Saint James Catholic School will proudly award the 2026 Senator Joe Prather Distinguished Alumni Award to retired long-time healthcare professional and dedicated community servant Diane Elmore Logsdon during our upcoming Black and White Knight Auction & Gala event on Jan. 31. The award was established in 2023 to honor an attendee of Saint James Catholic School or any other school associated with Saint James Catholic Church, including Elizabethtown Catholic High School.
An Elizabethtown native, Diane dedicated more than 45 years to Hardin Memorial Health, serving in roles that spanned from Clinical Charge Nurse to Vice President and Chief Operating Officer. Upon her retirement in 2012, she continued to serve as Administrative Executive, working directly with the President. She currently serves as advisor to the Baptist Health Foundation Hardin Board of Directors. Drawing on her extensive experience at the hospital, she authored a book on Hardin Memorial Hospital, “HMH: A Pictorial History Celebrating 60 Years” in 2017.
After graduating from Elizabethtown Catholic High School, Diane earned her associate degree from Elizabethtown Community and Technical College, bachelor’s degree in Health Care Administration from St. Joseph’s College in Maine and a master’s degree in Systems Science from the University of Louisville.
Beyond her professional accomplishments, Diane has been a steadfast leader in the community. She co-originated Hospice of Central Kentucky (now Hosparus), helped establish the Community Health Clinic in Elizabethtown and has served in leadership positions with several community organizations, such as the Heartland Healthcare Providers, the Leadership Elizabethtown Alumni Association and the Fort Knox Chapter of the AUSA, and has served on the board for the American Red Cross, Big Brothers/Big Sisters, the Allocation Committee for Metro United Way and more. She also served for 24 consecutive years through gubernatorial appointments to the Kentucky Judicial Conduct Commission.
Her service has been recognized with the Chamber’s ATHENA Award, Elizabethtown Community and Technical College’s Distinguished Alumni award (among the first class or recipients), the University of Louisville School of Urban Policy Thomas N. Westerlin Award for Distinguished Performance, the UofL Graduate Dean Citation, the Distinguished Citizen Award from the Lincoln Heritage Council, the Business and Professional Woman’s Club Woman of Achievement recognition and the Leadership Elizabethtown Alumna of the Year, among many other awards.
A lifelong member of St. James Catholic Church, Diane has served on several church councils and committees, including the Parish Council, Stewardship Committee, Finance Council, Newcomers Welcome Committee and more. She resides in Elizabethtown where she enjoys reading, music and theater, and is the proud mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother.