Partnership between UK and Norton extended, further defined

They still haven't agreed on how to spell "health care," and don't do it as we do, but the partnership announced last November between UK HealthCare and Norton Healthcare to implement stroke, cancer, transplant, obesity, obstetrics and heart initiatives has been extended and further defined.

"We have worked to identify opportunities for collaboration to improve the access and quality of care for Kentuckians close to their homes while making sure that patients with the most complex medical issues receive the care they need without have to leave the state," said Stephen A. Williams, Norton's president and CEO.

The partnership will establish and extend stroke and obesity education programs; expand teaching programs for UK medical students so they can do a rotation at Norton hospitals; and establish a transplant and specialty clinic in Louisville. Research initiatives in obesity and cancer are also part of the collaboration.

All of the work being done is meant to target what outgoing UK President Lee Todd calls "the Kentucky uglies," the state's most troubling and chronic health issues. According to Business Lexington, Kentucky ranks 15th nationwide in deaths per 100,000 caused by stroke or related disease. Kentucky is in the top five for cancer incidence and leads the country in lung cancer. In 2009, Kentucky's obesity rate was the fourth highest in the country and cost the state about $1.3 billion in health costs. And there is a shortage of obstetricians in the state, with as many as 71 of the state's 120 counties without an obstetrician. (Read more)