Leadership
Carolyn Sparks
Chief Executive Officer
Carolyn Sparks comes to us from Highpoint Health with Ascension Saint Thomas, Tennessee's regional Lifepoint Health system. Since taking on her role as CEO of both Highpoint Health - Riverview and Highpoint Health - Trousdale in 2021, Carolyn has significantly enhanced the quality of care, expanded access to services, and fostered leader and provider development. Under her leadership, Trousdale was honored as a Lifepoint Health National Quality Leader in July 2022. This recognition celebrated the facility's transformed safety culture and it's high standards of quality care, performance improvement, and patient engagement. Additionally, Carolyn's dedication to expanding healthcare access in rural areas earned her a spot on Becker's Healthcare's list of top rural hospital CEOs to know in 2023. She is also a member of the American College of Healthcare ExecutiYes (ACHE).
Sparks earned a bachelor’s degree in economics from College of William and Mary, in Williamsburg, Virginia, and a master’s degree in health administration from Virginia Commonwealth University in Richmond, Virginia.
Tanya Nelson-Hackney, MBA, RN, NEA-BC, CPPS
Chief Nursing Officer
Tanya joined the team as Chief Nursing Officer in June 2022. She has over 20 years of experience in healthcare with extensive knowledge of acute care, long term care, physical rehabilitation, behavioral health, and physician office settings. Tanya has also held several leadership positions at Lake Cumberland including Director of Special Care and Rehabilitation (2007-2009); Senior Director of Acute/Sub-Acute Services (2010-2018); Interim Chief Nursing Officer (2018); and Senior Director of Nursing and Cardiovascular Service (2018-2020).
Tanya earned a Master of Business Administration from Campbellsville University and Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Eastern Kentucky University. She’s also an alumna of Lincoln Memorial University and Pellissippi State Technical College. Tanya is a Registered Nurse and Nursing Home Administrator and is also a Certified Professional in Patient Safety (CPPS).
Tim Lessing
Interim Chief Financial Officer
Born in San Diego, CA, Tim graduated with an MBA from Indiana Wesleyan University and served for 12 years in the U.S. Air Force, where he worked in Finance and as a Medical Staff Officer. With 35 years of experience in healthcare, he began as a Supervisor of Accounts Payable and has ascended into executive leadership roles, including CEO, COO, and CFO. Beyond his professional accomplishments, Tim is an avid scuba instructor who enjoys treasure hunting, snow skiing, and spending time at the beach.
Desitney Deschenes, DBA, MBA
Chief Operating Officer
Destiney is an experienced healthcare leader with a diverse background in operational, clinical, non-clinical, and financial roles. She began her career as Risk Manager at Fairbanks Memorial Hospital and advanced through various positions at Southside Regional Medical Center, culminating in her role as Chief Operating Officer.
Destiney has successfully overseen hospital functions, including significant construction projects worth $50 million, while driving improvements in patient experience and operational efficiency.
She holds a Doctorate in Business Administration, a Master’s in Healthcare Administration, and a Bachelor’s in Psychology, and is dedicated to fostering an inclusive culture to enhance patient care.
Michael Citak, MD
Chief Medical Officer
A Chicago native, Dr. Michael Citak has served as Chief Medical Officer at Lake Cumberland since 2007, where he is also a general surgery specialist. He is a graduate of the Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, completed his residency at the University of Louisville School of Medicine, and while in practice, he completed an MBA at the University of Tennessee.
He served in the United States Air Force as a General Surgeon, earning various teaching honors and taking care of active duty troops and has completed clinical fellowships in interventional ERCP and general thoracic surgery.
He is Board Certified in Surgery, is a Certified Professional in Patient Safety, and a Certified Physician Executive by the American Association for Physician Leadership.
Corey Clarke, BSN, RN
Assistant Vice President Operations
A proud graduate of Campbellsville University’s School of Nursing in 2009, Corey embarked on his professional journey at Lake Cumberland Regional Hospital the same year.
Over the past 16 years, he has held a variety of roles, culminating in his most recent position as Senior Director of Emergency Services.
With a steadfast commitment to patient care, leadership, and operational excellence, Corey is enthusiastic about this new chapter in his career and looks forward to enhancing hospital operations.
J. Barry Dixon, MD
President, Physician Practices
Dr. Barry Dixon has served the Somerset community as a family practitioner at Lake Cumberland Regional Hospital since 1991. He earned his undergraduate degree from the University of Kentucky and his medical doctorate from the University of Louisville School of Medicine.
He completed his residency at St. Elizabeth Hospital in Edgewood, Kentucky. Dr. Dixon is a member of the Kentucky Academy of Family Physicians, the Kentucky Medical Association, the American Academy of Family Physicians, the American Medical Association, and the County Medical Society.
He is an inaugural member of Lifepoint’s National Physician Advisory Board and has served as President of Lake Cumberland’s Physician Services since 2013.
