LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) -- History was made in west Louisville on Monday, the opening of a new hospital fulfilling a promise to improve lives and access to health care for thousands of people in an underserved area.
The Norton West Louisville Hospital officially became the first hospital to open west of 9th Street in Louisville in 150 years. Corenza Townsend, chief administrative officer of the hospital, thanked her team and wiped away tears at a celebratory rally Monday morning.
"They said I wasn't qualified," Townsend said. "They said I was too young. They said I wouldn't be able to staff it. They said this project was impossible. And today is the first day ...
"The community built it. The community works here. The community is using this facility."
Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear joined local leaders Friday morning as the ribbon was cut during a pre-opening ceremony Friday morning at Broadway and 28th Street. The city's most recent health equity report shows life expectancy for west end residents is 15 years lower than other areas of the city. The new hospital could change that.
The hospital is on the Norton Healthcare Goodwill West Opportunity Campus and features a 24/7 emergency department, operating rooms and 20 inpatient beds. It will also offer primary care, outpatient, specialty services, a retail pharmacy and imaging, including X-ray, CT and MRI.
Outpatient offices include adult and pediatric care along with women's services including obstetrics and gynecology. There's also cardiology, orthopedics, diabetes care and behavioral health services.
Based on community feedback, the hospital will also have a centralized check-in area, community room, outdoor green space on the top floor and a licensed Dare to Care food pantry.
"If someone comes into our emergency department and they are food insecure and housing insecure, they're not thinking about treatment," Townsend said. "They need other things."
The pantry's mission is to help fight an unfortunate statistic in our community: one in five children and one in eight adults experience food insecurity.
Dare to Care is still packing the shelves but it has boxed, canned and refrigerated food as well as fresh produce. Vincent James Sr., president and CEO of Dare to Care, said it's fighting an unfortunate statistic in our community: one in five children and one in eight adults experience food insecurity.
"Food is medicine," James said. "When you think about when people leave the hospital — what kind of food are they eating or have access to when they get home — we want to be that answer to provide them with fresh food."
The hospital features state-of-the-art patient rooms with 9-foot windows and headboards with Bluetooth functionality. Townsend even curated the artwork to reflect west Louisville.
Seventy-three percent of the hospital’s staff are new hires from the local area, giving many a chance to serve their own community. Community members came out to see their new neighbor on opening day. Pastor Charles Elliott, who recently celebrated his 90th birthday and has served this community for over 60 years, was moved to tears.
"I just thank the Lord that he let me live to see ya'll," Elliott said.
Pastor Charles Elliott, a long-time community leader who recently celebrated his 90th birthday and has served for more than 60 years, was visibly emotional at the opening of the Norton West Louisville Hospital. Nov. 12, 2024 (WDRB Photo)
The hospital is accepting appointments. To schedule an appointment for adult or pediatric primary care, click here.
Primary and specialty care appointments can also be made by calling 502-629-1234 for adult appointments, or 502-629-5437 (KIDS) for pediatric appointments.
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- Norton Healthcare unveils monument honoring healthcare pioneers in Louisville's west end
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