Bringing West Louisville’s history to life

Among the students who stepped into history was fourth-grader Jordy Lett-Hasberry, who proudly portrayed Sarah Fitzbutler, M.D., the first Black woman in Kentucky to receive a medical degree. Dressed in a white lab coat and wearing a stethoscope, Jordy recited a summary of Dr. Fitzbutler’s life and accomplishments for anyone who stopped at her station.

“Without me, African American women and girls wouldn’t have the option to be in the medical field,” Jordy said during her presentation as Dr. Fitzbutler.

Nearby, fourth-grader Kaycee Smith stood in front of a poster honoring Mary E. Merritt, who made history as the first registered nurse — of any race — to work in Kentucky.

“Hi, my name is Mary E. Merritt,” Kaycee said, in character. “I was born on April 27, 1881, and died in 1953. When I finished my nursing degree, I went to Louisville, Kentucky, to serve at the Red Cross, the only hospital for Black people.”

Several Norton West Louisville Hospital staff members made sure to visit the event. For them, it was exciting to see the students inspired by historical figures in the medical field, as it highlights the impact and opportunities of a community-driven hospital in their neighborhood.

“Education is important. Health care is important. And when you combine them together and do a ‘wax museum’ like this, this is awesome,” said Corenza Townsend, chief administrative officer of Norton West Louisville Hospital. “It’s already exciting that [the kids] have seen the monument. They recognized that we have a hospital across the street. They know Norton Healthcare.”

Inspiring future generations

Brandeis Elementary’s living wax museum didn’t just teach students about history — it inspired them to think about their own futures.

“They are definitely more interested in becoming doctors and nurses,” Koneshia said. “I can’t wait for our class, or even our school, to be able to go and take a tour and build all of the connections that we’ll be able to have, with the hospital being so close.”

For some students, the experience sparked dreams of potential careers in health care.

“It just seems like fun trying to help people in need,” Kaycee said.

Her classmate Luke Fields also sees a future in medicine. He wants to follow in the footsteps of his wax museum character — Louisville’s first Black doctor, Henry Fitzbutler, M.D.

“I think that I could help lots of people when I grow up,” Luke said. After visiting the monument, “I saw them having lots of big moments to be heroes, and I think I could be a hero too.”

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“Over the past month, more than 2,500 patients have walked through our doors for medical care ranging from primary care and preventive screenings to emergency services and inpatient care,” said Russell F. Cox, president and CEO, Norton Healthcare. “This facility was built to help improve health equity in West Louisville and make access to care easier. This first month of care at Norton West Louisville Hospital is a major step in reaching a community goal of improving health outcomes.”

“The reviews since opening our doors have been excellent,” said Corenza Townsend, chief administrative officer, Norton West Louisville Hospital. “Patients love the ease of access, the feeling of community and the attention we’ve given to the details that make a visit go smoothly.

“We will continue to seek feedback, so that we can continue to meet the needs of our community.”

West Louisville is composed of nine neighborhoods and has endured years of disinvestment. The most recent Health Equity Report published by the Louisville Metro Center for Health Equity still shows that life expectancy for residents of West Louisville is 15 years lower than other areas of the city. The report also shows higher rates of death connected to stroke, heart disease and cancer in this area of Louisville.

Norton West Louisville Hospital has a 24/7 emergency department; inpatient treatment; operating rooms; laboratory services; imaging services, including X-ray, ultrasound, CT and MRI; and a retail pharmacy. The medical offices inside the hospital house adult primary care providers and specialists in cardiology, endocrinology, orthopedics, pulmonology, surgery, women’s care, oncology/hematology, neurology and neurosurgery. For children, the offices have pediatric primary care providers and specialists in pediatric endocrinology and pediatric oncology/hematology. Both children and adults have access to care from providers with Wendy Novak Diabetes Institute, a part of Norton Healthcare and Norton Children’s. Having medical office space inside the hospital, rather than in a separate medical office building, is a unique feature of Norton West Louisville Hospital.

The hospital also has a centralized check-in area, community room, a bistro, outdoor green space and a Dare to Care food pantry.

Norton West Louisville Hospital

• Opened to patients on Monday, Nov. 11, 2024
• Numbers from first month of operation (Monday, Nov. 11 through Tuesday, Dec. 10)
• Number of emergency department visits: 1,363
• Number of surgeries: 52
• Number of inpatient admissions: 37

Imaging 1,875 exams

• Number of X-rays: 854
• Number of CT scans: 758
• Number of MRIs: 126
• Number of mammograms: 68
• Number of ultrasounds: 69

Norton Community Medical Associates and Norton Children’s Medical Group

• Outpatient visits total: 579
• Adult: 466
• Pediatric: 113

Additional areas

• Number of people served through the food pantry: 261
• Number of prescriptions filled: 1,623

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“Norton West Louisville Hospital was constructed to provide access to quality medical treatment by eliminating obstacles so all residents can live a healthy and prosperous life,” said Russell F. Cox, president and CEO, Norton Healthcare. “While we have adult and pediatric medical offices in West Louisville, this state-of-the-art hospital will help us care for more patients and continue to put health equity in the forefront.”

West Louisville is composed of nine neighborhoods and has endured years of disinvestment. The most recent Health Equity Report published by the Louisville Metro Center for Health Equity still shows that life expectancy for residents of West Louisville is 15 years lower than other areas of the city. The report also shows higher rates of death connected to stroke, heart disease and cancer in this area of Louisville.

“As a dad, I know that when your child is hurt or sick, it’s scary. Every minute feels like an eternity,” said Gov. Andy Beshear. “Now, thanks to our partners at Norton Healthcare, no one in West Louisville will have to wait, because they’ll have a world-class hospital close to home. Thank you for this investment, which will help Kentucky families for generations to come.” 

“The first hospital built in West Louisville in more than 150 years is long overdue, and I am thrilled Norton Healthcare is making this investment in our community and the people who live here,” said Louisville Mayor Craig Greenberg. “I am thankful for Norton Healthcare’s belief in this project and am confident this will improve health, wellness and economic well-being for residents who’ve been underserved for too long.”

Norton West Louisville Hospital has a 24/7 emergency department; inpatient treatment; operating rooms; laboratory services; imaging services, including X-ray, ultrasound, CT and MRI; and a retail pharmacy. The medical offices inside the hospital house adult primary care providers and specialists in cardiology, endocrinology, orthopedics, pulmonology, surgery, women’s care, oncology/hematology, neurology and neurosurgery. For children, the offices have pediatric primary care and specialists in pediatric endocrinology and pediatric oncology/hematology. Both children and adults have access to care from providers with Wendy Novak Diabetes Institute, a part of Norton Healthcare and Norton Children’s. Having medical office space inside the hospital, rather than in a separate medical office building, is a unique feature of Norton West Louisville Hospital.

The hospital also has a centralized check-in area, community rooms, a bistro, outdoor green space and a Dare to Care food pantry.

“Members of our community were instrumental in providing feedback on the services and amenities they wanted to have in their community hospital,” said Corenza Townsend, chief administrative office, Norton West Louisville Hospital. “We hosted several community forums and collected data from a survey that was completed by more than 4,500 people, the majority who live or work in West Louisville. Norton West Louisville Hospital will evolve to meet the community’s needs.”

Special touches found in the $90 million hospital include three construction beams signed by more than 2,000 employees and residents that are displayed outside of the Gouverneur H. Nixon Jr. Community Education Center. With donations made through the Norton Healthcare Foundation, artwork curated by a West Louisville resident — and many pieces by two West Louisville artists — adorn walls throughout the hospital and medical office space.

A special monument honors the medical pioneers of West Louisville who dedicated their lives to providing medical care to people of color in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. The monument was funded by the family of Richard S. Wolf, M.D., through the Norton Children’s Hospital Foundation, in memory of Dr. Wolf’s life and work as a pediatrician, former medical director at Norton Children’s Hospital and “Mayor” of Safety City. Dr. Wolf was a passionate advocate for access, prevention and wellness for children in our region.   

Norton West Louisville Hospital is located at 850 S. 28th St. on the Norton Healthcare Goodwill Opportunity Campus. It employs more than 350 people in a variety of clinical and nonclinical positions.

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“We will touch the lives of people who live here. This is where I live. This is where I work. This is where I worship. And so this community is in need, and so we can make this difference,” Adrienne said. “Do you know the impact we’re going to have? The lives that we’re going to change?”

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As Norton Healthcare prepares to open the first new hospital west of Ninth Street in 150 years, these early medical pioneers are being honored with a special monument on the Norton Healthcare Goodwill Opportunity Campus.

The monument was funded by the family of Richard S. Wolf, M.D., through the Norton Children’s Hospital Foundation, in memory of Dr. Wolf’s life and work as a pediatrician in our community. As the former medical director at Norton Children’s Hospital and Mayor of Safety City, Dr. Wolf was a passionate advocate for access, prevention and wellness for children in our region.      

“When we began researching this project, we uncovered so many stories that needed to be told,” said Corenza Townsend, chief administrative officer, Norton West Louisville Hospital. “Those featured were some of the first to treat citizens in West Louisville or they established a hospital, a medical school and practices that forged a path where none existed.”

These providers include:

• Henry Fitzbutler, M.D., the first Black doctor in Louisville, the first Black student to earn a medical degree from the University of Michigan and founder of Louisville National Medical College.
• Sarah Fitzbutler, M.D., the first Black woman to earn a medical degree in Kentucky after graduating from Louisville National Medical College.
• Artishia Gilbert Wilkerson, M.D., the first Black woman to pass the medical boards and and become a doctor in Kentucky.
• Mary E. Merritt, R.N., the first registered nurse of any race to work in Kentucky, and the recipient of a certificate of merit from President Woodrow Wilson for her service during World War I.
• Mary Etta Porter Potter, M.D., a physician who provided women’s and children’s care out of her home and established the Fraternal Hospital Training School for Nurses.
• John A.C. Lattimore, M.D., a physician as well as organizer of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People and the Louisville Urban League.
• Physicians involved in chartering Louisville National Medical College, the only school that accepted Black students. It became known as one of the best U.S. African American medical colleges and the only one owned and operated entirely by African Americans. It later merged with Simmons University, which is now Simmons College of Kentucky.
• Physicians involved in the creation of Red Cross Hospital, a four-bed hospital originally located on Sixth and Walnut streets. It went without gas or electricity for many years and was the only Kentucky hospital to educate Black nurses in the early 1900s.

The monument is on the corner of 28th Street and Garland Avenue, and is surrounded by bricks that were purchased by those interested in providing support to the hospital and this project. In addition to a monument, stories of these pioneers and others can be found at NortonWestLouisvilleHospital.com.

This project also was made possible through input from Berea College Special Collections & Archives, Filson Historical Society, Norton Children’s Hospital Foundation, Norton Healthcare Archives, UofL Kornhauser Health Sciences Library and UofL Libraries Archives & Special Collections.

To provide support or purchase a brick, visit Norton West Louisville Hospital Brick Pavers Project (GiveButter.com).

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The hospital, located at 28th Street and West Broadway, will offer comprehensive services, from primary care and surgery to social support, with a diverse team of providers dedicated to meeting the needs of patients.

Keep reading to meet four compassionate providers who share why they chose to work at Norton West Louisville Hospital and their excitement for making a positive impact on the community.

Kalyn Churchill, APRN: Commitment to community health

Kalyn Churchill, APRN, a primary care nurse practitioner who will work with adult patients, feels a strong connection to West Louisville, where her two children attend elementary school.

“I honestly feel called to be in this position,” she said. “There’s no other community that I’d rather serve.”

Kalyn’s husband and his family are West Louisville natives, and she is passionate about supporting patients who have historically faced barriers to accessing quality health care.

“For the years that I’ve been here, I’ve been deeply connected to this community,” she said.

Kalyn enjoys educating patients, helping them meet their health care goals and understanding the importance of taking preventive measures to live longer, healthier lives. She values getting to know her patients and their families on a more personalized level. With a focus on building trust and relationships in her practice, she hopes to create a welcoming environment where people feel comfortable seeking medical care.

Kaylyn says traditionally underserved areas often lack access to health care.

“I believe Norton West Louisville Hospital is here to make that change,” she said.

Melinda C. Ruberg, M.D.: Making health care accessible for all

Melinda C. “Mel” Ruberg, M.D., medical director of Norton West Louisville Hospital, values inclusivity in health care, putting patients at the center of her work.

“We want everyone who walks through the doors of this hospital to feel like they belong,” she said.

Dr. Ruberg will be a family medicine provider, interacting with patients of all ages, and looks forward to creating a compassionate and welcoming environment for all West Louisville families.

“I like putting family in the center of medicine, so if patients want to come in with 11 family members and we go through the entire family medical history at the same time, I’m all in,” she said.

As a lifelong Kentuckian, Dr. Ruberg believes Norton West Louisville Hospital will provide an opportunity for equitable health care access across Louisville. It is the first hospital to be built west of Ninth Street in the past 150 years. She looks forward to helping build up the community, after understanding barriers that have historically existed.

“I had a roommate in medical school who was from the West End, [and] that helped to really take my blinders off, and I attribute a lot of what I know about the West End to him,” she said.

Stephen J. Kelty, M.D.: Bringing surgical expertise to the community

As chief of surgery, Stephen J. Kelty, M.D., brings over 33 years of experience to Norton West Louisville Hospital, with a passion for providing surgical care to those who need it most.

“This opportunity coincided with my interest in medical mission work overseas,” he said.

Dr. Kelty, a Louisville native, is excited about the range of surgical services the hospital will provide, including general surgery and advanced abdominal and esophageal endoscopies.

He looks forward to performing a variety of surgical procedures for patients, including abdominal, breast, thyroid, hernia and gall bladder operations, plus colonoscopy screenings and more.

“The equipment, materials and technology at the hospital are all top-of-the-line,” he said. “Patients can be very assured that they are going to get really good care here.”

Aisha Rucker, LCSW: Addressing social determinants of health

With 20 years of experience, licensed clinical social worker Aisha Rucker, LCSW, has a passion for people.

“There is something in our DNA; once you’re called to serve, you want to go serve,” she said.

Aisha will be the hospital’s manager of social work and care continuum, which is a role dedicated to addressing the social factors that impact the overall health of patients in West Louisville.

According to recent Louisville health equity reports, the life expectancy of residents in West Louisville is more than 10 years less than those living in other areas of town. Disproportionate health outcomes in the Black community also were apparent during the COVID-19 pandemic, which added fuel to Aisha’s passion to serve her community.

“Most of my formative years were here in West Louisville, so it’s kind of personal,” she said. “The West End has more diversity than just the Black community, but the majority of West Louisville is Black people, people who look like me,” Aisha said. “I wanted to serve the people who look like me, and hopefully we can close the health disparity gaps we’ve seen throughout history.”

Aisha’s team will support patients by identifying social determinants of health, so the patients continue to have support after they leave the hospital — whether that is via connecting patients with necessary medical equipment or providing other resources for basic needs. The team will work with patients to detect disparities, such as transportation, housing and food insecurity. Patients will have access to a food pantry inside the hospital.

Social workers also can provide therapeutic support for people navigating life transitions or a new diagnosis.

“This hospital is a place of healing,” said Aisha, who believes that hospital leadership and staff share this common mission. “I think people are going to experience that [healing] when they come to Norton West Louisville Hospital.”

Looking ahead to opening day

Norton West Louisville Hospital’s team of experienced health care professionals is excited to serve the West Louisville community. The new hospital will begin welcoming patients on Nov. 11, 2024.

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The medical offices at Norton West Louisville Hospital will house adult primary care providers and specialists in cardiology, endocrinology, orthopedics, pulmonology, surgery, women’s care, oncology/hematology, neurology and neurosurgery.

For children, the offices will house pediatric primary care and specialists in pediatric endocrinology and pediatric oncology/hematology. Both children and adults will have access to care from providers with Wendy Novak Diabetes Institute, a part of Norton Healthcare and Norton Children’s.

“The providers coming to West Louisville are very excited to start seeing patients,” said Corenza Townsend, chief administrative officer, Norton West Louisville Hospital. “The space at Norton West Louisville Hospital is set up to allow flexibility as the needs of the community continue to change.”

The hospital also will be staffed with emergency medicine and hospital medicine specialists when it opens Nov. 11. This is in addition to more than 350 additional employees who will work to care for patients and keep the hospital running smoothly.

To make an appointment for adult or pediatric primary care, visit NortonWestLouisvilleHospital.com. Primary care and specialty care appointments can be made by calling (502) 629-1234 for adult appointments or (502) 629-5437 (KIDS) for pediatric appointments.

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The Urban Workforce Development Initiative (UWDI), a program developed by the hospital’s general contractor, Harmon/Messer Construction Co., in partnership with Louisville Urban League, held a graduation ceremony on Thursday, Oct. 10, 2024, for 15 individuals who have been preparing for long-term sustainable employment in commercial construction trades while helping build the first hospital west of Ninth Street in more than 150 years.

Working together with Norton Healthcare, Louisville Urban League and Kentuckiana Builds, UWDI is designed to invest in the development of underserved or underprivileged residents in the urban core who are facing economic and employment challenges. UWDI creates pathways to stable, well-paying careers in the construction industry.

“We create a pipeline directly from West Louisville into these career opportunities that provide benefits — health, dental, vision — in addition to paychecks,” said Stanley Warrenhuffman, economic inclusion manager, Messer Construction.

After Louisville Urban League identifies job candidates, those individuals complete the Kentuckiana Builds program and are placed on the job site to earn an offer letter from local contractors. Through UWDI, participants receive additional wraparound services to support their new career.

“Our goal is to find individuals who want to show up every day on time, and they’re committed to that, and to give them an opportunity to show that, and earn their way into the trades,” Warrenhuffman said.

Norton Healthcare has been as inclusive as possible in the construction of the new hospital, inviting the West Louisville community to “build with them.”

“It was very important for us to get buy-in from the (West Louisville) community, and I don’t think there’s any other way to get better buy-in than to have the community be involved in the construction of the project,” said Anthony Mathis, system director, sustainability and supplier diversity, Norton Healthcare. “The exciting thing is that we’re building more than just a health care facility. We’re building hope, compassion and a brighter future for this community.”

“UWDI is an incredible innovation in how we move people from thinking about jobs in construction to launching them into high-wage earning careers,” said Lyndon Pryor, President and CEO of the Louisville Urban League. “What this group of partners has been able to achieve with hard-working men and women is nothing short of amazing.  Reimagining the skyline and community impact of projects like this new hospital is the success the West End deserves.”

When Norton West Louisville Hospital opens, it will bring more jobs, in addition to healing and hope, to the residents of West Louisville. The hospital will include an emergency room, primary and specialty care offices, inpatient and outpatient services, community space and a pharmacy. For career opportunities at the hospital, visit NortonHealthcare.com/NWLH-Jobs.

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The new hospital will include a 24/7 emergency department, inpatient treatment, operating rooms, laboratory services, imaging services (including X-ray, ultrasound, CT and MRI) and a retail pharmacy. Outpatient office space will include adult and pediatric primary care, women’s services (including obstetrics and gynecology), cardiology, orthopedics, diabetes care, behavioral health services and more.

Norton Healthcare broke ground on the new hospital in June 2022, and construction began on what is the first new hospital to be built in West Louisville in more than 150 years. In a partnership with Goodwill Industries of Kentucky, together the two organizations will bring a wealth of services and health care to a single location. Goodwill’s Opportunity Center is part of the campus and provides social services with various community partners.

Based on community feedback, Norton West Louisville Hospital will feature a centralized check-in area, community room, outdoor green space and a food pantry. In addition, work from local artists will be on display in the facility.

Norton West Louisville Hospital has created more than 380 jobs. For more information on available jobs, visit NortonHealthcare.com/NWLH-Jobs.

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The community recently received a sneak peek of the hospital as the building continues to take shape at 28th Street and Broadway. The 86,500 square-foot facility, located on the Norton Healthcare Goodwill Opportunity Campus, is designed to meet the unique needs of the West Louisville community.

“We made a promise to our community that we were going to build an innovative Norton Healthcare facility in West Louisville, and here we stand,” said Corenza Townsend, chief administrative officer of Norton West Louisville Hospital.

As the first hospital built west of Ninth Street in over 150 years, the state-of-the-art facility aims to improve the health and well-being of the West Louisville community for generations to come.

A welcoming entrance

Upon entering the hospital, visitors are greeted by a centralized check-in area with an abundance of natural lighting, creating an inviting and warm atmosphere that sets the tone for the hospital’s commitment to patient-centered care in the community.

First floor features

The hospital’s first floor includes a variety of amenities, such as a kitchen and bistro that offers refreshments and snacks for patients and visitors. Nearby, patients will find a Norton Medical Group office that will house specialties including primary care, women’s services, pediatrics, orthopedics and other services. An on-site retail pharmacy will provide a convenient one-stop shop for various health care needs.

The hospital actively sought community feedback over the past two years, which inspired a community room. This versatile space is equipped with A/V capabilities, TV monitors and plenty of seating to host community meetings, events or seminars on topics such as finances or nutrition. A chapel can be found nearby.

Additionally, the emergency department, located on the north end of the building, features private patient rooms to help enhance patient comfort and privacy, with the hospital’s imaging and lab services nearby.

Second floor amenities

The second floor houses the hospital’s comprehensive surgical services, including operating rooms and designated pre- and post-operative areas. The hospital has 20 inpatient beds, and each room is designed to further promote peace and healing. Each patient room features 9-foot windows offering views of the private rooftop patio greenspace outside, creating a serene and healing environment.

Patients also can find a food pantry on the second floor, thanks to the hospital’s partnership with Dare to Care Food Bank. Here, a fully stocked and refrigerated food pantry will be available to help support patients in need.

Comprehensive health care services

The hospital will provide a wide array of services, including:

• Emergency department
• Surgical services
• Adult primary care (with extended hours)
• Pediatric primary care (with extended hours)
• Pharmacy
• Inpatient unit
• Outpatient lab and diagnostic imaging (mammography, CT, ultrasound)
• Women’s services
• Cardiology
• Endocrinology
• Orthopedics
• Behavioral health
• Back and neck pain care
• Hematology
• Neurology
• Pulmonary care
• Pediatric specialized care (asthma and sickle cell treatment)

A community effort

From the hospital’s inception, Norton Healthcare incorporated community feedback, ensuring the final design reflects the needs and desires of the West Louisville community. To further promote diversity on the jobsite, Norton Healthcare partnered with the Louisville Urban League and general contractor Harmon/Messer to provide jobs to women and minorities through the Urban Workforce Development Initiative.

“We’ve done things differently here. We’ve engaged people differently here,” Corenza said. “To see the love this facility is getting, to see people come together to make sure that our kids and our kids’ kids are healthier. We need each other, and to take care of our health — that’s why we’re here.”

Norton West Louisville Hospital is scheduled to open in November.

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