The Mettu Children’s Hospital Specialty Clinic at Pikeville Medical Center saw its first patient after officially opening its doors. The patient, Aurora, from Floyd County, is currently receiving care at UK Healthcare Joint Pediatric Heart Program in Lexington, KY.
Aurora saw Louis Bezold III, MD, certified by the American Board of Pediatrics, Cardiology with UK Healthcare at the new satellite location within the Mettu Children’s Hospital.
UK’s Kentucky Children’s Hospital and PMC are collaborating for the expansion of pediatric specialty services. The pediatricians will travel to Pikeville on selected days of the month for the specialty clinic.
“The collaboration between UK Healthcare Kentucky Children’s Hospital and our new children’s facility offers reassures eastern Kentucky families, “said Christy Prater, PMC’s Physician Practice Administration Clinical Director. “These patients now have access to exceptional heart treatment for children close to home.”
“Our goal is to offer pediatric specialty services that people have had to drive from 2 to 3 sometimes 4 hours for care. “Patients will be able to do their labs and diagnostic testing here.” said Donovan Blackburn, PMC President & CEO.
According to Dr. Mark Newman, UK HealthCare’s executive vice president of health affairs, the growth is about working together and “bridging the gap” between Lexington and Pikeville to ensure that all children and families have adequate access to quality care.
For more information about the Kentucky Children’s Hospital Pikeville Heart Clinic, call 859-407-6337
