UK King’s Daughters Expands Healthcare Access in Greenup

UK King’s Daughters Expands Healthcare Access in Greenup

Charles Romans

The Ashland Beacon

A new medical facility that will offer improved and centralized medical services is coming to Greenup. A groundbreaking ceremony was held on Monday, August 18, 2025, at the future site of the facility, located on property behind Citizens Bank in Greenup. Members of local and state government were present for the event. UK KDMC President Sara Marks spoke at the ceremony, highlighting some of the project’s development history and what the new facility will mean to Greenup County and the surrounding region.

“We are delighted to be here today to officially kick off the new medical expansion project and to celebrate the start of something new and meaningful for this community,” Marks said.

Marks told those in attendance that UK KDMC is currently finalizing the building design, which will include services such as Internal Medicine, Primary Care, Urgent Care, Imaging, and Laboratory Services.

“Leading the way will be Dr. Nikki Christian, along with our Advanced Practitioner Whitney Rowe. Both are Greenup County natives and currently practicing in the area,” Marks said. “We are excited to give them a new medical home to practice.”

“Initially, the site will employ 20 team members,” Marks added. “But once open, we plan to expand our team to include additional providers, allowing us to offer specialty services locally so patients don’t have as far to travel for the care they need.”

The new site spans approximately four acres, conveniently located adjacent to US 23 in Greenup. The facility itself, Marks said, will be approximately 10,000 square feet and represents a $7 million investment in Greenup County. The anticipated opening date of the new medical center is fall of 2026.

“Today’s event marks an exciting new chapter,” Marks told those assembled. She went on to say that King’s Daughters is already deeply rooted in Greenup County, currently operating 12 locations across Bellefonte, Flatwoods, Greenup, and Russell.

“Across all of these Greenup County facilities, we employ well over 600 team members,” Marks said. “We are incredibly proud to grow our footprint in this region. And we are grateful for the continued support from our elected officials and local leaders.”

Marks emphasized that collaboration and community support have been key to KDMC’s success. She thanked the property’s previous owner, Danny Bradley, and his son Derrick Bradley, for their partnership in making the project a reality.

“Transferring property to a corporation can be a lengthy and complex process,” she said. “And we appreciate their patience and perseverance throughout.”

Marks also expressed appreciation for the KDMC Board, whose members play a crucial role in making such projects possible. “They are at the heart of these developments. And we are fortunate to have a board who is supportive of not only King’s Daughters’ mission and vision, but also our local community expansion projects.” She also recognized KDMC’s local business partners: Magnolia Events and Design Company, Scooby Scoops Ice Cream, Seven Loaves Café, and Imel’s Greenhouse. State Representative Aaron Thompson was among the officials present at the event.

“I just want to say thank you to UK King’s Daughters,” Thompson said. “If you look at healthcare in our community over the past several years, we have seen a lot of changes, in particular with the closure of Bellefonte Hospital. And today is just another step where King’s Daughters has continued to step up and invest in our community so that we have the healthcare resources we need for each and every one of our citizens.”

“This is a critical investment in our communities,” Thompson continued. “Seven million dollars is going to have a major impact here to ensure that patients have the resources they need.”

Greenup County Judge Executive Bobby Hall welcomed everyone to the City of Greenup and spoke about what the new medical center would mean—not only for Greenup County but for the entire region. “Today I am beyond excited,” Judge Hall said. “This one hits home.”

He shared how the idea first took shape. “In early 2023, I met with UK King’s Daughters President and CEO Sara Marks,” Hall recalled. “We met in her office; it was a simple ‘let’s get to know each other’ and ‘let’s see what’s going on in Greenup County and UK King’s Daughters.’”

“She looked at me that day and said, ‘I have hopes of being in Greenup in the ’25–’26 fiscal year.’ Today, what she told me over two years ago is a reality.”

Judge Hall said that Marks had asked him to begin looking for property in Greenup County. The result of that search is the very site where the groundbreaking was held. Hall met with Marks again at the Farm to Table Dinner in 2024, where she asked if he had found suitable land. He was pleased to report that he had. The result, he said, is something many in the community have been waiting for.

“Today we are standing on the ground that Dr. Nikki Christian gets to call home,” Hall said. “Nikki Christian has already been a staple in this community,” he added, expressing hope that the new facility would allow her to better serve the people who depend on her care.

“It has been a great process to progress,” Hall said. “Thank you to Sara Marks and her team for continuing to grow in Greenup County. Our people deserve medical facilities right here in our county. And for this we are truly blessed.”

Judge Executive Hall also announced a new development: “Amanda Clark and her economic team at Kentucky Power have awarded the Greenup County Fiscal Court a $100,000 grant to build a new entrance to connect to State Route 1. At the end of the day, everyone here—and so many more—are responsible for us being here today.”

Dr. Nikki Christian, who will lead the new facility, shared how the center will directly impact patient care.

“So many of the patients we see are elderly,” Dr. Christian said. “This will eliminate a lot of travel for them—travel that might exacerbate their health issues. It will also, in many cases, reduce the waiting time for services and improve scheduling. It will really be a positive step forward for local care.”

Christian emphasized that caring for the healthcare needs of her patients is her top priority, and the new facility will help fulfill that mission. She also noted that the expanded space and updated infrastructure will help them stay current with evolving methods of care and provide more support to those in need.