LOUISVILLE, Ky. – Norton Healthcare announced five initiatives to tackle inequalities internally and within the community, including a $20 million investment in Louisville's underserved neighborhoods. 

What You Need To Know


  • Norton announces five initiatives to address inequalities

  • Pledges to invest $20 million in Louisville's underserved neighborhoods

  • $20 million will go towards permanent facilities and equipment

The announcement comes after protests across the nation and Louisville for racial justice and racial disparities present in coronavirus death rates. 

The five initiatives include:

  • Establishing the Norton Healthcare Institute for Health Equity which will identify and remove obstacles preventing people in underserved areas from receive healthcare and eliminatinate disparities in health care. Norton will conduct a national search for an executive director.
  • Ensuring access to primary care for everyone by providing more convenient and accessible care to level the playing field and ensure residents have equal access to healthcare.
  • Committing to mirror the community within Norton's leadership team and ensuring all team members have equal opportunities for growth and advancement.
  • Providing more education and advocacy internally on health policy issues to help workforce make informed choices, including advocacy for programs such as Medicaid, the Supplemental Nutrtition Assistance PRogram and Temporary Assistance for Needy Families. 
  • Investing $20 million over five years for permanent facilities and equipment in Louisville's underserved areas.

“When we announced our $5 million investment with the Louisville Urban League last fall, I said the investment was just the beginning and that we will be fully engaged in eliminating health care disparities in our community,” said Russell Cox, president and CEO of Norton Healthcare. “Since then, we have opened a primary care office in the West End YMCA building and tested nearly 1,000 people in underserved neighborhoods for COVID-19.

“Now we must collectively work harder and faster than ever to embrace and understand our differences, be more inclusive, create a sense of belonging, build a genuine welcoming environment for everyone, and ensure that all people have an equal chance to live a healthy life.”

Norton Healthcare