LEXINGTON, Ky. — Graduating seniors from the University of Kentucky College of Public Health say a new rural health program gave them hands-on experience addressing health disparities in communities like the ones that shaped them.

Two graduates of the Rural Health Scholars Program — Cynthia Sanders and Kennedy Stephens — spent their summer in rural Kentucky organizations, gaining what the program describes as firsthand exposure to the systems and partnerships that drive community health. The program, launched by the College of Public Health in May 2025, aims to prepare undergraduate students for careers in rural health while addressing critical workforce shortages across Kentucky.

Sanders conducted her fieldwork with the Lincoln Trail District Health Department, which serves six counties in central Kentucky. She rotated through multiple departments, including risk reduction, maternal and child health, environmental health, epidemiology and community outreach. Her experience with data tools like MySidewalk and CDC Social Vulnerability Index dashboards convinced her that evidence-based decision-making is essential in resource-limited rural areas.

"I found it really rewarding to see how numbers and data can turn into meaningful decisions," Sanders said. After graduation, she will pursue her Master of Public Health degree through the Accelerated Master's Pathway, hoping eventually to work in health data, policy or program evaluation.

Stephens, who grew up in a rural area, plans to pursue pharmacy. This fall, she will attend East Tennessee State University College of Pharmacy, a program rooted in serving Appalachian and rural communities. She hopes to return to a rural area to improve access to medications, education and compassionate care.

The program's focus on rural health comes as Kentucky addresses persistent rural health challenges. The state received $212.9 million in federal funding through the Rural Health Transformation Fund to expand access and improve health outcomes for rural residents. The UK Center of Excellence in Rural Health administers the Kentucky Office of Rural Health, which works to link rural communities with resources to address access to care.

The Rural Health Scholars program integrates service learning, community partnerships and hands-on experience to expose students to the unique dynamics of rural public health. The inaugural cohort included nine students selected through a competitive application process.