Oct. 19, 2012 — University of Kentucky President Dr. Eli Capilouto visited the Center for Health, Education and Research at St. Claire Regional Medical Center (CHER) on Wednesday for the first time.
The $30 million, four-story 90,000-square foot structure is a collaborative effort with Morehead State University, St. Claire Regional and UK.
Capilouto was taken aback by the facility, walking the floors and seeing technological advancements in the building. He also heard testimony from officials and students.
“I’m amazed,” Dr. Capilouto said. “You can see it through the educational programs, in the commitment and the outreach to the community, the stories of the students and their experiences that are unique.”
“This is precious to the state of Kentucky, precious for Morehead and precious for the region,” he said.
The University of Kentucky’s College of Medicine operates its Rural Physician Leadership Program, the third and fourth year of medical school, as well as the Center for Excellence in Rural Health, the Office of Research and Engagement for Advancing Community Health (REACH) and the Kentucky Homeplace Program.
Dr. Capilouto said the partnerships and collaborations are key to the future in the Commonwealth.
“It didn’t start out of economic necessity,” Dr. Capilouto said. “It started out of a higher purpose: To treat patients and service an entire community. That’s what’s made it so successful.”
Joining Dr. Capilouto on his visit was Dr. Michael Karpf, executive vice president for health affairs at UK HealthCare. Dr. Karpf said the program wanted to let Dr. Capilouto know about the relationship between UK, MSU and SCR.
“What Morehead has is a medical center that’s focused on how to take care of the community,” Dr. Karpf said. “They have a group of physicians that are fully engaged so they are prepared to deal with health care in a much better way than most communities.”
The facility hosts St. Claire Regional’s family medicine clinic, family medicine residency, certified registered nurse anesthetist program and the Northeast Kentucky Area Health Education Center (AHEC). It also houses MSU’s bachelor’s and associate degrees in nursing, associate degree in radiologic sciences, and bachelor’s degrees in computed tomography/magnetic resonance and diagnostic medical sonography.
“We always feel like if we could bring someone like Dr. Capilouto here and he sees and feels the nature of our educational mission as well as our clinical mission that it can only create very positive feelings mutually as we partner going down the road,” Mark Neff, SCR president and CEO, said of the UK president’s visit.
CHER also hosts the master’s degree in physician assistant studies of UK’s College of Health Sciences.
Dr. Capilouto plans to visit the CHER building in the future.
“I saw the future here today in Morehead,” Dr. Capilouto said.
MacKenzie Bates can be reached at mbates@themoreheadnews.com or by telephone at 784-4116.
