Flaget Memorial celebrates 10th anniversary of new hospital - Archived

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Flaget Memorial celebrates 10th anniversary of new hospital

Bardstown, Ky. (July 6, 2015) – On June 25, 2015, staff members, volunteers, board members and members of the Sisters of Charity of Nazareth (SCN) congregation came together for a celebration marking 10 years in the current location of Flaget Memorial Hospital, part of KentuckyOne Health. The current facility opened its doors on KY 245 in the Summer of 2005.

Flaget President Sue Downs spoke about the opening of the original hospital near downtown Bardstown in 1951.

“It meant that doctors could deliver infants in a safe setting equipped for emergencies,” rather than helping women birth babies in farmhouses,” Downs said. “In addition, it meant that patients coping with a crisis, like a ruptured appendix, wouldn’t need to journey to Louisville for care. Because Bardstown had a hospital – countless lives were saved.”

Former Flaget President Bruce Klockars, who supervised the building of the new hospital at the current site, spoke of the many awards the facility has won, including being named one of America’s 100 Top Hospitals five times; a Joint Commission Top Performer on Key Quality Measures; one of Becker Hospital Review’s Top 65 Great Community Hospitals in the nation; a J.D. Powers & Associates Distinguished Hospital for Inpatient Service Excellence; and a Cleverly & Associates Community Value Five-Star Hospital.

SCN President Sister Susan Gatz told those assembled that Flaget Hospital’s staff members have continued the traditions of the SCNs, who founded the hospital. Bardstown Mayor John Royalty said he was born in Flaget’s nursery 55 years ago. The mayor expressed thanks to all whose vision enabled the present campus to become a reality.

In keeping with the hospital’s faith-based heritage, the Rev. Karl Lusk, Flaget’s chaplain coordinator, offered a prayer of rededication of the Flaget campus and all who provide health care there.

A part of the hospital’s Serenity Garden was designated by a special prayer as the site for the burial of a time capsule that will contain items from every hospital department. Lusk noted that the capsule and its contents are not merely articles of curiosity, but symbols of Flaget’s commitment to holistic health care continuing into the future.

The time capsule, which is to be opened in 2040, was donated by Vogt Vault Company and Field Houghlin. The marker was donated by Pat Spalding at the Kentucky Monument Company.