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During his younger years in Owensboro, Dr. Henry developed a friendship with two classmates whose fathers greatly influenced him. One of Dr. Henry's friends had a father who was a surgeon; the other friend was Steve Ford, son of Kentucky's present senior Senator, Wendell Ford. The Senator's influence galvanized Dr. Henry's interest in politics and government, and as a youth, he volunteered in the first Ford campaign. The experience sparked Dr. Henry's interests in the challenges of government, and it gave him his one true political mentor. As Dr. Henry says, "Senator Ford has long been a very positive role model for an entire generation of Owensboro residents; and in the last few decades, he has been the same type of exemplary figure for the state of Kentucky and the nation." In 1974, he also served as an intern in Washington for U.S. Representative William Natcher. In the midst of the Watergate hearings, Dr. Henry observed Natcher's integrity, honesty and hard work firsthand. Dr. Henry was a page during the 1971-72 General Assembly session, under the direction of State Senators David Karem, Kelsey Friend and Dr. Nick Kafoglis, as well as others. In addition to his fascination with government, Dr. Henry developed another personal passion, the practice of medicine. After graduation from Western Kentucky University in 1972, he was accepted to the University of Louisville Medical School, where he excelled in the rigorous training required for orthopedic practice. After finishing school and the subsequent residency requirements, Dr. Henry turned down the lucrative world of private medical practice and instead joined the University Hospital faculty to treat the poor and indigent of Louisville. As an orthopedic surgeon, Dr. Henry has won international acclaim. Already known as a fine surgeon and teacher, he has also played an instrumental role in the research, development and use of breakthrough techniques using antibiotic beads. Dr. Henry and his innovative techniques received international recognition on CNN during the Persian Gulf War, when the beads were used to treat wounded soldiers. His work was widely reported by several other national news organizations and won him personal recognition from General Schwarzkopf. Even though Dr. Henry achieved success in medicine, the political influences of his youth never left him. Throughout his medical training and practice, he remained active in civic affairs. His many hours of community volunteer work and advocacy of better care for the indigent have earned Dr. Henry several major awards, including the prestigious National Jaycees' Outstanding Ten Young Americans Award. In light of his community activism, it was no surprise to those who knew him when Dr. Henry decided to run for Jefferson County Commissioner. During his tenure, Dr. Henry has seen firsthand that government often responds too slowly to people's needs. He has led efforts in Jefferson County for fiscal responsibility, for greater economic development, for restrictive jail reform, and environmentally responsible development. When Lieutenant Governor Paul Patton selected a running mate for his gubernatorial candidacy, he found a natural in Dr. Stephen Henry. Like Patton, Dr. Henry is an energetic fiscal conservative who supports traditional moral values and whose integrity has never been questioned. Like Governor Patton, Dr. Henry blends many traditions from throughout our Commonwealth and plans to govern with proper consideration for all regions. Also, like Patton, he is a man who has never forgotten his roots. Dr. Henry and Paul Patton are the first Lieutenant Governor and Governor to be elected as a ticket, which enables the development of a new kind of strong partnership to benefit Kentucky. Nevertheless, Dr. Henry recognizes the arduous task ahead of changing government to better serve its citizens, but he notes, "It's the kind of challenge and leadership role I've always accepted." |
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Dr.
Stephen Henry, a 44-year-old orthopedic surgeon who currently lives
in Louisville, was born and reared in Owensboro and brings many
unique qualities to the Lieutenant Governor's Office. He is an educator,
community activist, small business owner, and public servant. He
is the only medical doctor to attain the office of Lieutenant Governor
in the Commonwealth of Kentucky. Dr. Henry's professional success
is a tribute to his parents, Wanda and Virgil Henry. Dr. Henry was
an only child and from an early age he developed a strong sense
of independence and self-reliance. However, his parents did teach
him the value of working well with others and instilled in him the
virtues of honesty and integrity which are essential to a successful
professional and personal life. As Dr. Henry recalls, their encouragement
was simple: "The harder you work, the further you go in life."