Center will offer services that extend beyond medical care

Published: May 27, 2025 | Updated: May 29, 2025

Estimated reading time: 4 minutes

Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear and Norton Children’s announced plans to create Norton Children’s Cancer Institute Resource Center, a space to support patients and families through every step of their cancer journey.

The center, to be located on the eighth floor of the Novak Center for Children’s Health, will bring together a wide range of cancer services in one place, making it easier for families to get the help they need, when they need it. By combining medical care with other support programs, the center aims to help pediatric cancer patients and families address issues such as the emotional toll of a cancer diagnosis, financial challenges, schooling, and transitioning from pediatric to adult care.

“Team Kentucky is leading the fight against childhood cancer, because all our kids deserve to grow up happy and healthy,” Gov. Beshear said. “Thanks to the health care heroes at Norton Children’s for providing world-class care and making it even more accessible to kids across the commonwealth.”

“Childhood cancer impacts families far beyond diagnosis and treatment,” said Russell F. Cox, president and CEO, Norton Healthcare. “By offering resources alongside great medical care, this center will help families heal during their journey, providing hope and support during an incredibly challenging time.”

Construction on the center will begin this summer and is expected to be complete by early 2026.

A space built around the needs of families

From emotional support and education to financial guidance, Norton Children’s Cancer Institute Resource Center will offer a holistic approach to healing. Here’s what families can expect:

• Financial navigators who can walk families through insurance options and help find financial assistance programs
• A nurse navigator to coordinate care across specialists and serve as a key point of contact throughout the cancer journey
• Educational liaisons, including licensed kindergarten to 12th grade educators, to help kids stay on track with school during treatment — whether they’re in the hospital or learning virtually — as well as provide support when patients reintegrate into school
• Psychosocial specialists to provide mental health support for patients and family members
• Expressive arts therapists, including child life specialists and art, music and massage therapists, to help patients express themselves and cope through creative outlets

“Our goal is to make this journey less overwhelming for families,” said Michael J. Ferguson, M.D., chief, Norton Children’s Cancer Institute. “This new center will bring so many resources together under one roof, and it’s all centered on helping kids and their families in every way possible.”

A $976,000 grant from the Kentucky Pediatric Cancer Research Trust Fund will help establish the center. The Norton Children’s Hospital Foundation, through support from the community, has committed an additional $423,000 for the capital portion of the project. The Hearts Path Charitable Foundation Inc. and the Norman and Belita Noltemeyer Family have made commitments to support the effort. 

“We’re incredibly grateful to our community for helping bring Norton Children’s Cancer Institute Resource Center to life,” said Lynnie Meyer, R.N., Ed.D., FAHP, CFRE, senior vice president and chief development officer, Norton Healthcare. “Your support is vital in helping us create a space where healing happens in every form. Together, we can ensure that no child or family faces this journey alone.”

Norton Children’s Cancer Institute serves more than 7,000 patients each year, treating all forms of pediatric cancer and blood disorders. Norton Children’s cancer program began more than 60 years ago and is one of the oldest oncology programs in the U.S. that has been continuously accredited by the American College of Surgeons.

To support the cause visit HelpNortonChildrens.com