The Optimistâs Daughter begins in New Orleans, Louisiana. The beginning of the novel takes place in a hospital in the bustling city during Marti Gras. After the Judge passes, the majority of the novel is set in Laurelâs childhood home, in her fatherâs hometown of Mount Salus, Mississippi.
The two largest hospitals in Huntington are St. Mary's Medical Center and Cabell Huntington Hospital. St. Mary's and Cabell-Huntington are jointly designated as the only trauma center in the region.
A large portion of the $12 million was donated by the Hoops Family Foundation. In August 2014, Cabell-Huntington Hospital announced the acquisition of St. Mary's Medical Center, which is the other major hospital in the city of Huntington. The acquisition would give the two facilities a combined 700+ beds, making the combined medical center the second largest in West Virginia.