UofL pediatrics teaching hospital renamed Norton Children’s Hospital

Norton Healthcare announced Tuesday that its children’s hospital -- which also serves as the teaching hospital for the University of Louisville -- will be renamed Norton Children’s Hospital, effective Nov. 10.

Formerly Kosair Children’s Hospital, Norton and Kosair Charities reached a mutual decision in June to end their 35-year naming rights agreement with the name “Kosair” removed from all Norton-owned medical facilities and practices, including Norton Women’s and Children’s Hospital, Norton Children’s Medical Center and Norton Children’s Medical Associates along with the downtown children’s hospital.

As Division President of Women’s and Children’s Services, Thomas D. Kmetz emphasized during the announcement in the hospital lobby Tuesday morning, only the name will change. “Our name may be changing, but our commitment to children (will not)," he said.

The children’s hospital is affiliated with the Department of Pediatrics in the School of Medicine and is a part of the UofL Health Sciences Center.

“Our affiliation with Norton Children’s Hospital is integral to the Department of Pediatrics’ quadruple mission in education, patient care, research and community engagement,” said Gerard P. Rabalais, MD, the Billy F. Andrews Endowed Chair in Pediatrics. “As the hospital makes this change, we look forward to our continued partnership in providing the best of care to the children of Kentuckiana and beyond.”

Norton Healthcare is embarking on what it calls a “gradual change in all signage and other materials” to incorporate the new name.