University of Kentucky College of Health Sciences
Connection Winter 2014
Inside ... The next generation of researchers: Enhancing the undergraduate experience — inside the lab and beyond Page 10
A magazine featuring news about our college, students, alumni and friends
Connection Winter 2014
Inside ... 4
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Connection is a publication of the University of Kentucky College of Health Sciences. Editor & Graphic Designer Melanie J. Sparks
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Contributing Writers Ann Blackford Connect with Us
Email the Editor mpjack0@uky.edu
Students
College News
Milestones........................................2 News & Notes..................................4
Staff News........................................14
Outreach
Alumni
Spinal Cord Injury Congress.........6
Academic Healthcare Residential College......8 Faculty News....................................9
Research Undergraduate Research..............10 Interdisciplinary Grants...............12
CHAMP Camp...............................16 MLS 80th Gala................................18 Dinner with KATS.........................20 Class Notes......................................21
Development Dwain Rice Scholarship.................22 Scholarship Scramble.....................24
On the cover: Top - Undergrad researcher Travis Green (center) and his faculty mentor Dr. Joe Stemple perform an expiratory power test on volunteer Kiley Madaleno in the Laryngeal & Speech Dynamics Lab. Bottom - Undergrad researcher Kaley Robertson (left) and her faculty mentor Dr. Brian Noehren perform strength tests on a research participant in the BioMotion Lab.
UK College of Health Sciences
Archives
www.issuu.com/ukchs UK College of Health Sciences Charles T. Wethington Jr. Building 900 South Limestone, Room 123 Lexington, KY 40536-0200 (859) 323-1100 www.mc.uky.edu/healthsciences Copyright 2014, University of Kentucky. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced without written permission of the UK College of Health Sciences, (859) 323-1100.
Welcome Home ... Message from the Interim Dean Dear Friends, There are big things happening at the University of Kentucky. One only needs to walk across campus to see the obvious transformation in the landscape. If you haven’t been to campus in a few years, it’s worth a trip to take in the new sights, including the UK Albert B. Chandler Hospital, the Bio-Pharm Complex, and most recently Central Hall I and II, which are touted as high-tech living and learning spaces for students. The transformation extends well beyond our living, working and learning spaces. The University’s direction has evolved under the thoughtful leadership of Dr. Eli Capilouto, who is now in his third year as UK President. In addition, we recently welcomed our new provost, Dr. Christine Riordan, and the College of Health Sciences is well into its own dean search. These are only a few examples of the big changes taking place at UK. It’s easy to see that this is an exciting time to be at the University of Kentucky. It’s also easy to see how the big happenings across campus might overshadow our day-to-day work. We must be mindful of the importance of our daily work and celebrate both the big and small milestones along the way. Every day, we are part of something that might not make front-page news, yet somehow, it is much LARGER. I was reminded of this during a conversation with a Human Health Sciences student at Dinner with Kats, our annual student and alumni networking event. This student shared with me that she had come to us from a college where she felt lost in the crowd. She said coming to our college was like coming home. She knew that she belonged here. It’s an experience repeated time and time again, and it says so much more about our college than a big, flashy headline ever could. You see, we have a quality that is difficult to measure and impossible to package – we have heart. That is not simply a sentimental statement; that is a powerful fact. Our people – our incredible faculty, staff, students and alumni – are the heart of CHS. We are driven by the desire to help people. It is reflected in the work we do every day, whether it is teaching, research or service. For us, caring comes naturally. As you make your way through this issue of Connection, I encourage you to stop and see the sights: See our students giving back to the community through monetary donations and service. See our faculty reaching out to the spinal-cord-injury community to effect meaningful change. See our mentors developing the next generation of researchers. See our alumni reaching out to youth, using a football camp to teach crucial life skills. See the generosity of our donors through a scholarship fund to honor the memory of an alumnus. As we keep pace with the University’s transformation, we should take pride in our unique strengths. We are proud to be part of the college that our students call “home.” Warmest regards, Sharon R. Stewart, Ed.D. Interim Dean
Winter 2014 1
Students
Milestones Graduation, White Coat and Pinning
Above: The Physician Assistant Studies Program held its White Coat Ceremony at the UK Albert B. Chandler Hospital Pavilion A in February 2013. Fifty-eight students from the College of Health Sciences Physician Assistant Class of 2015 received white coats during the ceremony that marks the transition from the classroom to the clinic.
Opposite page: The Medical Laboratory Science Program held its Pinning Ceremony at the UK Student Center in December 2013. Twenty students received pins during the ceremony, which is an opportunity for administrators and faculty members to recognize the MLS seniors for their commitment and dedication during the last 16 months. It is also an opportunity for families and friends to applaud the success of these graduates. 2 UK College of Health Sciences
Above: The Physical Therapy Program held its Graduation Ceremony in August 2013. Sixty students graduated, including 14 from the Hazard campus. Lori Payton sang a beautiful rendition of “Whenever You Remember.� Hannah Jefferson gave an inspirational and humorous speech, reminding her classmates of their responsibility to the profession and UK as PT practitioners. After the ceremony, a lovely reception was held on the lawn in front of Memorial Hall.
Winter 2014 3
Students
News & Notes National Allied Health Professions Week, Student Ambassadors and more
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ational Allied Health Professions Week is recognized annually in the first week of November. The purpose of the week is to raise awareness of allied health careers and to recognize and celebrate the many allied health professionals making valuable contributions to patient care, research, education, and service. The celebration for 2013 included a week of fun, informative offerings for our students and the UK community. Students were treated to the usual fare of free food and prizes during the week. However, more service- and learning-oriented activities were offered as well. PA and PT students and faculty volunteered their time during the first ever Allied Health Professions Possibilities Health Fair, held on central campus. The fair included free blood pressure screenings, as well as balance, flexibility and grip strength tests. Students also attended two informative lunchtime presentations. The first was presented by Brian Noehren, PT, PhD, and Tim Uhl, ATC, PT, PhD, and showcased student involvement in research. The second was presented by Virginia Valentin, MCMS, PA-C, and featured a discussion of the Affordable Care Act and its effect on physician assistants. We are grateful to our Student Ambassadors, who helped plan and coordinate the events, and to our sponsors Magee’s Bakery, Papa John’s and Wal-Mart. (Top) PA students provided blood pressure screenings to UK students. (Middle) Dr. Tony English, PT Division Director conducted a balance test on UK students. (Bottom) Drs. Brian Noehren and Tim Uhl and student researchers discussed current research initiatives.
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Our student body is led by a group of Student Ambassadors, who assist with activities such as facility tours, recruitment activities, and raising funds for the Ambassador Scholarship. Pictured are the 2013-14 Student Ambassadors Front row: Alysha Lewis, Kent Llanora, Lauren Estepp, Sharayah Jung, and Lauren Knasel. Back row: Sarah Dunn, Samantha Dunn, Taylor Koncelik, Lindsay Kroes, and Megan Jordan. Not pictured: Drew McCool-Solis, Steven Hunt, Emily Ralenkotter, Dominique Wade, Allie Stumbo, Haley Weber, Amanda Miller, and Sarah Langford.
In June, the UK PA Class of 2014 presented their donation of $2,000 to Professor Bill Grimes, PA-C, who leads a team of volunteers to run the New Hope Clinic in Owingsville, KY. Professor Grimes was thrilled to receive the donation and said that it was the largest donation from individuals ever received for the free clinic that treats the uninsured.
Student Highlights Jennifer Werner, ATC and Julie Iannicelli, ATC Athletic Training Students Masters Grant from the National Athletic Trainers’ Association Research and Education Foundation Project: “Understanding Return to Sport Factors Following Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction: A Mixed-Methods Study” Mentor: Jennifer Howard, PhD Anna Porter, ATC Athletic Training Student Masters Grant from the National Athletic Trainers’ Association Research and Education Foundation Project: “Scapular Muscle Activities during Closed Chain Shoulder Exercises” Mentor: Tim Uhl, ATC, PT, PhD
Sarah Beth Marting, Kirby Mayer, and Avery Schroyer Physical Therapy Students Selected for the Kentucky Physical Therapy Association (in partnership with RehabCare) 2013 All-Academic Team Samantha Kinchen Pre-Communication Sciences and Disorders Student Received the bronze medal at the Youth World Boxing Championships in Bulgaria Maja Redzic, Evan Cassity, Cory Kohler, Maram Alhowaish, and Reem Basaqr Clinical Nutrition Students Solutions for Sustainability Grant UK College of Agriculture Project: “Promoting Healthy Lifestyles” Winter 2014 5
Outreach
Setting the Agenda for Change Inaugural Kentucky Congress on Spinal Cord Injury by Melanie J. Sparks
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e are more powerful together than apart.” This might be a fitting slogan for a group of about 40 individuals with spinal cord injury from around the Commonwealth who came together in May 2013 at the Inaugural Kentucky Congress on Spinal Cord Injury (KCSCI). Traditionally, outreach programs for individuals with SCI have worked as separate entities – scattered efforts without a common mission. In addition, existing outreach programs seem to have less impact on individuals in rural areas of Kentucky. KCSCI, an offshoot of the Kentucky Appalachian Rural Rehabilitation Network (KARRN), was created to address the need for a cohesive effort, as well as to pinpoint issues most critical to the SCI community, and to draft an agenda for legislative change. Tapping into a collective power source is a proven formula for success, according to Patrick Kitzman, PT, PhD, Director of KARRN and Associate Professor, CHS Division of Physical Therapy and the Rehabilitation Sciences Doctoral Program. “The hardest part is getting the rock rolling,” Kitzman said. “Once it gets rolling, and you get enough hands on it, you can move it in any direction you like.” Kitzman said the group may not be large in number, but it is made up of the most engaged, fired-up individuals. This group of 40 has started the process of change, and it is building momentum. “The breadth of experience in the group is extraordinary – bringing together a world-renowned spinal cord injury researcher with a retired farmer, who was really the most practical of the group and has an understanding of how to build things,” Kitzman said. “If you bring enough people together, you can accomplish something. Success breeds success.” Health Care, Accessibility, Equipment, and Employment Participants were surveyed before the KCSCI meeting and identified four topics of greatest concern: Health care, accessibility, equipment, and employment. KCSCI
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participants worked in teams to develop an agenda to legislate change around each of the main topics, and each participant was asked to sign up for at least one work group. Participants Jason Jones and Alexander “Sasha” Rabchevsky, PhD, took unofficial, yet vital, leadership roles within KCSCI. Both expect the group to help increase awareness of issues facing the SCI community and, beyond that, to help find solutions and initiate change. “The community of individuals with SCI and their support systems can be a strong advocacy group given the right organizational structure,” said Rabchevsky, who is a Professor of Physiology at the UK Spinal Cord & Brain Injury Research Center. “It is time we brought our issues to the forefront to make all of Kentucky aware of the needs of this group.” Jones believes a focused, action-oriented group such as KCSCI can have a lasting impact. However, he sees the need for the group to grow. “The congress gives us an opportunity to analyze issues that can be detrimental to living inclusive lives and to search for real solutions to combat those problems,” said Jones, who is Director of Community Relations for the Kentucky Office of Vocational Rehabilitation. “A large group can shape legislation and educate on a much broader spectrum than a few motivated individuals can. Power in numbers may be cliché, but try ignoring 150 or more wheelchair users rolling up on the State Capital.” What’s next? A dozen KCSCI participants formed a steering committee, which met in October 2013. The committee chose to focus KCSCI’s efforts on two key issues: Requiring
doctor’s offices with eight or more exam rooms to provide a lowering or lowered exam table; and recruiting other spinal cord injury survivors to join the congress, particularly individuals in underrepresented counties in Kentucky. In addition, the committee will be engaging in activities, such as contacting County Clerk Association members to voice parking concerns and creating a Facebook page. Top concerns identified in the breakout sessions: 1. Health care: Training for medical personnel to best meet the needs of patients with SCI; health insurance barriers to receiving sufficient rehabilitation services; and the need for better self-advocacy. 2. Accessibility: Lack of American with Disabilities Act (ADA) compliance; parking and transportation. 3. Equipment: Affordability of equipment; education of health care providers and the SCI community on best practices for available equipment/technology; and the barriers created by bureaucracy. 4. Employment: Employee barriers, such as lack of available training on job seeking and employment for those with SCI; accessibility/workplace accommodations; and employer barriers to hiring those with SCI, such as the perception that a person with SCI is somehow less qualified, and the lack of employer education about accommodation and job adaptation.
For more information, visit www.karrn.org Winter 2014 7
Academic
Spotlight: Healthcare Residential College College of Health Sciences continues to take a leading role by Ann Blackford, UK Public Relations
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K students interested in a career in health care have the unique opportunity to immerse themselves in their chosen field both inside the classroom and out when they become part of the UK Living Learning Program’s (LLP) Healthcare Residential College. The Healthcare Residential College is not just a place to live with other health care students, but an experience designed specifically to encourage and foster community and interprofessionalism in health care along with blended opportunities to gain insight into all health-related professions. The LLP partners with the Office of Residence Life and the James W. Stuckert Career Center to help students define what they are looking for in a career Drs. Eli and Mary Lynne Capilouto spoke to LLP residents about and guide them as they make that decision. their respective careers in health care. “The Living Learning Program is about building relationships and networks where students are embedded in the health care community,” said Tony Grace, LLP Healthcare Residential College advisor and academic advisor at the UK College of Nursing. “Admission is offered to students who apply in their senior year of high school for their freshman year at the university. There are currently about 50 students, and that number is expected to grow to 100 to 150 students in the next two to three years.” The Healthcare Residential College, made up of Colleges of Nursing and Health Sciences students, currently is located in Holmes Hall, but will move to the new Haggin Hall in Fall 2014. Plans are underway to include students from the Colleges of Dentistry, Pharmacy, Public Health, Agriculture, Food and Environment, Communication and Information, and Social Work in Fall 2015. Bryan Adams, a freshman Human Health Sciences major, says his passion has always been Physical Therapy. He learned about the LLP when he was searching UK’s website for housing options in preparation for college life at UK. “It’s amazing to meet other people on the same track who have the same interests as me,” Adams said. “The Healthcare Living Learning Program helps you learn about other health care tracks as well as the one you are interested in, which I would say is beneficial to everyone.” Wayne Centers, CHS Student Affairs Advisor, says the LLP Healthcare Residential College focuses on interprofessionalism in health care and blended opportunities to gain insight into all health professions. Examples of program offerings have included: Tea with Royalty featuring Drs. Eli and Mary Lou Capilouto speaking about their respective careers in health care; and Dinner with the Deans, during which students had dinner with some of the deans of health care colleges who spoke about their career paths and experiences. “The key is insider understanding of the health care professions,” said Randa Remer, CHS Assistant Dean of Student Affairs. “The Living Learning Program allows students insider information into professions that they wouldn’t otherwise have.” 8 UK College of Health Sciences
Faculty Achievements Timothy Butterfield, PhD, ATC Associate Professor, Athletic Training New Investigator Award National Athletic Trainers’ Association Research & Education Foundation
DeShana Collett, MSPAS, PA-C, PhD Assistant Professor, Physician Assistant Studies Earned PhD, Higher Education in Educational Policy Studies and Evaluation, UK College of Education. Selected as a member of the Physician Assistant Education Association’s Diversity & Inclusion Council
Anne Harrison, PhD, PT Director of Professional Studies, Associate Professor, Physical Therapy Dorothy E. Baethke-Eleanor J Carlin Award American Physical Therapy Association
Anthony Isaacs, MS Deaf Ed American Sign Language Instructor Advanced to the American Sign Language Teachers Association professional certification level
Jane O. Kleinert, PhD Associate Professor, Communication Sciences and Disorders Louis M. DiCarlo Award for Recent Clinical Achievement American Speech-Language-Hearing Foundation
Robert C. Marshall, PhD, FASHA, CCC-SLP, BC-ANCDS Professor, Rehabilitation Sciences and Communication Sciences and Disorders Honored by the Kentucky and Southern Indiana Stroke Association
Carl Mattacola, PhD, ATC Division Director, Associate Professor, Athletic Training and Rehabilitation Sciences Doctoral Program Most Distinguished Athletic Trainer National Athletic Trainers’ Association
Judith L. Page, PhD Associate Professor, Communication Sciences and Disorders Elected President of the American SpeechLanguage-Hearing Association
Kevin Schuer, MSPAS, MPH, PA‑C Assistant Professor, Physician Assistant Studies Rising Star Award Physician Assistant Education Association
Karen O. Skaff, RDH, PhD Department Chair, Associate Professor, Department of Clinical Sciences Appointed by Gov. Steve Beshear to the Kentucky Board of Licensure for Long-Term Care Administrators
Tim Uhl, PhD, ATC, PT Co-Director of Musculoskeletal Laboratory, Associate Professor, Athletic Training Most Distinguished Athletic Trainer National Athletic Trainers’ Association
Virginia Valentin, MCMS, PA-C Assistant Professor, Physician Assistant Studies Elected President of the Kentucky Academy of Physician Assistants
Welcome new faculty Shea Poynter Lambirth, MD Part-Time Assistant Professor Physician Assistant Studies
New academic grants Karen O. Skaff, RDH, PhD, Department Chair, Associate Professor, Department of Clinical Sciences, received a UK Academic Planning Analytics and Technologies (APAT) Grant. She also received an Oral Health Nursing Education and Practice Program Grant.
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Research
Mentoring the Next Generation of Researchers Undergraduate Research Program enhances the undergrad experience by Melanie J. Sparks
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Top: Undergrad researcher Marin Lehman (UK biology junior) and her faculty mentor Dr. Esther DupontVersteegden in the Frailty Prevention Lab. Bottom: (left to right) Sanjana Pampati (UK biology junior), Evan Cassity (Clinical Nutrition graduate student), faculty mentor Dr. Travis Thomas, NadineStella Achenjang (UK biology junior), and Maja Redzic (Clinical Nutrition graduate student) in the Clinical Nutrition Lab.
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hen thinking of the undergraduate experience, research may not be the first word that comes to mind. However, the undergraduate environment is shifting, as research opportunities expand, and as students and mentors become aware of the many benefits. That shift is demonstrated by the thriving Undergraduate Research Program (UGR) at the UK College of Health Sciences. The program was launched in January 2011 and closed out its first year with six mentors and 11 students. As of spring 2013, the number of mentors had more than doubled, and the number of students involved had more than quadrupled, reaching 50 students. “It’s a win-win. Faculty are able to achieve goals they might not otherwise achieve, and students gain experience in research,” said Gilson Capilouto, PhD, Director of Undergraduate Research at CHS and Associate Professor in the Division of Communication Sciences and Disorders. Students are beginning to realize the potential rewards of participating in undergraduate research much earlier. According to Capilouto, college freshmen and even high school students are being drawn to the program in increasing numbers. UGR benefits students in many unique ways, during their undergraduate years and beyond. The benefits include: • Increased creativity, critical thinking, and problem- solving skills • Enhanced ability to apply classroom knowledge • Broader understanding of academic and career interests • Higher retention and graduation rates • Higher acceptance and enrollment rates in graduate and professional schools The UGR experience can be transformational in other ways as well – changing the student’s academic or career path or changing the student’s perception of the very nature of research. Kaley Robertson, a UK kinesiology senior, experienced such a transformation. She learned
about the UGR program from a pre-physical therapy student group and pursued an opportunity in Dr. Brian Noehren’s BioMotion Lab. “I had the perspective that research may be boring, and I wanted to see if it could be not only interesting but applied to my life and future work,” said Robertson, who is engaged in Noehren’s research involving anterior cruciate ligament injuries, patellofemoral pain and patellar instability, trunk control, and hip/trunk/core stability. Fortunately, Robertson’s research experience proved to be an interesting learning experience. “Dr. Noehren has been a great mentor. I’ve learned a lot from him, both in the clinical perspective and in the research world,” Robertson said. “I’ve come to appreciate the field of physical therapy so much more and how important research is to advancing the profession. As an added bonus, it has also helped improve my patient care skills as well.” Participating in UGR also enhances a student’s ability to work in team settings through a real-world application, which is not always possible in the classroom. Travis Green, a UK biology senior, is grateful for the opportunity to understand how the research process works, and he now realizes that research is truly a team effort. “Being part of a team gets you interested in how you can benefit everyone and what you can contribute,” said Green, who is mentored by Dr. Joe Stemple and is involved in research on changes in aging laryngeal muscles. “In this sense, research becomes something you want to stick with … The research aspect of science is the future, and we have to stay interested and preserve it.” Students are not the only winners in the UGR experience. For faculty mentors, working with undergraduate researchers can reinvigorate their work. “The undergrads have provided so much energy and creativity,” said Charlotte Peterson, PhD, Joseph Hamburg Endowed Professor and CHS Associate Dean for Research. “It’s such a pleasure to have them in the labs. Their sheer energy makes being in the lab fun.” There is also the practical benefit of having additional hands on deck to help with research projects, and even the act of explaining the work to students can be beneficial. “They will learn from you, and you will gain hands,” said Esther Dupont-Versteegden, PhD, Associate Professor, CHS Division of Physical Therapy. “Explaining a research project to undergraduate students can be refreshing because it makes a researcher think about what he or she is doing and why.” The majority of students mentored through the CHS
UGR Program plan to pursue a health-care-related career. A strong motivator for faculty mentors is that the UGR experience helps students become better clinicians and better consumers of research literature by providing a firsthand framework for understanding research that they would not have otherwise. For some undergraduate researchers, the experience opens doors to other opportunities. “CHS has experienced great success in mentoring future scientists in health care, particularly in terms of student financial support,” Capilouto said. “Since the program’s inception, one student travel award, three summer grants, and two nationally recognized summer research fellowships have been awarded to undergraduate researchers in the college.” As the program continues to grow, more research mentors are needed to keep up with the demand. Capilouto aims to have at least 90 percent participation from CHS faculty and will continue to expand the opportunities available through faculty from other colleges as well.
CHS Undergraduate Research Program Faculty Mentors Anne Olson, PhD Bob Marshall, PhD Brian Noehren, PhD Catherine Mao, PhD Charlotte Peterson, PhD Donna Morris, PhD Esther Dupont-Versteegden, PhD Gilson Capilouto, PhD Kathy Sheppard-Jones, PhD Jennifer Howard, PhD Joe Stemple, PhD Joneen Lowman, PhD Karen Skaff, PhD Richie Andreatta, PhD Scott Livingston, PhD Stephen Firsing, PhD Tim Butterfield, PhD Tim Uhl, PhD Travis Thomas, PhD For more information, visit http://bit.ly/chs_ugr
The University of Kentucky will host the National Conference on Undergraduate Research April 3-5. Winter 2014 11
Research
An Interdisciplinary Approach Recently funded grants focus on teamwork in research by Melanie J. Sparks
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nyone in health care can attest to this fact: The human body is an incredibly complex organism. It makes sense to approach such a complex organism with a team of experts from various health care fields. The team approach aptly translates to the realm of health-related research as well. While interdisciplinary research teams are not new, the full value of their contributions has only recently been widely recognized and supported. “Research is no longer a solo endeavor. There has been a major shift toward team science,” said Charlotte Peterson, PhD, Joseph Hamburg Endowed Professor and CHS Associate Dean for Research. “It is a culture change in science and research. The wave of the future is Type I Myosin / Laminin / Stem Cell / DAP1 innovative discoveries made through interdisciplinary teams, which are Human skeletal muscle cross-section taken from strongly supported on our campus by the National Institutes of Health, NIH-funded Center for Clinical and Translational Sciences, which I the vastus lateralis muscle. Image courtesy of help to direct.” Christopher Fry / Peterson Lab. Cross-university collaborations The value of interdisciplinary research has been put front and center by the NIH, which is the largest source of funding for medical research in the world. In 2008, the NIH distributed the first Building Interdisciplinary Research Teams (BIRT) awards through its National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases (NIAMS). The purpose of the BIRT awards is “to build interdisciplinary research teams that will lead to new scientific advances that go beyond the progress that is possible without collaboration.” Peterson, an investigator on two recently funded BIRT awards, explained that the awards are given to newly formed research teams, with projects stemming from an existing grant. “The purpose is to reach out to other researchers, to ask a new question, and to bring expertise to the project that the original team didn’t have on its own,” Peterson said. Members of these interdisciplinary research teams are not confined within the borders of UK’s campus. Peterson is working with vascular biologists from Duke University to research a new role for muscle stem cells in muscle injury. The question that sparked this skeletal muscle and vascular biology collaboration: What is the interaction between muscle stem cells and endothelial cells, which form new capillaries? Peterson and her team are studying the impact of muscle stem cells on endothelial cells and investigating whether muscle stem cells might help to grow vasculature to provide oxygen to muscles. Peterson is also an investigator on a second BIRT award, a strength training and arthritis trial. This grant is a subaward of a Wake Forest University parent grant. The question that sparked this cross-university collaboration: Why do those with knee osteoarthritis experience quadriceps muscle weakness? Collectively, the investigators seek to identify those most at risk for muscle weakness and those who are unlikely to respond to standard exercise regimens. Wake Forest will perform muscle biopsies on osteoarthritic subjects, while UK will recruit healthy subjects for muscle biopsies. All biopsy analyses for the project will be performed at UK. Inter-college collaboration Sometimes the best teams have a history. Seven years ago, Esther Dupont-Versteegden, PhD, was part of an 12 UK College of Health Sciences
interdisciplinary team made up of College of Medicine and College of Health Sciences researchers studying the function of the aging diaphragm. Dupont-Versteegden and her team, funded by the NIH National Institute on Aging (NIA), have now taken the questions from that original study and expanded them using a new animal model to understand the role of stem cells in the aging diaphragm. “In aging humans, we know the diaphragm changes, but we’re not exactly sure how,” said Dupont-Versteegden, who is an Associate Professor in the CHS Division of Physical Therapy. “We know function decreases and force lessens. Coughing, sneezing and other functions are decreased.” The question is: What is the role of muscle stems cells in the aging diaphragm? The team is looking at how the diaphragm functions under stress, particularly at old age, if the number of muscle stem cells in the diaphragm has been experimentally reduced. Dupont-Versteegden is combining her expertise in muscle biology with a College of Medicine co-investigator’s expertise in respiratory function. She hopes that adding the treatment perspective to the scientific perspective will result in new discoveries, which will ultimately benefit people. “The eventual goal of research is to find something to help a human recover from an illness or a deficit,” DupontVersteegden said.
Thomas, PhD, RD, in search of a protein supplement protocol for head and neck cancer patients. “Traditionally, protein supplementation for cancer patients is only marginally effective. Patients still go downhill, losing muscle mass and functional capacity very quickly,” said Thomas, who is an Assistant Professor in the CHS Division of Clinical Nutrition. “Let’s try something that’s never been done. Let’s ask a new question. If protein supplementation offers only a limited benefit, what will work better?” Thomas turned to an unusual source for the answer: beets, in particular, the naturally occurring nitrate found in concentrated beet root. According to Thomas, beet root is gaining attention in the sport performance arena due to reports that supplementation improves exercise capacity, increases muscle contractile efficiency, and may elicit other benefits secondary to mediating the nitrate-nitric oxide metabolic pathway. The hope is that supplementation with concentrated beet root might also have a unique benefit for cancer patients – improving chemo-radiation treatment compliance. Currently, up to 50 percent of head and neck cancer patients do not complete treatment because of its harsh side effects. “This is due to fatigue and mucositis,” Thomas said. “In cancer patients, mucositis, painful inflammation and ulceration of the mucous membranes lining the digestive tract, can be quite severe. Many have to be tube-fed. Their mouth and gums become raw,” Thomas said. “We believe that the metabolism of beet root bioactive components may interrupt the pathogenesis of mucositis and may also slow down the loss of physical function.” A clinical trial sponsored by Markey Cancer Center will begin in early 2014. Thomas hopes to enroll 50 head and neck cancer patients in the trial over the next two years.
Novel nutritional intervention Cancer patients undergoing weeks of chemotherapy and radiation treatments face an uphill battle, including loss of appetite and inadequate nutrient intake. Head and neck cancer patients face an even greater nutritional challenge because many have had a portion of their jaw or tongue removed. The UK Markey Cancer Center reached out to Travis
Recently Funded Interdisciplinary Research Teams New role for satellite cells in response to muscle ischemia (NIH-NIAMS BIRT Award) Charlotte Peterson, PhD (Co-Principal Investigator) CHS
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John McCarthy, PhD (Co-Principal Investigator) College of Medicine
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Jyothi Mula, MS (Research Analyst) CHS
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Duke University Researchers
Strength training and arthritis trial* (NIH-NIAMS BIRT Award) *sub-award team Charlotte Peterson, PhD (Principal Investigator) CHS
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Brian Noehren, PT, PhD (Collaborator) CHS
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Doug Long, MS (Exercise Physiologist) CHS
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Jyothi Mula, MS (Research Analyst) CHS
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Wake Forest University Researchers
Effect of satellite cell ablation on the aging diaphragm (NIH-NIA R21) Esther Dupont-Versteegden, PhD (Principal Investigator) CHS
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Francisco Andrade, PhD (Co-Investigator) College of Medicine
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Amy Confides, MS (Research Analyst) CHS
Randomized Phase II study of Concentrated Beet Root in participants being treated for locally advanced unresectable, previously untreated squamous cell cancer of the head and neck: A University of Kentucky Markey Cancer Center Clinical Trial D. Travis Thomas, PhD, RD, CSSD (Principal Investigator) CHS
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Mahesh Kudrimoti, MD (Co-Principal Investigator) College of Medicine
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Jody Clasey, PhD, FACSM (Co-Principal Investigator) College of Education
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Emily Van Meter, PhD (Statistician) College of Public Health
Winter 2014 13
College News
Staff News Welcome new staff Tabatha D. Christianson Staff Support Associate II Clinical Leadership and Management & Human Health Sciences
Lisa Hill, MS, CCC-SLP Speech-Language Pathologist Enterprise Clinic/Good Samaritan
Dion Coleman Staff Support Associate II Medical Laboratory Science
No photo available
Christy Johnson, MA, CCC/SLP Speech-Language Pathologist Enterprise Clinic
Melissa Liechty, MSP, CCC-SLP Speech-Language Pathologist Enterprise Clinic
Katherine Maddy, MS, CCC-SLP Clinical Doctoral Fellow Enterprise Clinic
Darin Poynter Director of Technology Services College of Health Sciences
Anne Schmitz, PhD Post-Doctoral Scholar Dr. Brian Noehren’s Lab
Nancy Seligman Staff Support Associate II Physical Therapy
Corie Sexton, MS, CCC-SLP Speech-Language Pathologist Enterprise Clinic
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Welcome new staff (continued) Casey Owen Shadix, M.Ed., ABD Director of Recruitment & Diversity Initiatives Office of Student Affairs
Melanie J. Sparks PR/Marketing Coordinator College of Health Sciences
Liz Steeves Financial Analyst Business Office
Tammy Wigginton, MS, CCC-SLP, BRS-S Speech-Language Pathologist Clinical Voice Center
Staff Highlights Cynthia Byars Research Projects Manager Office of Research Received a UK Outstanding Staff Award
Dresden Carpenter Business Office Dresden worked at UK for 37 years and retired in July 2013
Randa R. Remer, PhD Assistant Dean of Student Affairs College of Health Sciences Elected Treasurer of Division 51 of the American Psychological Association, The Society for the Psychological Study of Men and Masculinity
Keturah Taylor Alumni Coordinator College of Health Sciences Appointed Secretary of the UK Women’s Forum
Tammy Wigginton, MS, CCC-SLP, BRS-S Speech-Language Pathologist Clinical Voice Center Became a Board Recognized Specialist in Swallowing and Swallowing Disorders (BRS-S)
Winter 2014 15
Alumni
PT Alumnae Are True CHAMPS for Kids Character, heart, attitude, motivation, and pride by Melanie J. Sparks
Physical Therapy alumnae Kelly Colson ’08 (left) and Stephanie Kelly ’08 volunteer at C.H.A.M.P. Camp, which was held June 21-22, 2013 at Henry Clay High School in Lexington, KY.
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he odds are stacked against some children from the get-go. They may be raised by parents who struggle with drug addiction, or parents who are completely absent from their lives, not to mention the swarm of potential negative influences circling right outside their front doors. Those circumstances, however, do not have to define a child’s future. Just ask Stephanie Kelly, whose husband, Anthony “Champ” Kelly, was one of those children who set out in life with the odds stacked against him. “My husband was raised in a very broken home, plagued with addiction, absent parents and a lot of negative influences,” said Stephanie, who received her master’s degree in Physical Therapy from the University of Kentucky in 2008. “Sports were his saving grace. Many coaches poured into him, helped raise him and kept him from falling down the same path of destruction that many of his family members were going down.” Champ emerged from his troubled childhood and went on to graduate from UK with a bachelor’s degree in computer science and a master’s degree in business administration. Champ played college football for UK and played professionally for the Lexington Horsemen. For the past several years, Champ has worked as the Assistant Director of Pro Personnel for the Denver Broncos. Stephanie and Champ wanted to give back to the community and help youth who may be facing the same long odds. They wanted to offer a saving grace of sorts. In 2010, they founded Heart Power, Inc., a nonprofit organization that ministers to youth and their families who are in search of positive and encouraging influences in their lives. “We wanted to show kids that no matter one’s circumstances, you can make the right decisions, set goals and achieve
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those dreams,” said Stephanie, who serves as Executive Kelly Colson, who is also a 2008 UK Physical Therapy Director of Heart Power, Inc. graduate, serves as secretary for the Heart Power, Inc. The couple and their team of dedicated volunteers reach Board of Directors and is an event coordinator for the out to youth through C.H.A.M.P. Camp, a free two-day, C.H.A.M.P. Camp events, which are held each summer in non-contact football camp for kids ages 10-17. During Denver, CO and Panama City, FL, in addition to camp, kids are taught football fundamentals, but the true Lexington. Kelly is self-employed as a Physical Therapist focus is on the importance of making the right decisions and works with children with special needs. and learning crucial life skills, such as stress management. “My training as a PT gives me some medical background Campers are also able to interact with guest speakers, who to assist with any injuries that may occur at the camp. I include current or former NFL players and coaches, also believe that my work as a PT has given me great former collegiate players, and connections with families, business leaders. Most “We wanted to show kids that no especially with kids, and I really importantly, they are taught the want to help them succeed in life,” matter one’s circumstances, you importance of living life as a Kelly said. “This camp is just a “C.H.A.M.P.” – with character, small stepping stone to make a can make the right decisions, heart, attitude, motivation, and difference with kids in another set goals and achieve those pride. way.” dreams. ” — Stephanie Kelly “Our camp provides these kids, Volunteers to assist with the who may not otherwise have the camp are always in demand, and opportunity to attend a camp, two any donations will help Heart days of fun, where they are supported and encouraged by Power, Inc., continue to provide camps free of charge to wonderful men and women in the community,” Stephanie deserving children. said. “We always pray that just one life may be changed, or one child may make a better decision that will affect his or her future because of the lessons learned at C.H.A.M.P. Camp.” Stephanie’s experience as a physical therapist in a pediatric setting informs her work with C.H.A.M.P. Camp. If a child with special needs attends camp, she is able to use For more information and to find her expertise to modify the drills and activities based on out how you can help, please visit the child’s diagnosis. www.heartpowerinc.org “It is our vision and dream that all kids would attend our camp,” Stephanie said. “We have had kids with special needs attend our camp, and the reaction they receive and the energy they portray is contagious. It is wonderful to see all the kids getting together and playing a sport they love.” Winter 2014 17
Alumni
Party Like It’s 1933 Medical Laboratory Science 80th Anniversary Gala a roaring success
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group of about 200 MLS alumni, students, faculty, staff and friends partied like it was 1933. The event included a display of class photos throughout the years, an antique laboratory instrument museum, a fun photo booth, an inspirational program, and dancing to a live band. The evening was topped off with a dose of generosity, as $10,000 has been collected for the MLS Student Scholarship Fund and matched 100 percent by the College.
Thank you to our sponsors! UK HealthCare Norton Healthcare Quest Diagnostics Sysmex Labsco UK College of Health Sciences UK CHS Department of Clinical Sciences Kentucky Blood Center CLMA - Bluegrass Chapter Johnnie Miller, MLS ‘61 Jackie Resinger, MLS ‘62 Michelle Butina 18 UK College of Health Sciences
The planning committee for the MLS 80th Anniversary Gala worked tirelessly to plan the flawless event as well as to gather information and photos for the MLS Program Timeline seen above. Pictured (left to right): Jeff Lytle, MLS ‘86; Mimi Perdue-Loan, MLS ‘83; Dr. Michelle Butina, MLS Program Director; Dion Coleman, MLS Staff Support Associate II; Kim Campbell, MLS Lecturer; Keturah Taylor, CHS Alumni Coordinator; Dr. Linda Gorman, MLS Education Coordinator and Associate Professor; Dr. Anne Stiene-Martin, MLS emeritus faculty; Pat Waggener, MLS ‘61; Steve Schwarze, MLS ‘12, MLS Assistant Professor. Not pictured: Jackie Resinger, MLS ‘62.
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Alumni
Dinner with Kats Alumni and students connect
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n an effort to unite students with alumni, faculty and board members, CHS hosts Dinner with Kats, an annual networking event, which offers students the opportunity to meet alumni and professors in the health care fields. The event was held November 21, 2013 at the Hilary J. Boone Center. We are currently seeking alumni to volunteer for the 2014 Dinner with Kats, which will be held November 6. If you are interested, please email Keturah Taylor at Keturah.Taylor@uky.edu.
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Class Notes News and updates from alumni Lieutenant Andrew Alvarez Physical Therapy ‘96 Andrew is a physical therapist in the Navy Reserve, who also works at the University of Louisville Hospital in outpatient orthopedics/sports medicine.
Janice Burdette Blythe, PhD Clinical Nutrition ’74 Dr. Blythe received the Lyman T. Johnson Alumni “Torch of Excellence Award.” The College of Health Sciences nominated Blythe for the award, which is given to an “African-American alum … whose faith, hard work, and determination has positively impacted the lives of people on the UK campus, the city, state, or nation.”
Andrew is currently deployed to the NATO Role 3 Multinational Medical Unit at Kandahar Airfield in Afghanistan as a physical therapist and department head, where he mainly works at the Warrior Recovery Center.
Kathryn “Katie” Jordan Physical Therapy ‘76 Katie is the author and publisher of a book titled “We Carried the Mat.” It is based on journals she kept while caring for her terminally ill husband. The book is available through Westbow Press, Barnes and Noble, and Amazon.
Brenda Gosney Physical Therapy ‘70 Brenda was elected president of the UK Alumni Association for 2013-14.
Amanda Lee Reiss Physical Therapy ‘03 Amanda and her husband welcomed a baby boy, Caleb Oakley Reiss, on September 23, 2012. He joined sister, Emily, age 4. The whole family recently moved to San Francisco where her husband, Jeremy, accepted a design position with Twitter.
In memoriam Dwain Robert Rice Physical Therapy ‘07 Dwain Rice, of Louisville, passed away after a motorcycle accident on May 19, 2013. He was 33 years old.
Please read the tribute to Dwain beginning on page 22.
David Simms Physical Therapy ‘00 David was awarded the 2012 Karen Deaver Home Care Clinic Professional Award for Excellence by the Kentucky Home Care Association. David currently works for Caretenders in Frankfort, KY.
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Submit your news!
Send us your news and updates. Email to Keturah.Taylor@uky.edu
Save the Date Alumni Hall of Fame & Student Recognition Dinner Thursday, April 17, 2014 6:00 p.m. Baptist Health, Education Center By invitation only
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Development
Dwain Rice: A Servant’s Heart Endowment honors the memory of Physical Therapy alumnus by Melanie J. Sparks
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Editor’s note: Dwain Robert Rice, Physical Therapy ‘07, passed away after a motorcycle accident on May 19, 2013.
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he story of Dwain Rice’s life reads a bit like a great love story. There is romance, world travel, and most notably, a lot of heart. Dwain started out in life as a world traveler. He was born to Richard and Suk Ja Yoon Rice on January 27, 1980, in El Paso, Texas, and his worldwide adventures began due to his father’s service in the U.S. Army. As a child, Dwain learned the Korean language from his mother, and he had learned German before beginning kindergarten in Hanau, Germany. When the family was reassigned to Fort Jackson in Columbia, South Carolina, Dwain spent his first-grade year learning English. He was always a fast learner and quickly caught up with his classmates. Dwain completed first through fourth grades in the U.S. and the fifth through eighth grades in Taegu, Korea. His high school years were spent in Clarksville, Tennessee. Dwain’s journey continued after high school, when he attended Alabama A & M University. During that time, he became the proud father of his first son, Dekai, born on November 26, 2003. Dwain pledged the Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, and he embraced his legendary status for his norhythm version of the “Kappa Shimmy.” Wherever Dwain went, he made friends and touched lives. His nicknames included Kodak and D-Smooth, and he considered his biological family, friends, neighbors, fraternity brothers, and anyone in his circle as his family. According to his obituary: “Family was the cornerstone of his existence … He built strong lasting relationships because he was loyal, sacrificial, helpful, dependable, smart, funny, frugal, and positive. (Top) Dwain with son, Kaden. (Middle) Krystal, Dekai, Kaden, and Dwain. (Bottom) Dwain with Kaden.
Dwain Rice is pictured with his wife, Krystal, and son, Dekai. The couple was married in October 2009. Photos courtesy of Krystal Rice. along the way go far beyond a great smile and a good sense With those qualities, he made friends easily. Even his of humor. Kris explained that to truly understand Dwain, enemies wanted to be his friend. It didn’t matter who you were or what you needed; he was there without reservation you had to feel his presence. “Dwain represented so much more about life than simply and never expected anything in return.” character descriptors, which is difficult to explain. UK was the next stop on Dwain’s journey. He received Probably because it can’t be explained and for good his bachelor’s and master’s degrees in Physical Therapy reason: it had to be felt,” Kris said. from UK, where he made lasting “This ability he had to affect those impressions on the faculty and on his classmates. around him was his ultimate gift to “In a gentle way, you can shake the world. It is a gift which is truly “Dwain was a good student. He the world.” — Mahatma Gandhi a blessing to those of us that were worked hard,” said Tony English, lucky enough to have PT, PhD, Director of the CHS experienced it. Dwain’s enthusiasm Division of Physical Therapy. about life continues to be a blessing to many.” “He had a good sense of humor. He was humble and Following his graduation from UK, Dwain put his represented the program well.” Dwain’s classmate Mary Proffitt PT, DPT, OCS, servant’s heart – and hands – to work in Louisville as a Physical Therapist for Norton Health Care and Gentiva remembers him for his helpful attitude and his ability to Home Health. make anyone laugh, even in the midst of a bad day. “He “I received countless letters and phone calls from had the most infectious smile and a servant’s heart,” Mary said. “He had a positive and calm attitude, even during the patients during Dwain’s time with Gentiva,” said Eric Wint, PT, OCS, Rehab Director for Gentiva Home Health. “They most stressful semesters of PT school.” were eternally grateful for not only the way Dwain guided Kris Kaufman, PT also remembers his classmate Dwain for his “everlasting smile” and the way he could lift the them toward a return in function, but also the way in which he did it — always with a fun, upbeat and positive spirits of a room full of people in a matter of seconds. But attitude.” his effects on his classmates and all of those he touched Continued on page 25 Winter 2014 23
Development
5th Annual Scholarship Scramble Golf tournament raises $6,600 for student scholarships
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hirteen teams teed off during the 5th Annual CHS Scholarship Scramble, which was held on a beautiful, blustery fall day at the University Club of Kentucky. The event netted an impressive $6,600 for CHS student scholarships. In addition to prizes for lowest score, longest putt, straightest drive, longest drive and closest to the pin, players participated in a putting contest. The silent auction was a great success bringing in $550 for scholarship funds. This event is made possible by our major sponsors: Drayer Physical Therapy Institute, Norton Healthcare and Rockcastle Regional Hospital. We extend our gratitude to all of our sponsors, donors, players and volunteers for making the Scholarship Scramble such a success each and every year. Mark your calendar for the 6th Annual Scholarship Scramble: Friday, September 12, 2014, at the University Club. Congratulations to the Winning Team (at left), the Cherry Blossom Linksters: Mark Turner, Tim Uhl, Todd Martin, and Nick Crist.
Major Sponsors
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Dwain Rice Continued It was around this time, that the story of Dwain’s life “One thing everyone knew about Dwain was that he intersected with the story of Krystal Hinkle’s life. Their LOVED UK! I am a devoted Cards fan so we had a lot of romance began in 2009 with a friend asking for Krystal’s fun being a house divided,” Krystal said. “He was an phone number on behalf of Dwain. awesome person and was loved by so His confidence was shaken by his many people. He had a beautiful smile and overwhelming feelings of love at first a big heart. He would do anything to help sight. others. I miss him so much, but it brings Dwain won Krystal’s heart, and joy to my heart to begin working on this their love story took a beautiful turn scholarship in his honor.” with their marriage on October 10, It is in keeping with Dwain’s giving 2009, and later the birth of their sons, spirit that Krystal has chosen to honor his Kaden and Kameron. The family memory through scholarships to enjoyed an active life in their deserving PT students. Scholarships community and church, including awarded from this fund will go to Physical Dwain’s coaching of youth Therapy students who have a GPA of 3.0 basketball. or higher; have overcome adversity while Dwain Rice left this life far too in college; have financial need; and early at the age of 33 years old, but complete an essay (topic to be determined his impact – his heart – lives on in by donor and committee). Krystal and sons, Kaden and Kameron, pose the many hearts he touched along Please consider making a contribution to in front of the UK/UofL “house divided.” the way. His former classmate Kris help honor Dwain — the man with a big Kameron was born after his father’s passing. summed it up well with a quote from smile and an even bigger heart. Mahatma Gandhi: “In a gentle way, you can shake the world.” How to contribute “Dwain did just that during his short time here on If you would like to make a contribution to the Dwain Earth,” he said, “but the world will continue to shake Robert Rice Memorial Scholarship, please visit the website because of the people he touched along the way.” at http://bit.ly/dwain_rice or send your check, payable to the University of Kentucky, to: Honoring Dwain’s memory UK College of Health Sciences The UK College of Health Sciences is in the process of ATTN: Keturah Taylor establishing an endowment for the Dwain Robert Rice CTW Building, Rm 123 Memorial Scholarship. Thanks to the generosity of Dwain’s 900 S. Limestone Street wife, Krystal Rice, this endowment will perpetuate once Lexington, KY 40536-0200 reaching $25,000 by accepting donations over the next five years. If you have questions, please contact Keturah Taylor at (859) 218-0479 or Keturah.Taylor@uky.edu.
2013 Golf Scramble Sponsors Hole Sponsors
Contributing sponsors
Silent auction Donors (continued)
Sharon & Gary Stewart
Sam’s Club Pat Waggener Gordon Food Service UK Dining Services Kentucky Eagle Cosi’s Chuy’s
Soular Massage Pain Management and Wellness Center
Norton Healthcare Rockcastle Regional Hospital Drayer Physical Therapy Institute Cardinal Hill Rehabilitation Hospital Cart Sponsors UK Federal Credit Union Rockcastle Regional Hospital Drayer Physical Therapy Institute Norton Healthcare Frank & Peggy Ballard Staggs & Fisher
Silent auction Donors GFS Lexington Healing Arts Academy
Alure Salon & Day Spa Four Roses Distillery Hilton Lexington/Downtown Hyatt Regency Lexington Keeneland Association, Inc. Kentucky Horse Park BHG (Malones) Heaven Hill Distilleries
Two Chicks & Co. Actors Theatre of Louisville
Winter 2014 25
Non-Profit Org. US Postage PAID Lexington, KY Permit #51
Charles T. Wethington Jr. Building 900 South Limestone, Room 123 Lexington, KY 40536-0200
A group of speech-language pathologists, otolaryngology faculty and residents, oral surgeons, dental hygienists, and CSD graduate students performed free mouth and throat cancer screenings for 200 NASCAR spectators at the Kentucky Speedway in Sparta, KY in June.
bit.ly/ukchs