Behind the Blue

LEXINGTON, Ky. (July 1, 2025) – The University of Kentucky Alumni Association started the Great Teacher Award program in 1961 to honor excellent teaching at the university. There have been more than 300 teachers honored since that first year. Nominations may only be submitted by current students.

To receive the award, a candidate must:

• Hold the rank of full-time lecturer or above and have been a member of the faculty for the past three years at UK.
• Have superior knowledge of the subject matter.
• Have original and innovative classroom presentations.
• Demonstrate concern for students, both inside and outside the classroom setting.
• Not have been a recipient of the award for the past 10 years.

A committee of the UK Alumni Association Board of Directors and a representative from the student organization Omicron Delta Kappa select the recipients based on objective rating and ranking of the eligible nominations submitted.

This episode of Behind the Blue spotlights one of the six Great Teacher Award winners for 2025: Matthew Kim, an assistant professor in the Department of Psychology in the College of Arts and Sciences.

Kim leads the Developing Minds Lab where his research, funded by the National Science Foundation, examines the nature and development of motivation and self-regulation skills in K-12 and postsecondary students.

'Behind the Blue' is available via a variety of podcast providers, including iTunes 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.

Behind the Blue is a joint production of the University of Kentucky and UK HealthCare. Transcripts for this or other episodes of Behind the Blue can be downloaded from the show's blog page.

To discover how the University of Kentucky is advancing our Commonwealth, click here.

LEXINGTON, Ky. (June 26, 2025) – When we think about children's health, we often picture check-ups, vaccinations, and the day-to-day care families receive from their pediatricians. But in Kentucky, the conversation goes much deeper. From rural access to care, to systemic poverty, to the lingering effects of the opioid epidemic, children across the Commonwealth face challenges that begin long before they step into a doctor's office.

At the same time, Kentucky Children's Hospital and the University of Kentucky are stepping up with bold strategies aimed not just at treating illness, but at building healthier communities—starting from the ground up. Through statewide partnerships, data-driven interventions, and a renewed focus on population health, leaders are rethinking what pediatric care can and should be.

On this episode of Behind the Blue, we speak with Dr. Scottie Day, Chair of the Department of Pediatrics and Physician-in-Chief of Kentucky Children's Hospital, and Dr. Bethany Hodge, Vice Chair for Population Health and Strategy in the Department of Pediatrics. They discuss the evolving needs of Kentucky's youngest patients, the launch of the KCH Affiliate Network, and how a commitment to upstream care and community collaboration is shaping the future of children's health across the state.

'Behind the Blue' is available via a variety of podcast providers, including Apple Podcasts and Spotify. Subscribe to receive new episodes each week, featuring UK's latest medical breakthroughs, research, artists, writers and the most important news impacting the university.

Behind the Blue is a joint production of the University of Kentucky and UK HealthCare. Transcripts for this or other episodes of Behind the Blue can be downloaded from the show's blog page.

To discover how the University of Kentucky is advancing our Commonwealth, click here.

LEXINGTON, Ky. (June 19, 2025) – THIS IS AN ENCORE EPISODE. On January 1st, 1863, President Abraham Lincoln issued the 'Emancipation Proclamation', but it wasn't until June 19th, 1865 that the last remaining enslaved African Americans – men and women in Galveston, Texas – learned they were free.

Since that time, June 19th, or "Juneteenth", has been celebrated annually in various parts of the United States to commemorate emancipation as well as celebrate African-American culture. Still, it took until June 17th of 2021 for the day to be recognized as a federal holiday, after becoming more widely celebrated among African-American communities and gaining more and more mainstream attention in the US.

On this episode of Behind the Blue, we're presenting an encore interview with Dr. Anastasia Curwood, director of The Commonwealth Institute for Black Studies (CIBS) and African American and Africana Studies (AAAS) at UK. In this conversation, originally from June of 2022, Dr. Curwood discusses the Juneteenth holiday, from her personal feelings and reflections on the significance of the day, to the importance of observance of the holiday by the university, and more.

Behind the Blue is available via a variety of podcast providers, including Apple Podcasts and Spotify. Subscribe to receive new episodes each week, featuring UK's latest medical breakthroughs, research, artists, writers and the most important news impacting the university.

Behind the Blue is a joint production of the University of Kentucky and UK HealthCare. Transcripts for this or other episodes of Behind the Blue can be downloaded from the show's blog page.

For more information about CIBS, including ways you can support, visit https://cibs.as.uky.edu/.

To discover how the University of Kentucky is advancing our Commonwealth, click here.

LEXINGTON, Ky. (June 12, 2025) – As the University of Kentucky continues to evolve – whether through expanding student housing, major medical center construction, or increased sustainability initiatives – so too must the systems that help people navigate it all.

With summer offering a brief window for more intensive work, University of Kentucky Transportation Services is executing projects ranging from garage expansions and surface lot renovations to shuttle route adjustments.

"The worst thing to do is wait until [something] hits you and then be reactive. [We] always try to be proactive," says Lance Broeking, Director of Transportation Services at UK.

Among the more major updates are:

• A significant expansion of Sports Center Garage, adding over 1,200 spaces through both vertical and horizontal expansion
• The transition of the Prall Street lot into visitor-only parking, which Broeking hopes will reduce confusion and citation rates
• The introduction of flexible permit zones to help alleviate overcrowding and adapt to fluctuating parking demand around Kroger Field, especially during game day relocations
• A new Wildcat Wheels bike shop location, further enhancing UK's alternative transportation options
• The upcoming switch to virtual parking permits in fall 2026, allowing users to manage their parking entirely through license plate recognition and mobile technology

On this episode of Behind the Blue, Broeking returns to provide insight into the planning and decision-making that affects how students, faculty, staff and visitors get to, from and around campus. He also discusses how his team stays proactive, responds to feedback, and prepares for a more connected, sustainable future.

'Behind the Blue' is available via a variety of podcast providers, including Apple Podcasts and Spotify. Subscribe to receive new episodes each week, featuring UK's latest medical breakthroughs, research, artists, writers and the most important news impacting the university.

Behind the Blue is a joint production of the University of Kentucky and UK HealthCare. Transcripts for this or other episodes of Behind the Blue can be downloaded from the show's blog page.

To discover how the University of Kentucky is advancing our Commonwealth, click here.

LEXINGTON, Ky. (June 4, 2025) – The University of Kentucky Alumni Association started the Great Teacher Award program in 1961 to honor excellent teaching at the university. There have been more than 300 teachers honored since that first year. Nominations may only be submitted by current students.

To receive the award, a candidate must:

• Hold the rank of full-time lecturer or above and have been a member of the faculty for the past three years at UK.
• Have superior knowledge of the subject matter.
• Have original and innovative classroom presentations.
• Demonstrate concern for students, both inside and outside the classroom setting.
• Not have been a recipient of the award for the past 10 years.

A committee of the UK Alumni Association Board of Directors and a representative from the student organization Omicron Delta Kappa select the recipients based on objective rating and ranking of the eligible nominations submitted.

This episode of Behind the Blue spotlights one of the six Great Teacher Award winners for 2025: Gosia Chwatko, an assistant professor in the Stanley and Karen Pigman College of Engineering Department of Chemical and Materials Engineering.

Chwatko's research lab focuses on understanding and developing sustainable separation processes and polymeric materials considering cradle-to-grave design.

'Behind the Blue' is available via a variety of podcast providers, including iTunes 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.

Behind the Blue is a joint production of the University of Kentucky and UK HealthCare. Transcripts for this or other episodes of Behind the Blue can be downloaded from the show's blog page.

To discover how the University of Kentucky is advancing our Commonwealth, click here.

LEXINGTON, Ky. (May 29, 2025) – Health isn't just about treating illness – it's about access. It's about education. It's about the quality of life in every community across Kentucky.

In October 2024, the University of Kentucky's Board of Trustees made a bold statement: that UK should become the university that does more than any other in the country to improve the health of the state it serves.

The creation of a new initiative, the Advancing Kentucky Together Network, is the next step in UK's long-standing work to tackle health disparities, boost regional economies, and build a stronger, more resilient workforce—all through deep and sustained community partnerships.

The Network "builds upon years of work we've done on the healthcare side," said Rob Edwards, UK's Vice President and Chief Strategy & Growth Officer for UK HealthCare, "building networks of healthcare providers and working together to improve clinical care for patients and to provide that care close to the patient's home."

The vision is rooted in Kentucky's land-grant mission and UK's history of stepping into real-world challenges with statewide impact.

For Edwards, the concept is straightforward: "I would say we're taking a lot of long-time relationships that are built on trust…and so we've been able to find a model that works from both an expense standpoint and a health outcomes standpoint."

On this episode of Behind the Blue, Edwards discusses the decades of partnership-building that laid the groundwork for this network, how strategic collaborations can meet local and statewide needs, and why UK is uniquely positioned to lead this effort.

'Behind the Blue' is available via a variety of podcast providers, including iTunes 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.

Behind the Blue is a joint production of the University of Kentucky and UK HealthCare. Transcripts for this or other episodes of Behind the Blue can be downloaded from the show's blog page.

To discover how the University of Kentucky is advancing our Commonwealth, click here.

LEXINGTON, Ky. (May 22, 2025) – As federal lawmakers continue to examine the future of Medicaid, universities and health systems across the country are monitoring potential policy shifts that could influence how care is delivered—especially in states like Kentucky, where Medicaid plays a foundational role in supporting healthcare access.

At the University of Kentucky, Medicaid is more than a funding stream—it helps fuel a wide range of clinical services, community outreach programs, and care for underserved populations. Nearly 35% of patients served by UK HealthCare are Medicaid recipients, and many of them live in rural areas or face chronic health challenges that require consistent, high-quality care.

Helping to lead the university's strategic and policy response is Mark Birdwhistell, UK's Senior Vice President for Health and Public Policy. With more than 45 years of experience in healthcare policy and administration, Birdwhistell has played a central role in shaping UK's efforts to communicate the value of Medicaid—not just in dollars, but in lives improved.

UK's participation in Kentucky's Medicaid Directed Payment program, which links funding to quality outcomes, has allowed the university to expand hospital access, reach patients in remote areas, and strengthen partnerships with providers across the Commonwealth. "We're using this opportunity to show accountability, improve outcomes, and demonstrate how a teaching hospital model can work," Birdwhistell said.

On this episode of Behind the Blue, Birdwhistell discusses how the university and its health system are adapting to a rapidly evolving Medicaid landscape, and why federal support remains essential to serving the state's most vulnerable.

'Behind the Blue' is available via a variety of podcast providers, including iTunes 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.

Behind the Blue is a joint production of the University of Kentucky and UK HealthCare. Transcripts for this or other episodes of Behind the Blue can be downloaded from the show's blog page.

To discover how the University of Kentucky is advancing our Commonwealth, click here.

LEXINGTON, Ky. (May 8, 2025) – THIS IS AN ENCORE PRESENTATION. The University of Kentucky Alzheimer's Disease Research Center at the Sanders-Brown Center on Aging is celebrating 40 years of research and community impact. The center is world-renowned for its significant contributions to the field through the decades. As the UK-ADRC celebrates this milestone, we reflect on how the Center has evolved over the years and highlight some of its notable achievements.

This episode of Behind the Blue features a conversation with Dr. Linda Van Eldik, Director of the Sanders-Brown Center on Aging and Alzheimer's Disease Center. Van Eldik highlights the 40-year journey of the Center, focusing on its origins, community engagement, and the evolution of Alzheimer's research.

The discussion covers the importance of understanding dementia through biomarkers, the significance of translational research, and the center's commitment to preventative strategies and lifestyle interventions. She emphasizes the need for community outreach, education, and the role of philanthropy in advancing research efforts.

Behind the Blue is available via a variety of podcast providers, including iTunes 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.

Behind the Blue is a joint production of the University of Kentucky and UK HealthCare. Transcripts for this or other episodes of Behind the Blue can be downloaded from the show's blog page.

To discover how the University of Kentucky is advancing our Commonwealth, click here.

LEXINGTON, Ky. (May 1, 2025) – As the University of Kentucky prepares to celebrate its newest alumni during Commencement ceremonies on May 9th and 10th, each student walking across the stage carries a unique story of transformation and impact shaped by their time on campus. Earning a degree in any field demands dedication, perseverance and countless hours of study, but the experience of UK often provides much more, equipping students with skills and perspectives gained through community engagement, hands-on research opportunities and impactful experiences with the wider world, allowing them to go on to lead lives of meaning and purpose.

Two such students are graduating this spring from the UK College of Public Health, with journeys that show how UK's supportive environment, coupled with their own initiative, has prepared them to tackle complex health challenges on a broad, even global, scale.

Sophia Goodin, a Lexington native, and Sophie Ciaverelli, who grew up partly in Texas and Germany, were drawn to public health for its focus on making a difference at a population level, rather than through solely individual patient care. They both held a desire to use their skills to help entire communities and appreciated the unique viewpoint Public Health provided in getting to the root causes and solutions of certain problems.

Another cornerstone of their UK experience has been the supportive and close-knit community within the college, along with the accessibility and passion of the faculty and staff. Goodin describes the community as "super welcoming," and noted the ease of having "personal conversations" due to the college's smaller size. Ciaverelli added that the college made strong impressions on them by helping students feel "they want me here, I belong here, and they are celebrating the fact that that I'm here" right from the start.

On this episode of Behind the Blue, Goodin and Ciaverelli reflect on their time at UK, their unique research and international experiences, and what's next as they prepare for graduation and embark on their future paths in public health.

'Behind the Blue' is available via a variety of podcast providers, including iTunes 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.

Behind the Blue is a joint production of the University of Kentucky and UK HealthCare. Transcripts for this or other episodes of Behind the Blue can be downloaded from the show's blog page.

To discover how the University of Kentucky is advancing our Commonwealth, click here.

LEXINGTON, Ky. (April 24, 2025) – University of Kentucky President Eli Capilouto often talks about the university's overarching mission to advance the state of Kentucky. A key part of that mission is educating more and more students to help expand the workforce across the Commonwealth.

Recent enrollment figures reflect this mission with record enrollment, as well as retention and graduation rates.

A team from the University of Kentucky recently earned the National Student Affairs Administrators in Higher Education (NASPA) Excellence Award.

The presenting team — made up Dr. Kirsten Turner, Vice President for Student Success…Chief Analytics Officer Todd Brann…Dr. Molly Reynolds, Associate Vice President for Student Excellence…and Anne Marie Bickel, Student Analytics Team Lead, Institutional Research, Analytics & Decision Support (IRADS) — won the "Gold in 2025 Assessment, Persistence, Data Analytics and related category" for their Weekly Retention Meetings.

In this episode of Behind the Blue, two of those leaders, Molly Reynolds and Anne Marie Bickel, are taking a deeper dive into this unique strategy to explore how it works and why it's helping University of Kentucky students succeed.

Behind the Blue is available via a variety of podcast providers, including iTunes 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.

Behind the Blue is a joint production of the University of Kentucky and UK HealthCare. Transcripts for this or other episodes of Behind the Blue can be downloaded from the show's blog page.

To discover how the University of Kentucky is advancing our Commonwealth, click here.