Image Center of Excellence in Rural Health Established to address health disparities in rural Kentucky. About the Center Center History Image Community Health Days The University of Kentucky Center of Excellence in Rural Health (UK CERH), Kentucky Homeplace, USA Drone Port, and a network of community partners are continuing efforts into 2022 to increase COVID-19 vaccination rates in a 32-county region of Appalachia Kentucky and neighboring counties in West Virginia, with $3.3 million in grant funding from the U.S. Health Resources Services Administration. Image Appalachian Research Day Appalachian Research Day is an annual event hosted by the UK Center of Excellence in Rural Health to share results of health research conducted with communities in Appalachia. Come learn about research projects in our community and how you can get involved. Image Education The Center’s mission is to improve the health and well-being of rural Kentuckians. To help accomplish this mission, the Center continues to provide quality educational opportunities. Meet Our Director Dr. Fran Feltner is a native of where she lives and works which fuels a flame of motivation that is impossible to extinguish. Longstanding personal relationships with local people and intimate familiarity with local culture provide her with a unique depth of understanding of the health, social and economic challenges faced by fellow community members, particularly the most vulnerable and underserved. Challenges like these can seem overwhelming, frustrating, and heartbreaking, particularly when they impact one’s self or friends, family members, or neighbors. Such circumstances often require a new trail to be blazed and that is where strong and passionate leaders like Dr. Feltner rise to the challenge. Learn more about Dr. Fran Feltner Recent News MAR 31, 2023 UK Center of Excellence in Rural Health receives grant to increase number of community health workers MAR 18, 2023 Kentucky Office of Rural Health mourns loss of Director Ernie Scott MAR 2, 2023 ‘Alliance 2.0’ builds upon success of College of Medicine’s innovative research initiative FEB 24, 2023 Congratulations to the winners of the second annual MVPE Awards View All News The Bridge The Bridge, a quarterly magazine that highlights best practices and innovative solutions to Kentucky's rural health challenges, is produced in a collaboration between the University of Kentucky Center of Excellence in Rural Health and the Kentucky Office of Rural Health. Read Current and Past Issues