Barbourville, KY – Erin Maxey, Administrative Fellow with Appalachian Regional Healthcare (ARH),

Erin Maxey

has been selected as a member of the BRIGHT Kentucky Class of 2026, a leadership development program for young professionals working to strengthen the leaders of the next generation.

Maxey, who will mark one year with ARH this August, brings a foundation in both science and service to the program. She holds a bachelor’s degree in biology and an MBA in Healthcare Administration, with a background in patient experience, public health, and healthcare operations.

A native of Williamsburg, Maxey said her decision to pursue a career in healthcare leadership stemmed from her experiences growing up in southeastern Kentucky.

“I saw firsthand the healthcare challenges many rural communities face,” Maxey said. “Those experiences guided me to healthcare leadership so I could help improve access to care and strengthen the communities I call home.”

That same commitment to rural healthcare drove her to apply for BRIGHT Kentucky.

“I wanted to continue growing as a leader while learning from professionals in our state,” Maxey said. “The opportunity to collaborate with leaders from different industries and bring those ideas back to ARH was something I couldn’t pass up.”

Being selected for the program has personal significance for Maxey.

“I have a genuine passion for serving rural communities and improving healthcare,” she said. “Throughout my career, I’ve sought opportunities to lead projects, build community partnerships and continuously learn and grow.”

Through BRIGHT, Maxey hopes to hone the skills she’ll need to address the specific challenges that rural healthcare organizations face.

“I want to improve my leadership skills so I can better address challenges like improving access to resources and community collaboration,” she said. “I’m looking forward to developing my communication and strategic thinking skills.”

Maxey said she will bring what she learns back to ARH.

“I hope to bring back fresh ideas and new connections that help improve patient care and empower our communities.”

Maxey credits much of her leadership philosophy to Beau Masterson, Barbourville ARH Hospital CEO, who she worked under when she first joined ARH.

“Beau showed me what it looks like to lead with integrity, to serve others, and to always keep the community at the center of every decision,” Maxey said. “Those lessons have stayed with me and continue to shape how I lead today.

About BRIGHT Kentucky

BRIGHT Kentucky is a leadership development program that began in 2019. The program is for young professionals ages 21-40 living in the 54 counties that comprise the Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC). The goal of BRIGHT Kentucky is to impact community and economic development. The program is funded through an ARC grant and private funding from the Whitaker Foundation, AEP Foundation/Kentucky Power, and other donors.

Members of the BRIGHT Kentucky class will attend five sessions in different areas of Kentucky. Sessions focus on building and honing communication, collaboration, consensus building, visioning, and community engagement skills. The primary goal of these sessions is to help members of the 2023 BRIGHT Kentucky class understand and see the connections, backgrounds, conditions, and more that make up a local economy to impact sustaining growth and change.

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