The University of Kentucky College of Public Health (CPH) hosted its annual Public Health Showcase on April 21st welcoming students, faculty, staff, alumni and community partners for a day of learning, connection, and shared purpose. With more than 90 posters on research, practice, and community projects, the Showcase highlighted work focused on some of Kentucky’s most pressing health priorities: youth and family wellbeing, substance use prevention, mental health support, and improving access to essential community resources. Together, these projects demonstrated how students and partners are developing practical, Kentucky-centered solutions that strengthen health in communities across the state.
The event opened with registration and a lunch that allowed attendees to ease into the day and enjoy informal conversations and networking. Students and faculty caught up with collaborators, and partners from across Kentucky connected around shared interests. Opening remarks and a midday panel discussion then set up the afternoon poster session and award ceremony.
This year’s panel discussion, A Youth Health Coalition in Action: Lessons from Lawrence County, was moderated by Anna Hallahan, MPH Director of External Affairs. The session featured the Lawrence County Health Department, the Lawrence County High School Youth Health Coalition, and faculty advisor Connie Huff, MA who leads the school’s Biomedical Science Pathway and sponsors the coalition. Coalition leadership also includes Debbie Miller, MBA, MT(ASCP), Director of the Lawrence County Health Department, and Patricia Shepherd, BPH, LPN, Community Health Education and Outreach.
Student panelists included Brookelyn Music, Gabrielle Stinnett, Zoey McCoy, Ethan Preece, Aiden Johnson, Gavin Shafer, Elizabeth Carroll, Chase Kendrick, Emme Horn, Alyssa Hunt, Ava Jarrell, Dakota Thornsbury, Angel Thompson, Braxton Runyon, Violet Muncy, and Rebekah Whitt.
Debbie Miller, MT(ASCP), Public Health Director for the Lawrence County Health Department, opened the session by reflecting on how the coalition began.
“Back in 2023, we were working on our community health improvement plan and realized a major voice was missing, our youth voice,” Miller said.
What started as an idea to bring in a few students quickly grew into a full coalition where high school students help shape priorities and lead outreach efforts.
“We’re not guessing what they need,” Miller said. “We’re working side by side with students to address real concerns like vaping prevention and mental health support. These young leaders remind us why this work matters.”
One of those leaders, Ethan Preece, a junior at Lawrence County High School and founding member and communication officer of the coalition, spoke about the impact the group has had on him and his peers.
“Being part of something structured, where we can participate in outreach on mental health awareness, drug prevention, all of it, really makes a huge impact,” he said. “If we have a voice now, it can help build a more proactive community.” Preece also shared how participating in the Showcase shaped his understanding of public health.
“It gives you exposure to what you want to do,” he said.
The panel also highlighted several student-led initiatives, including a schoolwide birthday card project coordinated by the coalition. Students sign cards for every classmate, and they receive a coupon for a treat from the school. Connie Huff, shared an impactful story about a parent who reached out to express how meaningful the birthday card was to her daughter noting that the gesture made her feel supported and connected to her school community.
During the afternoon poster session, attendees visited student and partner projects, asked questions, and exchanged ideas about the work being presented. The posters reflected a mix of research, practice, and community engagement projects, ranging from school-based initiatives and local health department collaborations to data-driven analyses and statewide public health efforts. Gunnar Kennedy, MPH, an informatics epidemiologist with the Kentucky Department for Public Health and a CPH Hall of Fame inductee, noted that the Showcase offered a clear view of how academic work translates into real-world impact.
“It’s encouraging to see ideas moving into action,” Kennedy said. “Events like this show where the next wave of public health work is headed, and they help us identify places where state partners can support or strengthen what’s already happening. The panel especially stood out; it showed how important it is to create spaces where people can come together and stay connected.”
The day concluded with closing remarks and the annual Poster Award Ceremony, recognizing outstanding contributions across categories.
High School
Undergraduate Research
Master’s Research
PhD Research
Undergraduate Practice
Graduate Practice
Postdoctoral
Faculty & Staff Recognition
Departmental Recognition
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