LEXINGTON, Ky. (Dec. 21, 2021) — Cancer patients undergoing treatment sometimes travel far from home to receive the right cancer care, which can create a financial burden. That’s why the American Cancer Society has awarded a lodging grant to the University of Kentucky Markey Cancer Foundation. These funds will be used to address the lodging needs of cancer patients receiving treatment in Lexington.

Martha Sim, MD, a graduate student at the College of Medicine, knew it was possible she would witness a pandemic in her lifetime, but she did not expect it to happen so early in her research career. Yet in 2020, COVID-19 spread rapidly across the globe.

LEXINGTON, Ky. (Dec. 20, 2021) — For most who know her, Paris resident Elizabeth Barr goes by a simple nickname — “E.” But Frederick Ueland, MD, her oncologist at the University of Kentucky Markey Cancer Center, has another special nickname for her: Lazarus.

LEXINGTON, Ky. (Dec. 16, 2021) — Using new methodology, University of Kentucky researchers have mapped the variations in sugar chains attached to brain proteins from deceased healthy individuals or individuals with Alzheimer’s disease.

Thus far, no effective treatments for Alzheimer’s disease (AD) are available. New approaches to preventing the progression of this devastating neurological disease are desperately needed.

A young John DeMasi foreshadowed his career at 5 years old when he chose his first Halloween costume. Wearing green scrubs from a teddy bear and a stethoscope so big it dragged as he walked, he proudly impersonated a doctor.

For medical students, education doesn’t end with Match Day or graduation. It’s a lifelong journey full of continuous learning, skill advancement, and personal growth.

As director of student success, Emily Scanlon, MEd, has the responsibility of making sure the UK College of Medicine is supporting students during, and after, medical school so they are well prepared for the challenges ahead in their careers.

“I often work with students in specific situations or for individual needs, but almost everything we discuss can be applied to their future,” Scanlon said.

Greg Gerhardt, PhD, is a professor of neuroscience and researcher with the Spinal Cord and Brain Injury Research Center (SCoBIRC) and Brain Restoration Center, as well as advisor for the MD/PhD program. He currently serves as co-principal investigator for the Brain Restoration Alliance in Neurodegeneration (BRAIN). In the following Q&A, Dr. Gerhardt shares more about his current projects.

Q: Why did you want to pursue a career in neuroscience research?

LEXINGTON, Ky. (Dec. 13, 2021) — As the University of Kentucky nears the end of the Fall 2021 semester, COVID-19 infection rates have once again started to rise across the state. Now, a new variant, omicron, creates new set of challenges for the Commonwealth, country and world.

LEXINGTON, Ky. (Dec. 13, 2021) — As the University of Kentucky nears the end of the Fall 2021 semester, COVID-19 infection rates have once again started to rise across the state. Now, a new variant, omicron, creates new set of challenges for the Commonwealth, country and world.

LEXINGTON, Ky. (Dec. 9, 2021) — Appalachian Kentucky high school and undergraduate students enrolled at the University of Kentucky who are interested in pursuing a cancer-focused career have the opportunity to gain cancer research, clinical, outreach and education experiences.

LEXINGTON, Ky. (Dec. 9, 2021) — Spiny mice, known for their unique ability to regrow lost skin, may also be able to preserve injured cardiac tissue according to a new study conducted by a research team from the University of Kentucky College of Medicine and College of Arts and Sciences.

Grant writing is a competitive process. Without the proper resources, staff, or expertise, faculty may struggle in gathering key funding that could benefit future research projects, and ultimately, promote innovative health discoveries.

A new year will bring forth an exciting new career opportunity for Elizabeth Rhodus, PhD, OTR/L.

In November, she accepted a position as assistant professor in the UK College of Medicine Department of Behavioral Science and Sanders-Brown Center on Aging which will begin in January 2022.

“This is such an exciting time in my career,” Dr. Rhodus said. “Joining as faculty means having greater opportunities to make an impact for older adults in our state and beyond. I’m thrilled to get started.”

Lindsay Ragsdale, MD, FAAP, FAAHPM, is an associate professor of pediatrics at the UK College of Medicine. For UK HealthCare, she is division chief of pediatric palliative care, program officer for provider experience, and was recently named interim chief medical officer at Kentucky Children’s Hospital (KCH).

In this Q&A, she shares her experience working with her team to build a successful pediatric vaccine clinic at UK, why she feels so connected to Kentucky, and what she cherishes about being a physician and educator.

LEXINGTON, Ky. (Dec. 6, 2021) — Hillary Thompson’s interest in science comes from a personal place — the desire to help others.

“From a young age, I’ve always been interested in science — I like digging into how the body works,” said Thompson, a junior at Frederick Douglass High School in Lexington. “I think what sparked my interest is really trying to help people — helping them get over their sickness.”

The College of Medicine is excited to announce the appointment of the next chair of the department of internal medicine after a comprehensive national search. Darwin L. Conwell, MD, MS, FACG, has accepted the position and will officially join our faculty on April 4, 2022.

Grant writing is a competitive process. Without the proper resources, staff, or expertise, faculty may struggle in gathering key funding that could benefit future research projects, and ultimately, promote innovative health discoveries.

LEXINGTON, Ky. (Dec. 3, 2021) — About one year ago, Lowell ‘Tom’ Coots Jr. was experiencing debilitating tremors and episodes of confusion. Because of his health issues, the former accountant was forced to end his career.

“I had to retire. I had to sell my practice,” he said. “I had 420 clients and there was no way my wife, Linda, could pick up all those clients.”

He didn’t know it at the time, but a medication meant to help a sudden medical condition was actually causing him more harm than good.

LEXINGTON, Ky. (Dec. 1, 2021) — Work by a group of researchers at the University of Kentucky’s Sanders-Brown Center on Aging was recently published in Genes. The article looks at the use of data mining and machine learning in research.

LEXINGTON, Ky. (Nov. 30, 2021) — The UK HealthCare/Norton Healthcare – Stroke Care Network (SCN) is announcing its 37th affiliate as Mercy Health – Marcum and Wallace Hospital joins the system.