Louisville, Ky. — A woman accused of assaulting a nurse at the University of Louisville Hospital over the weekend appeared in court on Monday. Mykeisha Johnson, 35, was arrested on Saturday, April 26, after allegedly attacking a nurse as she made her rounds on the third floor of the hospital.
According to court documents, Johnson expressed frustration with the hospital staff, claiming they were taking too long to discharge her. In a statement to police, Johnson admitted that she lashed out at the first person she encountered, which happened to be the nurse walking past her room.
Surveillance footage from the incident reportedly shows Johnson choking the nurse, slamming her to the ground, and then repeatedly hitting her in the face and body. The nurse was treated for her injuries and later released.
During Monday’s arraignment hearing, the prosecution upgraded Johnson’s charges from wanton endangerment to strangulation, which now includes assault on a healthcare provider and menacing. The judge entered a not guilty plea on Johnson’s behalf and set her bond at $10,000. If she posts bail, Johnson will be placed under house arrest until her next court date, scheduled for May 6.
UofL Health, in a statement to local news outlet WDRB, emphasized that the organization does not tolerate violence or abuse against its staff, patients, or visitors. “LMPD has made an arrest and is handling the investigation. Our employee was treated and released,” the spokesperson said.
This incident comes just two weeks after another violent attack on a healthcare worker at Jewish Hospital in Louisville. On April 12, Lacy Wilson allegedly stabbed a nurse outside the hospital while waiting for a ride. Wilson reportedly began an argument with the nurse before stabbing the victim multiple times with a screwdriver. Wilson fled the scene but was later arrested.
These recent attacks have sparked renewed calls for increased protections for healthcare workers. The Kentucky Nurses Association (KNA), which represents healthcare professionals in the state, had previously pushed for stronger safety measures following the stabbing incident. In 2023, state lawmakers passed a law sponsored by Rep. Jason Nemes, R-Louisville, which aimed to mandate violence prevention strategies at healthcare facilities. However, the KNA has criticized the law’s vague language, saying that it has resulted in minimal enforcement and insufficient protections for workers.
“The law needs to be more specific and enforced properly to ensure the safety of our healthcare workers,” said KNA representatives. The organization is working with Rep. Nemes to refine the legislation and strengthen its impact.
Healthcare workers in Louisville and across the state continue to face significant risks in their workplace. As assaults on healthcare staff increase, many are advocating for both legislative action and better enforcement of workplace violence prevention policies.
As the investigation into Johnson’s attack continues, the KNA and healthcare professionals hope that these recent incidents will lead to more substantial changes in the law, ensuring that healthcare workers can perform their duties without fear of violence or harm.
