Dr. Alicia Thompson’s Mission to Serve Eastern Kentucky

NEWS RELEASE - September 24, 2026

Dr. Alicia Thompson's Mission to Serve Eastern Kentucky

Hazard, KY - Some doctors travel far from home to build their careers. Dr. Alicia Thompson chose a different path. She grew up in the hills of eastern Kentucky. Now she treats patients just a short drive from where she grew up, working as an endocrinologist at Hazard ARH Regional Medical Center.

Dr. Thompson earned her medical degree at the Kentucky College of Osteopathic Medicine. She then trained in Internal Medicine and Endocrinology at the University of Kentucky. But her heart never left eastern Kentucky.

"I was born and raised in southeastern KY, originally from Knott County, so this area means so much to me," she said.

She chose ARH because it serves the people she grew up around. "Being able to serve the people of East KY with a healthcare system like ARH, which is dedicated to helping Appalachians, is why I decided to join the ARH care network," she explained.

Her family ties to ARH run deep. Her sister, Dr. Tiffany Thompson, works as an obstetrician-gynecologist at Highlands Regional Medical Center in Prestonsburg. Another sister, Dr. Ashley Thompson, practices Pulmonology and Critical Care at Hazard ARH. Her brother, Dr. Matthew Thompson, and her sister-in-law, Dr. Maddison Thompson, both serve as pharmacists with ARH Specialty Pharmacy. "ARH is literally where the majority of my family works!" she said with pride.

Why endocrinology? Dr. Thompson chose her specialty for a clear reason. Diabetes touches so many lives in her home region. "I decided to become an endocrinologist because the main disease I treat is diabetes mellitus, which affects so many people, especially in eastern Kentucky," she said.

She also loves the long relationships this field allows. Diabetes, thyroid disorders, and osteoporosis are conditions that last for years. That means she gets to work with her patients for a long time. "I am able to follow my patients for years through their health journey, which is amazing," she said.

Beyond diabetes, Dr. Thompson treats a wide range of conditions. She works with thyroid, adrenal, and pituitary disorders. She also helps patients manage PCOS along with calcium and bone problems.

When asked about her approach to patient care, she said, "My approach is to ensure my patients feel listened to and develop treatment plans that are evidence-based and individualized for that specific patient's concerns."

She wants every new patient to know that she genuinely cares. "I hope they know that I am there to help them and I care deeply about the people of this area so much," she said. "It's an honor to be able to care for the people of this area who have always supported me."

When asked about the moments that shaped her career, she doesn't point to a single event. Instead, she talks about the small victories she shares with patients over time. "Helping a diabetic patient improve their blood sugar or treating a patient's osteoporosis and preventing fractures" are the moments that matter most, she said. "Being able to celebrate with my patients on their best days and support them on the toughest days are why I love being a doctor."

One piece of advice comes up again and again in her exam room. She talks with patients about the power of daily habits.

"A huge portion of my job is discussing the impact of lifestyle on our health, such as diet, exercise, and quality sleep," she said. "I cannot stress enough how important these things are to improving overall health."

When she is not seeing patients, Dr. Thompson enjoys quiet, simple pleasures. She loves to read and often listens to podcasts. "I love any true crime podcasts such as Crime Junkies," she said, adding that mystery shows also catch her attention.

Baking is another favorite pastime. She whips up treats from chocolate chip cookies to pumpkin cake. "It's so much fun to be able to make treats for my family and friends," she said, "in moderation, of course."

She also picked up a new hobby last year. "I started playing golf over the past year, so I love getting to play over the weekend even if I am still very bad at it," she said with a laugh.

Family is at the center of her life. She comes from a large family with four sisters and one brother, along with two nieces she adores. Every Friday, the family gathers for dinner at a local restaurant.

"We get to enjoy a meal together and catch up on our week," she said. "This is always such a highlight of my week!"

One fact that often surprises people who meet her is that Dr. Thompson is a twin. Her sister, Dr. Jessica Thompson, works as an optometrist in Hazard. "We are definitely fraternal, as we do not look at all alike!" she said.

From growing up in Knott County to caring for patients in the exam rooms of Hazard ARH, Dr. Thompson has built a career that has let her return home. Her patients are neighbors and family. And her mission to treat the people who raised her remains as personal today as the day she started.

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About Appalachian Regional Healthcare (ARH)
Appalachian Regional Healthcare (ARH) traces its roots back to 1955, when the United Mine Workers of America opened the Miners Memorial Hospital system - a network of 10 hospitals dedicated to providing care throughout the coalfields of eastern Kentucky and southern West Virginia. Seventy years later, ARH has grown into a 14-hospital not-for-profit health system that serves more than 500,000 residents of central Appalachia each year. ARH hospitals in Barbourville, Harlan, Hazard, Hyden, Martin, McDowell, Middlesboro, Paintsville, Prestonsburg, West Liberty, Whitesburg, and South Williamson in Kentucky, and Beckley and Hinton in West Virginia, ensure that residents, tucked away in even the most remote areas, can access the highest quality of care without traveling hours from home. ARH's hospitals, clinics, multi-specialty physician practices, home health agencies, home medical equipment stores, retail pharmacies, and medical spas boast more than 6,700 employees with a network of more than 1,300 providers, making it the single largest employer in southeastern Kentucky and the third-largest private employer in southern West Virginia.