LEXINGTON, Ky. — Beth Spencer is graduating from the University of Kentucky College of Pharmacy with her Doctor of Pharmacy degree, driven by deeply personal roots in Eastern Kentucky and a mission to address cancer disparities that have shaped her own life.

Spencer, a first-generation college student from Hazard in Perry County, grew up hearing her father's mantra: "Education is going to be your key to making it in life." Her path to pharmacy began after earning an undergraduate degree from Eastern Kentucky University, when she worked part-time at CVS and realized she wanted to pursue the profession. Over the next decade, she worked in various pharmacy settings before deciding to pursue her Pharm.D. at UK.

Her passion for oncology pharmacy is rooted in the health challenges she witnessed growing up. Appalachian Kentucky ranks among the nation's worst regions for cancer incidence and mortality, with rates significantly exceeding national averages. Cervical and colorectal cancer incidence rates for Appalachian Kentucky are 11.1 and 59.8 per 100,000 compared with national rates of 8.1 and 48.8 per 100,000. Spencer recalled graduating high school with about 68 students, noting that at least five classmates have already battled cancer.

During graduate studies at UK before pharmacy school, Spencer focused on health disparities and coal mining in Central Appalachia. She found meaningful work with the university's investigational drug service, supporting clinical trials and oncology research. "It's incredibly fulfilling," she said, "especially knowing that many of the patients we're helping come from rural areas like Eastern Kentucky."

Her commitment to oncology became deeply personal when she lost both parents to cancer, as well as an aunt. Through that loss, she found support from her partner, classmates and colleagues at UK. As she prepares to graduate, Spencer hopes to use her degree to advocate for patients from Eastern Kentucky and Central Appalachia, working to improve health outcomes in her home region. She encourages other first-generation students and those from rural communities to pursue their goals. "I want them to know that they can do it too," Spencer said. "You have to advocate for yourself."