In 1956, Rockcastle County leaders gathered to discuss the challenges facing their community. They recognized the need for quality, affordable healthcare close to home. Out of this need, grew a hospital. Out of that hospital, grew better healthcare for Rockcastle and surrounding counties.

That same commitment to improving our community's quality of life led us to expand our services in 1981 to include respiratory care for patients who rely on ventilators to breathe. Since then, we have continued to expand and enhance services to provide a full continuum of healthcare options for area residents.

Today, in addition to inpatient, outpatient, and home health care services, we are the only facility in the state that specializes in caring for ventilator-dependent adults and children.

Since 1956, Rockcastle Regional has worked tirelessly to set and achieve high standards for healthcare. Following are examples of some major milestones in our history:

2009 - A 14-bed addition to the Respiratory Care Center was completed.

2009 - Rockcastle Hospital and Respiratory Care Center, Inc. announced a name change to Rockcastle Regional Hospital and Respiratory Care Center.

2009 - Rockcastle Hospital opened a renovated Surgery suite, nearly four times the size of the old with a new pre-op and recovery area and operating room double the size of the old.

2008 - Rockcastle Hospital opened the doors to a Child Development Center known as "The York House" for children of employees.

2008 - Rockcastle Hospital sold Rockcastle Health and Rehabilitation Center to Signature HealthCARE, LLC.

2007 - Rockcastle Hospital converted to electronic medical records and computerized physician entry.

2007 - Rockcastle Hospital affiliated with the Kentucky Children's Hospital.

2007 - Rockcastle Professional Pharmacy opened in the Outpatient Services Center. It was the first time a retail pharmacy had been on the hospital campus.

2007 - The three-story, 18,565 square-foot Outpatient Services Center (OSC), connected by a skywalk to Medical Arts, was completed. A skywalk connecting Medical Arts to the hospital was also put in place. The OSC as well as the 19-bed addition to the Respiratory Care Center was dedicated in April at a ceremony attended by Governor Ernie Fletcher.

2006 - A 19-bed addition to the Respiratory Care Center was completed.

2006 - Rockcastle Hospital affiliated with the Gill Heart Institute.

2004 - Rockcastle Hospital became a host site for the Southern Kentucky Area Health Education Center (AHEC).

2004 - Rockcastle Hospital affiliated with UK Markey Cancer Center.

2002 - Rockcastle Hospital acquired Sowder Nursing Home in Brodhead, Kentucky. The name was changed to Rockcastle Health and Rehabilitation Center, Inc.

2000 - A $2 million expansion and renovation of the Hospital was initiated that includes the Lab, Emergency Department, and X-ray Department for a total of nearly 28,000 square feet.

2000 - Rockcastle Hospital Home Health was established and approved by State and Federal Licensure and awarded JCAHO accreditation.

1999 - Local and consulting medical staff increased significantly to include family practice, internal medicine, pediatrics, general surgery, radiology, gynecology, pulmonology, ear nose & throat, plastic surgery, cardiothoracic surgery, cardiovascular surgery, and other practices.

1999 - All of the hospital's programs and services received three-year accreditation by the Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations (JACHO), upon its first review.

1999 - Rehabilitation services and facilities were expanded, including Physical, Occupational, and Speech Therapy.

1998 - The Rockcastle Medical Arts Building opened as a state-of-the-art office complex for local and consulting physicians.

1992 - Twenty-eight additional beds were added to Rockcastle Hospital and Respiratory Care Center, Inc.

1986 - The skilled nursing facility began specializing in respiratory care to meet a statewide need for care for ventilator patients.

1981 - Rockcastle Hospital opened a skilled nursing facility.