Ephraim McDowell Health joins Golisano Children’s at UK Affiliate Network, increasing access to specialized pediatric care
DANVILLE, Ky. (May 12, 2026) — Children and families in Danville and surrounding communities will now benefit from expanded access to specialized neonatal and pediatric care, thanks to a new partnership between Ephraim McDowell Health and Golisano Children’s at UK (formerly Kentucky Children’s Hospital). Ephraim McDowell Health is the latest healthcare enterprise to join the Golisano Children’s at UK Affiliate Network, a statewide initiative dedicated to strengthening pediatric care in communities across the Commonwealth.
“To make an impact on health care in this state, we cannot act alone – we are stronger when working together,” said Scottie B. Day, M.D., vice president of children’s health at UK HealthCare and physician-in-chief at UK Golisano Children’s. “This partnership ensures families will benefit from the expertise of pediatric and neonatal specialists who work in tandem with their trusted local providers for a seamless continuity of care.”
As part of the affiliate network, Ephraim McDowell Health gains access to a wide range of pediatric resources, including continuing education, clinical support and consultation opportunities with pediatric specialists in Lexington. The affiliation empowers providers to deliver top-tier care while reducing the need for families to travel long distances.
Ephraim McDowell Health and Golisano Children’s at UK also have a partnership to provide specialized care for newborns in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) at Ephraim McDowell Regional Medical Center in Danville. According to the March of Dimes, in 2023, 13.7% of babies born in Boyle County were born before the 37th week of gestation. Babies born premature or those who have illnesses or issues after birth require specialized care and treatment. Physicians and nursing staff from UK Golisano Children’s will provide neonatology services in the NICU, designated as Level II, supporting local pediatric providers in caring for the smallest patients.
“Through this affiliation, we will be connected to the pediatric specialists and resources of Golisano Children’s at UK, allowing us to enhance the quality of care provided locally while ensuring children have access to advanced pediatric support when needed,” said Dan McKay, president and CEO of Ephraim McDowell Health. “The network provides us with neonatologists, education, real-time clinical consultation, evidence-based protocols and quality improvement support — helping ensure high-quality pediatric care close to home.”
Affiliate Network benefits include:
- Pediatric and neonatal-specific training and continuing education
- On-demand clinical consultations with specialists at UK Golisano Children’s
- Guidance on pediatric and neonatal protocols and best practices
- Peer learning and shadowing opportunities
- Participation in statewide pediatric conferences
- Support for pediatric transfer decisions and quality reviews
“By supporting NICU care locally, we’re ensuring our most vulnerable newborns receive expert care close to home,” said Christina Briggs, director of the UK Golisano Children’s affiliate network. “Through our affiliate network, providers at Ephraim McDowell Health can stay current with pediatric best practices, strengthening care across central Kentucky while helping families remain near their support systems during an already stressful time.”
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 healthcare 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 and the region’s only Level 1 trauma center.
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 healthcare landscape as our six health professions colleges teach the next generation of doctors, nurses, pharmacists and other healthcare 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.