LEXINGTON, KY. (Feb. 21, 2014) -- Most people remember James Baker Hall as a writer, and with good reason. Hall was a critically acclaimed author, mentored dozens (if not hundreds) of aspiring authors in his 30 year tenure as director of the Creative Writing Program at the University of Kentucky, and was Kentucky's Poet Laureate from 2001 through 2003. Just last month, he was inducted into the Kentucky Writers Hall of Fame.

But Hall was an equally engaged and prolific photographer, taking and developing thousands of photographs in his lifetime. He was a contributing editor for Aperture, a national magazine for the photo community, and lectured widely on photography in such places as the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and the Rhode Island School of Design

The public can see how James Baker Hall expressed himself through photography at a special exhibit sponsored by UK HealthCare's "Arts in HealthCare" program. Called, "The Mirror's Beveled Edge," this exhibition is an ambitious undertaking on Hall's behalf.  Occupying the West Gallery of the University of Kentucky Albert B. Chandler Hospital, nearly 40 photographs in a multitude of genres will be on display from Feb. 20, 2014, through July 31, 2014.

"James Baker Hall was much more than a teacher.  He was a mentor in the purest sense," recalls Sarah Wylie VanMeter, manager of the James Baker Hall Archive. "He viewed each of his students as an opportunity to nurture a deep and creative inner mind."

VanMeter was a creative writing student of Hall's, but their mutual interest in photography dovetailed into a long term collaboration.  VanMeter began working as his studio assistant in 2001, managing the printing of his work. In 2009, she co-created a documentary: "Elbow of Light: A Film on James Baker Hall." She now oversees the preservation and promotion of the James Baker Hall Archive, which culminated in this exhibition.

As a child, James Baker Hall developed an interest in photography when he worked for his cousin, Mack Hughes, a commercial photographer. But by the time he graduated from UK in 1957, his promise as a writer obscured his talent as a photographer.  One of the celebrated Stegner Fellows at Stanford University, Hall mingled with iconic American writers like Ken Kesey and Larry McMurty, forging a lifelong passion for writing and developing a fine library of published work.    

But he never abandoned his love of photography.

"Wherever he went, he managed to find the photographic community," says VanMeter. "He was actively pursuing his photographic endeavors even as he was writing and publishing critically acclaimed material like Praeder's Letters."

VanMeter is particularly impressed with the range of Hall's work. "He spent a lot of time in portraiture, especially photos of friends and family.  But he was also skilled at landscape photography, photos that required intense observation, and photographic art that incorporated pieces from his family album into artistic commentary shot through an emotional yet observational lens."

Photos from the latter category are part of what is called his "orphan series," which draw heavily from the childhood trauma of his mother's suicide. Some of that series will be in the exhibit, as well as photos made during his membership with the famed Lexington Camera Club.

"We had a terrible time choosing which of his thousands of pieces would be in the show," laments Jacqueline Hamilton, director of UK HealthCare's "Arts in HealthCare" program. "We tried to cull Jim's prolific body of work into a cohesive experience that accurately reflects James Baker Hall, the photographer."

Hamilton leapt at the chance to host a Hall exhibit. She notes that photography is a highly representative media, one that most folks can identify with and understand.  But to be able to give hospital patients, families, faculty and staff the opportunity to view and interpret the work of one of Kentucky's beloved literary artists was too good to be true.

"Museums are destinations -- people decide to go there, usually pay a fee to enter, and have expectations about what 'art' should be.  We are a destination, but we also serve a very important purpose -- to provide everyone in this hospital an opportunity to be entertained by art, which is both engaging and therapeutic."

Media Contact: Laura Dawahare, laura.dawahare@uky.edu

LEXINGTON, Ky. (Feb. 21, 2014) - Summer Davies thought her baby Kate's frequent falls meant the early walker was just a bit clumsy. Little did she know, Kate's recent growth spurt had left her core muscles too weak to support her movements.  

Kate’s classroom teachers at the Child Development Center of the Bluegrass noticed the pattern of falls, and consulted a staff physical therapist, who quickly identified the root of the problem and introduced daily exercises to strengthen Kate's core. Within a matter of weeks, Kate was back on target in her physical development. Davies said she might never have detected her child's developmental hitch without the oversight of the staff at the childcare center on Alumni Drive.

"It might not have been caught," Davies said. "We certainly didn't realize it - they caught something that had totally escaped our attention, and we were very surprised."

With a small teacher-to-child ratio and a team of 10 physical, occupational and speech therapists on-staff, the Child Development Center of the Bluegrass provides early childhood education for children with special needs and typically developing children. In the integrative learning environment, typically developing children serve as peer models to those with developmental delays, who make up about one-third of the center's population.

Davies, a social worker for UK HealthCare, and her partner Sarah chose the center for three reasons: its proximity to their workplaces, its reputation for quality care and the comfort of knowing that Kate can receive intervention as part of her normal school day if needed. The Center's staff works closely with parents to provide ongoing assessments of each child's development.

A member of the Teacher Appreciation Committee and the Parent's Club, Davies also appreciates the Center's openness to parent involvement. Teachers send out weekly e-mail invitations for parents to participate in the classroom. Parents can also monitor classroom activities through the Center's online system Teaching Strategies Gold, which posts daily projects and teaching techniques in accordance with each child's level of comprehension.

The Child Development Center offers full-day childcare for children ages six weeks to pre-kindergarten. The Center has attained the highest levels of state and national accreditation levels with Kentucky STARS for KIDS NOW and the National Association for the Education of Young Children. The facility includes 15 classrooms, three therapy gyms, three breakout rooms, a nursing room, a full kitchen and separate toddler and preschool playgrounds, as well as an observation room where parents can monitor their child's behavior from one of six computers.

UK employees are given priority for openings at the center, which accepts the UK employee HMO insurance plan for therapy services. The Center is a year-round program, and to establish continuity of care, children typically stay with the same teacher and peer group for a full year. For more information about the UK Child Development Center of the Bluegrass, visit www.cdcbg.org.

MEDIA CONTACT: Elizabeth Adams, elizabethadams@uky.edu

LEXINGTON, Ky. (Feb. 21, 2014)— The University of Kentucy College of Pharmacy and Markey Cancer Center announce the creation of the Center for Nanobiotechnology, which will be led by Peixuan Guo, UK’s William S. Farish Fund Endowed Chair in Nanobiotechnology.

Nanotechnology is the development and engineering of devices so small that they are measured on a nanometer scale. Nanoscale devices can work as parts of body organs, tissues, and drug carriers to interact with biomolecules on both the surface and inside cells. Because they have access to so many areas of the body, they have the potential to detect diseases and deliver treatments in newer and more effective ways.

The newly-established center will bring together biomedical experts working in nanobiotechnology in UK’s Colleges of Pharmacy and Medicine. All faculty with research interests in nanobiotechnology, such as  nanoscale biomaterials, nanobiomechanics, nanomedicine, nanodrug delivery, nanoimunology, nanophotonics, biomolecular imaging, micro- and nano-scale biosensors, biochips, and RNA nanotechnology, are invited to engage with the center.

MEDIA CONTACT: Keith Hautala, (859) 323-2396, or Allison Perry, (859) 323-2399

LEXINGTON, Ky. (Feb. 21, 2014) -- The International Board of Lactation Consultant Examiners (IBLCE) and International Lactation Consultant Association (ILCA) have recognized UK HealthCare for excellence in lactation care.

The Birthing Center at University of Kentucky Chandler Hospital has received the IBCLC Care Award in recognition for staffing professionals who hold the prestigious International Board Certified Lactation Consultant certification (IBCLC) and providing a lactation program that is available five to seven days a week for breastfeeding families.  In addition, the facility demonstrated that is has provided recent breastfeeding training for medical staff that care for new families, and have recently completed activities that help protect, promote, and support breastfeeding.

UK HealthCare participates in Best Fed Beginnings, a first-of-its-kind national effort to significantly improve breastfeeding rates in states where rates are currently the lowest. 

Although breastfeeding is one of the most effective preventive health measures for infants and mothers, half of US-born babies are given formula within the first week, and by nine months, only 31 percent of babies are breastfeeding at all.  Best Fed Beginnings seeks to reverse these trends by dramatically increasing the number of U.S. hospitals implementing a proven model for maternity services that better supports a new mother’s choice to breastfeed.

In addition, UK Chandler Hospital is one of 89 hospitals participating in a learning collaborative, using proven quality improvement methods to transform their maternity care services in pursuit of “Baby-Friendly” designation. This designation verifies that a hospital has comprehensively implemented the American Academy of Pediatrics-endorsed Ten Steps to Successful Breastfeeding, as established in the WHO/UNICEF Baby-Friendly Hospital Initiative. 

"This award for excellence in lactation care is another step to achieving our goal of receiving 'Baby-Friendly' designation as well as further evidence of our staff's commitment to supporting and assisting new mothers and their infants," said Dr. Rebecca Collins, newborn nursery director.

According to Liz Brooks, president of ILCA, “This recognition highlights the efforts being made by maternity facilities all across the world to help mothers get off to a good start with breastfeeding, and to support them in reaching their goals.  IBCLC is the leading internationally recognized lactation certification in the world, and IBCLC certificants are highly skilled in helping mothers with the questions and concerns that can arise. They are also an important part of the overall maternal and child health team by assuring that evidence-based policies and practices are in place that help mothers succeed with breastfeeding.”

Rachelle Lessen, Chair of IBLCE, echoes those sentiments. “Facilities that receive the IBCLC Care Award are to be commended for improving maternal and child health by making breastfeeding a priority and for taking steps to improve breastfeeding support. An important part of providing excellent breastfeeding care is having expert assistance available when the breastfeeding couplet needs it. IBCLC professionals are the health care professionals best suited to provide this clinical help and often make the difference between success and failure for women achieving their breastfeeding goals.”

IBLCE certificants focus on preventive care, so they are available during pregnancy to assess the mother and provide information on how to successfully initiate breastfeeding. They continue that assistance after the baby is born by helping mothers overcome breastfeeding challenges, providing accurate information, and continuing to support them as their baby grows. They assist mothers returning to work or school, help mothers in more unusual situations such as breastfeeding more than one baby or nursing a sick or premature infant, and help train nursing staff to manage basic breastfeeding care.

For more information about the IBCLC Care Award program, contact IBLCE at award@iblce.org.    

LEXINGTON, Ky. (Feb. 21, 2014) -- A recent study suggests that self-reported memory complaints might predict clinical memory impairment later in life.

Erin Abner, an assistant professor at the University of Kentucky's Sanders-Brown Center on Aging, asked 3,701 men aged 60 and higher a simple question: "Have you noticed any change in your memory since you last came in?"

That question led to some interesting results. "It seems that subjective memory complaint can be predictive of clinical memory impairment," Abner said. "Other epidemiologists have seen similar results, which is encouraging, since it means we might really be on to something."

The results are meaningful because it might help identify people who are at risk of developing Alzheimer's Disease sooner.  "If the memory and thinking lapses people notice themselves could be early markers of risk for Alzheimer’s disease, we might eventually be able to intervene earlier in the aging process to postpone and/or reduce the effects of cognitive memory impairment."  

Abner, who is also a member of the faculty in the UK Department of Epidemiology, took pains to emphasize that her work shouldn’t necessarily worry everyone who’s ever forgotten where they left their keys.

"I don't want to alarm people," she said. "It’s important to distinguish between normal memory lapses and significant memory problems, which usually change over time and affect multiple aspects of daily life."

Established in 1979, the Sanders-Brown Center on Aging at the University of Kentucky is nationally recognized for its research, education and outreach, and clinical programs on healthy brain aging and neurodegenerative disorders. In 1985, the SBCoA was named as an Alzheimer’s Disease Center, one of the original ten centers funded by the National Institute on Aging.

Media Contact:  Laura Dawahare, laura.dawahare@uky.edu or 859-257-5307.

By Dr. Roger Humphries, chair of the of the Department of Emergency Medicine at UK College of Medicine.

LEXINGTON, Ky. (Feb. 24, 2014) -- Kentucky has a lot to boast about -- natural beauty and horses, for example. But sadly, some of our statistics are not brag-worthy.  Heart disease is the #2 killer in Kentucky -- almost equal with cancer deaths -- and 9th in the nation.  Almost 10,000 Kentuckians died of heart disease in 2010, some of which might have prevented by a new concept called "Hands-only CPR."

Hands-only CPR is a simplified method of traditional CPR. It requires no mouth-to-mouth breathing or special certification.  Most importantly, Hands-only CPR is just as effective as traditional CPR in improving survival rates for "out of hospital cardiac arrest."

We know that a patient has a much better chance of surviving a heart attack if someone begins CPR immediately instead of waiting for emergency personnel to arrive.  Since Hands-only CPR is simpler to perform, more people without medical training will be comfortable performing this technique.  We know that in cities where the general public has a higher awareness of CPR by Bystanders, patients are up to eight times more likely to survive out of hospital cardiac arrest.

To administer Hands-only CPR:

• Call 911 and start CPR as soon as you see someone lose consciousness, collapse and stop breathing.
• Push hard and push fast with 2 hands in the center of the chest, letting the chest relax after each compression.
• Continue CPR without interruption until emergency personnel arrive.

If you can, take a CPR course to practice and feel prepared when someone needs you to act quickly. And if you work in a place with an AED (automatic external defibrillator), know exactly where it is located and how to use it.  These devices are becoming more and more available in public places like government buildings, airports, gyms, casinos and schools, and can help restart the heart quickly, improving the chances of surviving a cardiac arrest.

If you or someone else is experiencing chest pain (especially if it is associated with shortness of breath or lightheadness), call 911 immediately. DO NOT drive yourself or the patient to the Emergency Department --  paramedics have the expertise and equipment to provide the best care quickly. If the patient is conscious, have them CHEW and swallow one aspirin (even one baby aspirin will do). If the patient takes nitroglycerin, give them that as well.

Also be concerned if you have new chest pain or shortness of breath that goes away with rest as this is one of the warning signs that a heart attack may be imminent.

Know what to do in a cardiac emergency, including Hands-only CPR. What you do and how quickly you do it might save someone’s life. 

LEXINGTON, Ky. (Feb. 28, 2014) − A patient's experience while in the hospital is often defined by the care they receive from nursing staff.  A nurse may be the first and most frequent interaction a patient has with a clinical professional while hospitalized.  The care a nurse provides can make a significant impact on how well and how quickly a patient is able to recover.

UK HealthCare nurses demonstrated outstanding patient care when they were recently ranked No. 1 out of 102 UHC (University Health Consortium) academic medical centers for the Nursing Care Aggregate HCAHPS (Hospital Consumer Assessment of Healthcare Providers and Systems) domain.

The HCAHPS survey is the first national, standardized, publicly reported survey of patients' perspectives of hospital care.

UK Chandler Hospital demonstrated the greatest improvement in HCAHPS scores among the 41 academic medical centers that participated in the recent University HealthSystem Consortium (UHC) Patient Experience Improvement Collaborative.

The hospital achieved an aggregate increase of 19.08 percent for the project’s focus areas of nursing communications, staff responsiveness, cleanliness and quietness.

“Our strategic agenda of quality, safety and service is foundational,” said Colleen Swartz, chief nurse executive for UK HealthCare. “Our nursing vision of “every patient, every time” reinforces the behaviors we always expect our staff to demonstrate. Nursing practice at UK HealthCare is strong and present and our patients’ experience reflects that work.”

UK HealthCare presented a web conference in December to UHC colleagues as part of an educational UHC improvement collaborative about the successful application of the patient centered culture at UK. The online conference, "See Blue, Every Patient, Every Time," included approaches for successfully implementing best practices, enhancing the patient experience and improving HCAHPS scores.

“Health care is really about human relationships,” says Ann Smith, chief administrative officer for UK HealthCare. “The relationships that put the patient in the center make for the strongest experience. The relationships within the work group and care team are vitally important.

“It takes a strong sense of team, supporting each other to focus on the care of patients, to provide a high-quality, high-‘touch’ experience,” she adds. “The UK HealthCare staff is proving how that sort of teamwork benefits those we serve.”

UK's Markey Cancer Center is but one example of how UK HealthCare nurses work together as a team with doctors and other providers to provide an environment of healing and outstanding medical care.

Sophia Wright Brown, the patient care manager of chemotherapy infusion at Markey Outpatient, said the integration of the patent experience into the delivery of care is important to the staff.

"The level of teamwork displayed is remarkable," Brown said. "The Office of Patient Experience observed in our area and noted the level of individual consideration given to the patients, and the excellent relationship the patients have with the staff. The chemotherapy staff form very special bonds with patients and their caregivers."

Brown adds that the chemotherapy staff feels extremely fortunate to serve a very unique and special patient population.

"Our oncology patients are particularly vulnerable when receiving treatment and their satisfaction is our focus," said Dr. Frederick Ueland, professor and director of Gynecologic Oncology at Markey Cancer Center and vice chair in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology at the UK College of Medicine. "The survey results demonstrate that the Markey staff is truly exceptional at providing a supportive and personalized infusion experience."

Laura Marsh, a chemotherapy infusion nurse at UK, says that she wants to make a difference in someone’s life by providing compassionate care to patients and their families. 

"As an oncology R.N., I am able to spend quality time with the patients, which in turn builds lasting relationships.  I also am given the chance to interact with patients, medical staff, pharmacy, and physicians which allows me to add to my knowledge base.  Oncology nursing provides me with constant excitement and challenges with the ever changing treatment options and our diverse patient population. Every day is new and different."

Media Contact: Ann Blackford at 859-323-6442 or ann.blackford@uky.edu

LEXINGTON, Ky. (March 3, 2014)— UK Women's Health Obstetrics & Gynecology has added an oncofertility specialist to its team. Dr. Leslie A. Appiah joins UK HealthCare as a board-certified gynecologist with expertise in oncofertility and fellowship training in pediatric and adolescent gynecology. Dr. Appiah brings five years of experience from Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center, where she served as director of oncofertility and fellowship director of pediatric and adolescent gynecology.

Appiah will serve as director of oncofertility at UK. She will work closely with subspecialists in reproductive endocrinology and infertility, the Markey Cancer Center and Kentucky Children’s Hospital. Appiah and her team will collaborate to preserve the fertility and reproductive health of pediatric, adolescent and adult cancer and blood disorder patients of all genders.

Dr. Appiah attended medical school at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center at Dallas. She completed her residency in OB-GYN at Sinai Hospital of Baltimore and a clinical fellowship in pediatric and adolescent gynecology at Texas Children’s Hospital. She has received several teaching awards including the Johns Hopkins Excellence in Teaching Award.

Dr. Appiah’s interests include fertility preservation, minimally invasive surgery, congenital anomalies of the reproductive tract, hormone replacement therapy and endometriosis.

MEDIA CONTACT: Allison Perry, (859) 323-2399 or allison.perry@uky.edu

LEXINGTON, Ky. (March 3, 2014) - UK HealthCare pediatricians Dr. Aftab S. Chishti and Dr. Stefan G. Kiessling, have edited a new textbook that provides in-depth clinical instruction about the treatment of kidney and urinary tract diseases in newborns. 

Published in January, "Kidney and Urinary Tract Disease in Newborns" provides doctors with comprehensive, practical knowledge for the diagnosis and treatment of kidney diseases in babies younger than a year old. The textbook includes contributions from more than 20 experts in the field of pediatric nephrology. The textbook addresses a wide range of topics, such as neonatal hypertension, cystic kidney disease, urological abnormalities and nutrition for children with kidney disease. Each chapter starts with a clinical case example and ends with important take-home messages.

Chishti, associate professor of pediatrics, and Kiessling, chief of the division of pediatric nephrology, served as editors and contributing authors to the textbook. Chishti said the textbook is the only professional publication on the market focusing on kidney disease in the first year of life. The text will serve as a go-to resource for pediatricians interested in furthering their knowledge of kidney disease.

"We collaborated with a number of experts in the field and they graciously contributed to this book," Chishti said. "It wouldn't have been a success if we didn't have such wonderful colleagues and partners."

For more information about "Kidney and Urinary Tract Disease in Newborns,"click here.

MEDIA CONTACT: Elizabeth Adams, elizabethadams@uky.edu

LEXINGTON, Ky. (March 4, 2014) - A day as a fighter pilot, a swim with dolphins and a trip to the Big Apple are only a few of the wishes Rachel O'Farrell has helped the Make-A-Wish Foundation grant for children battling cancer.

O’Farrell received a special moment of her own Feb. 27 when the Make-A-Wish Ohio, Kentucky & Indiana staff surprised her with the chapter’s 2013 Medical Professional of the Year honor. The UK HealthCare social worker is a referral source for Make-A-Wish, an organization that grants the wishes of children with life-threatening medical conditions.

Make-A-Wish arranged a surprise reception to present the award to O'Farrell at the Kentucky Clinic. She was congratulated by her co-workers in the DanceBlue Kentucky Children's Hospital Hematology/Oncology Clinic and Make-A-Wish chapter staff. Special guests Brendan, O'Farrell's husband, and their 8-month-old son Finn also attended the party.

O'Farrell has gone over-and-above to help create magical experiences for as many as 30 young cancer patients at UK pediatric hematology/oncology clinic. Make-A-Wish staff members were especially impressed with O'Farrell's recent efforts to help one ailing patient and her family. The patient couldn't decide on a wish and the family didn't own cellphones, so communication was an additional challenge for Make-A-Wish coordinators. O'Farrell served as the point of contact for the family and helped the teen communicate her wish - a family trip to the Walt Disney World Resort in Orlando, Fla.

"Rachel fully embodied our mission with this wish by approaching every situation with the frame of mind of, 'how can we make this happen for the child?'" Kim Pettingell, senior medical outreach manager for the local Make-A-Wish chapter said. "We were able to make this wish come true because of Rachel's assistance and sincere dedication to seeing her patient experience the power of a wish.”

Typically, Make-A-Wish Ohio, Kentucky & Indiana honors its Medical Professional of the Year during its annual BIG Wish Gala held in August. O'Farrell was unable to attend last year's gala because she was on maternity leave. She is the first medical professional in Kentucky to receive the honor from Make-A-Wish.

As part of the award, O'Farrell received a photo album containing pictures of the many children she has referred to Make-A-Wish. A social worker at UK for nearly four years, O'Farrell said many children and families "latch on" to the Make-A-Wish experience. She presents the opportunity to all of the patient cases she manages and takes time to listen to each family's unique story.

"I was just doing what anyone in my position would do," O'Farrell said. "I take a lot of meaning from the work I do. I am constantly inspired by the resilience of these families and these kids. The way they make meaning out of their experience is rejuvenating."

For more information about referring a child to Make-A-Wish, contact Kim Pettingell at 877-206-9474 or visit www.md.wish.org.

MEDIA CONTACT: Elizabeth Adams, elizabethadams@uky.edu

LEXINGTON, Ky. (March 5, 2014) -- The UK HealthCare's Arts in HealthCare Program is asking employees to submit their art to be considered for inclusion in an upcoming exhibit called The Healing Presence of Art.

LEXINGTON, Ky. (March 5, 2014) -- UK HealthCare has lifted inpatient visitation restrictions due to the flu. For the past three weeks there has been a steady decline in the number of flu cases, said Kim Blanton, enterprise director for Infection Prevention and Control at UK Healthcare.

Visitation restrictions will remain in effect for a few more weeks in a couple of special areas such as bone marrow transplant (BMT) and neonatal intensive care unit (NICU), which generally limit visitation during the entire flu season, Blanton said.

Overall, during this flu season, UK HealthCare had 194 inpatient flu cases.

UK HealthCare temporarily amended its inpatient hospital visitation policy for UK Chandler Hospital, Kentucky Children's Hospital and UK Good Samaritan Hospital to be proactive in helping protect the health and well-being of patients and health care workers during this influenza season. 

###

Media Contact: Kristi Lopez, 859-806-0445 or kristi.lopez@uky.edu

LEXINGTON, Ky. (March 3, 2014) -- Ann L. Coker, professor at the University of Kentucky College of Public Health and College of Medicine, is the recipient of a Visionary Voice Award, a national award that recognizes the creativity and hard work of individuals who have demonstrated outstanding commitment to end sexual violence. The award is sponsored by the National Sexual Violence Resource Center.

The award was presented to Coker by the Kentucky Association of Sexual Assault Programs (KASAP) at their Sexual Assault Awareness Month Awards Dinner on Feb. 26, 2014. The event followed a ceremony at the Kentucky State Capitol proclaiming March as Sexual Assault Awareness Month.

Coker says that she shares KASAP's vision that preventing sexual violence is possible and that public health approaches can play an important role.

"We are evaluating the first statewide, randomized intervention trial in 26 high schools across Kentucky," she said. "The intervention, Green Dot, is a bystander–based program to increase awareness of sexual violence and dating violence and empower high school students to safely and effectively intervene with their peers to change attitudes and behaviors and thereby reduce risk of violence. I am honored to have the opportunity to be a partner in this important research. Working on this project clarifies the importance of rigorous public health training and matched with the opportunity to make a difference in the lives of others.”

KASAP Executive Director Eileen Recktenwald says that it’s becoming easier for people to talk about sexual violence, and that is making a difference. “It’s gotten a lot easier to talk about, because – from the White House down – we are seeing a straightforward response to the problem,” she said.

Coker joined UK in 2007, when she became the inaugural Verizon Wireless Endowed Chair in the UK Center for Research on Violence Against Women. She is nationally recognized as an expert on the effects partner violence on women’s health. Coker has worked extensively in the field of women’s health, particularly in areas of intimate partner violence, interventions to reduce the risk of violence that impact both men and women’s health, women’s chronic diseases, and reproductive and sexual health. Among other projects, she is currently investigating whether violence against women results in disparities in cancer care for women. 

The Kentucky Association of Sexual Assault Programs is the coalition of Kentucky’s 13 Regional Rape Crisis Centers. The representatives of each of the 13 Rape Crisis Centers make up KASAP’s board of directors. Since it was established in 1990, KASAP has served as a central point of contact on sexual violence issues in Kentucky. KASAP provides technical assistance to member programs and other professionals, advocates for improvements in public policy, fosters coalition building among members and those with common concerns, and promotes prevention and public awareness regarding sexual violence and related issues. 

MEDIA CONTACT: Mallory Powell, mallory.powell@uky.edu

LEXINGTON, Ky. (March 6, 2014)— University of Kentucky faculty and students are invited to share their latest work in cancer research by submitting abstracts and attending Markey Cancer Center Research Day on May 22, 2014.

For the fifth consecutive year, the Singletary Center for the Arts will play host to a daylong event that showcases the work of cancer researchers from all disciplines at the University of Kentucky. Last year, Markey Research Day featured 142 posters and more than 350 attendees.

This year, Nobel Laureate Dr. Harold Varmus, director of the National Cancer Institute, will present the Susan B. Lester Memorial Lecture. As always, UK Markey Cancer Center Director Dr. Mark Evers will present the “State of the Cancer Center Address.”

Those interested may register and/or submit abstracts online. Deadline for the call for abstracts is Monday, March 17. 

There is an art to seeing the physician or physician assistant. Good communication is a must on both sides. To make the most of your appointments:

Know why you are there. What are your symptoms, and when did they start? Have you tried anything to help your symptoms, and did it make them worse or better?  

Be familiar with your own medical history. Keep a list of the medications you are taking, including name, dosage, and frequency. Alternately, you can bring all your medicines in a plastic bag to show to the doctor or PA. Even if some of your medications are over the counter, it is still important to mention them to your provider.

Make sure you bring with you lab results, x-rays, MRIs or CT scans that you think are relevant to your symptoms. This avoids costly and time-consuming duplicate testing. It can also reduce your wait time, since medical office staff won't need to call pharmacies, hospitals, and other doctor's offices for your records. You have a right to one free copy of your medical records; ask your doctor's office how to obtain them.

Write down your questions before your appointment. A physician or PA sees as many as 30 patients on a typical day, but good providers will always make time to answer your questions.

The questions you ask will depend on your situation, but some suggestions include:   

·         Can you explain my diagnosis in layman's terms?

·         What are my treatment options? What are the benefits of each option? What are the side effects?

·         Will I need a test? What is the test for?  What will the results tell us?

·         What will the medicine you are prescribing do? How do I take it? Are there any side effects?

·         Do I need to change my daily routine?

If you don't understand the answers, or are confused, ask your doctor to explain them again.

Take notes, or bring someone with you to your appointment to help you understand and remember what you've heard.

The best care comes when the provider and the patient work together as a team.  When you are prepared for your appointment, you become your own best advocate.

This column appeared in the March 9, 2014, edition of the Lexington Herald-Leader

LEXINGTON Ky. (March 10, 2014) -- Dermatologist Dr. Stuart Tobin will be reading from his book, "Rash Decisions and Growth Experiences From the Best Little Warthouse in Kentucky," on Wednesday, March 12 at noon on the ground floor of the UK Chandler Hospital Pavilion A Atrium.

The book "weaves 35 years of humorous lifetime interactions with patients, peers, students and family into a uniquely entertaining medical tapestry.....through stories and anecdotes peppered with wit and medical wisdom." 

Dr. Tobin is chief of the Division of Dermatology, the Ullin Leavell Professor of Dermatology and associate professor of Surgery at the University of Kentucky College of Medicine. He has been the recipient of several Outstanding Teaching Awards. The event is free and open to the public as part of UK HealthCare's Arts in HealthCare program.

LEXINGTON, Ky. (March 11, 2014) - While the world watched coverage of the Winter Olympics last month, a group of University of Kentucky medical students were vying for medals in an Olympic-style competition for future doctors.  

For the first time, a team of eight UK medical students participated in the 5th Annual Ultrasound Challenge at The Ohio State University on Feb. 15. During the challenge, students from UK and The Ohio State University tested their knowledge, technique and accuracy scanning ultrasound images of specific systems in the human body. Students were evaluated on eight competition stations quizzing on topics including vascular access, pathology recognition and image acquisition. Final scores were released in early March announcing UK student Corey Warf as the runner-up in the run for the 2014 Sonographer's Cup, the prize for the top-scoring student. 

Fourth-year medical student Jennifer Cotton tied for third-place with Warf in the pathology slides recognition. Warf won a gold medal in the FAST (focused assessment with sonography for trauma) exam and a silver medal at the vascular access station. A total of 45 medical students representing all four student classes from UK and The Ohio State University competed in events.

Dr. Matt Dawson, director of point of care ultrasound at UK HealthCare, sponsored and coached UK's team, unofficially coined the "Sonokittens." A team of medical residents that have previously competed in ultrasound challenges are called the "SonoCats." Cotton said the team prepared by studying quiz sheets and performing preparatory scans.

"We're making sure our students are exposed to (ultrasound) and have good hands-on experience," Cotton said. "It's very patient-centered and focused on improving the quality of patient care. You get to spend more time with the patient and show them what the disease process looks like inside of them."

As part of the event, Dawson delivered a keynote presentation about how rapidly changing technology is changing medical education. His talk examined the roles of the Internet and social media in providing information and creating learning environments for medical students.

Dawson said bedside ultrasound skills have shown to decrecase morbidity, reduce complications, speed up diagnosis of critical conditions and allow the initial physician to diagnose the condition in the presence of the patient. Bedside ultrasound skills are listed as one of the top-25 skills for new doctors identified by Stanford University Medical School.

"We are training our medical students to have this cutting-edge skill as soon as they graduate, no matter what specialty they go into," Dawson said.

MEDIA CONTACT: Elizabeth Adams, elizabethadams@uky.edu

LEXINGTON, Ky. (March 12, 2014) -  To offer comprehensive health care for teenagers, doctors are required to have a broad range of expertise on topics from nutrition to sexual health to psychological intervention. Dr. Hatim Omar, chief of the Division of Adolescent Medicine in the University of Kentucky College of Medicine's Department of Pediatrics, is working to publish a book about all topics related to adolescent health.

Omar has served as an editor of more than 15 books about adolescent health published in the past five years. He has acted as an editor and author for books addressing obesity, chronic illness, sexual health, sports medicine, ambulatory medicine, neurodevelopmental disabilities, pharmacological treatments and other topics specific to the adolescent population. This month alone, Omar published four books: "Children, Violence and Bullying: International Perspectives;""Playing with Fire: Children, Adolescents and Fire-Setting;""Adolescence and Sexuality: International Perspectives;" and "School, Adolescence and Health Issues (Pediatrics, Child and Adolescent Health)."

With experience in the fields of gynecology, physiology, pediatrics and obstetrics/gynecology, Omar developed a passion for working with adolescents during a residency followed by a fellowship at West Virginia University. He has served as the chief of the division of adolescent medicine at UK since 1998. He has published more than 150 articles in peer reviewed journals. Currently, Omar is working on a book that provides the thoughts and voices of real teenagers from his practice. Omar hopes to publish the book later in 2014.

"I think people should hear what the kids are saying," Omar said of his latest project. "That’s what adults are missing - they aren’t listening to the teens and they don’t know what they're going through."

UK's division of adolescent medicine comprises a team of physicians, nurses, social workers, nutritionists, and psychologists who have expertise in a wide range of adolescent concerns. For more information, visit http://ukhealthcare.uky.edu/adolescent-medicine. 

MEDIA CONTACT: Elizabeth Adams, elizabethadams@uky.edu

LEXINGTON, Ky. (March 20, 2014)— Doctors and nurses flocked from every corner of Kentucky Children's Hospital to give 1-year-old Connor Thompson birthday squeezes and kisses.

They noticed two tiny bottom teeth that would come in handy later that day for eating birthday cake. They called him handsome as he revealed those new teeth while smiling for pictures. With so many adoring friends in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU), it's no wonder the miracle baby was showing off with giggles, stomps and grins.  

"If he's not smiling, then you know something's wrong," Misty Thompson, Connor's mom, said.

One year earlier, little Connor made his debut in this world at 1 pound 10 ounces and about the length of a writing pen. During her pregnancy, Thompson, an obstetrician and gynecologist based at the UK HealthCare clinic in Hazard, Ky., diagnosed herself with preeclampsia, a potentially dangerous condition affecting the mother's blood pressure that occurs in 5-8 percent of pregnant women. On Feb. 19, 2013, Thompson knew her condition was worsening and that Connor would need to be delivered soon, and it would have to be at the NICU at UK HealthCare. There, she was diagnosed with a life-threatening condition known as HELLP syndrome. The next morning Thompson's own boss, Dr. Wendy Hansen,  delivered Connor by cesarian section.

Connor's birth at 27 weeks premature was the beginning of a string of medical challenges in his early weeks of life. At 6 days old, Connor was diagnosed with a bowel obstruction created by a twist in his lower intestine. UK HealthCare' s Dr. Joseph Iocono surgically corrected the obstruction. After the operation, Connor was attached to an ostomy bag larger than his infant body.

Three weeks later, Connor was diagnosed with patent ductus arteriosis, a heart defect that required another surgery March 16. He received multiple blood transfusions and suffered from pulmonary hemorrhaging. After 74 days in the NICU, Connor was released from the hospital in May 2013. He underwent three more bowel surgeries and was attached to a temporary ostomy bag until October 2013.

Being in the position of a new mom in a critical situation made Thompson realize the importance of having a compassionate team of doctors and nurses on her side. She said the experience has helped her to become a more sympathetic obstetrician.

"I look at things totally different now," Thompson said. "I now know what it's like to be a scared mom."

Crystal Ferrell, the primary care nurse who chose to work with the Thompsons through Connor's NICU stay, made a special trip off-the-clock to UK Children's Hospital to celebrate Connor's birthday. When Connor was born, he was one of the tiniest babies Ferrell had ever seen. Ferrell, Thompson and Thompson's husband Steven worked together as a team committed to the best outcome for Connor. Ferrell said Thompson entrusted her baby with the nurses and doctors, despite having medical credentials behind her name.  

"She was amazing," Ferrell said of Thompson. "She never was intimidating. She said, 'Tell me what you think?' She was the mommy at the bedside, not the doctor."

After saying hello to the many NICU doctors and nurses who worked on his case, Connor joined family and friends for an all-star themed first birthday party Feb. 19. Everyone at UK HealthCare agreed the party's theme was fitting for a healthy, happy little boy who had fully recovered from a hard start in life.

MEDIA CONTACTS: Elizabeth Adams, elizabethadams@uky.edu; Allison Perry, allison.perry@uky.edu

LEXINGTON, Ky. (March 17, 2014)— After 39 years of working in the University of Kentucky's Department of Chemistry, you might suspect one would get bored with the work. But professor Allan Butterfield describes his current project as "one of the most intellectually stimulating projects I've ever worked on."

Butterfield, whose many titles include director of the UK Markey Cancer Center's Free Radical Biology in Cancer Shared Resource Facility, studies oxidative stress in the brain. This includes the effect of oxidative stress on the development of Alzheimer's disease, and, in collaboration with Daret St. Clair, Markey's associate director for basic research,  the study of chemotherapy-induced cognitive impairment (CICI), known colloquially as "chemo brain" by the cancer patients who experience it.

This research is not only stimulating, but groundbreaking, as well — Butterfield was recently awarded the 2014 Alkmeon International Prize for his work, an accolade that puts him in the same company as many Nobel Laureates and members of the National Academy of Sciences. In April, he will be presented the award in Rome, Italy, by Professor Giussepe Nistico of the University of Rome on behalf of the European Brain Research Institute, which sponsors the Alkmeon International Prize. In addition, he will be giving a lecture about his work at the University of Rome II (Tor Vergata) and a seminar in biochemistry at the University of Rome I (La Sapienza).

"I am truly honored to receive this award," Butterfield said. "The Alkmeon International Prize represents worldwide peer recognition of the decades of brain research by our highly talented graduate and undergraduate students, postdoctoral scholars, and visiting scientists in our laboratory that has led to numerous discoveries illuminating molecular mechanisms of brain disorders like AD and CICI."

UK's research into these two major neurological problems has the potential to affect millions of patients in the U.S. More than 5 million Americans are living with Alzheimer's disease, and one of every three senior citizens dies with Alzheimer's or another form of dementia. Butterfield's research has blazed the trail for research on the concept of oxidative stress as a potentially fundamental underlying aspect of Alzheimer's disease, and many other labs across the country have begun pursuing their own studies into the field. Advancements in these studies could lead to better treatment and understand of this devastating disease.

Additionally, among the 14 million cancer survivors in the U.S., many suffer from symptoms of CICI, which include negative impacts on reasoning and multitasking, confusion, and fatigue — all major quality-of-life issues. These side effects can be long lasting — decades, in extreme cases — and can have a significant negative impact on a patient's ability to function and even work post-treatment.

Since Markey earned its status as a National Cancer Institute-designed Cancer Center, this problem has become even more of a focus for Butterfield, St. Clair, and many other researchers and physicians at UK. The term "bench to bedside" is often used when describing research at an academic medical center like UK, but St. Clair describes CICI research as "bedside to bench and back," noting that to try and find solutions to the problems patients were reporting, the team had to go back to the lab and recreate the problem in animal models so that they could begin their basic science testing.

Facilitating these types of back-and-forth investigations means a great deal of collaboration between basic science and physician researchers. Drs. Jeffrey Moscow and John Hayslip are heavily involved in the CICI research from the clinical side.

"We are very fortunate that at Markey we have physicians who not only focus on the cure of cancer with the best available methods, but are also interested in finding ways to improve the quality of life for patient during and after cancer therapy," St. Clair said. "Our physicians work as a team with basic scientists to research ways to improve cancer treatment with reduce side effects." 

There is hope on the horizon for finding methods to prevent CICI. A recent UK clinical trial showed promise for a drug called Mesna, which had previously been used in conjunction with other drugs during cancer treatment to help prevent bladder problems. The team's work showed that Mesna blocked CICI in animal models, and the research was translated into a two-year clinical trial, completed in late 2013. While their teams are currently analyzing the data and preparing for a possible expanded trial that would include UK Markey Cancer Center Affiliate Network hospitals, Butterfield and St. Clair say that the drug looks promising.

Butterfield has received numerous honors for his research over the years, but he is quick to point out that research is not a one-man show — it takes a strong infrastructure that allows collaboration from experts across many areas and disciplines across campus. UK's position as an academic medical center fits that bill. Individual medical centers like the Markey Cancer Center and the Sanders-Brown Center on Aging — both of which utilize Butterfield's expertise in redox research — benefit from the resources of eight colleges across UK's campus.

Butterfield says that Markey's Free Radical Biology in Cancer Shared Resource Facility is especially unique, noting that only the University of Iowa has a comparably robust program.

"The FRBC is unique because Markey researchers can directly test the roles of free radicals and oxidative stress in cancer and cancer chemotherapy," Butterfield said. "Samples from cancer patients can be examined on-site for oxidative damage, redox metabolism, and identification of altered proteins, all providing new insights into the molecular bases of cancer and its treatment." 

MEDIA CONTACT: Allison Perry, 859-323-2399 or allison.perry@uky.edu