INspire, funded by the Indiana Department of Health’s Safety PIN grant program, was developed to implement best practices in care for Indiana moms and babies and recognize hospitals for excellence in addressing key drivers of infant and maternal health. Norton Clark Hospital earned an INspire Category of Excellence recognition based on implementing best practices in key areas, including infant safe sleep, breastfeeding, perinatal substance use, social drivers of health, obstetric hemorrhage and maternal hypertension.

“Providing high-quality care for the mothers and infants of our community, close to home, is of utmost importance,” said Kathleen S. Exline, DNP, R.N., chief administrative officer, Norton Clark Hospital. “Our neonatal intensive care unit has been providing lifesaving care to our tiny patients for seven years. We are proud of our women’s services team and happy to be recognized by the Indiana Hospital Association.”

 “The Indiana Department of Health remains focused on working with health care providers to improve outcomes for Hoosier moms and babies,” Weaver said. “We are grateful to have hospitals across the state support initiatives, such as the Indiana Perinatal Levels of Care and obstetrical emergencies training, that have contributed to improvements in both maternal and infant health.”

“We are proud to celebrate the Hoosier facilities that have successfully demonstrated these best practices and how far our state has come in the five years since the launch of INspire. Together, we are truly making a difference,” said Scott B. Tittle, president, IHA.  

IHA serves as the professional trade association for more than 170 acute care, critical access, behavioral health and other specialized hospitals in Indiana.

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Jeffersonville native Nicole Ruoff helps provide direction to visitors in the hospital’s main lobby. She enjoys helping people and getting out of the house once a week.

“Having had many surgeries myself, I always wanted to work for a hospital,” Ruoff said. “The hospital’s mantra ‘There is no limit to what our care can do,” speaks to me as a person with unique abilities. “I can do most things able-bodied people can do, just in a different way.”

The gift shop is staffed by a treasure trove of volunteers who enjoy spending time with each other and speaking to visitors buying things for a new baby, a friend going through rough times or a family member needing encouragement. Kay McCulloch has volunteered in many areas of the hospital, including the gift shop, along with her husband, Buddy.

“He likes organizing items in storage, and I like talking to hospital visitors looking for special items in the gift shop,” Kay McCulloch said. “It’s a nice balance spending time out of the house for a few hours a week, but we’re always looking for extra hands.”

Carol Wooding assists visitors in the surgery family waiting area.

“I love to be able to help families who are worried and don’t know what to expect while [they are] waiting for their loved ones to come out of surgery,” she said. “It is an emotional time for most people, and being the smiling face to help calm fears and provide updates is very rewarding. When you help someone else, you are helping yourself. It’s good for the soul.”

Norton Clark Hospital volunteers give the best of themselves in support of others.

“Volunteers support many departments within our facility and can make a huge impact on our patients and visitors,” said Evan Stoner, manager, volunteer services, Norton Clark Hospital. “Now that pandemic restrictions have been lifted, we need more volunteer greeters and comfort rounders, as well as help with clerical services, the gift shop and other areas. Between July and early August, we welcome high school and college student volunteers through our student volunteer program.”

Norton Clark Hospital is not-for-profit, so gift shop proceeds benefit the Norton Healthcare Foundation, which supports many hospital initiatives to help provide medical care for the community, such as new equipment, programs and education.

If you are considering volunteering or would like to learn more, visit NortonHealthcare.com/Ways-To-Help/Volunteer or email evan.stoner@nortonhealthcare.org.

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The new center, a $17 million investment, will house a full-service emergency department and diagnostic center in approximately 15,000 square feet of space.

“Norton Healthcare is committed to increasing access to care for the residents of Jeffersonville and the surrounding communities,” said Russell F. Cox, president and CEO, Norton Healthcare. “The ability to access care close to home is especially important when emergency services are needed, and we are pleased that this facility includes a 24-hour emergency department.”  

The emergency department will have eight exam rooms — with the capability of converting one to a trauma bay if needed — a lab and access to adjoining diagnostic imaging. It will be open 24 hours per day, seven days a week, with no appointment necessary.

The diagnostic center will include X-ray, CT, ultrasound, screening 3D mammography and MRI capabilities. The center will be open Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Patients can schedule an outpatient diagnostic imaging appointment by calling (812) 283-2405.

“Norton Medical Center will provide convenient access, close parking and state-of-the-art equipment for patients who wish to receive emergency or imaging services outside of the traditional hospital setting,” said Kathleen Exline, interim chief administrative officer, Norton Clark Hospital.

The center currently houses a primary care office that also provides occupational medicine services for employers.

Soon, an outpatient behavioral health office will open at this location to help reach those in need of less acute mental health care, including individual and group therapy.

Norton Medical Center was designed by Stengel Hill Architecture Inc. and constructed by Nicklies Development.

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Victoria Locke, D.O., general surgeon, was the first to use the robotic system for hernia repair and a complex gallbladder surgery. Ronald Wright, M.D., OB/GYN, is next in line to use the da Vinci to assist with a hysterectomy and two tubal ligations.

“We are so excited to have this minimally invasive technology to enhance the skills of the talented surgeons at Norton Clark Hospital,” said Kathleen S. Exline, DNP, R.N., interim chief administrative officer, Norton Clark Hospital. “Our patients can have peace of mind knowing we are using advanced surgical tools to help our community members have the best possible outcomes and quicker healing times.”

Using the da Vinci system, the surgeon uses their hands to control surgical instruments and a camera that magnifies the surgical area 10 times greater than what the human eye sees. Tiny instruments move like a human hand but with greater range of motion to better perform intricate operations.

This minimally invasive tool benefits patients by potentially reducing pain, blood loss, risk for infection or complications, and scarring; and shortening hospital stays, thereby helping patients make a quicker return to normal activities.

Initially, the robotic-assisted system will be used for general, gynecology and urology surgeries, with more types of surgery to be added in the future.

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