Press Kit

Press Contact

Vicki Smith, MPA, Director of Donor Resources
(270) 684-9296

Spokesperson Biographies

Carrie Wimsatt, MPH, MLS (ASCP), SBB, Chief Executive Officer

Vicki Smith, MPA, Director of Donor Resources

Since 1999 Vicki has served as the Director of Donor Resources/Recruitment of WKRBC in Owensboro, Kentucky. She began her career at WKRBC as Education Coordinator in 1996. Vicki is a member of the Association of Donor Recruitment Professionals and of the Kentucky Association of Blood Banks.

Madi Richardson, Hopkinsville and Madisonville Center Recruitment

Madi joined the WKRBC team in 2025 as recruitment for the Hopkinsville Center. Since then she has gained fixed and mobile collection recruitment in Muhlenberg and Hopkins counties, as well as, Christian, Crittenden, Caldwell, Lyon and Trigg.

Relevant Events

2026

• Janet Howard retired, after being recognized with the Presidential Award of Excellence from America’s Blood Centers by President Kate Fry.
• Carrie Wimsatt becomes third CEO.
• WKRBC acquires service to Baptist Health Daconess.
• WKRBC establishes third fixed collection site in Madisonville.

2025

• WKRBC is a recipient of the Green River Community grant.

2024

• Awarded WKRBC’s first $1,000 HSH Scholarship.
• Janet received the Laurel Award Brescia University as Outstanding Alumni.
• WKRBC acquires service to OH Muhlenberg Community Hospital.

2023

• WKRBC acquires service to Twin Lakes Medical Center in Grayson County.
• Celebrated 45th anniversary!
• Received $38,000.00 Impact 100 Residual Grant.
• Received the Southern Star Cares Grant for hardware upgrade.
• Received the Green River Community Grant for BBCS upgrade.

2021

• WKRBC is amoung the first blood centers to produce CCP.

2019

• WKRBC is an Impact 100, $100,000.00 Grant recipient for a new bloodmobile.
• OHRH awards another $100,000.00 Grant to fund the bloodmobile.

2018

• Celebrated 40 years of service!
• Acquired service to 3 Air Evac Life Flight Teams.
• Receives the NextGen Impact 100 Grant for $13,000.00.

2008

• Celebrated 30th anniversary!
• Launched a new website and text alert messaging service.
• Placed as a finalist for the Athena Award.

2007

• Commissioned and completed addition for records storage.
  

2004

• Implemented automated records through BBCS.
• Acquired service to Breckinridge Memorial Health.

2002

• Renovated WKRBC from a 4,500 to 9,000 square foot facility.

2001

• Acquired service to Crittenden & Caldwell County Hospitals.

1998

• Celebrated 20th anniversary!

1997

• Purchased the Old Hartford Road location.

1995

• WKRBC and Beaver Dam Elementary received a National AABB Award for our education program.

1983

• Janet becomes WKRBC’s Director/CEO.

1981

• Janet begins her career as a Lab Technician.

1980

• WKRBC leases the Old Hartford Road location.

1978

• WKRBC opens its doors in Owensboro, KY.
• WKRBC opens its doors in Hopkinsville, KY.