Behind the Blue

LEXINGTON, Ky. (March 15, 2024) – Dr. Tessa London-Bounds, a cardiothoracic surgeon at UK HealthCare's Gill Heart & Vascular Institute, had two vastly different breastfeeding experiences as a resident and later as an attending surgeon. Variations in workplace support, along with access to technology and facilities made finding a balance between caring for patients and providing for her own children difficult.

After speaking with co-workers about her experiences, she was inspired to team together with fellow surgeons to create an online survey, which asked nearly 900 surgeons to share their opinions on the challenges of access and equity in the workplace for breastfeeding surgeons.

On this episode of Behind the Blue, Dr. London-Bounds discusses how her own personal experiences helped inspire the creation of the survey, the stigma and difficulties pregnant and breastfeeding surgeons perceive in the workplace, and the positive impact she can already see from the information and understanding the researchers have aquired.

"Behind the Blue" is available on iTunes, Google Play, and Spotify. Become a subscriber to receive new episodes of "Behind the Blue" each week. UK's latest medical breakthroughs, research, artists and writers will be featured, along with the most important news impacting the university.

Transcripts for this or other episodes of Behind the Blue can be downloaded from the show's blog page.

To discover what's wildly possible at the University of Kentucky, click here.

LEXINGTON, Ky. (March 7, 2024) – On March 11th, UK's James B. Beam Institute will host their annual Beam Institute Industry Conference, where hundreds of distillers, researchers, distillery and supporting industry employees gather for 3 days of learning and information exchange in Kentucky's signature industry.

On this episode of Behind the Blue, the Beam Institute's Director Seth DeBolt and Research Director Brad Berron discuss the mission of the Institute, the partnerships that have enabled the construction of a 7,500 square-foot on-campus research and teaching distillery, and their dedication to training more than 1,600 students through university courses, internships, and distillery apprenticeship programs to support the next generation of leaders in the spirits industry.

"Behind the Blue" is available on iTunes, Google Play, and Spotify. Become a subscriber to receive new episodes of "Behind the Blue" each week. UK's latest medical breakthroughs, research, artists and writers will be featured, along with the most important news impacting the university.

Transcripts for this or other episodes of Behind the Blue can be downloaded from the show's blog page.

To discover what's wildly possible at the University of Kentucky, click here.

LEXINGTON, Ky. (March 1, 2024) – On March 5th, 1964, following the postponement of legislation aimed at eliminating segregation in public accommodations in Kentucky, some 10,000 residents of the Commonwealth came together with notable civil rights activists, including Martin Luther King, Jr. and Jackie Robinson to participate in a March on Frankfort. This interracial protest was designed to exert pressure on the governor, urging support for a more robust legislative proposal.

On this episode of 'Behind the Blue', UK professor of history Gerald Smith talks about the historical context and significance of the march, the legacy it left behind, and how, 60 years on, it continues to be commemorated.

From 1997-2005, Smith served as the director of the African American Studies and Research Program at UK, and he is the author, editor, or co-editor of five books including his newest from 2023: 'Slavery and Freedom in the Bluegrass State: Revisiting My Old Kentucky Home'.

"Behind the Blue" is available on iTunes, Google Play, and Spotify. Become a subscriber to receive new episodes of "Behind the Blue" each week. UK's latest medical breakthroughs, research, artists and writers will be featured, along with the most important news impacting the university.

Transcripts for this or other episodes of Behind the Blue can be downloaded from the show's blog page.

To discover what's wildly possible at the University of Kentucky, click here.

LEXINGTON, Ky. (February 22, 2024) – Crystal Wilkinson is a Professor of English in the UK College of Arts & Sciences and one of 16 University Research Professors for 2023-24. As the first Black woman to hold the appointment of Poet Laureate of Kentucky from 2021-2023, Wilkinson serves as an inspiration to many in the writing community, and has authored several award-winning books.

Wilkinson's research and work primarily focuses on the stories of Black women and communities in the Appalachian and rural Southern canon. Her most recent work, 'Praisesong for the Kitchen Ghosts', is her first foray into nonfiction, delving into the lives and foodways of her own family.

On this episode of 'Behind the Blue', Wilkinson talks about the new book and how the inspiration to research and write about her family has been an inspiration to many others who wish to connect to their own ancestry and culture.

"Behind the Blue" is available on iTunes, Google Play, and Spotify. Become a subscriber to receive new episodes of "Behind the Blue" each week. UK's latest medical breakthroughs, research, artists and writers will be featured, along with the most important news impacting the university.

Transcripts for this or other episodes of Behind the Blue can be downloaded from the show's blog page.

To discover what's wildly possible at the University of Kentucky, click here.

LEXINGTON, Ky. (February 15, 2024) – Science "happens" all around us, from the food we eat in the morning, to the light switch we turn off at night and everything in-between. For UK associate professor Vince Venditto, the idea of taking a large and intimidating topic and making it relatable and accessible in a fun and interactive way is important in helping people feel more connected to the world they live in.

Since 2018, he has worked with students and employees in the UK College of Pharmacy to show the greater Lexington community those connections all around us, not just in research labs. They're doing so with 'Everything is Science', a speaker-series festival that unfolds across various venues throughout the city. This year's festival has evening events from Monday, February 19th through Friday, February 23rd. With this year's theme of 'Make it Make Sense!', attendees will embark on a sensory journey, where the focus will be on the five remarkable human senses: touch, vision, taste, hearing, and smell.

On this episode of 'Behind the Blue', Venditto is joined by Rosa Mejia-Cruz, Communications Director for the College of Pharmacy, to talk about the theme of the festival, the impact it has on attendees, and the importance of taking science out of the lab and into the community.

"Behind the Blue" is available on iTunes, Google Play, and Spotify. Become a subscriber to receive new episodes of "Behind the Blue" each week. UK's latest medical breakthroughs, research, artists and writers will be featured, along with the most important news impacting the university.

Transcripts for this or other episodes of Behind the Blue can be downloaded from the show's blog page.

To discover what's wildly possible at the University of Kentucky, click here.

LEXINGTON, Ky. (February 8, 2024) – This year marks the 75th anniversary of Lyman T. Johnson's historic legal triumph against the University of Kentucky, a milestone that marked him as the first African American student to integrate the university. Johnson, a lifelong champion of education and its transformative potential, was an advocate for equality in both education and broader society, drawing inspiration from his experiences as both a student and a teacher.

Johnson's lawsuit against the University of Kentucky proved successful, leading to his enrollment as a graduate student in the summer of 1949. While he did not complete his degree at UK, the enduring legacy he leaves behind echoes the principles he instilled in his students — the ongoing pursuit of equality and justice, and an emphasis on the role of education and independent thinking to help people navigate the path toward progress.

UK alumnus and Lexington native George Wright is one of many who have benefitted from Johnson's efforts. Wright, a noted African American scholar and former president of Prairie View A&M University in Texas, attended UK in 1968 through a special program offered after the death of Martin Luther King, Jr., earning both bachelor's and master's degrees at the university.

Wright received a PhD from Duke University, returned to UK as an assistant professor, and then moved on to the University of Texas at Austin and eventually Prairie View. In 2019-20 he returned as a visiting professor in recognition of the 70th anniversary of integration at the university. At the end of that year, he remained at UK and took on the role of senior advisor to President Eli Capilouto.

On this episode of 'Behind the Blue', Wright talks about the personal and community significance of Black History Month, the impact Lyman T. Johnson's victory had on his own UK experience and, as well as the impact on the cultural life of the university itself.

"Behind the Blue" is available on iTunes, Google Play, and Spotify. Become a subscriber to receive new episodes of "Behind the Blue" each week. UK's latest medical breakthroughs, research, artists and writers will be featured, along with the most important news impacting the university.

Transcripts for this or other episodes of Behind the Blue can be downloaded from the show's blog page.

To discover what's wildly possible at the University of Kentucky, click here.

LEXINGTON, Ky. (February 1, 2024) – "Every single one of them said, 'My God, I had no idea something like this happened.' I think they are learning something about their communities that they didn't know before," says Anastasia Curwood, director of the Commonwealth Institute for Black Studies, referring to the reaction of students to their work with the groundbreaking Civil Rights and Restorative Justice Kentucky Project, a pilot program stemming from the pioneering CRRJ Project at Northeastern University School of Law. Prompted by the national project and working with the University of Kentucky's Rosenberg School of Law, they recognized the urgent need to address unsolved murders in Kentucky tied to racism or racial hostility.

The multidimensional approach encompasses legal seminars, historical research, and a restorative justice element, intertwining legal expertise and historical context to unravel mysteries dating back through the past 100 years. This unique project bridges the gap between academic disciplines, offering students the opportunity to delve into cold cases that state agencies, hindered by resource constraints, often overlook or are unable to continue work on.

The significance of this initiative lies not only in its historical inquiry but also in its potential to redefine how Kentuckians perceive their past. By investigating historical wrongs, the project seeks to create a more honest narrative of the Commonwealth, acknowledging the lasting impact on families and communities.

On this episode of 'Behind the Blue,' Curwood is joined by Austin Zinkle, a post-doctoral scholar and co-leader of the CRRJ-Kentucky legal clinic. They discuss the intricate connections between the past and present, and their efforts to shed light on real traumas and historical injustices that continue to shape Kentucky today.

"Behind the Blue" is available on iTunes, Google Play, and Spotify. Become a subscriber to receive new episodes of "Behind the Blue" each week. UK's latest medical breakthroughs, research, artists and writers will be featured, along with the most important news impacting the university.

Transcripts for this or other episodes of Behind the Blue can be downloaded from the show's blog page.

To discover what's wildly possible at the University of Kentucky, click here.

LEXINGTON, Ky. (January 25, 2024) – UK HealthCare's Gill Heart and Vascular Institute is a renowned center for cardiovascular care, research and education. Established with the aim of advancing cardiovascular health, Gill stands as a comprehensive facility offering a wide range of services.

One of the notable features of the Gill Heart Institute is its new Sports Cardiology Program, led by Marc Paranzino, M.D. This program focuses on the cardiovascular health of athletes, addressing the unique challenges faced by individuals engaged in various levels of physical activity. The institute's sports cardiology initiatives extend beyond elite athletes to encompass individuals of all ages seeking to maintain an active lifestyle.

On this episode of 'Behind the Blue,' Dr. Paranzino discusses this new program, the evolving field of sports cardiology, and the potential it holds for improving cardiovascular health in an array of different age and activity groups.

"Behind the Blue" is available on iTunes, Google Play, and Spotify. Become a subscriber to receive new episodes of "Behind the Blue" each week. UK's latest medical breakthroughs, research, artists and writers will be featured, along with the most important news impacting the university.

Transcripts for this or other episodes of Behind the Blue can be downloaded from the show's blog page.

To discover what's wildly possible at the University of Kentucky, click here.

LEXINGTON, Ky. (January 18, 2024) – Col. Wendy Woodall is no stranger to spending time in new locations. Growing up in a U.S. military family and living in a variety of locations during her childhood, she calls herself a native of Princeton, Ky, where her father is from.

While attending high school in Virginia, her father decided to retire from military service and move back to Kentucky. She decided to attend UK, the only school in the state she was familiar with, because of her dad's love of UK Athletics as much as anything else. Little did she know that this decision would lead her to a fulfilling academic experience and a lifelong passion for nursing.

A proud alumna of the UK College of Nursing, Woodall earned her bachelor's degree in nursing in 1998. Her dedication to serving the nation as a military nurse has taken her to diverse locations, including active duty in South Korea and Iraq. Last year, she assumed the role of chief nursing officer at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center, a testament to her leadership journey within the U.S. Army Nurse Corps and other esteemed organizations.

On this episode of 'Behind the Blue', Col. Woodall shares her insights into how her experience at UK shaped her career and prepared her for the pivotal role she holds today at Walter Reed, the world's premier military medical center.

"Behind the Blue" is available on iTunes, Google Play, Stitcher and Spotify. Become a subscriber to receive new episodes of "Behind the Blue" each week. UK's latest medical breakthroughs, research, artists and writers will be featured, along with the most important news impacting the university.

For questions or comments about this or any other episode of "Behind the Blue," email [email protected] or tweet your question with #BehindTheBlue. Transcripts for this or other episodes of Behind the Blue can be downloaded from the show's blog page.

To discover what's wildly possible at the University of Kentucky, click here.

LEXINGTON, Ky. (January 10, 2024) – Monday, January 15, 2024 will mark Lexington's 51st anniversary of the observance of Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, a US Federal holiday that honors the birth, life and dream of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., and is also the only national holiday designated as a national day of service to encourage Americans to volunteer for opportunities to improve their communities in a variety of ways.

As a member of the Lexington-Fayette MLK Holiday Celebration Committee for the past 13 years, Jay Alexander has been intimately involved with the planning and service surrounding the Celebration event. Alexander, the programming and music director for WBTF-FM in Lexington, believes the commemoration of Dr. King's work shouldn't be limited to only one day, and he sees that year-round community service active with many of the churches and community groups that take part in the celebration.

For a community he has come to know and love, he feels it's a tremendous opportunity to serve and to bring awareness that the struggle is not over. "I have said this time and time and time again, we stand on the shoulders of giants. We would not be where we are today," Alexander says, "without the fight and the struggle of the John Lewis's and the Martin Luther King's, those who got down and did the battle."

Alexander joins this week's 'Behind the Blue' to talk about this year's event. The theme for the 2024 MLK Celebration is "MLK in 2024: Eyes Off the Prize?", and he says that's the question Dr. Kevin Cosby, president of Simmons College in Louisville will be answering as the keynote speaker.

Making a return appearance this year will be the Uniting Voices Chicago choir, who will be joining the Uniting Voices Lexington, a new group that has come together just this year under the leadership of Michael Preacely, DMA. The event will also see the awarding of two full-year scholarships, one to Bluegrass Community and Technical College and one to Kentucky State University.

If you're interested in more information regarding the Lexington-Fayette Martin Luther King, Jr. Day Holiday Program, visit uky.edu/mlk. The annual Freedom March will begin at 1 p.m. on Monday, January 15th, and concludes with the Commemorative Program held at the Central Bank Center at 2 p.m. The march begins and ends at the Central Bank Center in downtown Lexington.

"Behind the Blue" is available on iTunes, Google Play, Stitcher and Spotify. Become a subscriber to receive new episodes of "Behind the Blue" each week. UK's latest medical breakthroughs, research, artists and writers will be featured, along with the most important news impacting the university.

For questions or comments about this or any other episode of "Behind the Blue," email [email protected] or tweet your question with #BehindTheBlue. Transcripts for this or other episodes of Behind the Blue can be downloaded from the show's blog page.

To discover what's wildly possible at the University of Kentucky, click here.