News

Within 30 days of discharge, 20 percent of fee-for-service Medicare patients are readmitted to the hospital. The frequency of readmission for Medicare patients costs the nation an estimated $17 billion annually, but research suggests 75 percent of these readmission cases are preventable. The University of Kentucky Department of Family and Community Medicine, in partnership with St. Claire Regional Medical Center in Morehead, Kentucky, and Kentucky HomePlace recently launched a pilot study to evaluate the impact community health workers have in reducing hospital readmission rates.

A special message from University of Kentucky President Eli Capilouto:

 "I gleaned the remains of my life, turned toward the hills that give me help, give me shelter, hold the sky where it belongs"

-  Jane Hicks

Over the next several months, we'll be examining and discussing the special relationship and partnership the University of Kentucky has with the Central Appalachian region.

The University of Kentucky Center of Excellence in Rural Health Student Services office held a graduation luncheon in recognition of the Medical Laboratory Science (MLS) Class of 2014.  The students will graduate in December with a Bachelor of Health Science degree in Medical Laboratory Science. 

“We are proud of your accomplishments, and we recognize the importance of the role each of you will play as part of the healthcare team,” said Dr. Fran Feltner, UKCERH director.  

Attached is the Fall Newsletter for the CCTS Appalachian Translational Research Network (ATRN), a collaborative network including Marshall University, Ohio University, The Ohio State University, University of Cincinnati, University of Kentucky, and West Virginia University. The ATRN is committed to addressing the significant health challenges and disparities specific to Appalachia by enhancing research collaborations to speed the translation of scientific discoveries to health improvements for this region.

The University of Kentucky Center of Excellence in Rural Health (CERH) encourages rural providers and communities to join the Kentucky Office of Rural Health (KORH), the National Organization of State Offices of Rural Health (NOSORH), and other state and national rural stakeholders to “Celebrate the Power of Rural” during the fourth annual National Rural Health Day on Thursday, Nov.

Sterling Heights, Mich. (November 3, 2014) – Ernie Scott, director of the Kentucky Office of Rural Health (KORH), has received the 2014 Emerging Leader Award from the National Organization of State Offices of Rural Health (NOSORH).  Scott received his award at a ceremony on October 28th during the organization’s annual conference in Omaha, Nebraska.

ANATOMIST AND STUDENTS FROM UK CENTER OF EXCELLENCE IN RURAL HEALTH PRESENT RESEARCH FINDINGS AT NATIONAL CONFERENCE

HAZARD, Ky. (Aug. 1) – Findings of research conducted by Dr. Charles Marshall and doctoral students at the University of Kentucky College of Health Sciences Department of Physical Therapy were presented at the 31st Annual Meeting of the American Association of Clinical Anatomists in Orlando, FL, July 8-12.

The UK Center of Excellence in Rural Health, the Kentucky Office of Rural Health, and the Kentucky Rural Health Association are excited to announce the 2014 Kentucky Rural Health Day Photo Contest.

The theme for the photo contest will be “Bridges to Rural Health” where we ask for participants to submit photos taken of bridges from all across Kentucky. You can find a flier for the Photo Contest here.

The University of Kentucky Center for Health Services Research (CHSR), which serves as a connector, catalyst and creator at UK and UK HealthCare, announces the launch of its new website and seeks membership applicants for its efforts in applying research to optimize health care delivery. The CHSR is focused on creating, testing, and scaling next-generation health services research solutions to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of health delivery within Kentucky and beyond.

The UK CERH recently began a new affiliation with the University Center of the Mountains (UCM), a higher education center located on the campus of Hazard Community and Technical College. This new partnership will enable UK CERH student services representatives LeeAnn Helton and Jessica Williamson to have an office within the UCM where they will be conveniently accessible to students who may be considering a degree in social work, medical lab science or physical therapy.

University of Kentucky President Eli Capilouto today joined U.S. Rep. Harold "Hal" Rogers and Dr. Thomas Frieden, director of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control (CDC), at a Shaping Our Appalachian Region (SOAR) Health Impact Series to discuss health challenges in the region and announce two new UK initiatives to address them. "Our Commonwealth is only strong if every community is strong," said Capilouto. "And every community will only be strong when every community is healthy." One initiative announced was the UK Appalachian Cancer Patient Navigation Project.

From the New York Times to visits from the director of the Centers of Disease Control and Prevention, health disparities in Appalachia are receiving a lot of attention, and for good reason. The list is sadly familiar: life expectancy in the region is about five years lower than national averages; rates of cancer, cardiovascular disease, stroke, obesity, diabetes, and unintentional injury are among the very worst in the country; and myriad socioeconomic and geographic barriers limit access to health insurance and care. Former University of Kentucky President Lee Todd Jr.

ANATOMIST AND STUDENTS FROM UK CENTER OF EXCELLENCE IN RURAL HEALTH PRESENT RESEARCH FINDINGS AT NATIONAL CONFERENCE

HAZARD, Ky. (Aug. 1) – Findings of research conducted by Dr. Charles Marshall and doctoral students at the University of Kentucky College of Health Sciences Department of Physical Therapy were presented at the 31st Annual Meeting of the American Association of Clinical Anatomists in Orlando, FL, July 8-12.

The Community Leadership Institute of Kentucky (CLIK) is a new 3-week leadership development training program scheduled to begin this fall.  It is offered by the UK Center of Excellence in Rural Health (CERH), the Kentucky Office of Rural Health, and the UK CCTS Community Engagement and Research Program. The CLIK is designed to enhance community research and capacity-building competencies in community leaders (e.g., directors, administrators, and other persons who play a key role in using data and decision making).

Social work researchers at UK are conducting a study to learn more about health and self-care behaviors of family caregivers. The web-based survey is estimated to take 20 to 25 minutes to complete. If you are interested in participating in this study, please click on the anonymous link below, which will take you to the survey.

https://uky.az1.qualtrics.com/SE/?SID=SV_1YRCuZQ5iALWGwJ

For more information please contact:

Students, faculty, and staff at the University of Kentucky Center of Excellence in Rural Health are working to establish and grow a unique and valuable program for the people of rural Kentucky.  Project CARAT (Coordinating and Assisting the Re-use of Assistive Technology), a program that collects and refurbishes durable medical equipment and distributes it to people who cannot afford it, is setting up a full-service collection and distribution site at the UK Center of Excellence in Rural Health in Hazard.

 “The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is the nation’s leading provider of water-based outdoor recreation, with more than 400 lake and river projects in 44 states, including Buckhorn and Carr Creek Lakes here in eastern Kentucky,” said Samantha Bachelder, a park ranger at Buckhorn Lake State Park.

 Hazard, Ky. (May 20, 2014) –  The University of Kentucky (UK) Center of Excellence in Rural Health (CERH) recognized the 2014 graduates of UK’s College of Social Work Master of Social Work program offered in Southeast Kentucky (SEKY MSW).  Family members and friends gathered at the Perry County Central Auditorium in Hazard on May 16 to honor the 13 graduates during a commencement and community celebration.

The deadline for applications for the UK/AHEC Summer Health Careers Enrichment Camp has been extended to Friday, April 18th.  The Summer Camp is for rising 9th and 10th graders from Perry, Leslie, Letcher, Knott, Breathitt, and Harlan Counties who have expressed an interest in healthcare professions.  The 2014 camp will run June 18th – July 1st, and will feature educational experiences that are engaging and fun, designed to develop and expand students’ knowledge of healthcare careers.  For more information, contact LeeAnn