UK St. Claire Earns Advanced Primary Stroke Center Designation

UK St. Claire team members Scott Lilley, Dr. Daniel Lee, Ashley Fay, and Courtney Gee Hollingsworth celebrate earning Advanced Primary Stroke Center designation

UK St. Claire has officially earned Advanced Primary Stroke Center designation, an important milestone that reflects the organization’s commitment to delivering high-quality, life-saving care close to home.

As part of UK HealthCare, UK St. Claire continues to expand access to advanced, academic medicine in northeastern Kentucky, bringing the expertise and resources of the University of Kentucky to the communities it serves.

“This is a big step forward for our hospital and the people we serve. It means our community can get high-quality stroke care right here at home, without having to travel far. I’m really proud of the team and the work that went into making this possible,” said Don Lloyd, president and CEO of UK St. Claire.

This designation, awarded by The Joint Commission, recognizes the strength of UK St. Claire’s stroke program, including its ability to rapidly assess, diagnose and treat stroke patients. It also highlights the coordination and expertise of teams across the organization who work together to improve patient outcomes.

“Our community has access to a higher level of stroke care when minutes matter most. That impact cannot be overstated. Lives will be saved and outcomes will be improved because of what this team has accomplished,” said Courtney Gee Hollingsworth, administrative director of acute care.

Achieving this designation required extensive preparation, collaboration and continuous improvement, from strengthening response times to refining clinical processes and ensuring consistent, high-quality care delivery.

Today’s announcement continues UK St. Claire’s commitment to expanding access to care across northeastern Kentucky. After six decades of working together, UK St. Claire officially became part of UK HealthCare in July 2024. Since then, the health system has grown its provider workforce and expanded specialty services to better meet community needs.