Saint Joseph Hospital Opens Renovated Cardio Thoracic Vascular Suite

The Saint Joseph Hospital Foundation, Lexington, KY, completed a major renovation to the Wilma Thornton Cardio Thoracic Vascular Suite at Saint Joseph Hospital. The unit is named in honor of Mrs. Thornton, a former patient who passed away in 2011 at age 86.

Mrs. Thornton credited Saint Joseph Hospital with allowing her to enjoy “bonus years” by providing outstanding care. Following one of his mother’s surgeries at Saint Joseph, one of her sons wrote a personal note to the hospital president saying the family was “forever in debt and grateful.”

Two months before Mrs. Thornton passed away, her son, Michael Thornton, and his wife, Amy, pledged $1.5 million to the Saint Joseph Hospital Foundation, the second-largest donation in foundation history. The gift created the Wilma E. Thornton CTVU Suite at Saint Joseph Hospital. Improvements to the CTVU Suite include major facelifts for 22 patient rooms and upgrades throughout the nurses’ work stations and common areas. The CTVU Suite is designed to help patients with heart, lung and vascular illnesses.

“Thanks to Mrs. Thornton’s surgeon at Saint Joseph Hospital and the wonderful care she received, she was able to spend an additional three years with her two sons and grandchildren, enjoying UK basketball games, trips to Keeneland and much more” said Leslie Buddeke Smart, president, Saint Joseph Hospital Foundation. “Mrs. Thornton was a vibrant woman who was forever grateful to the hospital. We too are grateful for Mrs. Thornton, and the legacy she leaves behind.”