History of the Louisville VAMC

• On January 10, 1946, President Harry S. Truman signed the VA request to purchase approximately 59 acres outside the Louisville city limits.
• At a total of $8,000,000, the new 494-bed Louisville Veterans Hospital opened on April 2, 1952.  The new facility owed its origins to the Nichols U.S. Army General Hospital located at Conn adn Manslick roads in southern Jefferson County where it was operated by the United States Army Medical Department from November 1942 until March 31, 1946.  On April 1, 1946, Colonel W. W. Southard, Commander of the Army Hospital, turned the facility over to the VA where it was designated "Nichols VA Hospital", and was operated by the VA until April 2, 1952.  On that day, five ambulances, four limousines, and two buses moved 229 patients from Nichols to the new VA medical center on Zorn Avenue.
• Prior to the construction of the new hospital, outpatient services in Dental, Audiology, and Prosthetics and Sensory Aides were located in downtown Louisville. During the late 1950'sthrough the 1970's, these areas were merged with inpatient services at the new facility.
• Radiology installed the hospital's first ultrasound in 1981, followed by the first CAT Scan in 1983.
• The ambulatory care addition was dedicated in 1988.
• On May 9, 1991, the hospital dedicated the Cardiac Catheterization Laboratory.
• On March 6, 1995,the Sports and Fitness Clinic was dedicated.
• To further enhance medical imaging capabilities, Nuclear Medicine added an ADAC Vertex Gamma Camera in 1995.
• Radiology installed an MRI unit in 1996.
• In 1996, the medical center established Red, Green, and Purple Primary Care Clinics at the main campus.
• The VA Dupont Behavioral Sciences Clinic celebrated its grand opening as the first Community-Based Outpatient Clinic (CBOC) on March 15, 1996.
• On February 3, 1997, the Louisville VAMC opened its second community-based clinic, VA Healthcare Center, Fort Knox, Kentucky.
• On May 19, 1998, the hospital dedicated the 20,000 square foot Ambulatory Care Addition, housing the Prosthetics Treatment Center, Audiology & Speech Pathology Clinic, and the Red Primary Care Clinic (PCC).
• The third community-based clinic, VA Healthcare Center, New Albany, Indiana, opened on November 19, 1998.
• In 1999, an 8,000 square foot expansion of Ambulatory Surgery was completed, providing space to consolidate all of outpatient surgery.  The Ambulatory Surgery Suite is equipped with KTP laser technology, new x-ray equipment, and computerized digital imaging capabilities.
• The Phase III Cardiac Rehabilitation Program opened in 2000.
• VA Healthcare Center Shively, Kentucky opened in July 2000, becoming the fourth community-based clinic.
• Louisville VA Medical Center hosted Louisville's first Stand Down in October 2000,introducing an aggressive campaign to help homeless veterans and homeless individuals obtain food, clothing, shelter, drug and alcohol counseling, medical treatment, and other supportive services.  One month later, November 2000, the medical center dedicated VET Place, a community-based program for homeless veterans.
• Bar Code Medication Administration (BCMA) was introduced in 2001.  BCMA used with CPRS, is a point-of-care solution for validating the administration of medications.  A bar code is placed on the patient's wristband allowing both the pharmacy and nursing staff to verify medication orders.  PYXIS which works in conjunction with BCMA was also added in 2001.
• In the Spring 2001,the VA Healthcare Center, TRICARE Family Practice opened at Grade Lane.
• On April 16, 2001, the medical center showcased the new 16-bed state-of-the-art Intensive/Coronary Care Unit on 6 South.
• On July 24, 2001, the medical center announced its participation in the largest-ever international prostate cancer prevention trial, Selenium and Vitamin E Cancer Prevention Trial (SELECT).
• The VA Women's Healthcare Center, Shively, Kentucky, was dedicated on August 29, 2001.
• 5 North debuted in April 2002. 5 North is a premiere 20-bed Acute Medicine Unit that also serves Hospice and Oncology.
• DEXA (Dual Energy X-Ray Absorptiometry) Scan, a noninvasive test to measure bone density, was installed in 2002.
• PACS (digital Picture Archiving Communication System) was installed in 2002.
• The Computerized Patient Record System (CPRS) became fully operational in July 2002.
• In 2002/2003, the Customer Service Board was established implementing such services/programs as Valet Parking and "Tell the Director".
• On October 1, 2003, Radiology implemented VISTA/RAD, a filmless system for all x-ray, CT, and ultrasound. MRI and angiography were added in April 2004.
• On October 7, 2003, the medical center opened a Spinal Cord Injury Clinic with dedicated space in the Red Primary Clinic area.
• A mobile MRI unit was added at Fort Knox in 2003.
• In the Spring 2003 the medical center introduced the Geriatrics and Extended Care Service (GEC). This program was further expanded in 2004 with a Home-Based Primary Care Program.
• Also in 2004, the medical center unveiled its new, spacious Eye Clinic, Dental Suite, and completely updated Prosthetics department.
• In March 2004, the Louisville VA Medical Center was recognized as the "Most Improved Facility" in VISN 9 for FY '03.
• In April 2006, the medical center unveiled it's newly renovated and expanded Emergency Department.  The new center features individual patient rooms for enhanced patient privacy, as well as a new wireless computer system, medical gas system, security access system, and larger more comfortable waiting areas. 
• Also in April 2006, the medical center opened the Substance Abuse Residential Rehabilitation Program (SARRTP) which provides veterans with an intensive substance abuse treatment program in a residential setting located within the medical center. 
• In June 2006, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs announced the Louisville VAMC would receive a new hospital.