New names chosen for Jewish Hospital, Kentucky One Health system as UofL assumes assets

As the agreement to assume KentuckyOne Health’s Louisville assets is set for completion this week, activity is underway to welcome patients, physicians, employees and the surrounding communities to the UofL Health family.

Among the most immediately visible changes will be modified names and signage to reflect the new ownership under UofL Health, the historical legacy of the communities that surround the hospitals and medical centers and the traditions of the faith organizations that were the foundation of many of the facilities.

“I want to thank the Sisters of Charity of Nazareth, the Louisville Archdiocese, the Jewish Heritage Fund for Excellence and our larger Catholic and Jewish communities,” said UofL President Neeli Bendapudi. “Health care in Louisville has grown because of the commitment made by these organizations to improve the health of patients throughout the greater Louisville community and the passion they have to serve with excellence and compassion.

“The University of Louisville and UofL Health will build on this foundation, to improve wellness for our community, by building a regional academic health care system based on treatment innovations, leading-edge research and patient-centered care.” 

Because the hospitals will no longer be operated as Catholic facilities, the Archdiocese requested that the names of Sts. Mary & Elizabeth Hospital and Our Lady of Peace be changed to no longer reflect a Catholic affiliation. Upon the closing date, they will become UofL Health – Mary & Elizabeth Hospital and UofL Health – Peace Hospital. Crosses adorning the outside of the buildings will be removed, but the hospitals will maintain their chapels, including the iconic Sky Chapel at Mary & Elizabeth, and many other artifacts that reflect the legacy of the Catholic faith and the rich heritage of the hospitals.  

As is the case at UofL Hospital, people of all faiths are encouraged to use the chapels as they choose. Chaplains are on staff to support and honor the many different faiths and traditions observed by patients and employees.

“I am encouraged that University of Louisville Health desires to continue to honor the spirit of the Church’s healing ministry as it acquires these former Catholic facilities. I once again want to extend my gratitude to the Sisters of Charity of Nazareth for their long legacy of care and compassion, beginning with the founding of Sts. Mary & Elizabeth and Our Lady of Peace Hospitals. I appreciate the University of Louisville’s stated intention to respect the history of the Sisters’ health care ministry, and I am pleased that the University will seek to maintain health care for underserved areas of the city, serve the poor and vulnerable and preserve employment for many loyal employees,” said the Most Rev. Joseph E. Kurtz, Archbishop of Louisville.

UofL Hospital - Jewish Campus

Jewish Hospital and UofL Hospital will become one united hospital with two locations. The two locations will have a unified leadership team and direction to better support and restore the services, research, employees, physicians and programs at Jewish Hospital. In addition, it will further strengthen UofL Hospital and the teaching and research programs of the UofL School of Medicine located at both locations. The newly unified hospitals will be highlighted through the new name, UofL Hospital - Jewish Campus. The name respects Jewish Hospital’s history as a leader in cardiovascular services, neurosciences and transplantation while also preserving its legacy of serving the community. UofL Hospital’s name will not change.

“We appreciate the care that everyone at the University of Louisville and UofL Health has shown in working with the Jewish Heritage Fund for Excellence Board of Trustees to make this transition,” said Jeff Polson, JHFE executive director. “We are certain that the traditions, culture and history of Jewish Hospital will continue to be honored at the new UofL Hospital - Jewish Campus alongside our legacy of excellence in health care.”

“We worked with leaders across the system and with the Archdiocese and JHFE to develop the new names for the hospitals,” UofL Health CEO Tom Miller said. “The hospitals have a rich culture and a time-honored heritage associated with many traditions. UofL Health is committed to honor this rich history and to support the hospitals, their employees, physicians and communities in keeping the traditions that make them unique and special.”

The rest of the KentuckyOne Health system

Throughout the rest of the former KentuckyOne Health system, names will be modified as follows:

• UofL Health - Frazier Rehab Institute
• UofL Health - Rudd Heart and Lung Center
• UofL Health - Shelbyville Hospital
• UofL Health - Medical Center Southwest
• UofL Health - Medical Center South (Shepherdsville)
• UofL Health - Medical Center East
• UofL Health - Medical Center Northeast

Physician practices, currently part of the KentuckyOne Medical Group, also will be renamed under UofL Physicians brand to reflect new alignment with UofL Health.

“UofL Health welcomes the teams from all these locations and, most importantly, we welcome the patients and families served,” Miller said. “We are excited to bring this larger system together, share best practices and extend The Power of U to more communities.”

Sign changes will begin this week, but will be a gradual process over the next several weeks and months.  UofL Health will assume ownership of the facilities on Nov. 1. While these changes are being implemented, there should be no interruption or delay in care.