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Carl Watson, MD, made history as the first Black graduate of the º£½Ç½ûÇø. He earned his doctorate in 1964 as a member of the college’s first graduating class, and his impact in medicine continued through a decades-long career as an obstetrician and gynecologist. 

Upstairs in the University of Kentucky Johnson Center’s Blue Studio on a Wednesday night, a crowd begins to gather — first a trickle, then smaller groups. Soon, a line develops outside the door as participants check in.

A team of researchers at the University of Kentucky continues to advance strategies to prevent child sex trafficking (CST) across the Commonwealth through a training program for middle school staff.

A team of researchers at the University of Kentucky is working to better understand the impact of opioid use disorder on mothers and babies.

Every 24 minutes in the United States, a baby is born with neonatal opioid withdrawal syndrome (NOWS) after being exposed in mothers with opioid use disorder.

In celebration of National Rural Health Day, yesterday the º£½Ç½ûÇø and Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield Medicaid in Kentucky announced new scholarship opportunities for º£½Ç½ûÇø’s Rural Physi

The º£½Ç½ûÇø Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology’s philanthropy project was a big success – raising more the $12,000 to support transdisciplinary education at Lexington’s Rise STEM Academy for Girls. The academy utilized the funds to purchase two sets of bicycles to provide scholars with a multitude of learning opportunities. 

º£½Ç½ûÇø HealthCare is the first in the state to offer the innovative Sonata® Treatment for women suffering from debilitating symptoms caused by uterine fibroids, including heavy periods.

The following individuals were honored at the º£½Ç½ûÇø Awards Convocation on Wednesday, Oct. 18, 2023. Winners included those in Bowling Green, Lexington, Morehead, and Northern Kentucky.

Outstanding Graduate Student Award:
Jamila Tucker, MS

Franny Meritt, Certified Nurse Midwife (CNM) in the º£½Ç½ûÇø College of Medicine Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, was recently named º£½Ç½ûÇø HealthCare’s first CNM of the Year! The special recognition was part of º£½Ç½ûÇø HealthCare’s Celebration of National Advanced Practice Provider (APP) week. National APP week was celebrated September 25-29, 2023.

The º£½Ç½ûÇø is thrilled to announce that after an extensive search, Emily DeFranco, DO, MS, has been selected to serve as the new chair of obstetrics and gynecology.

A team of researchers at the University of Kentucky is working to reduce the number of deaths and injuries among pregnant and postpartum women through an online training program for º£½Ç½ûÇø students in helping professions across nine º£½Ç½ûÇø colleges.

Mackenzie Harbin, MD, is gynecologic-oncology fellow (PGY-7) at the º£½Ç½ûÇø. Originally from Frankfort, Ky., she cherishes the opportunity to return to the Bluegrass to care for women in the Commonwealth.

Burnout is a problem in any profession, but it is rampant in health care. This national problem has been evident recently as the COVID-19 pandemic pushed many learners, practitioners, faculty, and staff to the limit.

When Amandah Hesselbrock found out 37 weeks into her pregnancy that her fourth baby was in a breech position, she was overwhelmed with anxiety. Breech babies account for about 4% of all full-term pregnancies and often result in a Cesarean birth (C-section). 

The mission of the department of obstetrics and gynecology is to provide excellent and advanced clinical care, educate the next generation of physicians, and research the questions that lead to discovery and advancement. The mission only succeeds when we have committed faculty who devote their career to these grand goals.

The º£½Ç½ûÇø is excited to announce that faculty, staff, learners, and trainees will have free access to a leading online resource for medical Spanish proficiency.

CanopyLearn, a Spanish language training program for health care professionals, will be available to the º£½Ç½ûÇø College of Medicine community starting Aug. 1.

A new study conducted by a group of researchers, including the interim executive director of the University of Kentucky Center for Research on Violence Against Women (CRVAW), has found that people who experience interpersonal violence or child abuse face a more than 20% increased risk of developing diabetes. 

Na’Tasha Evans, PhD, MEd, is a researcher, published author, champion for female empowerment, and our new vice dean for diversity, equity, and inclusion at the º£½Ç½ûÇø. Learn more about her goals, her past work, and more in the following Q&A.

Q: What inspired you to pursue a career in research? 

Congratulations to the following basic science and clinical faculty at the º£½Ç½ûÇø! These individuals were honored with promotions and tenure in fiscal year 2023.

Names are organized alphabetically by department.

Sarah Jean Hall, MD, PhD
Associate Professor

The º£½Ç½ûÇø invites applications and nominations for chair of its highly-regarded department of obstetrics and gynecology.

THE OPPORTUNITY