LOUISVILLE, KY – Delivering on a commitment to improve access to care, UofL Health is continuing construction on a more than $75 million expansion of its Bullitt County operations. The on-going project is evolving the existing medical center into UofL Health – South Hospital, a full-service acute care hospital with 40 inpatient beds, more providers, enhanced emergency capabilities, an intensive care unit, cardiac/vascular lab, increased surgical and outpatient services, plus more jobs.

Before construction is complete, UofL Health – South Hospital is inviting the residents it will serve in Bullitt County and surrounding regions to be a part of this historic occasion by leaving their mark on a steel beam that will soon be hoisted up and a permanent fixture of the building. The beam will be available for the public to sign until Dec. 2, 2022 in the lobby at UofL Health – Medical Center South.

Dorie Shelburne“Just as steel is fundamental to the strength and support of the building, the people of Bullitt County are fundamental for the strength and support of this hospital,” said UofL Health – South Hospital CEO, Dorie Shelburne. “I hope many local residents will sign the steel beam to represent the community strength and support before it is set into place later in December.”

Visible from I-65, the most dramatic change will add two new floors, built atop the existing structure to accommodate 40 acute care inpatient beds, and include space grow into 40 more beds. With 100,000 square feet of new space, UofL Health – South Hospital will include an expanded emergency room capacity, cardiac Cath Lab, dedicated Intensive Care Unit, and grow the surgery capacity with two additional operating rooms (total of six). The evolution to a full-service hospital also brings a full complement of support amenities such as food service, a cafeteria and a gift shop.

“Our growing county has needed a full-service hospital for a long time. Others promised but never delivered. I applaud UofL Health’s commitment to this community,” said Jerry Summers, Bullitt County Judge Executive. “More health care, more access and more quality jobs are all investments reflective of a healthy community. UofL Health – South Hospital also increases the availability of our EMS crews, spending less time driving to out of county hospitals.” Summers has been tapped to serve as chairman of the hospital’s new nine-member board of trustees.Jerry Summers

100+ new jobs are expected to be created as UofL Health – South Hospital readies for opening. Expanded needs include more nurses, clinical support, environmental services, food service and customer service representatives. Immediate openings for UofL Health are always available at UofLHealth.org/Careers.

In 2020, nearly 25,000 patients sought care at the UofL Health – Medical Center South’s emergency room. Because the facility lacks inpatient beds, more than 2,000 patients wound up being transferred to hospitals in surrounding counties. With a population of nearly 82,000, Bullitt County is Kentucky’s 10th largest county and the largest county without inpatient beds. The addition of beds, and evolution into a hospital, allows more people to receive care close to home.

UofL Health – South Hospital is expected to open in 2023. UofL Health – Medical Center South will remain open during construction. To keep up to date on the project, job openings and more go to: UofLHealth.org/SouthHospital. To give, visit give.louisville.edu/UofLHealthSouth.

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UofL Health

UofL Health is a fully integrated regional academic health system with eight hospitals, four medical centers, Brown Cancer Center, Eye Institute, nearly 200 physician practice locations, and more than 1,000 providers in Louisville and the surrounding counties, including southern Indiana. Additional access to UofL Health is provided through a partnership with Carroll County Memorial Hospital. With more than 13,000 team members – physicians, surgeons, nurses, pharmacists and other highly-skilled health care professionals, UofL Health is focused on one mission: to transform the health of communities we serve through compassionate, innovative, patient-centered care.

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