Dr. Lorraine Golden, who opened Kentuckiana in 1957 and direct edits clinic and educational center until her retirement this year, passed away at Audubon Hospital in Louisville, Kentucky from heart failure on Monday, December 21 at 1:30 p.m. She was 80 years old.
A wake was held for Dr. Golden on Tuesday. The funeral was held at 1 p.m Wednesday, Dec. 23 at Resthaven Funeral Home, with entombment at the Resthaven Memorial Mausoleum.
She is survived by a niece, Deborah Smith, and a nephew, Paul Golden, both of whom cared for her during her infirmity.
The news of Dr. Golden's death engendered great sadness for many in the profession. Her giving and commitment to "her children" at Kentuckiana are legendary.
"Dr. Golden would want us to remember her with love, say a prayer in her name and be surrounded by those we love," Dr. Sharon Vallone told DC.
We've spoken of Dr. Golden and Kentuckiana so often in Dynamic Chiropractic, more than a dozen articles this decade, that we feel a personal loss. When Dr. Golden retired this year because of her health, that was front-page news. And when it came to selecting and awarding our "Chiropractor of the Year", we didn't hesitate a moment -- it was Lorraine Golden (DC, Dec. 14, 1998).
Dr. Vallone told DC that the "Chiropractor of the Year" award was presented to Dr. Golden during a tree-decorating ceremony at her home with friends and the staff of Kentuckiana. "When she received the award she cried," recalled Dr. Vallone. "Three days later she returned to the hospital."
Dr. Vallone related a story that was typical of Dr. Golden. Dr. Golden was given a Christmas angel in the hospital. Dr. Golden loved the gift, but gave it to one of her nurses who had admired the present.
"She gave and gave and gave," said Dr. Vallone. If you had to pick a common word to describe Dr. Golden, that would be it: gave.
We've spoken so often of Dr. Golden's background and numerous awards that we suspect our readers are almost as familiar with her curriculum vitae as their own. She was a 1942 Palmer graduate. B.J. taught her the HIO, and she studied under the tutelage of Dr. J.F. Grostic.
In 1954, with a private practice in Louisville, Dr. Golden conceived of bringing chiropractic to children who needed it most: physically and or mentally challenged youngsters with little or no access to health care.
"I've always loved children and I've always wanted to see that they got the very best we have to offer," said Dr. Golden in an interview this past summer.
In 1957, Kentuckiana opened in a vacant building of the Veterans' Hospital. The center gradually expanded from a single outpatient clinic into a multibuilding facility that now operates five days a week. In addition to chiropractic care, Kentuckiana offered psychological and social evaluations, counseling, optometric and visual training, dietary analysis and special-education classes.
Kentuckiana was one of the earliest multidisciplinary approaches to health, with chiropractors, doctors of optometry, medical physicians and dietitians on staff. Dr. Golden watched over her "flock" and was the gatekeeper for the multidisciplinary team.
Keeping Kentuckian operating has been challenging. In the early days, the Kentucky Medical Society tried to close the facility. In the '70s, lack of funds forced layoff of staff. Dr. Golden took out loans against personal assets to meet the payroll. This fall, the children's center was forced to close, yet Kentuckiana continues to treat the children with special needs.
When Kentuckiana opened its doors, hanging over the entrance to the clinic was a sign: "Doorway of Hope." Kentuckiana was and still is the hope for many children. And though Dr. Golden has departed, the children still find hope at Kentuckiana. Her legacy lives on.
Memorial contributions may go to the Kentuckiana Children's Center, P.O. Box 16278, Louisville, KY 40256-0278.
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