UofL Health worker receives Kelsie Small Award

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WAVE) - One UofL Health leader was recognized for her commitment and passion in taking care of her patients.

Kelsie Small was a Central High School graduate who was studying nursing when she was killed in 2020.

An award is presented every year in her honor to a UofL employee who shows excellence, caring, compassion and commitment to education.

This year’s recipient was Leslie Lochner. Right now, she works as a Pharmacy Care Advocate at UofL Health.

Lochner was chosen because of her dedication to supporting patients each and every day.

“I’ve always been in healthcare since the age of 16, and I’ve had a lot of people in my personal life affected by cancer, so it was just the right lane to navigate,” Lochner said.

Lochner has worked with UofL Health for 25 years. She is responsible for guaranteeing all patients have access to the medications that they need by completing prior authorizations, enrolling patients in assistance programs or grants, and acting as a liaison between the Brown Cancer Center care team and specialty pharmacies.