LOUISVILLE, Ky.  – Coronavirus, HIV, Ebola, severe acute repiratory syndrome (SARS) all specialities of those who work with infectious diseases.

Norton Healthcare announced Thursday it has established Norton Infectious Diseases Institute, which puts all the experts in one central location. Norton says the new center will be the best way for the hospital to help patients, families, and health care providers.

“What we have learned from COVID-19 will take us into the future of caring for patients with infectious diseases,” said Steven T. Hester, M.D., MBA, division president, provider operations, and system chief medical officer, Norton Healthcare. “With COVID-19, we were able to mobilize our efforts and bring multiple specialties together in ways we had not before.”

During the pandemic, the Norton Infectious Diseases team was able to start testing for its employees, patients, and the community. The team set up a process to help nursing homes and also, through its research arm, was able to provide the latest treatments to patients through the establishment of clinical trials.

“With these wonderful resources, we were able to offer innovative research therapies to our patients,” Dr. Hester said. “Currently, we have five active trials for COVID-19 patients and have nine more launching soon.”

Some conditions treated by Norton Infectious Diseases Institute specialists include:

  • Bone and joint infections
  • COVID-19
  • Clostridium difficile (C. diff)
  • Diabetic foot infections
  • Hepatitis B
  • Hepatitis C
  • HIV
  • Immune disorders
  • Mycobacterium
  • Osteomyelitis
  • Pneumonia
  • PEP (post-exposure prophylaxis) and PrEP (pre-exposure prophylaxis)
  • Shingles
  • Syphilis and other sexually transmitted infections (STIs)

This is the fifth institute established at Norton Healthcare. It joins Norton Cancer Institute, Norton Neuroscience Institute, Norton Orthopedic Institute, and, most recently, Norton Heart & Vascular Institute. 

 “We were fortunate that we had all of the pieces in place when COVID-19 came to this community,” Dr. Hester said. “By formalizing this institute and our efforts, we know this takes us to the next level to be ready for whatever lies ahead in the world of infectious diseases.”