U.S. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) announced that the University of Kentucky Center of Excellence in Rural Health will receive $3,878,582 to bolster the healthcare efforts of 46 rural hospitals in combating the coronavirus pandemic. These federal funds, distributed by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ Health Resources and Services Administration, were made available by the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act.

Treating surgical patients with pain medicine requires compassionate care and precision, but when it comes to treating young children, there comes an extra layer of attentiveness.

“Before taking children to surgery, we get the question, ‘Is it going to hurt when I wake up?’” Sarah Hall, MD, PhD, assistant professor of anesthesiology at the University of Kentucky College of Medicine, said. “It’s very close to all of our hearts that it’s not an emotionally distressing experience, as we can help it.”

Lung cancer is a complex and devastating disease, especially in the Commonwealth. In fact, Kentuckians are twice as likely as the rest of U.S. citizens to develop squamous cell carcinoma and small-cell lung cancer, both of which are very serious cancers that typically have low survival rates.

Leonard (Leo) Yenwongfai was just 5 years old when he officially solidified his plans to become a doctor. It was after a conversation he had with a physician who was taking care of a family member at the time. That man, also named Leonard, told him, “I want you to be a doctor just like me.”

In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the University of Kentucky Center for Clinical and Translational Science (CCTS) has created a new biospecimen bank to support research on the novel virus. Logistical support for the biobank is led by the UK Markey Cancer Center.

Connor Appelman, a Maysville, Ky., native, knew from an early age that he wanted to attend medical school just 65 miles down U.S. 68 at the University of Kentucky. As he puts it, he has always bled blue.

“I’m very proud of my home state, and I’ve always wanted to take care of patients in Kentucky,” he said. “That was always the goal growing up, to graduate from the UK College of Medicine. It’s gone by quickly, but it’s been amazing to live out the dream.”

It’s widely known that when it comes to diet, fast food isn’t the healthiest choice. Expanding on this knowledge, a recent study by a researcher at the University of Kentucky College of Medicine found that the inclusion of fructose-sweetened drinks with high-fat foods might add to the negative effects on one’s body.

As the worldwide coronavirus COVID-19 pandemic continues to play out, researchers are among those working to find innovative solutions to help flatten the curve.

One such researcher is Jamie Sturgill, assistant professor in the University of Kentucky College of Medicine Department of Internal Medicine. Sturgill's research focuses heavily on lung disease.

Linda J. Van Eldik, director of the Sanders-Brown Center on Aging at the University of Kentucky, co-authored a paper reporting the first human clinical study of a drug candidate that suppresses injury and disease-induced inflammation of the brain.

University of Kentucky virologist Rebecca Dutch normally studies the steps of infection for viruses like human metapneumovirus, but she's been looking at the novel coronavirus these days. The chair of UK’s Department of Molecular & Cellular Biochemistry is leading the College of Medicine’s COVID-19 Unified Research Experts (CURE) Alliance team, which brings together faculty expertise from multiple disciplines across the university to focus on advising COVID-19 patient care and clinical trials based on emerging research. Today, she answers some of our questions about COVID-19.

Timothy Ainger, PhD, had just completed a 10-hour clinic day when he pulled out his cellphone to check his messages. There were 74 in total, which was pretty typical because he was involved in group chats with his pals, as well as a Fantasy Football league. However, amid those messages were 14 notifications from his wife, Jan.

Researchers and faculty from multiple disciplines across the University of Kentucky are coming together as part of the global effort to treat, understand and eradicate COVID-19.

The COVID-19 Unified Research Experts (CURE) Alliance team, a new workgroup within UK’s College of Medicine, is bringing together UK experts from across the campus to focus on advising COVID-19 patient care and clinical trials based on emerging research and potential treatment options.

BOWLING GREEN CAMPUS STUDENTS COLLECT ITEMS FOR SENIOR CITIZENS

It was after a recent call to her grandfather when Claire Ottman realized just how vulnerable senior citizens were, not only to COVID-19, but also to the consequences of social isolation. She said some of the only times her grandfather got out of the house during the day were when friends picked him up to take him to the grocery store, lunch with his friends, and to church.

Six of the University of Kentucky’s passionate and accomplished educators were recently surprised by student nominators and the UK Alumni Association as 2020 Great Teacher Award recipients.

Dr. Emily Cunningham is one of this year’s Great Teacher recipients.

Cunningham is an associate professor in the department of obstetrics and gynecology in the UK College of Medicine.

After a national search, Carl Lewis Backer, MD, has been named the new chief of pediatric cardiothoracic surgery at Kentucky Children’s Hospital (KCH), effective May 18. His primary appointment will be at Cincinnati Children’s, but he will be based in Lexington.

What makes a good teacher a great one? University of Kentucky students were eager to share their opinions about the best teacher in their lives, nominating them for one of the most esteemed awards on campus. The UK Alumni Association 2020 Great Teacher Award was recently bestowed upon six University of Kentucky educators. Initiated in 1961, UK’s Great Teacher Award is the longest-running UK award recognizing teaching. In order to receive the award, educators must first be nominated by a student.

Three providers with UK HealthCare have been inducted as fellows by the American College of Critical Care Medicine.

Asha Shenoi, Ashley Montgomery-Yates and Alex Flannery have been named fellows in the American College of Critical Care Medicine, honoring their contributions to the field of critical care in the areas of professionalism, collaborative, multi-professional practice, scholarly activity, program development and leadership.

A collaboration among three University of Kentucky colleges has resulted in an innovative new online program. Students and health professionals looking to further their education in food as it relates to health can now earn a graduate certificate in applied nutrition and culinary medicine.

Next week, the University of Kentucky College of Medicine and the Department of Chemistry in the UK College of Arts and Sciences will host renowned biochemist Dr. Rafael Radi for two special events on campus.

As a young student who was proficient in science, Dr. Eseosa Ighodaro, always saw herself pursuing a career in medicine. But it wasn’t until applying to medical school that she discovered there was another path she wanted to follow.