Lake Cumberland Regional Hospital is pleased to announce the appointment of Destiney L. Deschenes, DBA, MBA, as the new Chief Operating Officer (COO).

"We are excited to welcome Destiney to our executive team at Lake Cumberland," said Carolyn Sparks, CEO of Lake Cumberland Regional Hospital. "She brings a wealth of experience in healthcare operations and performance, along with a deep commitment to high-quality patient care. Destiney's leadership will be instrumental as we enhance our services and continue to fulfill our mission to improve the health of our communities."

Destiney brings a wealth of experience in healthcare, marked by a diverse range of leadership roles that encompass operational, clinical, non-clinical, and financial responsibilities. Her career began as the Risk Manager at Fairbanks Memorial Hospital in Fairbanks, AK, where she developed a strong foundation in healthcare management. She then progressed through various positions at Southside Regional Medical Center in Petersburg, VA, starting as a Patient Advocate and advancing to Director of Patient Experience, Director of Operations, and ultimately, Chief Operating Officer.

In her most recent role at Southside, Destiney oversaw a wide array of hospital functions, including cardiovascular service lines, environmental services, and imaging. Her leadership was instrumental in implementing major construction projects valued at $50 million and driving initiatives that resulted in significant improvements in patient experience and operational efficiency.

Destiney holds a Doctorate of Business Administration, a Master’s in Healthcare Administration, and a Bachelor’s in psychology.  She is a value-driven leader, passionate about fostering an inclusive and collaborative culture to enhance patient care and experience.

“I am honored to join Lake Cumberland Regional Hospital as COO,” said Destiney. “I look forward to working closely with this amazing team to help advance our mission of making communities healthier. My family and I are excited to become part of the Lake Cumberland community.”

In addition to Destiney’s appointment, other notable leadership changes include Corey Clarke, BSN, RN, who has been promoted to Assistant Vice President of Operations. A graduate of Campbellsville University’s School of Nursing in 2009, Corey began his career at Lake Cumberland Regional Hospital that same year and has served in various roles over the past 16 years, most recently as Senior Director of Emergency Services. “My journey has been defined by a deep commitment to patient care, leadership, and operational excellence. I’m excited to take the next step in my career as I transition into hospital operations,” said Corey.

Furthermore, Tim Lessing is now serving as the interim Chief Financial Officer (CFO). 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.

Lake Cumberland Regional Hospital remains dedicated to delivering exceptional healthcare services to Somerset and the surrounding regions as it embarks on this new chapter with key leadership changes, including the appointment of Destiney L. Deschenes as Chief Operating Officer and Corey Clarke as Assistant Vice President of Operations, alongside Tim Lessing serving as interim Chief Financial Officer. Together, this team is poised to strengthen the hospital’s commitment to improving community health and enhancing the quality of care.