From community college to CFO: How Theresa Fite’s behind-the-scenes career shows the many faces of healthcare
Published on Dec 4, 2025
For many students seeking a healthcare career, the path can seem limited to popular
roles such as nursing or medicine. However, many lesser-known pathways in the field
are accessible through a college education.
Theresa Fite, a 1992 MCTC alumna, is a testament to those pathways, such as data analytics, technology, and administration, that also play a vital role in the medical field.
After earning her associate in arts degree from MCTC, Fite went on to receive a bachelor’s degree in accounting with a minor in finance from Northern Kentucky University (NKU) followed by a master's in business administration from Morehead State University (MSU).
She began her career as a financial analyst at Meadowview Regional Medical Center (MRMC). From there, she steadily advanced through roles including senior accountant, controller, and ultimately landed her first chief financial officer (CFO) position at a hospital in Russellville, Kentucky. Her success in that role led her back to MRMC, where she served as CFO before being promoted to market CFO for both MRMC and Fleming County Hospital (FSH).
Most recently, Fite accepted a new position as CFO of Lake Cumberland Regional Hospital (LCRH) in Somerset, Kentucky—another Lifepoint Health facility, like MRMC and FSH.
Fite credits her education for setting the stage for her career. Without an accounting degree, she shared, she wouldn’t have been eligible for the opportunities she has earned.
“Getting that foundation was important for my career,” Fite remarked.
She highlighted her communications and accounting classes at MCTC as influential in shaping her interests.
“I think that’s where I developed a love for accounting, which helped prepare me for the role I’m in,” she explained.
As an alumna, Fite encourages current and prospective students to broaden their view of healthcare careers.
“Explore all types of career options in the healthcare industry. It’s not just a nurse or a physician. That’s what people perceive that as,” she emphasized. “The hospital’s wide open to whatever career you’d like. We have maintenance, dietary, and all kinds of positions within the hospital... there are many options that would be the foundation for a student to start their career in healthcare.”
Fite also recommended using mentors, internships, and networking opportunities both during and after college.
“A continuous process in that is always important to be successful after college,” she added. “It really gives you that foundational work to be successful at the next level.”
To stay motivated and continue growing professionally, Fite says she needs leadership books and other development-focused materials.
“Learning is important. It helps develop your growth,” she said.
Fite’s career is a powerful example of how behind-the-scenes roles shape the healthcare system. Her story highlights the importance of exploring all available pathways as students look toward their future careers.
