“Dr. Smith is ideally suited for this next evolution for UofL Health,” said Gerry Bradley, University of Louisville president and UofL Health board chair. “He is a trusted leader within the organization, among colleagues and throughout the community. That, along with his clinical and administrative expertise, provides a unique skillset to lead our system and the team to deliver the best care to those we serve.”

“I am both humbled and honored to lead this team – one built on a foundation of academic excellence, compassionate care and community partnership – working each day to better the health of the communities and commonwealth we serve,” Smith said. “Over the past decade, I have witnessed firsthand the extraordinary dedication of our physicians, nurses, staff and academic partners. Together, we have faced some of the most complex challenges in modern health care, yet through our shared mission, we have continued to expand access, improve outcomes, and strengthen our system for the patients and families who depend on us. This is a pivotal time for UofL Health and for the commonwealth we serve. I am inspired by what we have accomplished and energized by what lies ahead. Together, we will continue to build a stronger, more resilient and more innovative health system for the future of Kentucky.”

Smith joined the faculty at the UofL School of Medicine in 2008 after completing medical school and residency at The Ohio State University. He earned his PhD in physiology and biophysics from the University of Louisville and received a Master of Business Administration from the Kelley School of Business at Indiana University. He is board-certified in general surgery and critical care. He was recently awarded the Paragon Award from the Greater Louisville Medical Society for outstanding contributions to health care leadership, advocacy for gun violence victims and his commitment to the education of future physicians.

As CEO of UofL Health, Smith will lead a regional academic health system made up of nine hospitals, four medical centers, Brown Cancer Center and Eye Institute. UofL Health has 250 locations in Kentucky and Southern Indiana, with more than 1,200 providers. With his appointment, UofL Health becomes the only physician-led health system in the region.

“As a combined system, UofL Health has had a tremendous impact in a short period of time. As we transition into our new future, our focus will remain clear: to sustain our financial health, support our workforce, and advance our academic mission so that every patient receives the highest quality of care—close to home, from a team that reflects the very best of this community,” Smith said.

According to the , more than 750,000 people in the U.S. will have a stroke each year. In Kentucky, strokes are the fifth leading cause of death, underscoring their significant impact both locally and nationally.

Recognizing the urgent need for improved therapies, and the University of Louisville are actively participating in a pivotal clinical trial known as the . This study focuses on patients who come to the emergency department 4.5 to 24 hours after the onset of an ischemic stroke and who are not candidates for standard treatment methods, such as previously approved clot-dissolving medications or mechanical interventions.

Upon arrival, patients undergo a comprehensive evaluation and advanced imaging to determine eligibility. If they meet all criteria, they may be enrolled in the study and randomly assigned to receive one of five doses of the investigational drug TS23, a type of clot-dissolving drug, or a placebo. The treatment is delivered through a single 20-minute infusion, followed by close monitoring and imaging at 30 hours post-treatment, with additional follow-up evaluations at 30 and 90 days to assess outcomes and recovery.

a neurosurgeon with , a part of , and associate professor in the Department of Neurological Surgery at the , leads the study at the Louisville site.

“By bringing this trial here, we are creating an opportunity for patients in town to get access to cutting-edge therapies that they otherwise could not access and at time windows during a stroke that typically prohibit them from getting a treatment drug. That is exciting,” Abecassis said.

Through innovative research initiatives like the SISTER trial, and UofL School of Medicine are working to enhance recovery, reduce long-term neurological damage and expand access to advanced stroke care. These efforts create opportunities for more personalized treatment, offering hope to patients and their families facing the life-altering effects of stroke.

Recognizing the signs and symptoms of a stroke is crucial. The acronym BE FAST can help you remember the most common warning signs:

• Balance lost – sudden loss of balance or coordination
• Eyes blur – sudden trouble seeing or blurred vision in one or both eyes
• Face drooping – one side of the face droops or is numb
• Arm weakness – sudden weakness or numbness of an arm or leg, especially on one side of the body
• Speech difficulty – sudden confusion, trouble speaking, or difficulty understanding speech
• Time – note the time the symptoms started and call 911 immediately

If you or someone around you experiences any of these symptoms, seek emergency medical care right away. Quick action can make a significant difference in treatment and recovery.

By Allison Dulin, UofL Health

The largest of these gifts, a $3 million investment��in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) at��,��will help create eight new private family rooms designed to improve outcomes for medically fragile newborns.

“Through their investment in UofL and UofL Health, Kosair for Kids makes it possible for us to provide critical care to pediatric patients and their families—from the NICU, to Frazier Rehab��Institute, to the School of Dentistry,” said University of Louisville President and Chair of the UofL Health Board of Directors Gerry Bradley. “Family-centered care is proven to improve outcomes, and these investments will truly change lives. We are honored to join Kosair for Kids in making this care possible for the children of our region.”

Each year, the NICU at UofL Hospital provides care for more than 400 newborns, with nearly 90% coming from low-income households.��The NICU expansion will convert outdated open-bay nursery space into private rooms, allowing parents to stay with their infants, strengthening family bonds and supporting improved medical outcomes.

“We are deeply grateful to Kosair for Kids for their extraordinary generosity and continued partnership with UofL Health and UofL. This investment in our NICU is transformational,” said UofL Health Interim CEO Jason Smith. “It means more families can remain together during critical moments of care and more babies will have the best possible chance at a healthy start. Thanks to Kosair for Kids, we can extend hope and healing to the youngest and most vulnerable in our community.”

In addition to the NICU expansion, Kosair for Kids will also be supporting two additional initiatives:

• $47,300 to����to purchase specialized pediatric rehabilitation equipment, including the Bioness L300 Go Plus System, which helps children with neurological conditions strengthen mobility and independence.
• $50,000 to the , ensuring children and families experiencing financial hardship continue to receive essential oral health services.

For more than a century, Kosair for Kids has been dedicated to enhancing the health and well-being of children in Kentucky and southern Indiana. These latest gifts build on its longstanding collaboration with UofL and UofL Health, helping ensure every child has the best opportunity to grow, heal and thrive.

“Dr. Smith is a distinguished physician and leader, uniquely positioned to continue the momentum of UofL Health,” Gerry Bradley, University of Louisville president, said. “His combination of clinical experience, innovative leadership and consensus building is well known among our team and colleagues across the nation. I look forward to the impact he will have on the health of our community and commonwealth.”

Smith has served as CMO for UofL Health since its inception in November 2019 and served as CMO for UofL Health – UofL Hospital from 2017 to 2019. He has been a member of the University of Louisville School of Medicine faculty since 2008.

“I strongly believe in the mission of UofL Health,” Smith shared. “Being able to serve our organization in this role is exciting and I look forward to continuing to work alongside our team to provide quality, patient-centered care to our community. I want to thank former CEO, Tom Miller, for his leadership and the UofL Health Board for this opportunity.”

During the COVID-19 pandemic, Smith led the health system’s response and served as an expert voice throughout Kentuckiana and the commonwealth.

Last year, he was awarded the Paragon Award from the Greater Louisville Medical Society for his outstanding contributions to health care leadership, advocacy for gun violence victims and his commitment to the education of future physicians.

Smith earned his undergraduate degree in chemistry from Wright State University before completing his��medical��degree��at��The��Ohio��State��University. He completed his residency in��surgery at The Ohio State University before joining the University of Louisville. Smith earned his Ph.D. in physiology and biophysics from UofL in 2012. He received a master of business administration from the Kelley School of Business at Indiana University in 2019. He is board-certified in general surgery and critical care by the American Board of Surgery.

For more information on the UofL Health, visit: .

About UofL Health

UofL Health is a not-for-profit (501(c)(3)) fully integrated regional academic health system with nine hospitals, four medical centers, Brown Cancer Center, Eye Institute, more than 250 physician practice locations, and more than 1,200 providers in Louisville and the surrounding counties, including southern Indiana. Additional access to UofL Health is provided through a partnership with Carroll County Memorial Hospital.

��Affiliated with the University of Louisville School of Medicine, UofL Health is committed to providing patients with access to the most advanced care available. This includes clinical trials, collaboration on research and the development of new technologies to both save and improve lives. With more than 14,000 team members – physicians, surgeons, nurses, pharmacists and other highly-skilled healthcare��professionals, UofL Health is focused on one mission: to transform the health of communities we serve through compassionate, innovative, patient-centered care. For more information on UofL Health, go to .

result from a weakened area in an artery of the brain that fills with blood and causes outward bulging or ballooning.

The Saccular Endovascular Aneurysm Lattice System Interventional Pivotal Trial () focuses on the safety and effectiveness of the SEAL system, which can be used to treat patients with ruptured and unruptured brain aneurysms in a range of sizes.

“I’m excited to be a part of groundbreaking aneurysm treatment research, and for the opportunity to bring patients in Louisville and the surrounding region a novel treatment option not yet widely available,” said ��a neurosurgeon with Brain & Spine Institute and assistant professor in the UofL Department of Neurological Surgery. “The device is small enough that we can use a minimally invasive technique via an artery in the groin to deliver the device and disrupt the blood flow to the aneurysm, causing it to clot and heal, while decreasing the need for more invasive procedures like a craniotomy.”

Patients with brain aneurysms are usually asymptomatic until their aneurysm ruptures. A ruptured aneurysm is a form of stroke and a potentially life-threatening condition that can result in brain damage or death.

“As an academic health care system affiliated with the University of Louisville, we are committed to providing our patients with the latest innovative treatments, including those offered through clinical trials,” said Joshua Beardsley, system vice president of neurosciences and spine. “I’m proud of our providers for helping to pioneer the next generation of aneurysm care.”

About SEAL IT

SEAL IT is a prospective, U.S. and international single-arm, multicenter, interventional study. The clinical trial seeks to establish the safety and effectiveness of the system in treating patients with wide neck unruptured or ruptured intracranial aneurysms that are less than or equal to 19 millimeters in widest diameter. Data such as imaging and patient presentation will be collected from participants immediately after their procedure in addition to three, six and 12 months after their procedure. Participants will receive follow-ups annually for five years.

Support of TILs cell therapy

Half of this incredible investment in the Brown Cancer Center, $1.5 million, supports the TILs program by providing funding for research staff, supplies and faculty time dedicated to clinical trials. The goal is to increase capacity and access for participants in clinical trials for TILs and other immunotherapies.

The Brown Cancer Center is a lead enrolling center in TILs trials and has had patients travel to Louisville from all over the United States. The success of the program is directly related to the Gibbs Foundation initial investment of $1.5 million in 2022.

This philanthropic investment follows FDA approval of the cell product AMTAGVI (lifileucel), developed by Iovance Biotherapeutics for the treatment of melanoma patients. The Brown Cancer Center participated in these clinical trials leading to this FDA approval and is one of the first authorized treatment centers.

Although the initial FDA approval is specific to metastatic melanoma, the expansion of this cellular therapy to other cancers is being tested at Brown Cancer Center and elsewhere with a goal to obtain FDA approval in several solid tumor types in the future. Read more on the FDA approval in the .

Creation of Gibbs Pancreatic Cancer Research Program

Through $1.5 million over three years, the Gibbs Pancreatic Cancer Research Program will be created at the University of Louisville to support efforts in testing novel therapeutic agents for the treatment of pancreatic cancer. Five $50,000 pilot grants will be awarded to researchers each year for the development of novel therapeutics to treat pancreatic cancer and increase clinical trials dedicated to treating pancreatic cancer. This center will also provide funding for trial research staff and faculty time dedicated to these projects.

“The Gibbs Foundation is thrilled to be continuing our partnership with the Brown Cancer Center and the fight against cancer. Based on the positive outcomes of so many patients who have been through the TILs program, it is a battle we are winning,” said executive director of the Gibbs Foundation Hannah Roquet. “The creation of the Gibbs Pancreatic Cancer Research Program is especially meaningful as it continues the legacy of our founder, George Gibbs, who fought his own battle valiantly, and provides the opportunity for groundbreaking research in a cancer that has taken the lives of many too quickly and without warning. ��We are looking forward to the future of this very special program.”

The Gibbs Foundation, Inc. was established in 2014 by George Gibbs of Louisville who died in 2022 of pancreatic cancer at age 87. The Gibbs Foundation previously supported health research at UofL through gifts of more than $2.5 million to create and expand the��Gibbs Lung Research Program.

“The Brown Cancer Center has one goal – to end cancer,” said Jason Chesney, chief administrative officer and director of the Brown Cancer Center, who also serves as chief of the Division of Medical Oncology and Hematology at the UofL School of Medicine. “As more cancer centers across the country begin to implement TILs programs, we will be saving more lives. Through the philanthropy of the Gibbs Foundation, we continue to be one step closer to achieving this goal. Their dedication to finding a cure and increasing access to novel therapeutics is astounding.”

More information on TILs therapy and UofL Health – Brown Cancer Center is available at .

“I want to thank our state leaders for recognizing the importance of investing to improve access to innovative cancer care, education and research,” said, University of Louisville President. “Building this new regional site for our Brown Cancer Center extends opportunities to benefit from our expertise, research and innovative clinical trials. Kentuckians, particularly in our rural counties and mid-sized cities, need better access to those resources.”

Kentucky has the highest death rate of cancer in the U.S. (182.8 deaths per 100,000 total population), and almost 10,000 Kentuckians die of cancer each year. Twice as many Kentuckians died of cancer than of COVID-19 during the past three years, and cancer rates are expected to increase by 50% in the next 20 years. Cancer health care costs in Kentucky are $2.74 billion per year, while productivity losses from morbidity and early deaths in Kentucky cost an additional $3.1 billion per year.

“This will make a great addition to the newly opened hospital here in Bullitt County providing cancer research, training and treatment for the whole state,” said Kentucky Sen. Michael J. Nemes. “This location, along the I-65 corridor, will mean much easier access to quality cancer care for thousands of Kentucky residents. This is one of those transformational projects that will lead to better health outcomes, some that could mean the difference in life-or-death treatment.”

“As the new representative for the 26th District, I was extremely proud to vote on this budget which included $25 million for the cancer center on the UofL Health – South Hospital campus,” said Kentucky rep. Peyton Griffee. “Bringing the cancer center here is a game-changer for Bullitt County and so many more rural counties that will now have closer access to cancer treatment and research. The health and well-being of our citizens will continue to be a priority for me and our General Assembly.”

Subspecialty cancer care with comprehensive clinical trials programs and multidisciplinary clinics has been proved to reduce cancer deaths. Currently, there are no comprehensive cancer centers outside of Lexington and Louisville that offer multidisciplinary subspecialist care, clinical trials, access to state-of-the-art screening, and educational and support programs for cancer patients.

“Improving access to health care is our steadfast commitment to the commonwealth, especially in areas that are underserved,” said Tom Miller, UofL Health CEO. “I applaud our elected leaders for working with us to reduce barriers to cancer care for patients in our more rural communities.”

Patients from south, central and western Kentucky have relied on the Brown Cancer Center for a long time. In the last year alone, the Brown Cancer Center’s oncologists saw patients from nearly every Kentucky county, including more than 15,000 outpatient encounters from south, central and western Kentucky.

“The Brown Cancer Center has one unifying mission: To make cancer a disease of the past,” said��, director of the Brown Cancer Center. “We are getting closer to that goal and this new regional cancer center brings cutting-edge cancer care and lifesaving clinical trials closer to more Kentuckians.”

The new cancer center will serve as a network base for clinical trials, enhanced nursing/physician educational programs, cancer screening and outreach with partnering oncologists throughout the region. These academic pursuits will be integrated with the Brown Cancer Center’s comprehensive and multidisciplinary programs which attract cancer patients come from all over the United States for second opinions and innovative and highly effective treatment options that are not available at any other cancer centers in our region.

“After my diagnosis of a rare form of melanoma, my close-to-home treatment options were very limited,” said patient Chris Sutton, from Eddyville in rural western Kentucky. “My physician in Paducah referred me to Dr. Chesney. I was fortunate to be able to make the 400-mile round trip every three weeks, but other rural Kentuckians are not. This new center is an important first step to bringing the Brown Cancer Center’s world-class care to more Kentuckians. It will truly save lives.”

Initial plans include space for 20 infusion rooms, five exam rooms, oncology pharmacy and a diagnostic imaging suite. An education space will include a lecture hall, video conferencing space and conference rooms; training for oncology nurses and physicians in clinics; and offer rotations with community oncologists from south central and western Kentucky. A research laboratory for specimen processing and research space for data collection will support cancer clinical trials and translational research.

“For more than 30 years, the����has been UofL’s partner, the outreach and community screening arm of the Brown Cancer Center,” said����interim dean of the UofL School of Medicine and UofL Physicians head and neck cancer surgeon. “����ֱ��, screening and outreach have always been an important part of our mission to serve the underserved. This new Center for Rural Cancer ����ֱ�� and Research will put us closer to community oncologists and underserved patient populations.”

A patient wellness center, in collaboration with the Kentucky Cancer Program, and a cancer screening program connecting primary care providers to innovative screening technologies will provide additional cancer outreach and education to south, central and western Kentucky.

Final design work is underway on the new cancer center, with a groundbreaking expected in the next 12 months. The anticipated opening will be in early 2026.

For more information on UofL Health – Brown Cancer Center visit,��.

The Central High School gives west Louisville students an up close and personal experience with a career in medicine. Students shadow UofL doctors during rounds at , scrub into operating rooms and witness surgeries. They also get to practice performing simpler procedures, like sutures, through this immersive curriculum.

The program launched in the fall semester of 2022, making this the second white coat ceremony to date, but already, the program’s success cannot be underestimated. Leaders like Edward Miller anticipate nearly 75% of students who receive their white coat will continue their journey towards a profession in a health care-related field.

“For two years now, we have witnessed and will continue to witness the changes this program makes to our community,” said , UofL Physicians – OB/GYN & Women’s Health and assistant professor in the Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Women’s Health at the UofL School of Medicine. “We’ve already connected dozens of students to meet, work with and befriend doctors, nurses and so many more health care professionals, and eventually that number will turn to hundreds, then thousands. These students will no longer be able to say that they have never seen a doctor that looks like them.”

As juniors in this program, these students rotate through each of the core medical clerkships from OB/GYN to emergency medicine in an effort to learn which field best suits them. In their senior year, they’ll get to choose which area of medicine they wish to pursue for their future and have one-on-one mentorship with leaders in those specialties.

“This program is an extension of the commitment to transform the health of our community by engaging with the next generation of health care professionals,” said . “We want to share our passion to care for people, hoping to inspire more students to consider nursing, medical school and other health careers at UofL Health.”

This year’s white coats were donated by Humana. Each one placed on the shoulder of a student serves as a reminder of ambitions that can be fulfilled. This historic partnership connects UofL Health, Central High School, UofL School of Medicine, the Falls City Medical Society and Humana to encourage the future generation towards a career in the medical field.

“The White Coat Ceremony is a true testament to the opportunities that can be achieved through collaboration and a commitment to the success of our city’s youth,” said Jeffrey Bumpous, MD, interim dean of the UofL School of Medicine. “Part of our mission is to educate the next generation of physicians and contribute to the health and wellness of the community—locally, regionally, nationally and globally. Thanks to partnerships like this driven by our Office of Community Engagement and Diversity, our faculty physicians can engage the next generation of health care professionals.”

The pre-medical pipeline program offers educational opportunities, college credit and hundreds of thousands of dollars in scholarships. At the end, students will be equipped with knowledge, resources and mentorship to lead the change for this community.

“Donning a white coat holds special significance for our students,” said . “Being viewed as a member of the UofL Health team is a tremendous opportunity as our students get hands on experience with the doctors and other health care professionals whose footsteps many of them hope to follow.”

Students in the Central High School Magnet Career Academy are selected for admission through a competitive process with over 100 applicants that includes achievement test scores, grade point average, personal essays and teacher recommendations. Central has the second-highest number of Governor’s Scholars in the district. Central is one of two high schools in Kentucky to offer Montessori education.

The pre-medical magnet program starts accepting applicants in a student’s freshman year. For more information on how to apply, .��

To donate to the program, .

“Expanding access to quality affordable health care is a priority for our administration,” Gov. Andy Beshear said. “The investments we have made in our health care industry help give our families peace of mind and make Kentucky a safer, healthier place to call home.”

��(Brooks exit #121), South Hospital is ideally positioned to support one of Kentucky’s fastest growing regions. In addition to inpatient beds, including a 10-bed intensive care unit, the new full-service acute care hospital is bringing more providers. It will also provide enhanced heart care services, including cardiac and vascular catheterization labs and STEMI Network for faster treatment of acute heart attacks, expanded emergency capabilities including a “fast track” area for quicker treatment and discharge, expanded cardiopulmonary services, state-of-the art pharmacy, laboratory and sterile processing areas and increased surgical suites for inpatient and outpatient procedures.

“When access is improved, health is improved — and that is why UofL Health is investing in Bullitt County,” said Tom Miller, UofL Health CEO. “Our mission is to transform the health of our communities, and this hospital allows us to serve more patients with world-class and transformative care.”

As part of an academic health system, the hospital brings additional advantages, including access to a comprehensive collection of medial expertise and early access to innovative treatments.

“The need for a full-service hospital in this area is well-documented,” said University of Louisville President Kim Schatzel. “This remarkable new facility brings together expanded high-quality services and the expertise of an academic medical system. It will allow more of our doctors and nurses to serve the people of Bullitt County and the surrounding community.”

The project has evolved the existing medical center, built in 2006, into a hospital, tripling the size of UofL Health’s presence in the area, adding more than 100,000 square feet and an additional two floors. In addition to inpatient services, the new hospital also now includes all the support amenities such as food service, a cafeteria and chapel.

“This hospital builds on the legacy of care established here for nearly 20 years,” said Dorie Shelburne, UofL Health – South Hospital CEO. “Now, as a full-service community hospital, we will provide much-needed inpatient care. When an overnight hospital stay is required, most patients will be able to stay close to home and closer to their family.”

To support the expanded care, more than 150 new employees have joined the team, including nursing and ancillary positions.

“The evolution into an inpatient hospital brings convenience, but much more. South Hospital will improve quality care and medical outcomes for our patients,” said Dr. Emily Volk, South Hospital chief medical officer. “Our medical team includes specialists in critical care, orthopedic surgery and interventional cardiology, just to name a few,��along with the continued connection to our larger UofL Physicians network.”

South Hospital anticipates serving patients from Bullitt, Spencer, Nelson, Meade and Hardin counties, along with southern Jefferson County. With the opening of South Hospital, UofL Health now includes nine hospitals across the system.

The study surveyed 92 children and 64 caregivers who were participating in the program at the time—52% responded to the questionnaire, leading to the results published in .

Students in the (SNMA) worked closely with UofL Health trauma surgeons and to create the Future Healers Program in 2020. The program helps Louisville youth who have been affected by violence to navigate the trauma, and inspires them to build a better future for themselves and their communities by introducing them to opportunities in the medical field. The partnership has brought more than 100 kids to the program, and its success has inspired Vanderbilt University Medical Center to replicate the initiative in 2023.

The study found that children and their caregivers with significant exposure to gun violence had a positive overall perception of the health care community, a compliment to the longtime goal of the Future Healers founders.

Louisville has seen a significant increase in gun violence within the last decade. The health care response from the , paired with the Future Healer Program, aims to create hope for the kids in this community.