The WLKY Bell Awards annually recognize outstanding individuals and organizations for their remarkable contributions to the community. We would like to spotlight our very own UofL Health team members who are Bell Award recipients.
From philanthropy to innovation, recipients embody excellence in diverse fields, leaving a positive impact on the region. The awards celebrate the spirit of service and dedication, honoring those who inspire positive change and make a lasting difference.
Getting to Know Mary Alan Woodward
Mary Alan began volunteering for UofL Health in 1999 when she was 47 years old. She volunteered at UofL Health – UofL Hospital’s Emergency room, where she brought warm blankets and pillows to patients and even coffee and water to visitors. She also helped restock linens and supplies throughout the ER. Mary Alan now trains new volunteers to do these tasks and helps assist the staff.
Mary Alan says, “I once was a patient briefly in a Colorado ER, and I remember how anxious I felt, because my life suddenly seemed to have turned upside down. Today, if I can say something that makes a patient, visitor or staff member smile or laugh, I know that I’m right where I ought to be.”
Mary Alan attended Atherton High School and the University of Louisville. She is currently reading “The Times of Their Lives: Life, Love and Death in Plymouth Colony” by James Deetz and Patricia Scott Deetz. Mary Alan is a retired professional journalist and has done service in the U.S Army Reserve. Her hobbies include brisk walking and traveling with her sister on American river and sea cruises.
Getting to Know Heather Fountaine
Heather Fountaine joined the UofL Health team in April 2022 as the media relations manager for the public relations team. Her job includes coordinating and executing the spread of milestones, positive patient stories and other news happening within the organization. She hopes to see UofL Health expand its health care accessibility to all neighborhoods and communities across Kentuckiana.
Heather was recognized for her work with the summer-long initiative of the Dirt Bowl. UofL Health partnered with the Dirt Bowl, a seven-week-long basketball tournament that took place in West Louisville, a medically underserved community, to offer simple health screenings.
Heather loves to volunteer because of how it could impact someone’s entire week or even month. Volunteering allows her to build relationships and meet different people in the community.
Heather was born and raised in Sterling, Connecticut and attended Syracuse University. She loves reality TV shows like “Selling Sunset” and “Love Island.” Her hobbies include playing adult kickball with her friends, jogging with her dog and working out at Orangetheory Fitness.
Getting to Know Harold Conrad
Harold Conrad has been volunteering at UofL Health – Frazier Rehabilitation Institute for the past 11 years. He has contributed more than 16,704 hours!
Harold arrives at the hospital every day at 5 a.m. to greet all the staff. He also invests time in getting to know the patients, building a personal connection with them. He escorts patients to their appointments when they need assistance and is overall very helpful to Frazier Rehabilitation Institute.
Harold received a transplant from UofL Health – Jewish Hospital years ago and volunteers his time helping the hospital in gratitude for saving his life. Harold also gives back to the St. John Center, which serves the homeless. During Christmas he matches the number of socks he collects and donates up to 1,000 socks!
Aside from being passionate about his volunteer work, Harold also loves Ole Miss Rebels football.
Getting to Know Laura R. Jones
Laura R. Jones, RN, BSN, is the lead heart failure navigator for UofL Health – Heart Hospital, a part of UofL Health – Jewish Hospital.
Laura started off as a nursing assistant while in nursing school. Her first unit was orthopedics, hand and microsurgery, where her love for transplants began.
Laura’s job consists of taking care of patients with severe heart failure. Her job also includes seeing the patients through advanced surgical therapies including ventricular assist devices.
Laura typically volunteers at community events through UofL Health trying to raise awareness and funds. She was recently introduced to the Hildegard House and plans to start volunteering there, helping the terminally ill feel extra love and dignity. Laura loves to volunteer because of the joy it brings her, knowing she can show love and care for others.
Some of Laura’s hobbies are biking, cooking and reading. She enjoys re-watching TV shows that bring her comfort and laughter, like “Grey’s Anatomy” and “One Tree Hill.” Laura likes listening to true crime podcasts as well.
Laura’s favorite quote is: “Laughter is the best medicine.”
Getting to Know Sarah Rayburn
Sarah Rayburn has been at UofL Health for two years. For the past year Sarah has been supervising UofL Health – Center for Women’s Health. Before this, she worked at UofL Campus Health Services for 11 years as a medical assistant serving the students, residents and nurses.
Sarah’s job at the Center for Women’s Health includes overseeing clinic flow, assisting with office policies and training and ensuring the clinic is staffed, stepping in when understaffed.
Sarah serves as the committee chair for the Scouts of America Organization. She also serves the women’s team at the Southeast Christian Church Southwest Campus and hosts a table at Bible studies.
“I believe that we all have the ability to walk alongside each other and improve each other’s lives,” Sarah said. “We never know where people are in life or what they are struggling with.”
Sarah’s hometown is south Louisville where she attended Holy Rosary Academy. Her favorite book is “Pride and Prejudice” and she is currently reading “Dare to Lead.” Sarah enjoys hiking and reading, and she loves to cook.
Getting to Know Lisa Prewitt
Lisa Prewitt, M.Ed., LPCA, is the director of behavioral health outreach at UofL Health – Peace Hospital and has recently won the Bell Award for her outstanding volunteerism. Lisa leads a group of clinicians that promote UofL Health – Peace Hospital throughout the state of Kentucky. Lisa has been at UofL Health for 11 years and her favorite thing about it is how kind and supportive her colleagues are.
Lisa is responsible for building positive relationships with schools, mental health agencies, nonprofit agencies and more. She also holds an event every year called Lisa’s Christmas Closet, where those in need shop for free.
Lisa enjoys getting out there and learning from others in her volunteer work. It makes her smile knowing she made a difference in someone’s life.
Lisa attended University of Louisville, and her hometown is New Castle, Ky. Her hobbies include kayaking, hiking and reading. Her favorite show is “The Morning Show” on Apple TV.
A fun fact about Lisa is that she attended clown school.
Lisa’s favorite quote is one by Dolly Parton: “If you see someone without a smile today, give ‘em yours.”
Getting to Know Aaron Richardson
Aaron Richardson is the operation and logistics manager and has been with UofL Health for 12 years. His job plays a critical role in coordinating and managing the efficient movement of goods, ensuring timely delivery and optimizing costs.
Aaron’s favorite thing about UofL Health is how the organization is growing and bringing so many new services to the community. His goals for UofL Health are to provide long-term stability and sustainability through supply chain planning. When asked about what motivated him to volunteer, Aaron says it allows him to connect with the community and make it a better place.
Aaron’s hometown is Louisville, where he attended Butler Traditional High School. His hobbies include traveling, antiquing and watching Kentucky basketball and football. He is currently watching “Yellowstone” and his favorite food is chicken wings!
Getting to Know Pamela Morehead-Johnson
Pamela Morehead-Johnson works at UofL Health – Shelbyville Hospital in outpatient registration and has been at UofL Health since 2014. Her favorite thing about UofL Health is how all departments support one another.
Pamela is currently volunteering on the employee engagement committee for Shelbyville Hospital. She is a member of her local and state school board. Pamela also volunteers as a Sunday school teacher and vacation bible school director for her church.
Her passion to serve is what motivates her to volunteer. Pamela feels that volunteering gives you a lot in return, you learn new things, and you get to share your experiences and knowledge with others.
Pamela’s hometown is Eminence, Ky. and she attended Morehead State University. She enjoys adult coloring books and her favorite breakfast food is oatmeal. A quote she lives by is Philippians 4:13: “I can do all things through Christ, who gives me strength.”
