The plan covers hospital-based emergency or other medically necessary care. As an added benefit for those who qualify, Norton Healthcare also assists with office visits with Norton Healthcare providers and with medications from Norton Healthcare pharmacies.

“Our mission calls on us to provide health care that meets the needs of our community,” said Russell F. Cox, president and CEO, Norton Healthcare. “We want to help as many individuals as possible benefit from the program so their focus can be on getting well, staying well and being healthy.”

Households with total income equal to or less than 350% of the federal poverty guidelines may be eligible for financial assistance. This percentage equates to $112,525 in combined household income for a family of four. Those who qualify can apply for financial assistance before they plan to seek health care services, and the assistance amount is approved for a full year. After qualifying, financial assistance can be applied to past medical bills up to two years old.

Anyone can apply online in the patient resources area of NortonHealthcare.com; request a paper application, which is available in several languages; apply with a representative over the phone at (502) 479-6300; or visit a hospital in person to speak with a financial counselor. Those taking part in the program can re-apply every year.

The program requires three months of bank statements, which may include prepaid bank card statements such as those offered through Chime or Direct Express.

Those who are preapproved for financial assistance will receive a verification letter. Residents of Kentucky, Indiana, Ohio, Illinois and Tennessee can be preapproved for financial assistance for an emergency or medically necessary care.

Eligible families can apply for assistance, even if they haven’t been to a Norton Healthcare facility in the past and regardless of whether they have insurance. Using a third party, Norton Healthcare will continue to assist uninsured patients in applying for Medicaid.

For those whose household income excludes them from this program, Norton Healthcare has additional avenues for financial assistance.

*Norton Healthcare includes Norton Children’s services.

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Lifestyle changes

The first option is an easy one, and something everyone should do regardless of their blood pressure reading: Lower sodium (salt) in your diet. While this mineral is needed by your body, it’s not needed in the amounts that most Americans consume.

“We know that eating a lot of sodium can increase your blood pressure over time,” said Matthew J. Sousa, M.D., interventional cardiologist, Norton Heart & Vascular Institute. “Instead of using salt to flavor what you eat, look at different spices that can add some zest, and try sodium-free marinades on meat. Pay special attention to processed and packaged foods you purchase, as some have a great deal of sodium.

“While the guideline is 2,300 mg of sodium per day total, a better aim is 1,500 mg a day if you want to reduce blood pressure.”

While reducing sodium alone can help with blood pressure, a few other things also help, according to Dr. Sousa:

• Exercise regularly: Aerobic exercise and strength training have been shown to lower blood pressure.
• Lose weight: When your weight increases, so does your blood pressure. A larger waistline also increases your risk for high blood pressure.
• Quit smoking: Smoking raises blood pressure.
• Limit alcohol: Alcohol can raise blood pressure, so it’s best to quit drinking. If you do consume alcohol, set your limit to no more than one drink per day for women and two drinks per day for men.

“Making these lifestyle changes can really lower your blood pressure, and you may not need to do anything else,” Dr. Sousa said.

Adding medication

If diet, exercise and weight changes do not improve your blood pressure, your provider may recommend medications.

“Different medications are available to help by reducing extra water and sodium in your system, lowering your heart rate, or relaxing or opening blood vessels,” Dr. Sousa said. “Your provider will look at your age, blood pressure reading and other health indicators to determine what type of medication may work best.

“It may take trying different medications to determine what works best in your body, but they can work quickly and effectively to lower blood pressure.”

Renal denervation procedure

Some people continue to have high blood pressure despite using medications and making lifestyle changes.

Norton Heart & Vascular Institute now has a new option called renal denervation, which calms overactive nerves near the kidneys that can cause high blood pressure.

“We take a very thin tube into the artery that goes to the kidney and send electrical pulses to calm those nerves,” Dr. Sousa said. “It’s a simple, minimally invasive procedure that only requires minimal sedation, and the patient can usually go home the same day.” Norton Heart & Vascular Institute is the first in Kentucky and Southern Indiana to offer the Symplicity Spyral renal denervation (RDN) system.

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New knee replacement technology is allowing surgeons to create a more natural-feeling joint, while getting you home sooner and started on your recovery. 

A total knee replacement, sometimes called total knee arthroplasty, may be necessary after arthritis has developed to the point that too much cartilage has worn away and you have bone-on-bone contact causing knee pain. A partial knee replacement describes having just one side of the knee joint replaced, often to treat an injury.

“While the aim of knee replacement surgery remains unchanged — relieving pain and helping patients return to an active life — today’s technology makes the procedure more precise and personalized,” Dr. Khalily said. “We still replace the worn joint surfaces, but now use advanced robotics, custom 3D-printed implants and smart sensors to optimize each patient’s results.”

Dr. Khalily was the first person in the world to perform a Food and Drug Administration-approved cementless total knee replacement with the CORI robotic-assisted system.

Today’s advances

Robotic-assisted surgery

Think of it like GPS for your surgeon. Using real-time imaging and computer guidance, surgeons now can plan and perform total knee replacement surgery with greater precision, tailored to your exact knee anatomy. This helps ensure better alignment and implant positioning, potentially improving longer-lasting results.

3D printed custom implants

Just like getting a custom-fitted suit, your knee replacement now can be made specifically for you. Using 3D printing, surgeons can create implants that match your knee’s unique shape and size. This is especially helpful for complex cases or revision surgery.

Smart knee implants

These high-tech implants contain tiny sensors that track how your new knee is working. Your doctor can monitor your recovery remotely, adjust your rehabilitation plan as needed and spot potential issues early. This means fewer in-person follow-up visits and more personalized recovery care.

On the horizon

Augmented reality

Surgeons are beginning to use augmented reality technology — similar to what’s used in some video games — to see detailed 3D images of your knee during surgery. This technology helps them place implants with even greater accuracy.

More outpatient surgeries

Thanks to these advances and better pain management, many knee replacements are now done as outpatient procedures. This means you may go home the same day as your surgery. By 2026, more than half of all shoulder, knee and hip replacement are expected to be outpatient procedures.

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The offices feature roughly 6,000 square feet of space and 14 exam rooms split among Norton Community Medical Associates primary care, a Norton Immediate Care Center and, eventually, a Norton Orthopedic Institute office. The new location also will have laboratory testing and X-ray capability to help providers accurately diagnose a variety of illnesses and injuries.

“Norton Healthcare is committed to expanding access to health care throughout the area,” said Russell F. Cox, president and CEO, Norton Healthcare. “The comprehensive care that will be provided in this new space will make it easier for so many more people to receive the care they need.”

The new space, located at 10798 Dixie Highway, is Norton Healthcare’s southernmost primary care office and immediate care center in Louisville. The building is just off the Gene Snyder Freeway (I-265/KY 841), allowing easy access for those using the city’s highway system, while also supporting population growth in the southwestern part of Louisville. The location also provides access to care for people just outside the city limits, including parts of Meade and Hardin counties.

“It’s very exciting to see the growth in this part of our city,” said Stephanie Harmon, practice manager for the new Norton Community Medical Associates office. “As someone who grew up in the south end of Louisville, I know this is something we’ve needed. To be a part of the team providing that care is extra special.”

The primary care practice will be led by Arilennis Medel Leyva, APRN, family nurse practitioner, who will move from Norton Community Medical Associates – Fairdale. Her diverse, bilingual experience as a clinician enables her to provide comprehensive, patient-centered care. Her philosophy emphasizes empathy, compassion and respect, focusing on individualized patient needs and holistic care.

“Access to primary care is essential for a healthy community,” Leyva said. “I’m excited to bring these services to Valley Station. I believe my experience and expertise can add to the level of care and trust we’ve already built in South Louisville, and I’m excited to care for and form relationships with patients in the area.”

The practice will have self-pay options and quick, easy access to the Norton Healthcare financial services teams for assistance with bill payment.

A Norton Children’s Medical Group pediatrician office will remain open in Fairdale at 189 Outer Loop, with plans to expand. Schedule an appointment by calling (502) 629-1234.

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“This collaborative effort continues to elevate Norton Neuroscience Institute to a national stage,” said Gregory E. Cooper, M.D., Ph.D., neurologist and director of Norton Neuroscience Institute Memory Center. “It’s an affirmation of what we’ve already done, while also incentivizing us to continue pushing the limits of dementia and Alzheimer’s care in our community.”

The program funds a dedicated nurse navigator, Deborah Lockridge, R.N., BSN, CCRC, at Norton Community Medical Associates – Preston, whose job is to collaborate with primary care providers at the practice to identify patients who are at high risk and may be experiencing early symptoms of cognitive decline. The goal is to more quickly connect those patients with treatment at Norton Neuroscience Institute Memory Center and provide personalized education and support services along the way. The hope is to more efficiently diagnose and treat Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia in their earliest stages. If the pilot proves successful, this clinical pathway may be used as a worldwide model for future Alzheimer’s care.

“This grant enhances the comprehensive care services we offer here at Norton Healthcare,” Lockridge said. “We all agree having a point of contact who can answer questions, encourage patients and caregivers and point them in the right direction is going to be a tremendous benefit to our community. We will use this opportunity to develop a collaborative, easy-to-navigate care model that can be scaled not just throughout Norton Healthcare, but across the country.”

Alzheimer’s disease is growing into a worldwide epidemic. According to the National Institute on Aging, more than 6 million Americans currently are living with Alzheimer’s, and more than 13 million will be living with the disease by 2060. The current care model requires multiple medical providers to coordinate to ensure patients who are eligible for disease-modifying therapies receive them during the early window of opportunity, when they will most benefit.

Yet, there are pathways for prevention, early detection and accurate diagnosis that could change the course of the disease forever. For example, in August 2023, Norton Neuroscience Institute became the first site in Kentucky to administer disease-modifying therapies to patients with mild cognitive decline and mild Alzheimer’s disease. In addition to early treatment, Norton Neuroscience Institute is actively pursuing brain health and prevention strategies.

“We’re very proud of our memory program and what we’ve created so far, but we know there is still much work to be done,” Dr. Cooper said. “We won’t rest until we’ve tried to perfect our system to quickly identify, diagnosis and treat people at the earliest possible stages, when we believe we have the greatest chance to slow this disease in its path.”

The six pilot sites will serve as start-up incubators for the development of materials and best practices for the program’s long-term sustainability and expansion — without the need for external funding. The learnings and resources from the Brain Health Navigator program will be incorporated into Davos Alzheimer’s Collaborative’s Early Detection Blueprint.

The other sites included in the program are Dartmouth Health (New Hampshire), Memorial Healthcare (Owosso, Michigan), Sharp Rees-Stealy Medical Group (California), UC Health (Ohio) and Keck Medical Center of USC, part of Keck Medicine of USC (California). Patients can schedule an appointment by calling (502) 446-4664 or visiting NortonHealthcare.com/MemoryCenter.

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The Aveir DR consists of two leadless pacemakers that are implanted into the upper and lower chambers of the heart. The two pacemakers communicate with each other based on the person’s needs to more effectively regulate heart rhythm. 

“A leadless pacemaker is unique technology that was only available for limited types of patients in the past,” said Sofya Kuznetsov, M.D., electrophysiologist, Norton Heart & Vascular Institute Heart Rhythm Center. “The ability to pace upper and lower chambers in sync was only available with conventional transvenous devices.

“The leadless pacemakers are smaller than an AAA battery and can communicate wirelessly with each other to control the heart’s rhythm. They do not require a surgical incision and avoid potential complications associated with conventional pacemaker leads, such as infection or lead fractures. An additional benefit is quicker recovery and fewer mobility restrictions after the procedure.”

Until now, leadless pacemakers have not allowed a dual chamber option, which is needed by nearly 80% of people needing this kind of treatment.

To schedule an appointment with a Norton Heart & Vascular Institute specialist, call (502) 446-6484 (NHVI).

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If you have blood in your stool, a fever or unexplained weight loss, talk with your primary care provider about your symptoms.

Diarrhea, bloating and abdominal pain are signs that your gut health may be out of balance. Maintaining a healthy gut benefits your body far from your gastrointestinal tract. Gut health influences your immune system, brain function, weight and more.

“A healthy gut is really a healthy gut microbiome. The microbiome is a liquid organ in your digestive tract that needs a diversity of gut bacteria, viruses, fungi and other microorganisms to help break down food and metabolize it into energy while supporting the immune system and influencing the gut-brain axis,” said Joshua H. Brandon, M.D., family medicine physician with Norton Community Medical Associates primary care.

Gut dysbiosis happens when the gut microbiota — the microorganisms that make up the microbiome — are out of balance. For example, there may be too little good bacteria or too much bad bacteria.

An unhealthy gut microbiome can hamper your immune system, making you more susceptible to infection. Digestive system issues such as irritable bowel syndrome, constipation, diarrhea and bloating can arise from an unbalanced gut microbiome. And the gut-brain axis — the network of nerves sending signals between your gut and your brain — chiefly controls digestion and can affect mood, including anxiety and depression.

The basics of good gut health start with eating right, exercising and drinking plenty of water.

Healthy eating

Eating a healthy diet with fiber and fruit while avoiding processed foods and too much alcohol contributes to a healthy gut. Look for foods that contain fiber, prebiotics and probiotics.

Keep in mind that processed food includes chemical processing and mechanical processing. Packaged food often has large amounts of saturated and trans fat, added sugar, salt, and food additives that affect the gut.

Even mechanically processed foods can have an impact. Smoothies, with lots of fruit, might seem like a good choice. But in a liquid, the sugar in the fruit hits your system faster than whole fruit and produces a blood-sugar spike. That prompts your pancreas to send out insulin and sends a pleasurable signal to your brain, prompting you to crave more. And since the liquid passes through your system quickly, you may get hungry sooner, even though the smoothie was high in calories.

Here are some examples of foods that promote a healthy gut microbiome:

• Fibers: Whole grains like oatmeal and beans help food move through your digestive system. An important role of dietary fiber is to prevent constipation and support the movement of food through your body. Fiber adds bulk and absorbs water, which makes stool softer and easier to pass. Fiber can help you feel full, slow digestion, clear out your colon and improve gut health.
• Polyphenols: These are found in plants, so vegetables, fruits and whole grains have polyphenols. Particularly good sources of polyphenols are certain berries, herbs, spices and nuts.
• Naturally fermented foods:  These introduce probiotics, or healthy bacteria, into the digestive system. Examples of fermented foods include sauerkraut, kimchi and yogurt with live cultures.
• Healthy fats: Unsaturated fatty acids increase microbiome diversity. Examples of foods rich in unsaturated fats include avocados, almonds, cashews, pecans, pistachios, pumpkin seeds, sesame seeds, sunflower seeds and olive oil.

Exercise

Moderate and intense exercise, combined with a healthy diet, has been shown to improve digestive health. Exercise has a positive influence on how the cells in our body regulate energy production, expenditure and food intake. Metabolism, or how your body converts food into energy, is an important role for your gut microbiota.

The exact cause of the link between exercise and healthy gut microbes is being researched. High-intensity exercise brings more oxygen into the bloodstream, and this may help good bacteria flourish in the gut. Low intensity exercise may help the gut by encouraging the digestive tract to move food through faster.

A study found a link between a healthy microbiome and motivation to exercise (in mice, at least).

Water

Adequate hydration is important to overall health as well as the growth of a healthy gut microbiome and may contribute to diversity in the gut microbiota. Drinking water during or after a meal aids digestion and helps food move through the digestive tract.

In addition to water, hydrating foods include watermelon, cucumbers, oranges and berries Caffeine and alcohol, however, are diuretics that increase fluid loss.

Your urine should be a pale, light yellow. Darker urine suggests you need to drink more water.

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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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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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Balamurugan N. Appakalai, Ph.D., also known as Dr. Bala, is leading research around islet cell transplants. Dr. Bala, widely considered one of the most skilled islet isolation specialists in the world, is transitioning his team and research from Nationwide Children’s in Ohio to Louisville.

“This work will impact patients locally, nationally and around the world,” Dr. Bala said. “I believe we have a real opportunity to find an eventual cure for Type 1 diabetes. My team and I look forward to what we will accomplish in the years to come.”

Islets are clusters of cells in the pancreas that help make insulin. In people with Type 1 diabetes, the immune system attacks islet cells, making the body unable to produce insulin.

Thanks in part to Dr. Bala’s research, it’s now possible to replace those islet cells by taking them from a donor pancreas and transplanting them into the liver of someone with diabetes. The goal is for the healthy islets to start managing blood glucose in the recipient. With manageable blood glucose, the patient no longer needs insulin injections. However, transplanted islet cells currently don’t last a patient’s lifetime, so more research is needed to create longer-lasting transplants.

As an “isletologist” for the past 30 years, Dr. Bala’s research has focused on advancing pancreatic islet cell isolation and transplantation not only in patients with Type 1, but also for those with surgery-induced diabetes. The methods he developed have shown to improve short- and long-term outcomes in patients and have been incorporated into transplantation programs across the country.

To support Dr. Bala and his team’s efforts, Norton Healthcare and Norton Children’s will build a 1,500-square-foot lab to house an islet clinical transplant program. The lab, one of only 11 in the country, will allow the team to isolate and prepare the cells for transplant, pioneer new islet treatments and lead clinical studies. The research part of the lab is expected to be completed this fall, with the cell production space expected to open next year.

The new islet cell research program and Dr. Bala’s team were funded with grants of more than $2 million from the Norton Children’s Hospital Foundation, thanks to generous donations from the community with lead gifts from the James and Judith K. Dimon Foundation and the Lift a Life Novak Family Foundation.

“We’re excited to be able to bring this groundbreaking program to patients who are part of Wendy Novak Diabetes Institute,” said Lynnie Meyer, R.N., Ed.D., FAHP, CFRE, senior vice president and chief development officer, Norton Healthcare. “The Novak family and many other donors are passionate about seeing research into therapies for Type 1 diabetes progress, potentially bringing a cure to patients throughout the world. Dr. Bala’s work is truly groundbreaking, and he and his team will be an integral part of research at Wendy Novak Diabetes Institute.”

Wendy Novak Diabetes Institute treats more than 9,000 people with Type 1 diabetes, including about 2,000 children, and provides care to patients from 137 counties in Kentucky and Southern Indiana.

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