CommonSpirit - Saint Joseph Hospital - Lexington

11/04/2026

Saint Joseph Hospital – Lexington has been named among America's Best In-State Hospitals for 2027 by Newsweek.

“As we celebrate 150 years of our ministry, achievements like this are a testament of our hard-working caregivers, the dedication of our physicians to clinical excellence, and the legacies of the Sisters of Charity of Nazareth, who established our ministry in 1877,” said Terry Wooten, president of Saint Joseph Hospital – Lexington.

This year, the hospital celebrates its 150th anniversary as Lexington's first hospital and the flagship facility of our ministry as CommonSpirit Health in Kentucky.

Congratulations to the teams whose work everyday make recognitions like these possible! 🏥✨ Learn more via the link in comments.

11/01/2026

We love partnering with YMCA of Central Kentucky because it helps make expert care more convenient for our community. Our Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation team provide a range of therapeutic services right inside the C.M. Gatton Beaumont YMCA, including physical therapy, speech therapy, occupational therapy and more.

Whether you’re recovering from an injury or working on personal health goals, we’re here for you. See the team in action below and learn more about what we offer in partnership with the YMCA. 💜

11/01/2026

Elizabeth Hatfield supervises 130 student extern nurses at CommonSpirit - Saint Joseph Hospital - Lexington and supports their professional success.

To Hatfield, leadership is rooted in service. “I know that externs perform at their best when they are valued, supported and held accountable,” she said. “Leading with humility, consistency and compassion while setting high expectations is my philosophy.”

This approach contributed to Hatfield being named the 2026 Leader of the Year for CommonSpirit - Saint Joseph Hospital - Lexington and the Kentucky ministry.

The nurse extern program provides nursing students who have completed foundational coursework the opportunity to practice skills while working alongside nurses. Externs rotate among departments to gain clinical experience before graduation.

Although she is not a clinician, Hatfield is motivated by a commitment to others. She supports the nurse externs, who provide patient care at CommonSpirit - Saint Joseph Hospital - Lexington.

10/29/2026

Humankindness lives here. ⚾🩷 In August, a morning of service brought together our staff, local youth leagues and players with the Lexington Legends to revitalize a baseball field at Constitution Park in Lexington. Volunteers of all ages helped by leveling the infield, landscaping and more to help make the recreational space more welcoming, safe and game-ready for local families and leagues.

As part of our mission and legacy in Lexington, this day of service represents the power of local partnerships and giving back to the communities we serve to create a healthier future for all. Hear from volunteers, leaders and players how humankindness makes a difference.

10/28/2026

CommonSpirit – Kentucky is proud to once again be the presenting sponsor for the Breeders’ Cup Festival, a full week of events, entertainment and celebration leading up to the Breeders' Cup World Championships on Oct. 30 and 31. 🏇🏆

Lexington will “Purple Up!” this week as we welcome fans and visitors from around the globe, as well as our communities in central Kentucky and beyond, to our city for the return of the world-class racing event.

Matt Grimshaw, MBA, president of CommonSpirit Health in Kentucky, joined Matt Harris, marketing coordinator for the Breeders’ Cup Festival, on Live From Chevy Chase to share about the exciting events festival-goers can expect this week, including Purple Rein at The Burl and a Championships Watch Party this weekend at Gatton Park On The Town Branch. And, we hope to see you TODAY for the Tandy Park Takeover at the Fifth-Third Pavilion downtown – visit the link pinned in the comments to view the full festival schedule. 💜⬇️

10/27/2026

October is National Physical Therapy Month! Our team of licensed and certified therapists in Lexington and nearby communities combine experience, skill, innovative therapy techniques and compassion to provide every patient with the best course of treatment to help them regain strength and mobility, and enjoy life again. 💪🩷

We’re proud to offer a range of therapies and services at locations across central Kentucky, in addition to specialized care programs by location. Interested in finding rehabilitative care near you? Visit https://ow.ly/liKB5101t7b to view our services.

Whether you are recovering from a major life event or dealing with a long-term health condition, our team is passionate about helping you recover and get back to the things you enjoy. The road to healing starts here, and we’re here for you.

10/26/2026

As Lexington has grown and changed, so has Saint Joseph Hospital – Lexington. For 150 years, Saint Joseph Hospital has served Lexington and its surrounding communities with healing and compassionate care.

On October 2, 1877, the Sisters of Charity of Nazareth arrived in Lexington at 320 Linden Walk, a 12-bed home located off E Maxwell. One year later, the Sisters moved the hospital to Second Street, where they served Lexington for 81 years. On October 5, 1959, crews broke ground on the new location, on Harrodsburg Road in Lexington, where Saint Joseph Hospital – Lexington still cares for patients today.

Since then, our ministry has expanded to seven hospitals and nearly one hundred care sites across Kentucky. We continue to meet community needs with expanding services, improving facilities and utilizing advancements in technology and medicine. For 150 years, we’ve been here for you and your family. And we are here for you now, as CommonSpirit 🩷

10/26/2026

Angel Brooks has been telling her story on social media for years, sharing posts about local restaurants and small businesses, as well as her day to day life. With 40,000 followers across her social media platforms, she felt it only right that she would share her breast cancer journey as well.

Angel noticed a lump in her breast last May, which an ultrasound and biopsy showed to be cancerous. She was diagnosed with breast cancer at the age of 29, with no history of breast cancer in her family, and decided she wanted to use her voice to document “the good, the bad and the ugly” of her diagnosis and treatment. Documenting her journey, she says, is one way she can raise awareness about early detection and getting checked, as well as provide a way for her to look back on everything she has overcome.

From sharing about hair loss to documenting her appointments, Angel’s willingness to tell her story has already made an impact. She recently spoke at the Yes, Mamm! Yes, Cerv! 5K and Survivorship Day celebration, encouraging women during Breast Cancer Awareness Month to pay attention to their body, get care if something seems off, and to not assume they aren’t at risk because they are young or have no family history.

Angel underwent 16 rounds of chemotherapy and reached another milestone on Friday, October 23, when she completed her final radiation treatment. LEX 18's Drew Amman sat down with Angel and her oncologist, Dr. Nicola Jabbour, at the Cancer Center at Saint Joseph Medical Center – East Lexington, to talk about Angel’s journey and how her commitment to sharing her voice is raising awareness and encouraging women to stay vigilant. Read more of her story in the comments below.

“People stop me and they’re like, ‘I’ve seen your story, and I went and got checked because I felt a lump,’” said Angel. “And I’m like, ‘Good.’ Then I know that what I’m doing is helpful.”

10/25/2026

CommonSpirit – Kentucky is proud to once again be the presenting sponsor for the Breeders’ Cup Festival taking place this week in Lexington. Join us today for the festival’s kickoff celebration with Purple in the Park at Gatton Park On The Town Branch! 🐎💜

10/23/2026

Saint Joseph Hospital – Lexington is celebrating its 100th ION robotic-assisted bronchoscopy. The ION system is a robotic-assisted platform that allows for more precise, minimally invasive lung biopsies. Please join us in congratulating our pulmonology team and Dr. Eli Colon, who performed the 100th procedure earlier this month, on this achievement!

10/03/2026

This afternoon, Saint Joseph Hospital – Lexington hosted its annual fall festival for our caregivers and their families 🎃🍂 The festival also kicks off the start of a year-long celebration of the hospital's 150th anniversary as the weekend marks several key milestones in the hospital's history.

On October 2, 1877, the Sisters of Charity of Nazareth arrived at the original hospital, a 12-bed house located at 320 Linden Walk. One year later, the Sisters moved the hospital to Second Street, where they served Lexington for 81 years. On October 5, 1959, crews broke ground on the new location, just across Harrodsburg Road in Lexington, where Saint Joseph Hospital – Lexington still cares for patients today.

Since then, the ministry has expanded to seven hospitals and nearly one hundred care sites across Kentucky, serving more than 35 counties and carrying on the legacy of its founders as CommonSpirit Health.

Here for you then; here for you now; here for you always 🩷

10/01/2026

Katelyn Dyer was a healthy 26-year-old with a new baby at home, so it didn't surprise her that she was constantly tired. But the persistence of the fatigue prompted her to visit Jessica McMaine, APRN at CommonSpirit Medical Group – Primary Care in Wi******er for a check-up, which later led to a life-changing diagnosis of papillary carcinoma – thyroid cancer – that she says “came out of nowhere.”

Katelyn and Jessica shared the story with Drew Amman at LEX 18 earlier this week to raise awareness about the often silent disease and highlight the vital importance of a relationship with your primary care provider during Thyroid Cancer Awareness Month in September. Now, at age 28, Katelyn says her labs are almost back to normal – and once the tumor marker reaches a certain number, the cancer is considered gone.

September is Thyroid Cancer Awareness Month, and a woman in recovery is sharing her story to encourage others to seek routine care.

Katelyn Dyer had never faced a serious health issue before her diagnosis.

10/01/2026

When was the last time you had your cholesterol checked? In this HealthBreak, Dr. Tyler Elam explains LDL cholesterol – what it is, why it should be monitored and what can be done to improve cholesterol levels.

09/30/2026

Celebrate life – fund hope. The 11th annual Yes, Mamm! Yes, Cerv! 5K is just over a week away on Saturday, Oct. 10 at R. J. Corman Railroad Group in Nicholasville. Gates open at 7:30 and the race starts at 9:00, with activities for race participants, supporters, kids and families. Proceeds from the 5K benefit the Saint Joseph Hospital Foundation's Yes, Mamm! Yes, Cerv! program, which provides underinsured and uninsured patients with screenings, resources and more to prevent breast and cervical cancer, and detect cancer sooner for earlier treatment. 🩷🏃‍♀️

This year's event will also feature a new, free Survivorship Day celebration immediately after race start, which recognizes cancer survivors and provides a dedicated space for sharing quality time, supporting others and hearing inspiring stories of hope and healing. 🫂

Register for the race today at https://ow.ly/GNea50ZTblZ, or RSVP for the Survivorship Celebration by using code HOPE2026 at checkout for free admission.

09/29/2026

Humankindness lives here. Felicia is a communications operator at CommonSpirit – Saint Joseph Hospital – Lexington, and a shining example of how we all hold the power to heal.

09/26/2026

CommonSpirit Health is excited to welcome Hesham Afifyi, MD, to CommonSpirit Medical Group - Cardiology in Lexington. Dr. Afify values the opportunity to build meaningful relationships, listen to each patient’s story and guide them through complex heart conditions.

Dr. Afify completed his general and interventional cardiology training at the University of Louisville. He is board-certified in Internal Medicine and certified in Nuclear Cardiology and Adult Echocardiography. He earned his medical degree from Menoufia University, completed Internal Medicine training at UCF, and holds a Master’s degree in Molecular Cell Biology from Wake Forest University, where he conducted cancer research and authored peer-reviewed publications in high-impact scientific journals.

Please join us in welcoming Dr. Afify to the team!

09/24/2026

Bunions are a deformity of the big toe, which causes pain and makes certain types of shoes difficult to wear. Andrew Bouwkamp, DPM, shares insights on the minimally invasive treatments available to correct bunions.

09/23/2026

CommonSpirit – Kentucky recently awarded $20,000 to The Fayette Education Foundation as part of its 2026 Art of Humankindness Initiative, providing art teachers at 12 elementary schools in Lexington with grants to support specialized projects designed to encourage kindness, empathy and friendship within classrooms.

The program is part of the health system’s Creating Safer Neighborhoods Initiative, led by manager Demetria Blair, MBA, and funded by the CommonSpirit Health Mission & Ministry Fund. It aims to promote positive expression, foster environments where students can thrive, and leave a lasting, visible impact on the school community.

Jarrett Millsaps, FACHE, President of Saint Joseph Medical Center – East Lexington, joined Andrea Walker in the FOX 56 News studio last week to talk about the healing power of humankindness in our community and some of the creative school art projects made possible through the program.

09/22/2026

Rooted in the unshakeable belief that we all hold the power to heal. Saint Joseph Health is now CommonSpirit.

09/21/2026

Meet Heather, a clinical nurse specialist who helps empower our cancer team in Lexington. By providing vital education and implementing evidence-based practices, she's elevating the care we provide to our patients and amplifying the healing power of humankindness across our ministry.