UK Center of Excellence in Rural Health

03/19/2026

“Game On: Together for Health” was the theme of the 78th Annual Kentucky Public Health Association Educational Conference this week in Covington, Kentucky. Members of our team were excited to be part of this engaging event.

Congratulations to our UK CERH rural project managers who were selected to share some of the work they are doing to improve rural health access and the rural health workforce:

“Improving Access to Assistive Technology in Rural Communities,” was presented by Michaela Amburgey and Keisha Wells during the conference poster session.

“Breaking the Cycle: CHWs at the Front Lines of Harm Reduction,” was presented by Kyle Burnett, Josh Adams, and special guests from the Kentucky River District Health Department, Rebecca Todd-Long and Jamie Madden.

“From Shortages to Solutions: Advancing Rural Health Access in Kentucky,” was presented by Sierra Williams.

Thanks to the many attendees who stopped by our table in the exhibit area. We enjoyed the great conversations and networking with colleagues from across the state.

02/27/2026

SAVE THE DATE!

Kentucky Rural Telehealth Summit
Thursday, October 1, 2026
Harold R. Benson Research Farm
Frankfort, Kentucky

Brought to you by the UK Center of Excellence in Rural Health. More details to come!

For more information, contact Wayne Noble at wayne.noble@uky.edu

02/27/2026

REGISTRATION IS OPEN!

Come sit on the porch with us at this one-day research conference
focused on improving rural health in Appalachia Kentucky.

Register and view the agenda at www.kyruralhealth.org

APRIL 8, 2026
8:00 AM - 4:30 PM
The Corbin Center
222 Corbin Center Drive, Corbin, Kentucky

• RESEARCH PRESENTATIONS
• RESEARCH POSTER SESSION
• AWARDS LUNCHEON
• HEALTH & RESEARCH FAIR

For more information, contact Beth Bowling at beth.bowling@uky.edu

01/28/2026

Focus group and interview opportunities!
Share your experiences working with individuals with disabilities—or personal experiences related to your own or a loved one’s disability. See below for more details!

Participation Opportunity!
We’re looking for individuals to join a focus group or interview to share experiences working with individuals with disabilities—or personal experiences related to your own or a loved one’s disability.

👉 Scan the QR code or click the link below to participate.
🎉Participants will receive a $25 gift card as a thank-you for their time!

Your voice matters—help us make a difference!

https://uky.az1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_3Vu7VnthiCgaCsS

01/27/2026

The University of Kentucky Center for Appalachian Research in Environmental Sciences (UK-CARES), in partnership with the UK Center of Excellence in Rural Health (UK CERH), is excited to announce the 2026 Community Engagement Award in Environmental Health Sciences.

The UK-CARES/CERH Community Engagement Award recognizes individuals, organizations, and community-academic teams who demonstrate outstanding achievement in and commitment to community-engaged research or project evaluation to improve environmental health in Appalachia.

Nominees
The individual or community-academic team whom you nominate must meet at least one of the following criteria:

• Community member or organization engaged in environmental health issues of concern (e.g., clean air; clean water; extreme weather; natural disasters, etc.)
• Involved in community-academic environmental health-related partnerships
• Demonstrate outstanding community-engaged environmental health science

To submit a nomination, please visit: https://uky.az1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_8kxFVOeIeuVWMXH

Nominations will be reviewed by a (non-UK-CARES/CERH faculty & staff) panel. The nominees’ names will be removed before nomination forms are sent to the review panel. The nominees’ chance of being selected for the award is based solely on the details provided in the nomination form. Please provide thorough information about the nominee’s work to ensure their best chance of winning the award. Self-nominations are also accepted. Priority will be given to individuals and/or teams working in the Big Sandy, Kentucky River, or Cumberland Valley regions of Kentucky.

Nominations are due on or before Monday, February 16, 2026.

All finalists will be notified no later than Friday, March 13, 2026. The winner will be announced and all finalists will be recognized at UK-CERH's Appalachian Research Day in Corbin, KY, on April 8, 2026.

Please feel free to share this information with others. If you have questions or need more information, please contact Kelly Kennoy at Kelly.kennoy@uky.edu or (859)323-4587.

12/19/2025

Wishing everyone a safe and joyous holiday season!

Our offices will be closed December 24-January 4. We look forward to seeing everyone in the new year!

12/04/2025

Thank you, WYMT, for sharing the important work being done by CARAT-TOP students! Appalachian Center for Assistive Technology-ACAT

On Monday, the students along with parents and city, county and school leaders gathered at the UK Center of Excellence in Rural Health building for a certificate ceremony.

12/02/2025

Way to go, CARAT-TOP participants from Buckhorn, Perry Central, and Hazard High!

11/21/2025

We have had a great two days at the 2025 Kentucky Rural Health Association Annual Conference - learning from community partners and hearing updates from state and national speakers.

Congratulations to 3 of our UK CERH Rural Project Managers - Michaela Amburgey, Kyle Burnett, and Joshua Adams. They were selected to give presentations on important work they are doing with community health worker training and a special research project that was completed earlier this year on Radon detection. Also, a big thanks to the many attendees who stopped by our exhibit to learn more about our programs and services.

KRHA was established in 1999 with a mission to improve the health of rural Kentuckians and a vision to be a trusted resource for improving the quality of life for rural Kentuckians. We are grateful for their decades of leadership and the opportunities they provide for learning and networking. Thank you, KRHA, for hosting yet another awesome conference!

11/20/2025

What better way to celebrate National Rural Health Day than with our many colleagues and partners from across Kentucky and beyond, at the 2025 Kentucky Rural Health Association Annual Conference in Bowling Green, Kentucky! Thank you, KRHA, for putting together this important event each year!

11/19/2025

🌟 Tomorrow is , and today we’re celebrating the incredible work of the Kentucky Rural Health Association (KRHA)!

KRHA continues to be a powerful champion for Kentucky’s rural communities—showing up, speaking up, and pushing for the resources and support our small towns need to thrive. 💙 Whether advocating for meaningful policy change, uplifting rural providers, or connecting Kentuckians to essential health services, KRHA is driving real impact across the Commonwealth.

Your dedication to the health and well-being of rural families inspires us. As we look ahead to NRHD 2025 and the KRHA Annual Conference, we want to say a heartfelt thank you, KRHA, for being a steadfast voice for rural health care and for everything you do to build a stronger, healthier Kentucky. 💛💚

11/16/2025

💙 We’re just 5 days away from celebrating on November 21!

Today, we’re spotlighting the incredible work of the Kentucky Council of Area Development Districts, key partners in building stronger and healthier rural communities across the Commonwealth. 💪

Kentucky’s ADDs don’t just plan for the future; they help shape it. From improving access to health care and vital community services to supporting infrastructure, housing, and workforce development, their work strengthens the foundation of rural life.

Your leadership and collaboration make Kentucky more resilient, connected, and healthy. 💛💚

Thank you, Kentucky ADDs, for all you do to move rural communities forward!