Correction: A previous version of this story said the The Summit Wellness Center was available to all first responders. It is an LMPD facility and pnly the third floor physical rehabilitation area is open to all first responders. (March 21, 2024)

LOUISVILLE, Ky. — The first responder wellness center that opened last fall in Louisville got national attention. In February, the Bureau of Justice Assistance, a division of the U.S. Department of Justice, sent representatives from 13 states to the Summit Wellness Center.

What You Need To Know

  • The Bureau of Justice Assistance, a division of the U.S. Department of Justice, sent representatives from 13 states to the Summit Wellness Center in Louisville

  • The Summit Wellness Center opened in October 2023 and is for all first responders

  • It was funded by the Federal American Rescue Plan and cost nearly $1.5 million.

  • The center’s five pillars are: physical, spiritual, mental, social and financial health.

Damon Goldstein has been using the Summit Wellness Center. He was born and raised in Louisville and joined the force about three and a half years ago.

“So I got into policing because I grew up in a broken home. Both parents were addicts, and I knew after being adopted by my grandmother that I wanted to make a change and go down a different path than my parents,” said Detective Damon Goldstein, Louisville Metro Police Department.

During mandatory ju-jitsu training at the Louisville Metro Police Department academy, the 31-year-old injured his ankle and thought he was going to have to medically retire.

“Everything was going good. I’m coming in to work, I’m working o.t. and hanging out with my friends and I’m serving the community, protecting and serving, and then out of nowhere, I got hit with a mac truck and just couldn’t walk. It was tough,” Goldstein said.

Weeks went by and doctors didn’t know what was wrong. The wellness center reached out to Goldstein and referred him to an orthopedist, and offered him physical therapy.

“The best benefit is not dealing with outside resources. That’s why one of the worst things is going to different doctors trying to figure out what was wrong with me, when I could’ve just came here and been referred to some of the best orthopedic surgeons that Louisville has to offer,” he said.

In 2018, the federal government passed the Law Enforcement Mental Health and Wellness Act of 2017, which prioritizes officer wellness. Then, in 2022, President Joe Biden signed an executive order supporting officer wellness. The LMPD said they and their partners recognized the importance placed on officer health and opened the wellness center in October. It was funded by the Federal American Rescue Plan and cost nearly $1.5 million.

“So we hope that these investments will pay off and show the rest of the country that if you do things together with your community a lot of good can come out of it,” said Major Bryan Edelen with the Louisville Metro Police Department.

Major Edelen said the Louisville facility has become the national model for officer wellness. Representatives came from 13 states to learn about the partnerships that made it happen and the center’s five pillars: physical, spiritual, mental, social and financial health.

“There is so much good, so much momentum happening here now, and we’re proud to assist other agencies and communities come up with a way to support their people like we are here now,” said Major Edelen.

As for Goldstein, he said the pain in his ankle is gone and he has 90% mobility back.

“Going back to full duty a few months ago. Super excited to do that because, you know, I was out for six months and yeah, it’s been an absolute blessing,” said Goldstein.

Goldstein is no longer in physical therapy but continues to come to the wellness center for strength and conditioning training.

The third floor physical rehabilitation area (ProTeam) is available to all first responders. 

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