Story by: Joe Hall on October 31, 2022
Norton Children’s celebrated the opening of its new campus in Hikes Point. The facility represents a $16 million investment with the goal of enhancing pediatric care in the community.
The 45,000-square-foot facility, located in the former Kmart building off Breckenridge Lane and Taylorsville Road, is the new home to Norton Children’s Autism Center. It also houses Norton Children’s Orthopedics of Louisville, Norton Children’s Medical Group – Hikes Point, and Norton Children’s Eye Care.
“From primary and preventive care to specialized care, Norton Children’s prides itself on providing the best for children and families throughout the region,” said Russell F. Cox, president and CEO, Norton Healthcare. “We are committed to increasing access and meeting patients where they are. By consolidating these services in a centralized location, not only are we making health care more accessible, but also more convenient to all families.”
The 13,000-square-foot Norton Children’s Autism Center, affiliated with the UofL School of Medicine, will provide multidisciplinary, family-centered care for children diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). The center features state-of-the-art equipment and technology, including an activity gym, simulation studio apartment, feeding room, treatment rooms and group therapy rooms.
“Norton Children’s always aims to provide the very best approach to care, and this innovative campus furthers that mission in the community,” said Steven T. Hester, M.D., MBA, division president, provider operations, and system chief medical officer, Norton Healthcare. “Whether needing specialized autism care, fixing a broken bone or getting an annual physical, this facility will enable more patients and families to get the care they need.”
Norton Children’s Orthopedics of Louisville, affiliated with the UofL School of Medicine, is moving from the Norton Healthcare – St. Matthews campus to the Hikes Point facility. The 16,000-square-foot space is more than double the size of its previous location. Features include 32 exam rooms, X-ray and procedure rooms, and a rehab/evaluation gym.
Norton Children’s Medical Group – Hikes Point will provide primary sick and preventive care to thousands of children. The 10,000-square-foot space includes 16 exam rooms, as well as trauma, triage, behavioral health and lactation consultation rooms. Norton Children’s Eye Care will share this space with its own dedicated rooms.
The investment includes $1.3 million in support from the Norton Children’s Hospital Foundation and community. Those funds supported construction, the simulation apartment, gym equipment, and programs. A private donation through the foundation also funded a facility dog for Norton Healthcare’s Heel, Dog, Heal program. The dog, Echo, will be specially trained to provide comfort for patients with ASD and their families.
“The Norton Children’s Hospital Foundation is proud to support this great campus and the programs being offered to our patients,” said Lynnie Meyer, Ed.D., R.N., CFRE, chief development officer, Norton Healthcare. “Our community has done such a fantastic job of making sure local children have access to the best treatment available.”
The new autism center replaces the previous center off Eastern Parkway. Norton Children’s Medical Group – Hikes Point replaces Norton Children’s Medical Group – Dupont in St. Matthews. All physicians and staff are transitioning to the new location.