Pam Legate, a longtime naturopathic practitioner serving Owensboro, is relocating her practice to Smiths Grove after TJ Regional Health acquired her business and brought her services under its medical system.
Legate said she has served the Owensboro area for about 30 years, first opening her practice in 1996. Over the years, she relocated several times to accommodate growth, most recently moving into her Veach Road office in 2019.
Legate said her journey into naturopathic and holistic care began with a deeply personal experience involving her daughter’s health.
“I started because I had a daughter who was very ill, and we couldn’t find all the answers we needed,” Legate said. “I came into possession of my great-grandmother’s medical books. She was a doctor in the mountains of eastern Kentucky. We tried some things, my daughter got better, and I went back to school. My whole plan was simply to help her.”
Legate said word of her daughter’s improvement quickly spread.
“People began hearing about how she was doing and started asking if I would talk with their family members,” Legate said. “It just grew naturally from there.”
She said she returned to school to pursue training in naturopathic medicine and continued expanding her credentials as her practice evolved.
“I went back to school to earn my degree in naturopathic medicine,” Legate said. “I’ve always considered myself a professional student. As I discovered new tools and approaches that could help people, I continued my training.”
Legate said her philosophy has remained centered on treating the whole person rather than focusing solely on symptoms.
“Naturopathic and holistic medicine look at the entire person — body, mind, and spirit,” Legate said. “There are many factors that contribute to health, not just a single diagnosis.”
The transition comes as TJ Regional Health develops a new facility in Smiths Grove designed to combine traditional medical services with integrative and holistic care options. Legate said the clinic will serve Smiths Grove, Bowling Green, and the surrounding areas.
“They have a long-term vision of making integrative care part of Kentucky’s standard,” Legate said. “The facility will offer full medical services, including laboratories, imaging, diagnostic care, primary care and specialties, along with a dedicated naturopathic and holistic medicine wing.”
Legate said her existing services and equipment will be incorporated into the new location.
“All of the equipment and technologies we currently use will be moved into the naturopathic suite,” Legate said. “It will allow us to expand services while working alongside a full medical team.”
Legate said the move represents a new model for health care in Kentucky.
“There is nothing like this currently in the state,” Legate said. “I will also be the first naturopathic doctor hired by a Kentucky medical system, which is incredibly exciting from a professional standpoint.”
In a statement, TJ Regional Health CEO Neil Thornbury said the acquisition reflects the organization’s commitment to patient-centered care.
“As a growing and innovative healthcare organization that prioritizes our patients’ needs, we continually evaluate how we can better serve the whole person, not just treat a diagnosis,” Thornbury said.
He said incorporating naturopathy and holistic medicine reflects their commitment to comprehensive, patient-centered care.
“By combining evidence-based traditional medicine with integrative approaches that focus on prevention, lifestyle, and overall well-being, we are expanding the tools available to help our patients achieve optimal health,” Thornbury said. “We are excited to welcome Dr. Pamela Legate and her team as we work to provide our community with access to a balanced model of care.”
Legate said patients will continue to have access to services through both in-person visits and telehealth, which became a major component of her practice during the COVID-19 pandemic.
“Telehealth has made care far more convenient for many people,” Legate said. “Patients can connect without leaving work or arranging childcare. It’s been a very positive development.”
She said the drive to Smiths Grove, roughly an hour from Owensboro, is comparable to the travel many patients already make for specialized services.
“We’re moving about an hour and 10 minutes down the road,” Legate said. “People routinely drive that distance for a variety of needs.”
Legate acknowledged the emotional aspect of leaving Owensboro after spending much of her life and career in the community.
“It’s definitely bittersweet,” Legate said. “I’ve had patients who’ve been with me for the full 30 years. Owensboro has always felt like home, and I’ve built so many meaningful relationships here.”
Still, she said she believes the transition will ultimately benefit patients and health care across Kentucky.
“This is going to be a positive step for the state, for health care, and for patients,” Legate said. “It opens new opportunities for a more integrated approach. I want people to know how honored I’ve been to serve this area. I’ve truly appreciated being part of so many health care journeys.”
More information about TJ Regional Health is available at tjregionalhealth.org.
