UK Center of Excellence in Rural Health

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!

11/13/2025

Our countdown to November 20 continues with a big shoutout to Kentucky’s Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs) and to the incredible teams at the Kentucky Primary Care Association (KPCA) and the Kentucky Health Center Network (KHCN)! 💙🏥

From routine checkups to urgent care, FQHCs ensure that rural Kentuckians have access to care that’s affordable, compassionate, and close to home. Behind every clinic are dedicated providers and staff who go above and beyond every day, supported by KPCA and KHCN, whose advocacy, innovation, and leadership help keep these health centers strong. 🙌

💛💚 Today, we say THANK YOU to every FQHC, KPCA, and KHCN team member for your unwavering commitment to the health and wellness of Kentucky’s rural communities. You are true rural health heroes! 🌟

11/13/2025

As we continue our countdown to on Nov. 20, we’re spotlighting the Kentucky Association of Counties - KACo for its vital role in strengthening Kentucky’s rural communities. 💙🏛️

From supporting county leaders and advocating for resources to improving local infrastructure, public safety, and emergency services, KACo’s work directly impacts the health and well-being of rural Kentuckians. Strong counties mean stronger hospitals, safer roads, and healthier communities. 🌿

Thank you, KACo, for your partnership and commitment to ensuring every county has what it needs to help its residents thrive. Together, we’re building a healthier, more resilient Kentucky. 💛💚

11/11/2025

💙 is almost here—November 20! 🎉

Today, we’re celebrating the heartbeat of our communities: Kentucky’s rural hospitals, Critical Access Hospitals (CAHs), and Rural Emergency Hospitals (REHs)! 🏥You provide care, comfort, and hope every single day, often with limited resources but unlimited dedication. From life-saving emergencies to everyday care, you’re always there when Kentucky needs you most.

🌟 A special shoutout to the Kentucky Hospital Association (KHA) for standing alongside our rural hospitals through advocacy, leadership, and support. 🙌

To every doctor, nurse, technician, and hospital staff member—thank you for your compassion, commitment, and heart. You’re not just health care providers, you’re community heroes and the lifeline of rural Kentucky! 💛💚