For nearly 200 years, University of Louisville Hospital has played a key role in caring for patients in our region, and in finding better ways to care for patients around the world. Our story is one of robust growth, stretching back to 1817 when the Kentucky General Assembly mandated the establishment of a hospital to serve the growing frontier town of Louisville.

Ours is also a history filled with numerous innovations that set new standards in healthcare. From early breakthroughs, such as the first successful operation on a human abdominal stab wound and the nation’s first accident service, to today’s innovations that drive how the medical world treats patients in many specialized areas, University Hospital is creating the knowledge to heal — and then putting it to work healing patients.

Recent Highlights

• As the focal point for cancer research and treatment, the James Graham Brown Cancer Center has made significant strides in its quest to become Kentucky’s first and only NCI Designated Cancer Center and is poised to obtain this distinction in the near future.

• University Hospital became the state’s first certified Stroke Center, demonstrating how the hospital and UofL School of Medicine are commanding the battle against the third-leading cause of death, and one of the leading causes of long-term disability, in Kentucky.

• University Hospital provides more than $100 million in medical care to the uninsured each year.

• University Hospital hosts the region’s most comprehensive trauma program.

University Hospital Through the Years

1817: Kentucky General Assembly sets in motion plans for city’s first hospital, Louisville Marine Hospital, to serve citizens and boatmen working on busy Ohio River.

1823: Though unfinished, 80-bed Marine Hospital opens on Chestnut Street on land donated by two wealthy residents.

1836: Remodeling project adds two new wings to Marine Hospital and name is changed to Louisville City Hospital.

1870: City Council appropriates $39,000+ for hospital remodeling.

1911: Nation’s first accident service established at City Hospital.

1914: New $942,000 hospital opens on Chestnut Street, encompassing 11 buildings and 500 patient beds.

1917: University of Louisville School of Medicine’s dean appointed hospital’s superintendent.

1927: On advice of AMA, five medical schools in Louisville unite to form UofL School of Medicine. By agreement with city, UofL assumes responsibility for medical service at City Hospital.

1937: Surrounded by water, hospital continues to operate during major flood, admitting 1,756 patients within three days. Hospital is only building in city to maintain electricity and elevator service throughout flood, with bulkheads at doors protecting generators.

1939: Hospital officially affiliated with the UofL School of Medicine; bed capacity increases to 537.

1941: American College of Surgeons recognizes City Hospital surgeon Dr. Joseph E. Hamilton for developing implement that eliminates need for surgical exploration in certain abdominal cases. Especially valuable for examining war wounds for perforation of peritoneum.

1942: Louisville City Hospital name changes to Louisville General Hospital and placed under management of non-partisan board. Also helping medical school prepare doctors for armed services in accelerated training program.

1958: New emergency room dedicated. Considered a model operation, architects and doctors from across U.S. frequently visit to study it.

1970: First phase of new university medical complex completed at a cost of $26M.

1971: Dr. Hiram C. Polk Jr. assumes chair of surgery and medical direction of Burn Unit. Significantly impacts surgical field with pioneering research on using antibiotics to reduce surgical site infections; innovations in burn care, trauma surgery and systems development; contemporary surgical training methods and models; and more.

1975: State’s first licensed paramedics graduate from General Hospital pilot program. Class includes 15 City of Louisville EMS paramedics and one Jefferson County Police officer paramedic. City’s first official EMS service established the following year.

1976: Construction begins on second phase of medical center, which includes new $70M, 380-bed acute care hospital and outpatient facility.

1979: General Hospital deeded to UofL and becomes known as University Hospital.

1980: Kentucky office of Emergency Medical Services recognizes University Hospital’s Emergency Surgical Services as Level 1 Trauma Center — state’s first.

1982: New University Hospital complex opens; StatFLIGHT helicopter ambulance service begins — one of first air ambulance services to have flight crew of emergency medical physicians and nurses certified in advanced cardiac life support,

1983: Humana Health Care assumes University Hospital management and name changes to Humana Hospital-University of Louisville. Operation moves from old site to “bright, clean, air conditioned building” down the street.

1993: Hospital name changes to University of Louisville Hospital.

1996: University Medical Center Inc. (partnership of University of Louisville, Jewish Hospital HealthCare Services, Norton Healthcare) assumes management responsibility for University Hospital and James Graham Brown Cancer Center.

2007: Jewish Hospital HealthCare Services and Norton Healthcare withdraw from University Medical Center. A community-based board is formed.