Overview

UofL Health – University Hospital is the premier academic medical center of the University of Louisville, serving as a vital regional referral center since its opening in 1980. As the only combined adult and pediatric Level I trauma center in southern Indiana and central/southern Kentucky, University Hospital provides cutting-edge care across more than 50 specialties, integrating patient care with groundbreaking research and medical education.

Clinical Services & Specialties

University Hospital offers a full spectrum of inpatient and outpatient services, including cardiology, oncology, neurosurgery, orthopedics, transplant, and high-risk obstetrics. The hospital’s advanced Heart and Vascular Institute features a state-of-the-art cardiac catheterization lab and electrophysiology suites. The James Graham Brown Cancer Center on campus provides multidisciplinary cancer care, with specialized programs in breast, lung, gastrointestinal, and pediatric oncology. University Hospital’s transplant program performs kidney, liver, and pancreas transplants with nationally recognized outcomes.

Education & Research

As the core teaching hospital for the University of Louisville School of Medicine, University Hospital trains hundreds of residents, fellows, and medical students annually. Faculty physicians are leaders in clinical trials, translating discoveries from the laboratory bench to the patient bedside. Researchers at the hospital are actively investigating novel therapies in regenerative medicine, immunotherapy, and minimally invasive surgical techniques.

Patient & Visitor Information

The 12-story facility houses over 400 patient beds, private and semi-private rooms, and dedicated family-centered care areas. The hospital campus includes a healing garden, multiple cafés, and free Wi-Fi. Patient- and family-centered services include interpreters, spiritual care, and patient navigators to assist with appointment coordination, financial counseling, and support groups. Visitor hours are generally 8 am to 8 pm, with extended access for critical care units; check the hospital’s website for unit-specific policies.

Accreditations & Awards

University Hospital is accredited by The Joint Commission and designated as a Magnet® hospital for nursing excellence by the American Nurses Credentialing Center. The American College of Surgeons verifies the hospital’s trauma and bariatric surgery programs, and the Commission on Cancer recognizes the cancer center for comprehensive care. UofL Health consistently ranks among the top hospitals in Kentucky for patient safety, clinical outcomes, and innovation in care delivery.

Community Outreach & Patient Resources

Committed to improving community health, University Hospital operates mobile health clinics across Louisville’s underserved neighborhoods, offering screenings, immunizations, and health education. The hospital hosts monthly seminars on chronic disease management and partners with local schools on nutrition and fitness programs. Patient resources include a robust online portal for appointment scheduling, test results, and telehealth visits, ensuring continuity of care beyond the hospital walls.

History & Milestones

Since its founding, University Hospital has expanded multiple times to meet growing community needs. Major milestones include the opening of the 100-bed Critical Care Tower in 1995, the establishment of the Kentucky Spinal Cord Injury Research Center in 2001, and the launch of the regional pediatric emergency department in 2014. Today, University Hospital continues to evolve, with planned expansions in robotic surgery, genomics, and virtual health services slated for completion within the next five years.