LEXINGTON, KY – Appalachian Regional Healthcare congratulates Barbourville ARH Hospitalist Dr. James West and Highlands ARH Regional Medical Center Mental Health Nurse Practitioner Amy Bentley, APP, with the 2025 ARH Servant Leaders of the Year Awards.

These awards signify ARH’s deep appreciation for our providers who embody the spirit of servant leadership and make a lasting impression on the lives of patients, colleagues, and the community. Through their examples, they are inspiring others to lead with humility, compassion, and purpose.

Dr. James West is a highly dedicated, compassionate physician who consistently goes above and beyond for his patients and community. He takes time to explain medical information in a way everyone can understand, actively listens to patients and staff, and is known for his honesty and down‑to‑earth approach. He provides thorough, safe, and attentive care, often rushing to the hospital when needed and even offering to ride in ambulances with patients.

In addition to clinical care, he serves the community through multiple leadership roles, including Medical Director for Ambulance Services, member of the Knox County Board of Health, and Chief of Staff at Barbourville ARH. He collaborates with nursing staff, welcomes medical students, advocates for patients, and is widely appreciated for his compassion, professionalism, and ability to make patients feel understood, comfortable, and well cared for.

Amy Bentley, APP, is a deeply compassionate and skilled behavioral health provider who consistently earns the trust of patients facing significant mental health challenges. She listens attentively, treats every patient with dignity, and provides steady support, especially for individuals who are often misunderstood, underserved, or struggling with homelessness, substance use, or severe psychiatric conditions.

Bentley is known for her professionalism, patience, and ability to communicate clearly, making sure patients understand their treatment plans and have safe, supportive discharge arrangements. Bentley exceeds expectations by offering flexible scheduling options, connecting patients with vital resources, and remaining available when patients are in crisis.

Colleagues describe her as relatable, dependable, humble, and exceptionally knowledgeable, someone who collaborates well with interdisciplinary teams, mentors others, and models the highest standards of psychiatric care. Her dedication to this population of individuals facing significant challenges has significantly improved access to behavioral health services in Eastern Kentucky, and she inspires others to advance in the mental health field through her example.

Roy Milwee, ARH Chief Ambulatory Officer, comments, “The impact of servant leadership extends well beyond clinical care. Dr. West and Amy Bentley are shaping the future of our organization and our communities through their integrity, compassion, and dedicated commitment to service, whether for patients, coworkers, or community members.”

In addition to Dr. James West and Amy Bentley, APP, a distinguished group of providers were also nominated by colleagues or staff members who have witnessed the nominee’s dedication to servant leadership.

Big Sandy Region:

Joshua Minnix, MD (Highlands ARH Regional Medical Center)

April Prater, APP; Kimberly Mosley, MD; and Karen Gooslin, MD (McDowell ARH Hospital)

Jeannie Snow, ARPN, and Crystal Fletcher-Jones, MD (Morgan County ARH Hospital)

Nicole Burchett, APP, Brittany Fairchild, DO; and Charles Hardin, MD (Paintsville ARH Hospital)

Christina Coleman, APP; Chad Fite, MD; Walid Elie Baz, MD; and Gabriel Carillo, MD (Tug Valley ARH Regional Medical Center)

Cumberland Valley Region:

Melanie Chestnut, APP; Jamie Wilder, APP; Paul Haney, MD; and Jerry Woolum, MD (Barbourville ARH Hospital)

Haley Overbay, APP; Mary Ward, APRN; Stanley Marlowe, MD; and Abiodun Akisanya, MD (Harlan ARH Hospital)

Amber Jacobs, DO; Jessica Helton, APP; Rebecca Akers, APP; Brooke Laughter, MD; Charles Okwundu, MD; James Bazzi, MD; and Stephanie Hutchinson, MD (Middlesboro ARH Hospital)

Kentucky River Region:

Ashley Thompson, DO; Chad Brashear, MD; Prerana Suresh Kurtkoti, MD; and Raymond Elsoueidi, MD (Hazard ARH Regional Medical Center)

Stephanie Johnson, APRN, and Larry Warren, MD (Mary Breckinridge ARH Hospital)

Teresa Gibson, APP; Dustin Campbell, MD; and Ricky Collins, MD (Whitesburg ARH Hospital)

West Virginia Region:

Marsha Horton, APP; Irene Wasylyk, MD; Rami Haddadin, MD (Beckley ARH Hospital)

Nehal Patel, MD (Beckley ARH Hospital/Summers County ARH Hospital)

Pictured above:  Dr. Jason Rice, Ambulator Chief Medical Officer; Dr. James West; Amy Bentley, APP; and ARH Chief Ambulatory Officer Roy Milwee.

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