Rockcastle Regional joins UK Golisano Children’s network to expand access to specialized pediatric care
MOUNT VERNON, Ky. (Oct. 31, 2025) — Children and families in Rockcastle County will now benefit from expanded access to pediatric expertise, thanks to a new partnership between Rockcastle Regional Hospital and Golisano Children’s at UK (formerly Kentucky Children’s Hospital). Rockcastle Regional is the latest hospital to join the Golisano Children’s at UK – Affiliate Network, a statewide initiative focused on strengthening pediatric care in communities across the Commonwealth.
By teaming up with UK Golisano Children’s, providers at Rockcastle Regional Hospital and the pediatric and adolescent clinic RockPeds can connect directly with pediatric specialists, bringing advanced care and expert guidance closer to home for families in Mount Vernon and the surrounding communities.
“Our partnership with Rockcastle Regional ensures that children receive seamless, high-quality care close to home,” said Scottie B. Day, M.D., physician-in-chief at UK Golisano Children’s. “By working with the providers in Rockcastle County, we’re strengthening care continuity and giving families the confidence that their child’s care team is fully connected every step of the way.”
As part of the network, Rockcastle Regional gains access to a wide range of pediatric resources, including continuing education, clinical support and consultation opportunities with UK Golisano Children’s specialists. The affiliation empowers providers to deliver top-tier care and minimize the need for families to travel.
“Joining the network is another meaningful step in our ongoing commitment to make exceptional care accessible close to home,” said Stephen A. Estes, president and CEO of Rockcastle Regional Hospital and Respiratory Care Center. “By teaming up with UK Golisano Children’s, our providers gain direct access to a wealth of pediatric expertise and resources. Together, we’re strengthening the level of care available to families in Rockcastle County and ensuring that children receive the specialized support they need — right here in their own community.”
Affiliate Network benefits include:
- Pediatric-specific training and continuing education
- On-demand clinical consultations with UK Golisano Children’s 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
“We’re excited to welcome Rockcastle Regional Hospital to the Golisano Children’s at UK – Affiliate Network,” said Christina Briggs, network director. “This collaboration reflects Rockcastle Regional’s strong commitment to providing exceptional care for pediatric patients and their families — right in their own community. Through the network, their dedicated faculty and staff will gain access to ongoing education and training, helping them stay current with the latest pediatric protocols and best practices. It’s a truly holistic approach — investing in the professional growth of providers so they can, in turn, provide the best possible care for children and families in Rockcastle and the surrounding communities.”
Kentucky Children's Hospital is now Golisano Children’s at UK. Read about this change and the historic $50 million gift that will transform health care for Kentucky's kids: ukhealthcare.com/golisano.
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 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 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.