ARH Staff Honored with Community Crusader Awards at 2026 Harlan County ASAP Spotlight Event

NEWS RELEASE - September 17, 2026

ARH Staff Honored with Community Crusader Awards at 2026 Harlan County ASAP Spotlight Event

Harlan, KY - Four Appalachian Regional Healthcare (ARH) staff members were recognized for their outstanding community impact at the 2026 Harlan County ASAP Spotlight Event. The event served as a way to honor exemplary contributions within the community through the presentation of the Community Crusader Awards.

Craig Tagmeyer received the Behavioral Health Award for his steadfast commitment to enhancing mental health services and supporting individuals in need. Amber Stepp received the Community Leadership Award in recognition of her inspiring leadership and efforts to foster unity and growth within the community.

Jesse Faulkner earned the Recovery Support Award for his unwavering dedication to guiding individuals through their recovery journeys and providing vital hope. Lauren Short received the Healthcare Award for her exceptional contributions to healthcare delivery and patient care.

"Celebrating these outstanding individuals underscores our commitment to recognizing excellence and fostering a culture of compassion and service," said Tara Dewees, ARH Director of Behavioral Health Outreach and Recovery Services.

The awards represent the true spirit of community leadership and reinforce ARH's shared mission to make a meaningful difference in Harlan County.

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About Appalachian Regional Healthcare (ARH)
Appalachian Regional Healthcare (ARH) traces its roots back to 1955, when the United Mine Workers of America opened the Miners Memorial Hospital system - a network of 10 hospitals dedicated to providing care throughout the coalfields of eastern Kentucky and southern West Virginia. Seventy years later, ARH has grown into a 14-hospital not-for-profit health system that serves more than 500,000 residents of central Appalachia each year. ARH hospitals in Barbourville, Harlan, Hazard, Hyden, Martin, McDowell, Middlesboro, Paintsville, Prestonsburg, West Liberty, Whitesburg, and South Williamson in Kentucky, and Beckley and Hinton in West Virginia, ensure that residents, tucked away in even the most remote areas, can access the highest quality of care without traveling hours from home. ARH's hospitals, clinics, multi-specialty physician practices, home health agencies, home medical equipment stores, retail pharmacies, and medical spas boast more than 6,700 employees with a network of more than 1,300 providers, making it the single largest employer in southeastern Kentucky and the third-largest private employer in southern West Virginia.