The spring of a medical student’s fourth year marks the final stretch of the long road toward a medical degree. Excitement looms for the opportunities that lie ahead.

This year, however, the end of medical school has been an experience like no other before it. The COVID-19 pandemic forced academic medical centers to adjust their teaching practices. Fourth-year students adapted to incorporate virtual learning, and they could not go through away rotations that offer educational experiences outside of their medical institution.

Kristine Lohr, MD, MS, is professor of medicine at the University of Kentucky College of Medicine. She also is chief of the division of rheumatology and director of the rheumatology training program. For Autoimmune Disease Awareness Month in March, Dr. Lohr shares her expertise on autoimmune diseases and how you can support people who have them.

Q: What are some examples of autoimmune diseases?

Osteoarthritis is the deterioration of protective cartilage cushioning the bones. It affects more than 30 million Americans and has a complex interaction with obesity, socioeconomic status, and mental illness.

Hazard, Ky. (Mar. 22, 2021) – Researchers at the University of Kentucky Center of Excellence in Rural Health (UK CERH) have released COVID-19 Stakeholder Experiences in Kentucky, a report that details the findings of surveys taken by more than 900 healthcare providers, school leaders, community health workers and their clients, and community members in Kentucky during the summer and fall of 2020. 

LEXINGTON, Ky. (March 22, 2021) – While Kentucky was dealing with the early days of the COVID-19 shutdown a year ago, Lexington resident Phyllis Alexander woke up one morning and accidentally discovered another frightening problem.

While reaching for her robe in her closet, she turned too quickly, knocking her chest hard against the door. The pain was sharp and immediate, and as she touched her left breast, she noticed something unusual – a large, firm bump.

The University of Kentucky COVID-19 vaccination clinic at Kroger Field began expanding its Saturday hours and increasing its vaccination capacity by about 1,000 people per week thanks to volunteers from the University of Kentucky’s health care colleges. Faculty, staff and students from the colleges participated by serving in roles from everything from immunizers to wayfinders. On Saturdays from Jan. 30 through Feb.

The UK College of Medicine is thrilled to celebrate our fourth-year students as they learn where they will spend the next phase of their medical careers! Match Day for the Class of 2021 will take place Friday, March 19, 2021, with letter opening beginning at noon.

LEXINGTON, Ky. (March 15, 2021) — The Center for Health Equity Transformation (CHET) at the University of Kentucky is now accepting applications for its health equity-focused pilot grants through April 1. The awards are open to health equity studies affecting vulnerable groups or populations affected by health disparities.

Ima Ebong, MD, MS, assistant professor in the University of Kentucky College of Medicine Department of Neurology, was recently named one of “1,000 Inspiring Black Scientists in America” in a list published by Cell Mentor, an online resource for researchers.

The list, compiled by The Community of Scholars, recognizes the significant contributions Black scientists have made in research.

Chi Peng is a graduate student in the Integrated Biomedical Sciences (IBS) program at the University of Kentucky College of Medicine seeking a PhD in pharmacology. She shares her path to graduate school and how her work in IBS will prepare her for her future career in research.

Q: Can you tell us a little about yourself?

Early into her research career at the University of Kentucky College of Medicine, Tianyan Gao, PhD, says mentorship was vital to her success. Now, as a professor and co-principal investigator of a team supported by the college’s Alliance Research Initiative, she is able to mentor the next generation of researchers who are working to find solutions for one of Kentucky’s major health issues.

Happy Women’s History Month from the Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion!

In celebration of the accomplishments of women in medicine and science and recognizing the work that still needs to be done, ODEI is collaborating with Women in Medicine and Science (WIMS) and the Office of Biomedical Education to host a virtual screening of "Picture a Scientist."

As a new course director for MD 828: Gastrointestinal System and Nutrition, April Hatcher, PhD, knew she wanted to put a creative spin on how she taught these subjects to her second-year students.

Capitalizing on the expansion of virtual platforms, she and a team of faculty and staff at the University of Kentucky College of Medicine established a unique opportunity for students to apply the knowledge gained from the course. 

The single greatest health behavior change that could improve health and decrease mortality is to assist tobacco users to quit smoking and using other tobacco products. This is particularly important to people living in Kentucky, where the rate of smoking is 1.5 times that of the general population of the United States.

Like most events that have taken place during the past several months, the University of Kentucky Barnstable Brown Diabetes Center's annual Obesity and Diabetes Research Day went virtual for the first time and expanded from a research ‘day’ to a research ‘series.’ Organizers say they were pleasantly surprised by the attendance with as many as 120 participants in one session alone.

LEXINGTON, Ky. (March 2, 2021) — Jack Hillard of Lexington has dedicated his life to supporting cancer patients. When he became one, he didn’t let that stop him.

Hillard’s journey with cancer started in 1993, when he was diagnosed with large granular lymphocytic (LGL) leukemia. Thankfully, he received an early diagnosis and has been able to keep the leukemia at bay with medication for over 25 years.

LEXINGTON, Ky. (March 2, 2021) — The University of Kentucky Building Interdisciplinary Research Careers in Women’s Health (BIRCWH) program is now accepting applications for scholars and associates interested in research to advance women's health.

Applications are being accepted through March 15, 2021, for two scholar positions and up to three associate positions available effective August 2021.

Thirty years ago, the University of Kentucky and its College of Medicine established the UK Center of Excellence in Rural Health.

Since that time, CERH, which also serves as the federally designated Kentucky Office of Rural Health, has been supporting the health and well-being of rural Kentuckians by promoting access to health services and educational opportunities.

Dr. Gretchen Wells, director of UK HealthCare Women’s Heart Program at the Gill Heart & Vascular Institute, will assume office as president of the Kentucky Chapter of the American College of Cardiology (KYACC), and will serve on the Board of Governors for ACC.

LEXINGTON, Ky. (March 1, 2021) — The University of Kentucky Department of Emergency Medicine, in collaboration with the University of Kentucky Departments of Neurosurgery and Anesthesiology, is part of a national research study to determine if high-dose oxygen given under pressure (hyperbaric oxygen) will improve recovery following very severe traumatic brain injuries (TBI).