Pikeville, Kentucky: New Healthcare Initiative Launched at SOAR Summit

Who: University of Kentucky (UK) leadership, including President Eli Capilouto, Governor Andy Beshear, U.S. Representative Hal Rogers, and Pikeville Medical Center (PMC) officials.

What: The launch of the Advancing Kentucky Together Network, a new healthcare initiative aimed at enhancing health outcomes and workforce training across the state.

Where: Announced during the annual SOAR Summit held in Pikeville, Kentucky.

When: The initiative was revealed on October 18, 2024, after approval from UK’s Board of Trustees during their annual retreat, in conjunction with the SOAR Summit event.

Why: The initiative seeks to address growing health, education, and workforce needs in Kentucky, focusing on collaboration with local healthcare providers.

During the recent SOAR Summit in Pikeville, UK President Eli Capilouto announced an ambitious new healthcare initiative, the Advancing Kentucky Together Network. The program, which has already partnered with PMC, aims to significantly improve health outcomes and training resources across the Commonwealth.

Capilouto unveiled the initiative as part of the university’s continued commitment to enhancing healthcare in Kentucky. “Partnership is the key word,” he stated. The initiative plans to invest millions in developing new resources through UK HealthCare, establishing a comprehensive model for healthcare improvement.

The announcement was made alongside the delivery of a $40.7 million check from the U.S. Economic Development Administration’s Recompete Pilot Program to the SOAR organization. Kentucky officials, including Governor Andy Beshear and U.S. Representative Hal Rogers, were present to emphasize the importance of collaboration and investment in local health initiatives.

The initial focus of the Advancing Kentucky Together Network will be clinical partnerships, with plans to expand based on the needs of participating organizations. Capilouto expressed optimism that more healthcare providers would join the network to collaborate in improving health outcomes throughout the state.

“Our ultimate goal is to advance the health of all Kentuckians,” Capilouto reiterated, highlighting the initiative’s broader intention to prevent diseases, not just treat them.

Pikeville Medical Center President Donovan Blackburn echoed the sentiment, emphasizing the collaborative potential of the new network. “We want to do more than any institution in this country in partnership with you to advance the healthcare of the state we serve,” he committed, reinforcing the university’s partnership approach.

The Advancing Kentucky Together Network marks a significant step for healthcare in Kentucky, uniting educational institutions with medical providers to address critical health challenges faced by the state.