Neurosciences, Patient stories - Norton Healthcare

Norton Healthcare nurse, 10 years seizure-free, living her dream after brain surgery

Very rarely does the average person stop in the middle of the work day to count their blessings. Often, living day to day is taken for granted. But for Emily Hughes, this could not be further from the truth. Despite the hustle and bustle of Norton Hospital’s ever-busy mother-baby unit, this postpartum nurse reminds herself…

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Patient stories - Norton Healthcare, Sports Health

MLB pitcher Brandon Pfaadt returns home to Louisville to train for the upcoming baseball season

It’s 10 a.m., just a few days before Christmas. Several people have braved the December cold. Their destination — the Norton Sports Health Performance & Wellness Center. Some are older adults preparing for their weekly fitness classes. Others are college athletes, in the building to begin a pre-holiday workout. But among the few dozen people…

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Neurosciences, Patient stories - Norton Healthcare, Stroke

30-year-old stroke survivor completes half marathon just 11 months after neurosurgery

As Russell Deakins crossed the finish line of the 2023 Urban Bourbon Half Marathon in Louisville, his eyes welled up with tears. “My only goal that day was to finish,” Russell said. “I got super emotional for the last 100 yards, because I could see the finish line and I knew I achieved it.” Years…

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Cancer, Patient stories - Norton Healthcare

‘When they saved my life, they saved Christmas’

Dressed as Santa Claus, David Grady was back at Norton Cancer Institute  to thank employees for their care and the compassion they demonstrated to him when he was a patient — and to encourage others who have received a diagnosis like his. Referring to the team who treated him, David said, “When they saved my life,…

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Heart, Heart Failure, Patient stories - Norton Healthcare

Women form lasting bond over shared heart transplant journeys

At age 30, Stephanie Deeley was diagnosed with familial cardiomyopathy — the same diagnosis that abruptly took the life of her father when he was just 31. Stephanie received a pacemaker and implanted defibrillator, and lived a full life until five years ago, when she began being shocked repeatedly by her defibrillator. “This is a…

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Employee stories - Norton Healthcare

Ambassador in the emergency department sees role as ‘gift from God’

Meet patient ambassador the Rev. Darlene Gardner — aka the comfort keeper. At the Norton Women’s & Children’s Hospital emergency department, her unwavering purpose to help others makes what she does so special. Through her compassion and care, Darlene has made a lasting impact on both the patients and staff at Norton Healthcare. This video…

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Faith and Health Ministries

Hospital greeter prays for patients

Barbara H. Spitznagel, guest services associate, is a front desk greeter at Norton Clark Hospital in Jeffersonville, Indiana. She is well-suited for the job — good-natured and easy to approach. Spitznagel is a person of deep faith who was baptized in 2015. She is a member of Graceland Baptist Church in New Albany, Indiana, where…

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Patient stories - Norton Healthcare, Sports Health

Norton Sports Health social worker coaches Bellarmine University athletes to reach peak mental performance

It’s Thursday afternoon at Knights Hall, and the sounds of leather hitting hardwood signal the Bellarmine University men’s basketball team is ready to start practice. Shooting drills dominate this afternoon’s day on the court — catch and shoot, two-dribble pullups, pick-and-pop. It’s easy to see how this physical training would translate to in-game performance. At…

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Brand Feature, Employee stories - Norton Healthcare

Celebration, reflection and appreciation for military veterans: A safety manager’s story

Some people are called to serve. From an early age, they know where their path will lead them, and every move they make is with that goal in mind. Others find it along the way. Andy Wells, safety manager at Norton Women’s & Children’s Hospital, wasn’t ready to jump into college or a skilled trade…

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Brand Feature, Employee stories - Norton Healthcare

A career of service: Navy veteran returns to hometown, brings ‘teamwork, discipline’ to job in health care

For one Navy veteran now building a career at Norton Healthcare, life’s journey so far has taken her from the West End of Louisville to an East Coast naval base, to the Persian Gulf aboard a warship and back to her hometown. Here’s her story. In 2003, amid a layoff from her job working in…

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Brain Cancer, Brand Feature, Cancer, Employee stories - Norton Healthcare, Norton Brownsboro

Hospital welcomes church service to grant wish of patient with brain cancer

In November 2022, Jonathan Parrish’s life took an unexpected turn when he began experiencing concerning health symptoms. Jonathan, a neurodiagnostic technologist at Norton Brownsboro Hospital, found himself grappling with nausea and vertigo. Because of his background in medical care, he wasted no time in seeking help. Medical imaging and blood tests soon uncovered the grim…

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Neurosciences, Patient stories - Norton Healthcare

First Kentucky patient begins lecanemab treatments for mild Alzheimer’s disease

Pam Jeffries’ symptoms presented themselves in the form of a question. “[Pam’s] two grandkids kept asking, ‘Pawpaw, why does Grandma keep repeating herself,’” her husband, Rick Jeffries, said. “The strange thing was, living in the moment, I never knew anything was wrong.” That’s when Rick began paying closer attention. He noticed his wife was different….

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