Norton Healthcare history

Children’s Free Hospital opened in 1892 when civic activist Mary Lafon and two physicians were determined to create a hospital devoted to children with any illness or injury.

In 1926, members of a Louisville Catholic community opened St Joseph Infirmary, the largest private hospital in Kentucky at that time.

The original mansion-like infirmary building was expanded, before a new hospital building opened and remodeling took place in 1932.

Leaders from The United Methodist Church and the Evangelical Church (now United Church of Christ) joined together to fulfill their health care missions by opening Methodist Evangelical Hospital in 1960.

In 1970, a for-profit company purchased the hospital and 10 years later built a new facility that is now Norton Audubon Hospital.

"Every option was explored," including opening a junior college to save the school, but by 1974 "it was clear that closing was inevitable."

In 1926, members of a Louisville Catholic community opened St Joseph Infirmary, the largest private hospital in Kentucky at that time. It became part of the Norton Healthcare family in 1998 with the Alliant Health System purchase of Audubon and Suburban hospitals.

In July 2009, Norton Healthcare and Bellarmine formed a collaborative nursing venture to further address the community’s healthcare workforce needs.

In 2013, that partnership was renewed and a second focus—sports medicine—was added.

In 2016, Bellarmine and Norton Healthcare added strategic ventures related to campus wellness.