Clark Regional joins KCH affiliate network to expand access to specialized pediatric care
LEXINGTON, Ky. (July 16, 2025) – Children and families in Clark County will now benefit from expanded access to pediatric expertise, thanks to a new affiliation between Clark Regional Medical Center and Kentucky Children’s Hospital (KCH). Clark Regional is the latest hospital to join the KCH Affiliate Network, a statewide initiative focused on strengthening pediatric care in communities across the Commonwealth.
By teaming up with KCH, Clark Regional providers can connect directly with pediatric specialist, bringing advanced care and expert guidance closer to home for families in Clark and surrounding counties.
“Our collaboration with Clark Regional Medical Center helps bring high-quality pediatric care to children in their own communities,” said Scottie B. Day, M.D., physician-in-chief at KCH. “This affiliation allows us to support local providers with the tools and expertise they need to care for kids at every stage, no matter where they live.”
As part of the KCH Affiliate Network, Clark Regional gains access to a wide range of pediatric resources, including continuing education, clinical support, and consultation opportunities with KCH’s specialists. The affiliation empowers providers to deliver top-tier care while minimizing the need for families to travel.
“We’re proud to expand our collaboration with UK HealthCare through the new Kentucky Children’s Hospital Network,” said Matt Smith, chief executive officer of Clark Regional Medical Center. “From oncology to heart and stroke care, UK HealthCare’s affiliate networks are at the core of several of our specialty services. This collaboration ensures our patients have access to advanced care when needed, while still being able to return home for follow-up and recovery close to their families.”
Affiliate Network benefits include:
- Pediatric-specific training and continuing education
- On-demand clinical consultations with KCH specialists
- Guidance on pediatric protocols and best practices
- Peer learning and shadowing opportunities
- Participation in statewide pediatric conferences
- Support for pediatric transfer decisions and quality reviews
“When we collaborate with hospitals like Clark Regional, we’re building a stronger, more connected system for Kentucky’s kids,” said Christina Briggs, director of the KCH Affiliate Network. “Every child deserves a healthy start, and this affiliation brings us one step closer to ensuring that happens in every corner of our state.”
UK HealthCare is the hospitals and clinics of the University of Kentucky. But it is so much more. It is more than 10,000 dedicated health care professionals committed to providing advanced subspecialty care for the most critically injured and ill patients from the Commonwealth and beyond. It also is the home of the state’s only National Cancer Institute (NCI)-designated Comprehensive Cancer Center, a Level IV Neonatal Intensive Care Unit that cares for the tiniest and sickest newborns, the region’s only Level 1 trauma center and Kentucky’s top hospital ranked by U.S. News & World Report.
As an academic research institution, we are continuously pursuing the next generation of cures, treatments, protocols and policies. Our discoveries have the potential to change what’s medically possible within our lifetimes. Our educators and thought leaders are transforming the health care landscape as our six health professions colleges teach the next generation of doctors, nurses, pharmacists and other health care professionals, spreading the highest standards of care. UK HealthCare is the power of advanced medicine committed to creating a healthier Kentucky, now and for generations to come.