On behalf of the Office of Faculty Affairs and Development, the University of Kentucky College of Medicine is pleased to announce that Sally Mathias, MD, and Sylvia Ofei, MD, MPH, have been selected as fellows for the 2021 Bluegrass Higher Education Consortium Academic Leadership Academy (BHEC-ALA).

Dr. Mathias and Dr. Ofei will join a total of 63 faculty members at the University of Kentucky who have previously participated in this regional academic leadership program.

LEXINGTON, Ky. (March 29, 2021) — Chances are, comedian Robin Williams has made you laugh.

Perhaps you’ve seen his stand-up routine or watched his hilarious physical humor in the 1978 TV sitcom “Mork & Mindy.” Maybe you saw his heartwarming acting skills in movies such as “Mrs. Doubtfire,” or heard him as the voice of the fun-loving genie in Disney’s “Aladdin.”

Williams was called a “bold” comedian with a “kind and gentle spirit” before his death in 2014. He was 63 years old.

On Wednesday, March 24, 2021 Michael Orr successfully defended his dissertation and earned his doctoral degree. Congratulations, Dr. Orr!

"UNDERSTANDING ENDOGENOUS SPINAL REPAIR THROUGH A NOVEL MAMMALIAN MODEL OF SPINAL CORD INJURY"

Doctoral Committee Members

Dr. John Gensel, Department of Physiology, Mentor
Dr. Kathy Saatman, Department of Physiology
Dr. Steven Estus, Department of Physiology
Dr. Warren Aliliain, Department of Neuroscience
Dr. Ashley Seifert, Department of Biology
Outside Examiner: Dr. Ann Morris, Department of Biology

LEXINGTON, Ky. (March 26, 2021) — Since 2018, the Disparities Researchers Equalizing Access for Minorities (DREAM) Scholars Program has supported the training of exceptional, underrepresented pre-docs, post-docs and assistant professors at the University of Kentucky who are committed to health equity research.

March 18, 2021

The horrific attack in Atlanta that has resulted in the murder of eight people, six of whom were of Asian descent and seven of whom are women, sends yet another bell of alarm in a nation already besieged and undermined by division and hate. We have been witnessing an escalation of xenophobia and violence, with this recent act of terrorism serving as one of many examples and byproducts of anti-Asian American racism. It is also of critical importance to point out that misogyny occurs at the root of many violent forms of extremism, including white supremacy.

Congratulations to the following pathology faculty members for creating good news during the time of COVID:

Dr. Janna Neltner and Dr. Therese Bocklage were recently recognized for their Pathology Core Curriculum work in Cancer Cytopathology. Please see the attached PDF to learn more. 

Dr. Derek Allison was named a Rising Star in Cytology in Cancer Cytopathology. His feature is upcoming, so we are very prominent in this journal.

2021 Women in Medicine and Science (WIMS) Booster Grant

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?