Healthy Paducah, West Kentucky Mental Health Association, Four Rivers FRYSC, Navigators of Commonwealth Social Workers, NAACP Describe a challenge in your career and how you overcame it. I am the first person to serve in my role with Mercy Health. The biggest challenge was creating a role from the ground up while demonstrating its value to patients, coworkers, and the healthcare system. I overcame this challenge by leading with collaboration, persistence, and compassion. I built partnerships with local organizations, advocated for patients experiencing barriers to care, and demonstrated the measurable impact of addressing issues such as housing, food insecurity, transportation, mental health, and access to healthcare. By consistently showing how these interventions improved patient outcomes and reduced barriers, I helped establish the credibility and importance of this innovative role within the healthcare system. This experience strengthened my leadership skills and reinforced my belief that meaningful change begins with a willingness to step into the unknown. Today, I take pride in knowing that I helped build a foundation for a role that will continue to improve the health and well-being of individuals and families throughout our community. What makes you stand out in your industry or field? What sets me apart is that my passion for community health isn’t just professional, it’s deeply personal. I grew up in poverty, and I know firsthand what it feels like to face barriers that many people never see. I understand the stress of wondering how basic needs will be met, the challenges of navigating complex systems, and the ways circumstances beyond someone’s control can shape their health and opportunities. Those experiences didn’t define my future, but they shaped my purpose. What kind of legacy do you hope to leave in your career or community? My greatest hope is that the work I do today continues to create healthier, more compassionate communities long after I am gone. What advice would you give to other young professionals striving for success? My advice to other young professionals is to believe in the value of your own story. Do not let where you begin determine how far you can go. Embrace opportunities, even when they challenge you, and never be afraid to step into rooms where you may be the first or the only one. Newton Creek Baptist Church Kitchen Committee, Paducah Area Chamber of Commerce, Realtor Association of Western Kentucky, WAVE Ag Initiative Describe a challenge in your career and how you overcame it. A significant challenge in my career was serving as a Transformation Change Leader during a major technology implementation initiative. I was responsible for creating relationships across a bank district and learning all aspects of the technology implementation, from configuration and reporting requirements to testing, training plans, and execution. I was tasked with helping prepare the organization for new documents and loan origination system changes that came with modernizing long- standing processes and workflows. The challenge was not only learning a complex new technology platform myself but also understanding how it would impact different roles throughout the organization and helping others embrace the challenge. I quickly learned that change management is an important tool when working with peers to build confidence, communicate effectively, listen to their concerns, and help them see the value behind the change. Through this experience, I strengthened my ability to lead through change, translate complex concepts, and bring people together around a common goal. It reinforced my belief that meaningful change happens when people feel informed, empowered, and supported throughout the process. What advice would you give to other young professionals striving for success? My advice to young professionals striving for success is to never miss an opportunity to get to know the people around you. Learn their names, where they are from, what they do, and who they want to become. The power of genuine relationships and a strong network can take you further than you could ever imagine. From college throughout my career, I have reflected on how my genuine curiosity about people has created opportunities for my family and me. I have learned that success is not built alone; rather, it is built through relationships with people who invest in you, challenge you, and walk alongside you. Always take time to be intentional and connect with others. Listen more than you speak, be willing to learn, and look for opportunities to add value to those around you. Ke ‘Onna Buckingham Sponsored by Business Banking Officer, FNB Bank Community Health Worker, Mercy Health Kelty Carlson 20 SEPTEMBER 2026
