Behind the Blue

LEXINGTON, Ky. (Sept. 28, 2018) – Simon Sheather just completed his third month in his new role as dean of the University of Kentucky’s Gatton College of Business and Economics, and he is very happy to be here on campus.

This native son of Australia came to Lexington on July 1 after spending 13 years on the faculty of Texas A&M University in College Station.

On this week’s episode of “Behind the Blue,” UKPR‘s Carl Nathe talks with Sheather about his life, his career, and what attracted him to come to the Bluegrass.

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.

Click here for "Behind the Blue" on iTunes.

LEXINGTON, Ky. (Sept. 21, 2018) - As the university for Kentucky, understanding and addressing the health needs of the people of the Commonwealth is the goal of many faculty, staff, clinicians and researchers. As a step toward improving health equity in the Commonwealth, the University of Kentucky Center for Health Equity Transformation (CHET) was established during the 2018 Board of Trustees meeting. 

On this episode of Behind the Blue, CHET director Nancy Schoenberg and associate director Carrie Oser discuss how, through research and training, CHET will increase the number of researchers and the amount of health-equity focused research at UK.

"[Kentucky] is one of several states where we see declines in life expectancy so there is a lot of work to be done. We believe that research can help inform the best practices that can support improvements in health" said Nancy Schoenberg.

To learn more about the Center for Health Equity Transformation, click here.

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.

Click here for "Behind the Blue" on iTunes.

LEXINGTON, Ky. (Sept. 14, 2018) – A brand new research building will open on the University of Kentucky campus on Friday, Sept. 21.

On this week’s episode of “Behind the Blue,” UKPR‘s Carl Nathe talks with UK Vice President for Research Lisa Cassis about the vital importance of this new facility and how it is designed to help researchers collaborate to help solve many of Kentucky’s health disparities.

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] (mail to: [email protected]) or tweet your question with #BehindTheBlue.

LEXINGTON, Ky. (September 7, 2018) - Summer is winding down and the start of the 2018 Fall semester is upon us. UK President Eli Capilouto is entering his eighth year as the leader of the University of Kentucky.

On this week's episode of Behind the Blue, UKPR's Amy Jones-Timoney and Carl Nathe join President Capilouto to talk about the changes continuing to happen on campus, the vision for the University moving into the future, and how the work here continues to energize and motivate him.

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.

Click here for "Behind the Blue" on iTunes.

LEXINGTON, Ky. (April 11, 2018) – April is National Donate Life Month, an opportunity to renew the commitment to save lives through organ and tissue donation. More than 1,000 Kentuckians are currently on the transplant waiting list; in 2017, UK HealthCare performed a record-breaking 208 total transplants.

As part of Donate Life Month, UK Healthcare joins local and national medical centers in celebrating those who chose to give the gift of life, as well as provide information and education on how to become an organ and tissue donor.

On this week's episode of Behind the Blue, UK Transplant Center Patient Services Advocate Elaine Milem and Kentucky Organ Donor Affiliates (KODA) Family Aftercare Manager Gretchen Starnes discuss the importance of organ donation, what it means for donors and families, and common misconceptions and myths about the organ donation process.

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.

Click here for "Behind the Blue" on iTunes.

LEXINGTON, Ky. (April 1, 2018) -- The opioid epidemic has ravaged communities across the United States and few states have been harder hit than Kentucky. There is, however, reason to have hope. Researchers, physicians and leaders in the Commonwealth and across the nation are working to find solutions that can help people enter recovery and save lives.

Physicians like Dr. Laura Fanucchi, work with patients who have opioid use disorder (OUD) to help them on their path to recovery. In several clinical spaces at UK HealthCare, Fanucchi assists patients by providing medication assisted treatment, the standard of care in the treatment of OUD, and helps connect patients to other services like counseling. Increased rates of injection drug use have led to a rise in incidence of infectious diseases like endocarditis, Hepatitis C and HIV. These patients are also seen by Fanucchi who treats their condition, educates them on preventing reinfection and works to address the underlying cause of the infection, addiction.

Fanucchi also conducts research through the UK Center on Drug and Alcohol Research, including studies on ways to improve access to treatment for substance use disorders by better integrating that care into the inpatient setting. She is currently working on a study examining the viability of treating patients for endocarditis in their homes, rather than with long stay in a hospital.

April 2 to 5 Fanucchi and a team of physicians, researchers and leaders from the University of Kentucky will travel to Atlanta for the National Rx Drug Abuse and Heroin Summit. There, the team will have the opportunity to share with federal, state and local leaders the work they do in Kentucky to combat the opioid epidemic.

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.

Click here for "Behind the Blue" on iTunes.

LEXINGTON, Ky. (March 2, 2018) - As people head back outdoors for yardwork and baseball season starts once again, shoulder injuries will be on the rise. Dr. Carolyn Hettrich associate professor of orthpaedic surgery in the University of Kentucky Department of Orthopaedic Surgery and Sports Medicine, a shoulder and elbow specialist will treat many of those injuries.

On this week's episode of Behind the Blue, Hettrich discusses why she chose sports medicine, her work leading the world's largest study on shoulder instability and how she advocates for improved treatment and funding for musculoskeletal injuries.

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.

Click here for "Behind the Blue" on iTunes.

MEDIA CONTACT: Olivia Ramirez, [email protected], (859) 257-3200

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UK is the University for Kentucky. At UK, we are educating more students, treating more patients with complex illnesses and conducting more research and service than at any time in our 150-year history. To read more about the UK story and how you can support continued investment in your university and the Commonwealth, go to: uky.edu/uk4ky. #uk4ky #seeblue

LEXINGTON, Ky. (February 20, 2018) – On January 8th, 2018, Dr. David Blackwell assumed the role of Provost and Chief Academic Officer of the University of Kentucky.

Dr. Blackwell was previously a Professor of Finance and Dean of the Gatton College of Business and Economics at UK from 2012 to 2018. A two-time graduate of the University of Tennessee, Dr. Blackwell earned his B.S. in Economics in 1981 and his Ph.D. in Finance in 1986.

On this week’s episode of Behind the Blue, Dr. Blackwell joins UKPR’s Amy Timoney and Carl Nathe for a conversation about his transition to his new role, what he views as important steps to take moving forward, meeting future challenges at the University of Kentucky, and more.

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.

Click here for "Behind the Blue" on iTunes.

MEDIA CONTACT: Carl Nathe, [email protected], (859) 257-3200

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UK is the University for Kentucky. At UK, we are educating more students, treating more patients with complex illnesses and conducting more research and service than at any time in our 150-year history. To read more about the UK story and how you can support continued investment in your university and the Commonwealth, go to: uky.edu/uk4ky. #uk4ky #seeblue

LEXINGTON, Ky. (February 13, 2018) – The Olympics celebrates all things sport, and medalists are widely considered to be "ultimate athletes."  But the special operations forces of the U.S. military experience similar physical and mental challenges, often with much more on the line.

The University of Kentucky's Sports Medicine Research Institute (SMRI) works with athletes of all skill levels and the tactical athletes of the U.S. military to improve performance and reduce injury. 

Consider the physical demands on an Olympic biathlete, an event that combines cross-country skiing and rifle shooting. It's difficult to aim with a steady hand if your heart is pounding from a vigorous cardiovascular workout. 

The superior biathlete is usually the one with the best "CV recovery"– that is, the amount of time it takes to slow the heart rate down after physical exertion.  According to Nicholas Heebner, Associate Director for Research at the UK SMRI, the same is true of military athletes.

"These two disciplines use the same science" to maximize performance, Heebner said, and the work of the SMRI, which encompasses sophisticated analysis of biomechanical motion, anaerobic power, metabolic capacity and more, can help Special Ops forces, Olympic athletes and "weekend warriors" perform better and with fewer injuries.

In this episode of the Behind the Blue, we chat with Heebner and the SMRI's Medical Director Dr. Scott Black about the similarities between Olympic athletes and the tactical athletes of the U.S. military and how the SMRI is doing research that benefits both.

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.

Click here for "Behind the Blue" on iTunes.

MEDIA CONTACT: Laura Wright, [email protected], (859) 257-5307

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UK is the University for Kentucky. At UK, we are educating more students, treating more patients with complex illnesses and conducting more research and service than at any time in our 150-year history. To read more about the UK story and how you can support continued investment in your university and the Commonwealth, go to: uky.edu/uk4ky. #uk4ky #seeblue

LEXINGTON, Ky. (February 6, 2018) – The lure of live sporting, with game results unknown, is a valued commodity for both sports organizations and broadcasters. By getting fans involved with sports “branding”, marketers have found a natural way to meet consumers, marketing the sports themselves as well as marketing through them.

This week’s guests on Behind the Blue are Dr. Scott Kelley, the Associate Dean for Undergraduate Affairs in UK’s Gatton College of Business and Economics, and Jason Schlafer, UK’s Executive Associate Athletics Director and Chief Revenue Officer.

On this week’s episode, Scott and Jason discuss what we mean by sports marketing, the explosive growth it  has undergone over the years, the impact of sports marketing on the University of Kentucky and what it provides, and more. They also take a look at how sports marketing has evolved in regards to the Olympics, and how all of this has changed the spectator’s relationship with sports, both on and off the field.

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.

Click here for "Behind the Blue" on iTunes.

MEDIA CONTACT: Carl Nathe, [email protected], (859) 257-3200

###

UK is the University for Kentucky. At UK, we are educating more students, treating more patients with complex illnesses and conducting more research and service than at any time in our 150-year history. To read more about the UK story and how you can support continued investment in your university and the Commonwealth, go to: uky.edu/uk4ky. #uk4ky #seeblue