Regional Nurse Manager Nicole Helms Honored with Healthcare Professional of the Year Award
(Nashville, Tennessee) – Advanced Correctional Healthcare, Inc. (ACH) is excited to congratulate Regional Nurse Manager Nicole Helms, who has been honored with the Healthcare Professional of the Year Award by the JAILCON26 Central Regional Corrections Professionals Awards Committee. This prestigious recognition highlights Nicole’s exceptional dedication and impact within the corrections healthcare field.
The Healthcare Professional of the Year Award is presented annually to a detention center medical staff member who sets the bar for jail medical programs and best represents the overall spirit of professionalism, caring, and dedication. According to the JAILCON Awards Committee, Nicole stood out for her dedication to excellence in patient care, leadership, and contributions to the corrections profession.
Since joining ACH in 2020, Nicole Helms has made a significant impact. Starting as a site nurse at a small jail, she was promoted to Regional Nurse Manager in June 2024 and now supports 14 sites across Kansas and Oklahoma. With 26 years of diverse nursing experience, Nicole excels at building relationships and helping site nurses become fully integrated team members.
“Being able to provide support and knowledge for those caring for a population in need creates a positive environment within a setting that can be very challenging,” says Nicole. “It takes every person involved to make it work.”
ACH is dedicated to supporting correctional facilities by solving problems and saving lives. The company has earned two Better Business Bureau Torch Awards for Ethics and achieved its 11th consecutive Great Place to Work certification. ACH was also recognized at Music City's Community Choice Awards for the Best Employee Recognition Program and was named “Best Hospital & Health Care Business of the Year” in the Global 100 Awards for both 2025 and 2026.
“This award reflects Nicole’s integrity and compassion—not just as a leader, but as a human being,” said Jessica Young, President & CEO of ACH. “We are honored to stand beside someone who so genuinely values and uplifts correctional professionals and the facilities we serve.”
About Advanced Correctional Healthcare, Inc.
Advanced Correctional Healthcare, Inc. is a family-owned, values-led, contract management company that offers ethical, comprehensive services tailored to populations nationwide. ACH has been awarded two Better Business Bureau Torch Awards for Ethics, honored at Music City's Community Choice Awards for having the Best Employee Recognition Program, and named “Best Hospital & Health Care Business of the Year” in the Global 100 Awards for 2025 and 2026. In 2026, ACH was also certified as a Great Place to Work for the 11th consecutive year. In 2025, ACH saved over $16.8 million in taxpayer dollars through bill scrubbing. From 2020 to 2025, over 102% of contracted nursing hours were met nationwide, and more than 131 patient lives were saved. Learn more at advancedch.com.
