Kentucky Hospital Association

09/16/2026

Kentucky’s progress in reducing overdose deaths did not happen by accident.

Through the Kentucky Statewide Opioid Stewardship program (KYSOS), hospitals across the Commonwealth are advancing evidence-based opioid prescribing, safer pain management and stronger connections to treatment and recovery.

Launched in 2018, KYSOS became the nation’s first comprehensive statewide hospital opioid stewardship program.

“When Kentucky invests in prevention, treatment, recovery support and evidence-based opioid stewardship, lives are saved.”

Read more: https://www.kyha.com/op-ed-kentucky-hospitals-are-helping-turn-the-tide-on-the-opioid-crisis/

When a Kentucky woman called an emergency department earlier this year, she wasn't asking whether treatment was available. Through tears, she was asking whether anyone would judge her for needing it.

09/14/2026

KHA hosted its second Regional Workplace Violence Prevention Symposium at Hazard ARH Regional Medical Center on Friday. Thank you to all our attendees, speakers, and our host hospital who made this event a success. Kentucky hospitals are doing vital work to keep both staff and patients safe! 𝗔𝗽𝗽𝗮𝗹𝗮𝗰𝗵𝗶𝗮𝗻 𝗥𝗲𝗴𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝗛𝗲𝗮𝗹𝘁𝗵𝗰𝗮𝗿𝗲

09/14/2026

The KHA quality team was pleased to serve as a sponsor for the 2026 Kentucky Association of Healthcare Quality Annual Conference. Deb Campbell, vice president of clinical strategy and transformation, and Casey Franklin, associate vice president of quality and health professions, celebrated the incredible progress KY Hospitals are making in the areas of sepsis, infection prevention, workforce development, quality process improvement, statewide opioid stewardship, and so much more!

09/10/2026

When it comes to sepsis, every minute counts.

That’s why Kentucky hospitals chose collaboration over competition. Today, 104 hospitals participate in the Kentucky Sepsis Consortium, sharing best practices and strengthening the early identification and treatment of this life-threatening condition.

Approximately 99 percent of patients arriving at participating emergency departments are screened for sepsis during triage. In 2025 alone, Kentucky hospitals screened more than 1.5 million emergency department patients.

Learn more in Interim CEO Melanie Landrum’s op-ed:

Last week, KHA released an op-ed to the media from Interim President and CEO Melanie Landrum highlighting statewide hospital collaboration to improve sepsis recognition and treatment.

09/09/2026

The Kentucky Statewide Opioid Stewardship (KYSOS) program team attended the 2026 Kentucky Recovery Rally in Frankfort on September 3. The event featured inspirational stories of hope and resilience along with free access to naloxone, information about recovery support programs, second chance employment, health care access, and other resources from community partners.
Harrison Memorial Hospital
Barbourville ARH Hospital
Mary Breckinridge ARH Hospital
Harlan ARH Hospital

09/09/2026

KHA Senior Vice President for Policy and Government Relations Jim Musser joined leaders at a small dinner hosted by Eastern Kentucky University yesterday, where he spoke with Dr. Samantha Brown-Parks, HHS Regional Director, about Food is Medicine and the impact of federal HR1 on Kentucky’s hospitals. He is also pictured with Brad Hall, EdD, MBA, Chief Medical & Strategic Partnerships Officer at EKU.

09/08/2026

Kentucky is turning the tide on addiction.

For the fourth straight year, overdose deaths have declined across the Commonwealth. Fatalities fell nearly 23 percent in 2025 and are now down by more than half from their peak in 2021.

That progress is worth celebrating, but it is not a reason to pull back. Kentucky hospitals continue to play a critical role in prevention, treatment and recovery.

In a new op-ed, KHA Interim CEO and Senior Vice President Melanie Landrum explains why the strategies that are working must be sustained, strengthened and expanded.

Read more: https://nkytribune.com/2026/08/opinion-melanie-landrum-kentucky-hospitals-are-helping-turn-the-tide-on-the-opioid-crisis/

09/07/2026

Hospitals never stop caring—and neither do the people who make that care possible.

This Labor Day, we are grateful for everyone who works in Kentucky's hospitals — from doctors, nurses and therapists to food service, environmental services, maintenance, security, registration, billing, administration and countless others. Every role matters. Every shift makes a difference.

Thank you for showing up for Kentucky patients and communities every day. Happy Labor Day!

09/04/2026

Today, T.J. Regional Health hosted Congressman Brett Guthrie, Dr. Mehmet Oz, Administrator of the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, hospital leaders from Kentucky’s 2nd Congressional District, and KHA Board Chair Donald Lloyd for a hospital roundtable. Hospital leaders shared the realities of delivering health care in rural communities and how decisions made at the federal level ultimately affect the patients, providers, hospitals, and communities at home.

Congressman Guthrie and Dr. Oz also toured the Pavilion, where they met with providers, staff, and patients and saw firsthand the people and services at the heart of rural health care.

Thank you to Congressman Guthrie and Dr. Oz for taking time to learn more about the challenges and opportunities facing rural health care, to the hospital leaders who shared their experiences in the Commonwealth with federal decision makers, and to TJ Regional for hosting this fantastic event.

Breckinridge Health
Med Center Health
Ohio County Healthcare
Owensboro Health
Owensboro Health Twin Lakes Medical Center
TriStar Greenview Regional Hospital
UK St. Claire
UK HealthCare
University of Kentucky
UofL Health

09/04/2026

Congratulation to the newest KHA Patient Safety Hero, Danielle Dewane, EVS Technician I at Baptist Health La Grange. Dewane received the KHA Patient Safety Hero Award for her exceptional attention to detail, proactive approach, and commitment to creating a safer environment for patients and staff.

Congratulations on this well-deserved recognition!