HMH Board of Directors names Medical/Surgical Department in honor of Sheila M. Currans

On March 18, 2021, the HMH Board of Directors named the Medical/Surgical Department of Harrison Memorial Hospital in honor of Sheila M. Currans, retiring HMH Chief Executive Officer.

“In honor of her 48 years of service, the HMH Board of Directors decided to name the area after Ms. Currans for her devotion and contribution to this organization. The designated area is a direct tribute to where Ms. Currans began her career as a nurse,” said Allen Patrick Darnell, HMH Board Chairman. “HMH and its service area have been blessed with her leadership as Chief Executive Officer for the past 11 years. She has successfully led HMH, while never losing connection with her true roots – nursing and caring for the patient.”

HMH Board of Directors, Dr. Stephen Besson and Dr. Brian Mulberry presented the plaque to Ms. Currans and announced the name designation. The designated area is located on the second floor of the 2016 building project led by Currans. The medical/surgical department includes 20 private patient rooms for acute care patients.

In addition to the naming of the department, the HMH Board of Directors unanimously passed a resolution in honor of her years of service to HMH. Representative Mark Hart presented Ms. Currans with a Kentucky House of Representatives citation passed in her honor. Dr. Stephen Besson nominated and presented Ms. Currans with a Kentucky Colonel recognition as well. The HMH Board of Directors also presented Ms. Currans with a gift of jewelry designed to symbolize her years of service at HMH. 

Throughout her 48-year tenure at HMH, Currans has served as a nursing student, a medical/surgical nurse, an ICU/CCU head nurse, and supervisor. In the 1990s, she was instrumental in developing a quality initiative for the hospital which receives national accolades still today. For five years, Currans served as Chief Operating Officer, overseeing day-to-day operations of the hospital. Her time as COO laid the groundwork for her visionary thinking about viable expansion of the hospital’s physical facility, as well as its medical services. With the retirement of Darwin Root, Currans was selected as CEO of HMH, beginning her tenure on January 1, 2009. She will retire in the Spring of 2021, once the transition to new HMH CEO, Dr. Stephen K. Toadvine, is complete.

During her tenure as CEO from 2009-2021, HMH added and enhanced several service lines for our patients, which included cardiac catheterizations, upgrading radiology and laboratory  technology, and opening clinics in surrounding communities. During this time, HMH received numerous awards, accreditations, and designations.

In addition, under her leadership, HMH completed several building projects, including a $14-million expansion/renovation of a new 20-bed medical/surgical unit; a new Specialty Clinic and urgent treatment center; a centralized area designated for diagnostic testing; and a renovated wing to house the Hospital’s administration in 2016. Other building projects included development of The Cottages at Flat Run and the expansion and renovation of dietary and rehabilitation services departments.
            
Currans plans to continue as a committee member of the HMH Foundation, which oversees The Cottages at Flat Run and the new HMH KidTown Building. She plans to enjoy retirement spending time with her family. Sheila and Gregg Currans have been married for 48 years and live in Cynthiana. They have three children—Kristn, Stacy and Russ—and have six grandchildren.

Due to COVID-19, a community reception honoring Ms. Currans is not possible. However, we encourage you to send a note of thanks and well wishes to her by mailing your cards and letters before April 8 to Harrison Memorial Hospital, c/o Mollie Smith, 1210 KY Highway 36 East, Cynthiana, KY 41031.