By Brenna Angel
http://stream.publicbroadcasting.net/production/mp3/wuky/local-wuky-956925.mp3
LEXINGTON, Ky. – A Lexington hospital is joining forces with a non-profit group that provides free surgeries to low-income patients.
Since 2005, the central Kentucky organization Surgery on Sunday has treated thousands of patients from across the state and beyond who don't have health insurance. Now for the first time, an outside hospital is opening its doors.
Surgery on Sunday executive director Laura Ebert says Saint Joseph Hospital will help whittle down the long wait list of patients.
"When we try to do a neurosurgery case at our current site, which is phenomenal, the Lexington Surgery Center, we have to bring all that equipment over. The same thing with gynecology cases. They do not do those on a regular basis. So St. Joe has all that equipment there and they can simply pull that out and do it, as well as specialized orthopedic procedures."
Beginning this weekend, St. Joseph will host a Surgery on Sunday each quarter. Ebert says talks are underway to get UK Healthcare and Central Baptist Hospital involved as well.