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LEXINGTON, Ky. (July 1, 2024) — Morehead-based St. Clare Healthcare officially became part of the University of Kentucky today, expanding its clinical and academic programs and providing more Kentuckians access to quality patient care.
“At the University of Kentucky, we dream big. For communities in every county across the state, we seek new solutions to old challenges, and in our hospitals and clinics, we work to fulfill the promise that no one will have to leave our state to get the best care, even in the worst of circumstances,” said University of Kentucky President Eli Capilouto. “Today, thanks to the support of policymakers, lawmakers and many others, we welcome and celebrate St. Clare Healthcare as part of our promise to the state we stand for and are committed to serving in its future. We are forever grateful to Senate President Stivers, Speaker Osborne and the entire Legislature for authorizing the University of Kentucky to make this a reality today.”
St. Clare Healthcare is one of the largest employers in the Morehead region with more than 1,300 employees, including more than 50 physicians and nearly 50 advanced practice specialists representing more than 20 medical specialties.
“Today marks the culmination of years of effort to find the best solution to provide our community with the highest level of care and access to care for decades to come,” said Donald H. Lloyd II, president and CEO of St. Clare’s Hospital, who will remain in his position. “This partnership will ensure our neighbors have access to the highest quality medical care in their own backyard. We know that easier access to health care leads to significant improvements in health outcomes, and we, like the Sisters of Notre Dame who have served as St. Clare’s Hospital’s stewards for many years, are confident that joining the UK family will make a difference in this region.”
Since the 1960s, St. Clare Healthcare has partnered with UK on many academic and clinical programs to develop Northeastern Kentucky’s healthcare workforce. UK and St. Clare co-developed the nationally recognized Rural Physician Leadership Program in collaboration with Morehead State University. St. Clare is also home to the UK College of Health Sciences’ Physician Assistant Program. Additionally, it is an established training and residency site for UK’s School of Medicine, School of Pharmacy and College of Health Sciences.
The UK Board approved plans to proceed with the acquisition on April 26, and regulatory and other third-party approvals have also been completed.
In 2023, St. Clare Healthcare launched an extensive request for information (RFI) process, reaching out to 12 national and local organizations, and after review by St. Clare’s board of directors and the Sisters of Notre Dame, UK was selected as the best option to partner in providing services to people in the region, Lloyd said.
Lloyd said the UK was chosen as a partner that could increase health worker numbers while continuing existing efforts and ongoing investment.
In addition to the 139-licensed-bed hospital, St. Clare Healthcare has seven primary care facilities across five counties, a multi-specialty medical facility, two urgent care centers, a pediatric clinic, a retail pharmacy, a counseling center, a medical equipment and supply store, and an outpatient center. In addition, St. Clare Healthcare provides home health and hospice services in eight counties.