Ground is broken for redevelopment of Livingston Hospital in Salem

An official groundbreaking ceremony for the $78 million redevelopment of Livingston Hospital in Salem took place Thursday evening.

Board members, hospital administration, and representatives from Deaconess Health System joined the community to celebrate the reimagining of the facility, which will serve the area for decades to come.

Current board member and former President and CEO of Norton Healthcare in Louisville, Steve Williams, called it a momentous day. He said, “As a federally designated critical access hospital, which was not easy to get, this hospital has done more than just survive. It has kept current with 21st century medical care.”

The funding for the redevelopment was secured through the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Rural Development arm with the help of First District Congressman James Comer and USDA State Director Travis Burton. Burton called the project transformative and commended Livingston Hospital CEO Shane Whittington’s leadership in the process and the hospital board’s aggressive, determined work to get the funding over the finish line.

Work at the site, just off U.S. 60 on the east end of Salem, has already begun.