LEXINGTON, Ky. — Maria Morris is among a growing class of future healthcare leaders preparing to address Kentucky's critical nursing shortage through an innovative University of Kentucky program that combines clinical and community health training.

Now entering her second year, Morris is one of approximately 20 students annually admitted to the Public Health Nursing Scholars program, offered jointly by UK's College of Public Health and College of Nursing. The program allows students to earn both a Bachelor of Public Health and a Bachelor of Science in Nursing in 4.5 years—a pathway Morris said she didn't think existed when she discovered it.

"When I discovered PHNS, it immediately stood out to me because I did not think a program like this really existed," Morris said. "It felt like the perfect fit because it aligned with both my personal values and the kind of impact I hope to make in healthcare."

Born and raised in Wilder, Kentucky, Morris grew up witnessing disparities in healthcare access between her home community and rural areas where relatives lived. That contrast sparked her interest in public health. Her mother's experience as a pharmacist at the University of Cincinnati Hospital and a high school internship at St. Elizabeth Hospital in Northern Kentucky further solidified her commitment to improving health outcomes in underserved communities.

Public health nurses address health at the population level, preventing disease and supporting communities before, during and after crises like natural disasters or disease outbreaks. Kentucky faces acute staffing challenges in this field: 102 Kentucky counties are considered health professional shortage areas, with most located in rural communities. Morris aims to address these disparities through her work in rural Kentucky after graduation.

The dual-degree program emphasizes how nursing and public health intersect. Students receive early exposure to public health coursework, faculty mentorship and a structured pathway to licensure. Morris credited the program's community of like-minded peers and committed faculty as transformative. She will serve next year as treasurer of the Student Public Health Association, hoping to inspire other students to engage in community health work.

"It's shown me that nurses can play a major role in prevention, education and connecting people with support systems that improve long-term health outcomes across Kentucky," Morris said.