In the heart of every community hospital, you will find patients and employees who take great pride in their hospital. But at UofL Health – Mary & Elizabeth Hospital, that’s not all you’ll find. At the community hospital located in Southwest Louisville, there is a cohort of residents who take just as much pride in their hospital as those who have grown up living in the community—and the residency programs are now expanding, bringing even more excitement to the hospital.  

The hospital alreadyhosts awiderange of residency programs. From the Family Medicine Residency program in an adjacent medical plaza to the 24/7 inpatient rotations through the hospitalist program, the hospital has long been providing a unique and fulfilling residency option for residents. Currently, residents are training in areas including General Surgery, Vascular Surgery, Urogynecology, Urology, Podiatry, Orthopedics, Neurology, Cardiology and more. While UofL Health – Mary & Elizabeth Hospital may be a community hospital, it’s rich with specialists who are committed to academic medicine and to preparing the next generation of physicians.  

That commitment is set to deepen. Melisa Adkins, CEO of UofL Health – Mary & Elizabeth Hospital, shared that the hospital is preparing to expand residency opportunities through UofL Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences in the Medical Detox and Medical Behavioral Health units. She also hopes to have a robust resident pipeline in the Center for Women’s Health through the UofL Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology.  

“Partnering with the School of Medicine and being part of an academic health system provides the communities we serve with research-driven, evidence-based care, which in turn provides better outcomes for our patients,” Adkins explained. “We are always excited to show the community how the School of Medicinehas integrated academic-based care into the communities we serve.” 

As more and more residents join the hospital, the culture and environment shift to reflect continuous learning and excitement for the future of medicine. As the physicians and residents work together, teamwork and an interdisciplinary approach come to the forefront of patient care, creating a happier and healthier patient population. There is no secret that the residents bring a new energy to the campus at UofL Health – Mary & Elizabeth Hospital, and they have no plans of slowing down.  

"We believe the best training happens when residents are fully immersed in the communities they will one day serve,” said Jeffrey Bumpous, executive vice president for health affairs and dean of the School of Medicine. “That’s why our partnership with UofL Health – Mary & Elizabeth Hospital is so meaningful. There, residents bring energy, curiosity and dedication that blend seamlessly with the expertise of experienced physicians. This collaboration ensures our patients benefit today, while also supporting the future of medicine.” 

With a prime location in Southwest Louisville, the hospital provides trainees and physicians alike with the best of both worlds: an urban hospital setting with the close-knit feel of a community environment.That balance not only enhances the resident experience but also helps retain future physicians to the region. 

“Mary & Elizabeth Hospital will play a pivotal role in retaining physicians in our area.We are poised for growth and offer a vast array of opportunities for manyspecialties,” Adkins shared. “Patients want care close to home, and I believe we provide that for them in a friendly, academic-based community environment right in Louisville. Our residents, who will eventually be out on their own as practicing physicians, love this settingjust as much as our patients.” 

The University of Louisville School of Medicine is proud to partner with UofL Health and UofL Health – Mary & Elizabeth Hospital to create innovative, academically driven training environments. Whether in the heart of downtown Louisville or in Southwest Louisville, our residentsreceive exceptional training from compassionate physicians and hospital leaders dedicated to shaping the future of medicine.