Community outreach and serving others is ingrained in the mission of the UK College of Health Sciences. No one knows this better than Lynn English, PT, DPT, MSEd, associate professor in the department of physical therapy.

Many UK College of Health Sciences alums are among the countless health care heroes working tirelessly to deliver quality care throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. Lauren Haegele, a 2014 physical therapy graduate, has been diligently serving in New York City since the outbreak’s beginnings.

This article is the first in an ongoing series to highlight UK College of Health Sciences faculty efforts to combat the COVID-19 public health crisis.

Researchers were not immune to COVID-19’s impact as the virus forced labs to rethink and reinvent operations nationwide. UK College of Health Sciences (CHS) faculty pivoted quickly to sustain their current opportunities and joined with investigators around the world to provide solutions in their areas of expertise to fight the pandemic’s effects.

Erin Sieberkrob, a 2015 graduate of the UK College of Health Sciences physical therapy (PT) program, knew she wanted to help children as a health care provider. Now, she serves her community as a PT and has worked to bring adapted tricycles to her patients with disabilities. 

Studies show masks and face coverings are essential to prevent the spread of COVID-19. That’s why physical therapy student Molly Mathistad is lending her creative expertise to sew masks for children who rely on community-based services at Child Development Center of the Bluegrass (CDCB). 

Roughly 1 in 7 Americans live with a disability that impacts daily mobility. The average cost of a wheelchair ranges from $500 to $2,000 without insurance, seriously curbing access to this essential equipment for patients who lack proper coverage. The UK Center of Excellence in Rural Health (CERH) in Hazard is working to bridge this gap for Kentucky patients through a project that repairs and redistributes used medical equipment to communities in need. 

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, all University of Kentucky classes have moved online and College of Health Sciences instructors adapted quickly to turn hands-on curriculums into engaging material for remote learning.

While most people use wearable devices for activity tracking, wearable tech is making its debut in health care in many creative ways. Investigators at the UK College of Health Sciences and the University of Michigan Dearborn are on the brink of impacting rehabilitative telehealth using tracking technology. 

Physical therapists are movement experts who optimize quality of life through prescribed exercise, hands-on care, and patient education. Our Doctor of Physical Therapy program will prepare you to become a compassionate, ethical practitioner who will help patients to reduce pain, restore function, and prevent disability. We combine a thorough curriculum with clinical experiences and rotations to produce graduates who will become the next generation of physical therapy leaders.

Yvonne Giles, fondly known as the “cemetery lady” to many, is one of the city’s leaders in the effort to preserve African American history in Lexington. A Lexington native, Giles became the first black woman elected to the La Grange City Council in 1986 and was then reelected in 1987. After her time serving on City Council, Giles’ career evolved into uncovering and telling the stories of Kentucky African Americans.