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News – Apr 2021

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Aaron Stewart, MD, Joins Baptist Health Medical Group

LOUISVILLE Louisville Baptist Health Medical Group welcomed Aaron Stewart, MD, in January 2021. Stewart specializes in women’s health during pregnancy and childbirth; diagnosis and treatment of disease of the female reproductive organs; and treatment for other women’s issues, such as menopause and hormone-related programs.

Stewart earned a medical degree from the UofL School of Medicine and completed a residency in Obstetrics & Gynecology at Medical College of Georgia. He is a member of the American College of Obstetrics & Gynecology.

Stewart is at 950 Breckenridge Lane, Suite 200, Louisville, KY 40207, and 4001 Kresge Way, Suite 134, Louisville, KY 40207.

Republic Bank’s Andy Powell Elected Chairman of Baptist Health Foundation Greater Louisville

LOUISVILLE Baptist Health Foundation Greater Louisville announced that Andy Powell has been elected its new foundation board chairman. Powell is currently EVP and chief lending officer for Republic Bank.

Powell has served on the foundation board since March of 2018, most recently in the role of vice chairman. Apart from his professional roles, Powell brings a wealth of board level experience, serving on the board of Bellarmine University’s Rubel School of Business, and previously on the board of Metro United Way and Louisville Science Center.

At Republic Bank, Powell is responsible for commercial lending, private banking, corporate banking treasury management and credit administration. He has a BBA in finance/marketing from University of Kentucky and an MBA from Bellarmine University

“Andy Powell brings a tremendous amount of energy and talent to the position of chairman,” said Larry Gray, president of Baptist Health Louisville. “His commitment to and enthusiasm for Baptist Health, combined with his professional skills and experience as the executive vice president of Republic Bank, make him the perfect person to take the fundraising arm of Baptist Health to a new level.”

Steve Trager, chairman and CEO of Republic Bank said, “The Baptist Health Foundation and Republic Bank share the same commitment to the community, and we are confident Andy will bring the same high-performance leadership to its board that he brings to Republic Bank.”

Justin Leighty Named Executive Director of Baptist Health Foundation Greater Louisville

LOUISVILLE Baptist Health Foundation Greater Louisville announced that Justin Leighty has been named its executive director.

Leighty has served in the role of philanthropy officer for the foundation since March 2019. In his new position, Leighty will work closely with the foundation board, the hospitals’ executive teams and the Baptist Health System Foundation executive leadership on strategic and operational development of all philanthropic activities including capital campaigns, major gifts, grants, annual giving, and fundraising events. Among his primary responsibilities are building and fostering relationships in the community.

Most recently Leighty worked as the senior director of development for the Brandeis School of Law and the director of development for the School of Music at the University of Louisville, where he simultaneously assisted both schools in their fundraising goals and securing scholarship endowments for students in need.

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UofL Health Announces VP of Cardiovascular Services

LOUISVILLE UofL Health announces the promotion of Debra Riley, DNP, to vice president of cardiovascular services. Riley has been the executive director with UofL Physicians – Cardiothoracic Surgery for the past year, working to align the cardiovascular and cardiothoracic practices into a fully integrated service line.

“I came to Louisville because of the experience and dedication of the physicians and the entire cardiovascular team,” said Riley. “UofL Health is home to the highest level of cardiovascular care in the state. The opportunity to be part of such incredible work was one I could not pass up.”

Riley came to UofL Health from Mercy Health in Paducah, Kentucky, where she led the cardiovascular service line. A graduate of University of Miami and Vanderbilt University, her experience as an advanced nurse practitioner and service line leader gives her a unique understanding of the business and clinical operations of the service line.

“Debra brings to this new role a wealth of knowledge, experience and enthusiasm and a passion for innovation in cardiovascular medicine,” said John Walsh, chief administrative officer of UofL Health – Jewish Hospital. “She, and her team, will expand advanced cardiovascular and cardiothoracic services for the benefit of the entire region.”

Prior to his relocating to Louisville, Leighty launched his development career with a small non-profit organization in Washington, DC. Leighty also served President George W. Bush as a paralegal for investigations in the Office of White House Counsel.

“Justin Leighty’s strengths as a leader, experience in community relations, and significant accomplishments in development will be a great asset in his role as the foundation’s executive director,” said Larry Gray, president of Baptist Health Louisville.

Repass Named Vice President of Clinical Support and Physician Specialty Services

LEXINGTON Greg Repass, MD, has been named vice president of clinical support and physician specialty services at Baptist Health Lexington. Repass previously served as the director for Baptist Health Lexington hospitalist services.

Repass is an internal medicine physician and has been an employee of Baptist Health Medical Group since 2013 serving as medical director since 2017. He is a graduate of Transylvania University and the University of Kentucky College of Medicine. He served his residency in internal medicine at the Mayo Clinic in Jacksonville, Florida.

Stephen K. Toadvine, MD, is New CEO of Harrison Memorial Hospital

CYNTHIANA Stephen K. Toadvine, MD, MPH, MMM is the new CEO for Harrison Memorial Hospital (HMH), taking over for retiring CEO Sheila Currans.

“Dr. Toadvine is an outstanding person and a perfect choice for HMH CEO,” said Currans. “He has a strong background in hospital operations, an excellent rapport with many in the physician and hospital community of central Kentucky, and a sincere desire to provide high quality patient care. I know he is committed to maintaining HMH as a strong, independent hospital.”

With fifteen years of experience as a healthcare executive, Toadvine served most recently as the vice president of clinical support at Baptist Health Lexington. He was responsible for specialty physician relationships and strategic initiatives, supervision of multiple ancillary service lines, management of all leasehold property arrangements, and served as executive liaison to the Baptist Health Lexington Foundation.

Toadvine’s prior healthcare executive experience includes serving as president of Baptist Health Medical Group, and serving as CMO at Baptist Health Lexington, Hardin Memorial Health, Baptist Health Corbin and Mountain States Health Alliance in southwestern Virginia. Before moving into hospital administration, Toadvine practiced the full scope of family medicine with obstetrics for sixteen years, primarily in Barbourville, Kentucky, and also served as a founding faculty member for two family medicine residency programs.

A native of Florence, Kentucky, he earned his Bachelor of Arts degree from Asbury University in Wilmore, Kentucky and his medical degree from Northwestern University Medical School. Toadvine completed his residency in family medicine at St. Elizabeth Healthcare in Edgewood, Kentucky. He completed his Master of Public Health degree from University of Pittsburgh Graduate School and his Master of Medical Management degree from Carnegie Mellon University.

In addition, Toadvine is a member of the American College of Healthcare Executives, the AMA, the American Association for Physician Leadership, and several other professional societies.

Toadvine has been married to his wife, Ann, for 38 years with six adult children. Dr. Toadvine has Harrison County roots dating back to 1800 with extended family living in the area.

“We are confident Dr. Toadvine brings to our hospital the perfect blend of leadership qualities and expertise,” said Patrick Darnell, HMH board of directors chairman. “With the addition of Dr. Toadvine and his experience, we look forward to continued growth at Harrison Memorial, continuing as it has for the last 115 years.”

UK HealthCare’s Gill Heart & Vascular Institute Collaborates with Norton Heart & Vascular Institute

LEXINGTON/LOUISVILLE UK HealthCare and Norton Heart & Vascular Institute announced a collaboration to expand advanced heart failure, ventricular assist device (VAD) placement and heart transplant services to Kentuckians.

Norton Heart & Vascular Institute will join the UK Gill Heart & Vascular Institute through UK’s affiliate network to expand care to heart failure patients.

“By working with Norton Heart & Vascular Institute, we hope to reduce the burden of cardiovascular disease across the state by expanding access to advanced heart failure care and providing more Kentuckians the opportunity to receive complex, lifesaving therapies,” said Susan Smyth, MD, director, Gill Heart & Vascular Institute.

“By collaborating with our colleagues at UK Gill Heart & Vascular Institute, we are truly striving to improve the outcomes and convenience of our patients,” said Joseph A. Lash, MD, chair, Norton Heart & Vascular Institute. “Patients in and around Louisville who need heart transplant care can continue to receive care close to home while awaiting that lifesaving procedure.”

The UK Gill Heart & Vascular Institute works with 18 affiliate network hospitals across the Commonwealth to enhance access to cardiovascular care. The network also includes 10 outreach locations, including the UK HealthCare Transplant & Specialty Clinic on the campus of Norton Audubon Hospital. This clinic allows cardiologists from UK HealthCare and Norton Healthcare who specialize in advanced heart failure and transplant care to evaluate patients pre- and post-operatively for heart transplant and VAD care.

“The UK Gill Affiliate Network works closely with cardiologists across the state to improve the lives of patients with heart disease. We are excited to collaborate with Norton Healthcare, which has a history of excellence in cardiac care and proven expertise in managing heart failure,” said Navin Rajagopalan, MD, heart failure cardiologist and associate director, UK Gill Affiliate Network.

Heart disease is the leading cause of death in Kentucky, and the Commonwealth has one of the highest rates of heart disease in the country. For advanced heart failure patients, a heart transplant may be necessary when their heart is no longer able to function properly.

UK HealthCare will continue to provide its patients with both heart transplant and VAD services. Norton Healthcare patients will receive VAD implantation services at Norton Audubon Hospital, under the care of a multi-disciplinary team of specialists. The VAD program at Norton Audubon Hospital recently received VAD accreditation from DNV GL – Healthcare and Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services.

“Our Advanced Heart Failure and Recovery Program team is caring for some of the sickest people in our community,” said Kelly McCants, MD, medical director, Advanced Heart Failure and Recovery Program, Norton Heart & Vascular Institute. “This collaboration allows our team to offer the community seamless access to a program with three decades of successful heart transplant experience, and preserves the local network of support that often has a big impact on long-term success.”

For patients who are candidates for heart transplantation, Norton Healthcare will collaborate with UK HealthCare. Heart transplant surgery will be performed at UK Healthcare, with pre-UK post-transplant care performed jointly by UK HealthCare and Norton Healthcare providers.