News

A team of providers and researchers at the University of Kentucky is working with community and government leaders across the state to address a pressing issue facing the Commonwealth: the maternal morbidity and mortality rate.

Over the next few months, the UK College of Medicine will be releasing an exciting mini-documentary series called “Because We Care.” Capturing interviews and conversations with people across our community, the four-part series explores who we are as a college and why our mission matters to all of us, whether we are learners, faculty, researchers, or staff.

When Laneshia Conner was in graduate school, an instructor told her that she had great questions. From there, she says she began to find that she had more questions than answers. In this “Research Made Possible” podcast produced by Research Communications, Conner discusses her work that is centered on improving scientific knowledge about HIV prevention for older Black women.  

The University of Kentucky Building Interdisciplinary Research Careers in Women’s Health (BIRCWH) program is accepting applications for scholars interested in research to advance women’s health.

The Association of Professors of Gynecology and Obstetrics (APGO) recognized Rachel Saunders, MD, as a 2023 APGO Humanism in Teaching Award recipient. Saunders is an associate professor in The UK College of Medicine Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology. 

Carl Watson, MD, made history as the first Black graduate of the University of Kentucky College of Medicine. 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 University of Kentucky College of Medicine and Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield Medicaid in Kentucky announced new scholarship opportunities for UK’s Rural Physi

The University of Kentucky College of Medicine 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. 

UK 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 University of Kentucky College of Medicine 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 UK College of Medicine Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, was recently named UK HealthCare’s first CNM of the Year! The special recognition was part of UK HealthCare’s Celebration of National Advanced Practice Provider (APP) week. National APP week was celebrated September 25-29, 2023.

The University of Kentucky College of Medicine 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 UK students in helping professions across nine UK colleges.

Mackenzie Harbin, MD, is gynecologic-oncology fellow (PGY-7) at the University of Kentucky College of Medicine. 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.