an “exemplary pharmacist” driven by a genuine commitment to putting patients’ needs at the forefront of everything he does. His unwavering focus on medication safety shines through in his daily practice. With a warm smile, Cantrell prioritizes collaboration and teamwork, making him a beloved team member.
The nomination also highlights Cantrell’s extensive knowledge in patient safety and brings attention to his enthusiasm for engaging with people through various hospital and community events. He is a role model for safe, person-centered care and inspires patients and staff alike to embody those principles in their own practice.
Cantrell says “This recognition is a reflection of the unique culture we have, and it is something we should take pride in. The representatives of the Kentucky Hospital Association Quality Team even remarked that our hospital was a special place.” He says that change is a collective action that occurs because of dedication, collaboration and consistency.
Pictured: Allie Archer, Morgan County ARH Hospital CEO; Michael Blake Cantrell, Morgan County ARH Hospital Director of Pharmacy; Billie Delauder, KHA Quality Process Improvement Specialist; Jessica Covington, KHA Quality Program Pharmacist
# # #
Appalachian Regional Healthcare (ARH), is a not-for-profit health system operating 14 hospitals in Barbourville, Hazard, Harlan, Hyden, Martin, McDowell, Middlesboro, Paintsville, Prestonsburg, West Liberty, Whitesburg, and South Williamson in Kentucky and Beckley and Hinton in West Virginia, as well as multi-specialty physician practices, home health agencies, home medical equipment stores and retail pharmacies and medical spas. ARH employs approximately 6,700 people with an annual payroll and benefits of $474 million generated into our local economies. ARH also has a network of more than 1,300 providers on staff across its multi-state system. ARH is the largest provider of care and the single largest employer in southeastern Kentucky, and the third-largest private employer in southern West Virginia.