Published: February 28, 2025
Estimated reading time: 4 minutes
History was alive at Brandeis Elementary School in Louisville, where students participated in their annual “living wax museum” honoring historical African American heroes during Black History Month. This unique, interactive learning event allowed students to portray historical figures by dressing in character and presenting their research to classmates, teachers, family and community members.“What’s super cool about this year’s [showcase] is that we’ve been able to incorporate some of our local doctors from the hospital right across the street,” said teacher Koneshia Ebbs, referencing the health care pioneers memorialized on Norton West Louisville Hospital’s historical monument.The Care West of Ninth monument was unveiled last year before the hospital’s opening and stands directly across the street from Brandeis Elementary. Through sharing the stories of Louisville’s Black doctors and nurses who cared for the community during legalized segregation, it serves to honor the people and places that paved the way for Norton West Louisville Hospital to become the first hospital built west of Ninth Street in 150 years.
Among the students who stepped into history was fourth-grader Jordy Lett-Hasberry, who proudly portrayed Sarah Fitzbutler, M.D., the first Black woman in Kentucky to receive a medical degree. Dressed in a white lab coat and wearing a stethoscope, Jordy recited a summary of Dr. Fitzbutler’s life and accomplishments for anyone who stopped at her station.“Without me, African American women and girls wouldn’t have the option to be in the medical field,” Jordy said during her presentation as Dr. Fitzbutler.Nearby, fourth-grader Kaycee Smith stood in front of a poster honoring Mary E. Merritt, who made history as the first registered nurse — of any race — to work in Kentucky.“Hi, my name is Mary E. Merritt,” Kaycee said, in character. “I was born on April 27, 1881, and died in 1953. When I finished my nursing degree, I went to Louisville, Kentucky, to serve at the Red Cross, the only hospital for Black people.”Several Norton West Louisville Hospital staff members made sure to visit the event. For them, it was exciting to see the students inspired by historical figures in the medical field, as it highlights the impact and opportunities of a community-driven hospital in their neighborhood.“Education is important. Health care is important. And when you combine them together and do a ‘wax museum’ like this, this is awesome,” said Corenza Townsend, chief administrative officer of Norton West Louisville Hospital. “It’s already exciting that [the kids] have seen the monument. They recognized that we have a hospital across the street. They know Norton Healthcare.”
Brandeis Elementary’s living wax museum didn’t just teach students about history — it inspired them to think about their own futures.“They are definitely more interested in becoming doctors and nurses,” Koneshia said. “I can’t wait for our class, or even our school, to be able to go and take a tour and build all of the connections that we’ll be able to have, with the hospital being so close.”
For some students, the experience sparked dreams of potential careers in health care.“It just seems like fun trying to help people in need,” Kaycee said.Her classmate Luke Fields also sees a future in medicine. He wants to follow in the footsteps of his wax museum character — Louisville’s first Black doctor, Henry Fitzbutler, M.D.“I think that I could help lots of people when I grow up,” Luke said. After visiting the monument, “I saw them having lots of big moments to be heroes, and I think I could be a hero too.”