LEXINGTON, Ky. — The Lexington-Fayette County Health Department welcomed Dr. Nicholas J. Van Sickels to its May 11 Board of Health meeting, honoring the Medical Director of Infection Prevention and Control at the University of Kentucky for his groundbreaking work protecting the community from infectious disease threats.

Van Sickels recently received the 2026 Dr. Rice C. Leach Public Health Hero Award, an honor presented during the April 30 Urban County Council meeting. Lexington Mayor Linda Gorton proclaimed April 30 "Dr. Nicholas Van Sickels Day," recognizing his substantial contributions to public health.

Van Sickels' expertise proved critical during Kentucky's recent measles resurgence. Working alongside the health department, Kentucky Department for Public Health, and UK HealthCare, he developed a comprehensive measles testing and post-exposure prophylaxis protocol that has earned national recognition as a gold standard for infectious disease prevention. The protocols developed have been tested during real-world outbreaks in 2025 and 2026, successfully containing measles cases to single digits and preventing spread beyond individual families.

Beyond measles response efforts, Van Sickels cared for the region's first monkeypox patients and spearheaded a vaccination campaign that significantly reduced cases throughout Kentucky. His collaborative approach with local health officials has strengthened the region's ability to respond quickly and effectively to emerging health threats.

The award recognizes individuals who demonstrate exemplary leadership in promoting public health and work that has positively impacted community health. The award was renamed in 2016 in memory of Dr. Rice C. Leach, Lexington's former Commissioner of Health who spent more than 50 years as a public health physician and led the local health department to national accreditation.