LOUISVILLE, Ky. — UofL Health – Mary & Elizabeth Hospital, the region’s only full-service hospital west of I-65, is celebrating 150 years of serving a medically underserved South Louisville community with compassionate and quality care. Originally founded by the Sisters of Charity of Nazareth in 1874, the 298-bed hospital has served generations of patients with medical innovation and continues to expand its services.
“Mary & Elizabeth Hospital has renewed health care in South Louisville by serving the local community,” said Tom Miller, UofL Health CEO. “We honor the Sisters of Charity of Nazareth who founded this hospital, and commend the leaders, physicians, staff and community members who continue UofL Health’s mission to positively impact the lives of our patients.”
Following the American Civil War, the Sisters of Charity of Nazareth felt called to open a second hospital. Local entrepreneur William Shakespeare Caldwell, local physician David Yandell, M.D. and Mother Columba Carrol collaborated to make the dream of opening a new Louisville hospital a reality, and the first patient was admitted in 1874.
“Mary & Elizabeth Hospital was created as a healing ministry to improve access and reduce health care disparity in our community,” said Melisa Adkins, Mary & Elizabeth Hospital CEO. “Over the years, the medical innovation, leading-edge research and patient-centered care provided to generations of patients is transforming lives—and will continue to do so.”
A century and a half later, Mary & Elizabeth Hospital now offers a full range of vascular, orthopedic, cardiac, neurological, surgical, rehabilitative and 24/7 emergency services, including 24/7 STEMI service.
In the last five years alone, Mary & Elizabeth Hospital partnered with sister facility UofL Health – Peace Hospital to open a voluntary inpatient medical detox unit to care for patients with substance-use disorders, filled the void of pharmacy services in the area by adding a community pharmacy, opened the Center for Women’s Health, and announced the return of labor and delivery services in South Louisville for the first time in nearly 50 years with the hospital’s newest $20 million addition, “The Birthing Place.”
“Having dedicated more than 25 years to treating patients at Mary & Elizabeth Hospital, I can confidently call it a staple of quality health care for our folks in South Louisville,” said Jeff Graves, M.D., Mary & Elizabeth Hospital Chief Medical Officer. “For 150 years, we’ve established a trust with our patients and they’ve agreed to put their lives in our hands. Putting patients first and focusing on their needs is what Mary & Elizabeth is all about.”
Mary & Elizabeth Hospital is honored to recognize the Sisters of Charity of Nazareth for their long legacy of care and compassion after establishing the healing ministry 150 years ago and creating the foundation of excellence still bettering the lives of patients today.
The hospital is also grateful to those who continue to invest in the mission. Drs. Arun and Neera Ummat have showed their support, not only with their impact on those receiving their care, but with their generous gift of $1 million to improve access and reduce health care disparity in the community. The Legacy Sts. Mary & Elizabeth Hospital Auxiliary and its members have given collective years and hours of service on behalf of the hospital, as well as a gift nearing $600,000, benefitting the hospital’s many programs, including “The Birthing Place.”
“The success of Mary & Elizabeth Hospital wouldn’t be possible without the Sisters of Charity of Nazareth, as well as the compassionate clinicians and civic leaders who support the patient-centered care happening in South Louisville,” said Elea Fox, UofL Health – Philanthropy Vice President. “It’s that generosity and support that propels this hospital toward continued medical advancement.”
Mary & Elizabeth Hospital is inviting generations of patients to celebrate 150 years during a community celebration on Saturday, July 20, 2024, starting at noon. Patients, physicians, volunteers and employees are also encouraged to share their favorite stories about the impact this hospital has made on their lives. Community members will also be able to dive into the history of the hospital by viewing an unveiled timeline exhibit in honor of the 150th anniversary.
For more information on the community event, click here.
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