A weekly newsletter for all UK College of Public Health faculty, staff, and health champions in Kentucky and beyond!

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Meet Dr. Regina Washington, First African American Graduate


Dr. Regina Washington was the first African American graduate student to graduate from CPH with her Doctor in Public Health (DrPH) in 2006. Regina strongly believes that faith, family, positivity, perseverance, health and well-being, and education are some of the key drivers to happiness in her life.

Did You Know?

Student Public Health Association (SPHA) represents the needs of students, meet the team


The Student Public Health Association (SPHA) leadership acts as a liaison between students and faculty, promotes student involvement to develop healthy communities, and represents the needs of students at CPH. Meet the team!

Students and alum attended the 2023 Africa Health Conference at Harvard, Co-Chaired by Alum


Students Princess M. Agbozo and Meron Lemma, and alum Daniela Nakinoja, recently attended the 2023 Africa Health Conference at Harvard. Co-chaired by alum, Esias Bedingar ('18), this conference explores a wide range of themes that reflect the unique African health context, and opportunities to improve health outcomes on the continent.

Students and faculty recently explored the melanin elements of healthcare


The Master of Health Administration Student Association (MHASA), recently hosted "The Melanin Elements of Healthcare" interactive event, which invited nationally renowned healthcare leaders and a historian to share insights and ideas to broaden the discussion around the melanin elements of healthcare.

I ❤️ Public Health Month videos are available on the website


Last month, we celebrated "I ❤️ Public Health Month" to highlight the important and varied role public health plays in the global community. Six CPH students shared why they ❤️ public health and CPH. Enjoy!

Public Health Showcase 2023 Registration Deadline is March 27th


The 2023 Public Health Showcase on April 10th, sponsored by CPH, is a unique opportunity for sharing innovative work in public health research, community practice, teaching, and workforce development. Event registration is required is required for ALL attendees and deadline is March 27th.

Dean Heather Bush will throw out first pitch at UK Baseball Game, part of CPH College Game Day


Join us at our CPH College Game Day event and cheer on our Dean Heather Bush as she throws out the first pitch at the UK Baseball home game at Kentucky Proud Park on Sunday, April 2nd. UK students, faculty, and staff with a valid UK ID get in for FREE. Staff and faculty can also bring a guest for FREE.

National Public Health Week 2023 Starts April 3rd: Save the Date!


CPH is proud to celebrate National Public Health Week (NPHW) from April 3-7, 2023, with a series of fun and informative events, service activities, and more that promote public health's passion, purpose, and pathway for a healthier life. All students, faculty, and staff on campus are invited. This year's theme is "Centering and Celebrating Cultures in Health."

News, Events, and Stories

UK MHA Student Team Places 4th at National Case Competition

Our UK MHA program case competition team competed and placed 4th (out of 42 teams) recently at the University of Alabama at Birmingham in the 17th Annual UAB Health Administration Case Competition and L.R. (Rush) Jordan Endowed Lecture.

Research Scholars Program welcomes 3rd cohort, includes CPH faculty Jayani Jayawardhana


The Research Scholars Program (RSP), aimed at ensuring diversity, equity and inclusion in research by promoting faculty success, has welcomed its third cohort of six faculty from five University of Kentucky colleges including CPH. Congrats to Dr. Jayani Jayawardhana on being selected!

UK College of Public Health welcomes Recruitment and Admissions Coordinator, Glenn Means

CPM welcomes Glenn Means as the new Recruitment and Admissions Coordinator, part of the Student Engagement & Academic Success (SEAS) team. Glenn will champion all recruitment and admissions efforts to help attract, retain, and graduate quality student candidates into the current suite of academic programs at CPH.

Senior Alumni Coordinator Anna Hallahan joins the UK College of Public Health

CPH welcomes Anna Hallahan as the new Senior Alumni Coordinator, part of the Student Engagement & Academic Success (SEAS) team. Anna will champion all support and connection efforts at CPH to maintain positive, lifelong relationships with the College’s alumni community. She will also support current students in building relationships with alumni to enhance their career exploration in public health.

Research Publications

"Investigating the Relation between Electronic Cigarette Use and Sleep Duration in Kentucky Using the BRFSS, 2016-2017", W Jay ChristianNimish R ValviCourtney J Walker (EEH)


Abstract: Like traditional cigarettes, electronic cigarettes (e-cigarettes) contain nicotine, which is known to negatively influence sleep quality. Few studies, however, have examined the relation between e-cigarettes and sleep quality using population-based survey data because of the relatively recent appearance of these products on the market. This study investigated the relation between e-cigarette and cigarette use and sleep duration in Kentucky, a state with high rates of nicotine dependence and related chronic diseases.


"Beliefs and knowledge related to human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine among African Americans and African immigrants young adults," Adebola AdegboyegaOmoadoni ObielodanAmanda T WigginsMark DignanLovoria B Williams


Abstract: Despite the disparate human papillomavirus (HPV) infection rates among sexually active Black young adults, HPV vaccine uptake remains low among this population. This study aimed to explore HPV beliefs, attitudes, and knowledge among Black young adults and provide recommendations on ways to improve vaccine uptake.


"The role of sport participation on exercise self-efficacy, psychological need satisfaction, and resilience among college freshmen," Eric M WiedenmanAaron J Kruse-DiehrMatthew R BiceJustin McDanielJuliane P WallaceJulie A Partridge


Abstract: To evaluate the relationship between high school sport participation among university students and whether previous sports participation was associated with current levels of exercise-self efficacy, resilience, and psychological need satisfaction physical activity behaviors. 


"Palliative care use and utilization determinants among patients treated for advanced stage lung cancer care in the community and academic medical setting," Jerod Stapleton is a co-author.


Abstract: Despite clinical guidelines, palliative care is underutilized during advanced stage lung cancer treatment. To inform interventions to increase its use, patient-level barriers and facilitators (i.e., determinants) need to be characterized, especially among patients living in rural areas or those receiving treatment outside academic medical centers.


"Improving Health and Well-being in Aging Rural America through the Social Determinants Framework," Brittany L SmallsAllison Gibson, Mary E LacyCaitlin N PopeNatalie D Pope, Elizabeth K Rhodus, Nancy Schoenberg, Wanda Taylor


No abstract available.


"Detecting Tweets Containing Cannabidiol-Related COVID-19 Misinformation Using Transformer Language Models and Warning Letters From Food and Drug Administration: Content Analysis and Identification," Jason TurnerMehmed KantardzicRachel Vickers-SmithAndrew G Brown


Abstract: We sought to identify COVID-19 misinformation as it relates to the sales or promotion of CBD and used transformer-based language models to identify tweets semantically similar to quotes taken from known instances of misinformation. In this case, the known misinformation was the publicly available Warning Letters from Food and Drug Administration (FDA).


"Associations of potential ADRD plasma biomarkers in cognitively normal volunteers," Taylor G Estepp, Richard J Charnigo, Erin L Abner, Gregory A Jicha, Tiffany L Sudduth, David W Fardo, Donna M Wilcock


Abstract: This study examined the relationships between 13 novel blood-plasma biomarkers and dementia-related demographic and health factors in a cohort of 237 cognitively normal research volunteers whose average age was ≈82 years and who were 63% female. The absence of strong associations between the biomarkers with age, gender, or medical conditions suggests that changes in these biomarkers, when observed, may be attributable to neuropathological changes.


"Amyloid-PET and White Matter Hyperintensities Have Independent Effects on Baseline Cognitive Function and Synergistic Effects on Longitudinal Executive Function," Doaa G Ali, Erin L Abner, Ahmed A Bahrani, Riham El Khouli, Brian T Gold,Yang Jiang, Donna M Wilcock, Gregory A Jicha


"The Evolving Trends in Infective Endocarditis and Determinants of Mortality: a 10-year Experience from a Tertiary Care Epicenter," Meera Marji is a co-author.


Abstract: The epidemiology of infective endocarditis (IE) continues to evolve in areas affected by the opioid epidemic. Understanding the demographics of the disease allows us to better tailor therapy towards this at-risk population.

Additional Stories

Registration now OPEN for Showcase of Undergraduate Scholars


John P. Wyatt, M.D. Environment & Health Symposium 2023 Registration OPEN, Abstracts due by March 13th


New billboards across Kentucky part of UK study to prevent child sex trafficking


Nominations open for 2023 Global Impact Awards


UK Black Alumni Reunion to be held April 13-15


Know a Health Champion? Nominate them for the Healthy KY Champions Awards

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