A New Era of Care UK King’s Daughters Unveils State-of-the-Art Main Entrance and Emergency Department

A New Era of Care UK King’s Daughters

Unveils State-of-the-Art Main Entrance and Emergency Department

Sasha Bush

The Ashland Beacon

Ashland is stepping boldly into the future of healthcare. On Thursday, UK King’s Daughters Medical Center celebrated the ribbon cutting of its highly anticipated Main Entrance and Emergency Department, marking a $160 million investment that is poised to transform how residents across eastern Kentucky access and experience medical care.

“This $160 million investment is more than just bricks and mortar—it’s a powerful commitment to advancing healthcare and supporting the people of our region,” said Rocky Adkins. “What an incredible day at UK King's Daughters Medical Center in Ashland, KY. Congratulations to everyone who brought this transformative project to life. Your dedication is shaping the future of care in our community!”

“This is just the beginning of a healthier future for more Kentuckians,” shared Eli Capilouto, President of the University of Kentucky.

Spanning 200,000 square feet, the newly unveiled facility has been under development since late summer 2022. With the final phase of the Emergency Department scheduled to open on June 18, the new medical center expansion promises faster, safer, and more efficient care delivery for the region’s growing population.

UK King’s Daughters President and CEO Sara Marks expressed deep gratitude and pride in the collaborative effort behind the project. “This project wasn't just a team effort, it was a monumental lift," Marks said. “Hundreds of people provided valuable input in the project design, helping to create a facility that will meet the needs of our communities today and into the future.”

The modernized Main Entrance serves as a central hub, providing direct access to Outpatient Surgery, Medical Plazas A & B, Parkview Patient Tower 2, and the brand-new Emergency Department. Gone are the days of confusing corridors—patients and visitors will now navigate the facility with greater ease and comfort.

“We’re making this transition as smooth as possible to ensure uninterrupted emergency care,” Marks emphasized. “As part of this effort, we’re inviting first responders to a special orientation and welcome event on Wednesday, May 21, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.”

The upcoming Emergency Department is nothing short of groundbreaking. Featuring 86 treatment areas—including 60 private rooms—this space is designed to manage everything from trauma to pediatrics to behavioral health with precision and compassion.

The facility boasts:• Four trauma bays• Eight-bed behavioral health unit with safety-focused design• Two CT scanners• Decontamination room• Three isolation rooms• Separate entrances for ambulances, inmates, and behavioral health patients• Reserved parking for emergency patients and their families.

These thoughtful design elements not only enhance patient safety but streamline operations for emergency medical teams. “Now they get to have this space,” Marks reflected, calling the new Emergency Department the highlight of the past two-and-a-half years. “Our team did a phenomenal job” even under the strain of the COVID-19 pandemic and the 2020 closure of Our Lady of Bellefonte Hospital.

City leaders echoed this enthusiasm. “It's been a great day for the City of Ashland!” said Ashland City Commissioner Marty Gute. “A great ribbon cutting and dedication for the new Main Entrance and E.R. at our U.K. King’s Daughters Medical Center!”

Another major upgrade involves the Imaging Department, which will fully relocate and become operational in August. With services like MRI, CT, nuclear medicine, ultrasound, and echocardiography all housed in one centralized location, patient convenience is front and center. This co-location effort will minimize delays, improve diagnostic efficiency, and reduce the need for patients to travel between departments.

The expanded Family Pharmacy—set to open in its new home on June 2—will offer more space, better customer service, and a drive-thru for easier prescription pickup. Meanwhile, Pour House Coffee will also find a new home in the Main Entrance later this summer, adding a touch of comfort for patients and families alike.

As UK King’s Daughters continues to evolve, plans are already underway for further expansion. By Summer 2026, the new building will house a state-of-the-art Endoscopy Lab and Urology Procedure Center. These additions underscore the hospital’s mission to provide world-class care without requiring patients to leave the region.

Importantly, the facility now offers increased patient and visitor parking—260 additional spaces—to alleviate congestion and improve access for those arriving on site.

“This new facility represents hope and progress,” said one visitor during the ribbon-cutting ceremony, hosted in collaboration with the Northeast Kentucky Chamber of Commerce. The Business After Hours event included guided tours of the Emergency Department, allowing community members to see firsthand how their healthcare system is growing.

Access to high-quality care is now more attainable than ever for thousands of Kentuckians. From expanded imaging and trauma care to a reimagined patient experience, the opening of UK King’s Daughters’ Main Entrance and Emergency Department is a game-changer for Ashland and the surrounding areas.

The transition is more than architectural—it’s transformational. As Rocky Adkins put it, “Your dedication is shaping the future of care in our community.”

Residents are invited to explore the new facility and discover what many are calling the beginning of a new healthcare era for the region.UK King’s Daughters has truly raised the bar—and the community is ready to walk through the doors into a future filled with promise, care, and innovation.