Have you ever wondered why some people who drink alcohol develop serious liver problems while others don't? A study from University of Louisville researchers published last month in Toxicological Sciences suggests that the answer might be hidden in everyday sources such as drinking water, food packaging or even non-stick cookware.

Scientists at UofL, along with colleagues from Boston University and the University of Massachusetts Lowell, have identified perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS) as a potential environmental factor that worsens alcohol-associated liver disease.

PFOS is a man-made chemical belonging to the group known as per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), often referred to as "forever chemicals" because they do not readily break down in the environment or the human body. These substances have been used for decades in products such as non-stick cookware, water-resistant clothing, fast-food packaging, stain-resistant carpets and upholstery, and firefighting foams. Their extensive use has led to widespread contamination in the environment. Recent data from National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey show that PFAS can be detected in approximately 95% of Americans, sparking increasing concern about their long-term health effects.

At the same time, alcohol consumption remains a significant global health issue. According to the World Health Organization, alcohol contributes to nearly 3 million deaths worldwide each year, and its consumption continues to rise globally. In the U.S. alone, excessive alcohol use is responsible for approximately 95,000 deaths annually, making it one of the leading causes of preventable death and a major contributor to liver disease.

“Given the increasing prevalence of alcohol consumption and the widespread presence of PFAS in the environment, many individuals who drink alcohol may be inevitably exposed to these persistent pollutants. This makes it critically important to study how combined exposures to alcohol and environmental chemicals like PFOS might influence liver health,” said Matthew Cave, UofL professor of medicine and publication co-author.

Although it is well known that both alcohol and PFOS cause liver damage individually, little has been understood about their combined effects until now. Recent studies have shown that only about 35% of heavy drinkers develop severe forms of liver disease, indicating that additional factors such as genetics, sex, microbiome and environmental exposures may contribute to individual susceptibility.

"This work helps explain why two people with similar alcohol consumption may experience very different liver outcomes," said Frederick Ekuban, assistant professor of medicine at UofL and first author of the study. "Environmental exposures like PFOS may be the missing link."

Using animal models, the researchers simulated real-world exposures to both alcohol and PFOS. The study showed that co-exposure to alcohol and PFOS significantly increased fat accumulation and markers of liver damage, as well as clear signs of disrupted metabolism and activation of genes and pathways predicted to be associated with oxidative stress and cancer development.

In short, the study demonstrates that PFOS exposure can significantly worsen liver damage when combined with alcohol consumption. While this research used high levels of alcohol to understand the underlying mechanisms, the findings reveal important biological pathways that warrant further investigation across different drinking patterns.

The research team also found that PFOS interferes with the liver's ability to manage fats, disrupts its natural protective and repair systems and activates pathways that promote liver injury.

“While the liver typically has a remarkable capacity to recover from alcohol-induced stress, PFOS appears to push that resilience beyond its limits, resulting in compounded and more severe damage,” said Jennifer Schlezinger professor of environmental health at Boston University and co-author of the publication.

Perhaps most concerning, the team discovered that 60% of all PFOS exposure ended up concentrated in the liver, exactly where alcohol damage occurs.

Ongoing research at UofL is examining how other PFAS compounds may interact with alcohol, whether males and females respond differently to these exposures and what the long-term consequences of combined exposures might be. The team is also exploring whether targeted therapies can be developed to prevent or mitigate this type of liver damage.

Although more studies are needed, people can take practical steps now to limit their exposure to PFAS. These include:

• Choose stainless steel or cast-iron cookware instead of non-stick pans
• Use water filters, especially in areas near industrial zones
• Avoid stain-resistant treatments on furniture and carpets
• Reduce consumption of packaged fast foods and microwave popcorn.
• Select household products with PFAS-free labels

Given that liver disease affects millions of Americans and is becoming more prevalent worldwide, the findings of this research support growing calls for stronger regulation and oversight of persistent chemical contaminants. By better understanding the hidden interactions between environmental toxicants and lifestyle behaviors, scientists and policymakers may be better equipped to prevent and treat liver disease.

Twenty budding scientists from local high schools were selected from more than one hundred applicants to learn what it takes to become cancer researchers through a summer program with the UofL School of Medicine faculty and UofL Health – Brown Cancer Center (BCC).

This year, students from Atherton, Butler, Christian Academy of Louisville, Collegiate, Fern Creek, Jeffersontown, Kentucky Country Day, Male, Martha Layne Collins (Shelbyville), Manual, New Albany, (IN), Sacred Heart, Seneca and Waggener are taking part in the summer experience.

With support from the Humana Foundation and the Regional Cancer Center Corporation, for the first time in its 23-year history, the eight-week program was able to offer students an increased stipend of $4,000 to participate and gain valuable experience in medical research. Students interested in science but who may have needed to work summer jobs, now have the opportunity to follow their interests.

UofL News spoke with the BCC High School Summer Research Program Director, Robert Mitchell, professor in the Department of Surgery, UofL School of Medicine, and deputy director of basic and translational research at UofL Health – Brown Cancer Center.

We also caught up with Erin Brock, Seneca High School science teacher and program coordinator, and participating Fern Creek High School student, Aliete Yanes-Medina.

UofL News: What is the main goal of the summer cancer research program?

Robert Mitchell: We want to give students who are passionate about science an opportunity to experience – firsthand – how a cancer research lab operates and how important it is for developing new and improved cancer therapies. I’ve heard of three or four students from this summer’s program who are now considering going into a graduate research program after finishing college. For us, that’s a huge victory.

UofL News: Each student has their own mentor and research project. How has that helped them develop as students and scientists?

Mitchell: Each student has the opportunity to present their own project at the end of the summer in poster form – a project that they were forced to learn, understand and, most importantly, put into words how scientific problems are approached and completed. It’s a powerful thing to see a young student’s pride in describing something that they’ve accomplished on their own at the end of the summer.

One of the most popular things that was added this year is the weekly rotations through five different core laboratories that make up our Drug Discovery Platform (DDP). These rotations expose students to each step of the process involved in discovering new anti-cancer drugs. I’ve witnessed kids who are painfully shy or introverted become extremely animated and excited while they were doing their own enzyme inhibition experiment during one of the DDP rotations.

UofL News: Erin, this is your first year working with this summer program. How do you see this experience helping students define their future career goals?

Erin Brock: Our model is helping kids make connections to the community, and UofL has been a huge partner. When I was in high school, I knew I loved science, so I assumed I needed to be a medical doctor – but there are so many alternatives I wasn’t aware of, just like for these students. One of the best parts of this program is getting them exposed to scientific research and helping them to discover their own passion. I think they all got something meaningful out of it.

Aliete Yanes-Medina displays her project at the poster presentation

UofL News: Aliete, what has this summer’s research experience meant to you? What has been your biggest takeaway?

Aliete Yanes-Medina: I always wanted to get into medicine, and I thought I would be going straight into patient care, but when I saw this opportunity, I realized this was something I wanted to explore. Also, personally, a lot of people in my family have had cancer, so I was emotionally connected.

My takeaway has been the fact that I’ve been learning so much and how everybody in the lab is supportive. They’ve said, ‘Hey I found this article that you may like’ and then they send it to me, or ‘Hey, I found this resource that may help you to understand the articles’ and they send it to me. It has definitely opened my mind, and my plan now is to do research in the future. I was thinking about going to college out of state, maybe doing biology, but it has completely changed what I want to do now. I’m staying at UofL.

Mitchell: It’s so amazing seeing a student light up and become inspired by cancer research. Just reaching one student like this is reward enough.

A new online tool developed by researchers at the University of Louisville promises to speed up the discovery of treatments for brain and nerve tumors, especially rare ones that have had limited research attention.

A team led by Akshitkumar Mistry, a neurosurgeon and scientist at UofL and UofL Health, has created the Atlas of Nervous System Tumors. It is the largest publicly available dataset of its kind and includes more than 7,000 tumor samples from the brain, spinal cord and nerves, which were drawn from biorepositories around the world. For each sample, the atlas combines gene activity data with clinical information such as patient age, tumor location and survival outcomes.

“Brain and nervous system tumors are incredibly diverse,” Mistry said. “This tool helps researchers quickly understand how these tumors behave at the genomic level, which can point the way to new or repurposed treatments that might be tested in clinical trials.”

The team built the atlas by applying advanced machine learning techniques to tumor genomic data. It includes many extremely rare tumor types for which data have previously been sparse or unavailable.

Kentucky ranks among the highest in the nation for new cancer cases and cancer-related death. Although brain cancers are rare, they are especially devastating and can affect people at any age. They are more common in children under 15 and adults over 64, and their causes remain poorly understood, leaving few options for prevention.

The atlas project was supported by the Kentucky Pediatric Cancer Research Trust Fund and the Kentucky Department for Public Health. Mistry’s work also is supported by the Louisville Clinical and Translational Research Center at UofL and by a UofL Presidential Scholars award.

A new tool to identify therapies

While the atlas is not meant to provide direct treatment recommendations, Mistry emphasized that it will enable researchers to classify tumors and identify therapies based on how their genes behave, going beyond traditional DNA mutations or histology. This deeper classification can reveal biological similarities to other cancers that already have approved therapies.

In his article about the atlas, published in the journal Neuro-Oncology, Mistry and colleagues showed how the atlas identified new subtypes of pheochromocytoma and paraganglioma, rare tumors of the nervous system. These subtypes expressed certain genes, such as GHR and SST, at high levels. Drugs that target these genes already exist for other cancers and these subtypes can be easily identified by genetic analysis. Without examining the gene activity, clinicians would have no reason to test these drugs in patients with these rare tumors. Yet this valuable information is available in the atlas.

“These are therapies that are already out there, but no one had thought to try them in these tumors,” Mistry said. “Now by using the atlas, we have the data to support testing them in clinical trials.”

Eyas Hattab, chair of UofL’s Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine and co-author of the article on the atlas, said it supports the development of personalized and targeted therapies for neurological cancers.

“Over the past two decades, brain tumor diagnostics have undergone transformative advances, driven by the integration of cutting-edge molecular and genetic technologies,” Hattab said. “The work by Dr. Mistry and colleagues builds on this progress by mapping RNA transcripts across a spectrum of CNS tumors, significantly enhancing diagnostic precision.”

UofL Health – Brown Cancer Center recently became the first facility in the U.S. to offer its patients access to an FDA-approved assay for solid tumor testing. The Illumina TruSight™ Oncology (TSO) Comprehensive test essentially scans a patient’s tumor sample for cancer mutations, evaluating both the DNA and RNA of a patient’s tumor to ensure they are matched with the most effective therapies or available clinical trials.

“The new atlas complements technologies such as the TSO Comprehensive by providing a broader view of how tumors function at the RNA level — essentially, what the tumor is doing rather than just what it is,” Mistry said.

Adding to the impact of their work, the methodology that Mistry and the research team used to build the atlas can also be applied to other rare diseases, giving researchers a powerful new framework to reuse and harmonize public data for maximum impact.

The UofL Health Board has named Jason Smith, M.D., Ph.D., UofL Health chief medical officer (CMO), as interim CEO.

“Dr. Smith is a distinguished physician and leader, uniquely positioned to continue the momentum of UofL Health,” Gerry Bradley, University of Louisville president, said. “His combination of clinical experience, innovative leadership and consensus building is well known among our team and colleagues across the nation. I look forward to the impact he will have on the health of our community and commonwealth.”

Smith has served as CMO for UofL Health since its inception in November 2019 and served as CMO for UofL Health – UofL Hospital from 2017 to 2019. He has been a member of the University of Louisville School of Medicine faculty since 2008.

“I strongly believe in the mission of UofL Health,” Smith shared. “Being able to serve our organization in this role is exciting and I look forward to continuing to work alongside our team to provide quality, patient-centered care to our community. I want to thank former CEO, Tom Miller, for his leadership and the UofL Health Board for this opportunity.”

During the COVID-19 pandemic, Smith led the health system’s response and served as an expert voice throughout Kentuckiana and the commonwealth.

Last year, he was awarded the Paragon Award from the Greater Louisville Medical Society for his outstanding contributions to health care leadership, advocacy for gun violence victims and his commitment to the education of future physicians.

Smith earned his undergraduate degree in chemistry from Wright State University before completing his medical degree at The Ohio State University. He completed his residency in surgery at The Ohio State University before joining the University of Louisville. Smith earned his Ph.D. in physiology and biophysics from UofL in 2012. He received a master of business administration from the Kelley School of Business at Indiana University in 2019. He is board-certified in general surgery and critical care by the American Board of Surgery.

For more information on the UofL Health, visit: UofLHealth.org.

About UofL Health

UofL Health is a not-for-profit (501(c)(3)) fully integrated regional academic health system with nine hospitals, four medical centers, Brown Cancer Center, Eye Institute, more than 250 physician practice locations, and more than 1,200 providers in Louisville and the surrounding counties, including southern Indiana. Additional access to UofL Health is provided through a partnership with Carroll County Memorial Hospital.

 Affiliated with the University of Louisville School of Medicine, UofL Health is committed to providing patients with access to the most advanced care available. This includes clinical trials, collaboration on research and the development of new technologies to both save and improve lives. With more than 14,000 team members – physicians, surgeons, nurses, pharmacists and other highly-skilled healthcare professionals, UofL Health is focused on one mission: to transform the health of communities we serve through compassionate, innovative, patient-centered care. For more information on UofL Health, go to www.UofLHealth.org.

A Visionary Leader in Neurology and Stroke Care

The University of Louisville School of Medicine and UofL Health mourn the loss of one of our most cherished leaders, Dr. Kerri Simpson Remmel who passed away peacefully on June 20, 2025, at the age of 71. A nationally respected neurologist, educator and advocate for health equity, Dr. Remmel’s legacy lives on in every life she touched through her care, mentorship and leadership.

Dr. Remmel’s path to medicine began not in a lab or hospital, but in language. Born in Corpus Christi, TX, and raised in Louisiana, she earned a Ph.D. in Communication Disorders and Linguistics from Louisiana State University and worked early in her career as a speech-language pathologist. It was during this time that she developed a deep empathy for patients recovering from a stroke – an experience that sparked her desire to understand the neurological root of recovery and ultimately led her to pursue a medical degree. That decision would define the next chapter of her life and launch a legacy that forever changed stroke care in the Commonwealth and beyond.

At the University of Louisville, Dr. Remmel served as chair of the Department of Neurology in the School of Medicine and director of the UofL Hospital Stroke Center. Under her leadership, UofL Hospital achieved the state's first Joint Commission-certified Comprehensive Stroke Center in Kentucky, a milestone that would go on to save countless lives. She brought vision, precision and heart to every aspect of her work, transforming not only how patients were treated, but how care teams collaborated across institutions.

“Kerri was an exemplary leader, neurologist, and friend to many at the UofL School of Medicine, and she will be greatly missed. Her impact on stroke care and patient outcomes in Louisville and beyond is immeasurable,” said Jeffrey Bumpous, executive vice president for health affairs and dean of the School of Medicine.

Dr. Remmel’s impact reached far beyond the clinical setting. As a Joy McCann Scholar for Outstanding Mentors in Science and Medicine, she mentored generations of medical students and residents, always holding them to the highest standards while nurturing their growth with compassion. Her students remember her not only for her brilliance, but for her humanity — her ability to see their potential and inspire them to reach it.

Outside of the university and hospital walls, Dr. Remmel played a critical role in shaping public health. As co-chair of Kentucky’s Heart Disease and Stroke Prevention Task Force, she championed policies and systems that improved stroke prevention, acute care and rehabilitation across the Commonwealth. Even in retirement, she remained steadfast in this mission; she continued to serve patients in rural and underserved areas through her work at the Regional Brain Institute, ensuring that specialized neurological care was available to those who needed it most.

To those who worked alongside her, Dr. Remmel was a rare blend of intellect, empathy and unrelenting drive. She brought clarity to difficult decisions, energy to every room she entered and a sense of purpose to every challenge. She was a gifted clinician, a trusted colleague and a beloved friend.

“It was an honor to work alongside Dr. Remmel.  She left a positive mark on her profession and because of her dedication to her patients, especially stroke patients, we are all reaping the rewards of her passion. She was an unwavering advocate for improving the care for all stroke and neurology patients across the country. We can view her life as an example of what selfless service looks like and how the consistent actions of one person can create a long-lasting positive impact,” said Ken Marshall, UofL Health chief operating officer.

Beyond her professional roles, she was a devoted mother to JB and Chris. She loved LSU football, enjoyed traveling and found strength in the relationships she built with family and friends. She had a spirited sense of humor and a heart that remained fully engaged in life, both in and out of the clinic.

A celebration of her life will be held Thursday, June 26 at Shannon Funeral Home in Shelbyville, KY.

As we remember and honor Dr. Remmel, we do so with deep gratitude for her decades of service, her unwavering compassion and her relentless pursuit of better outcomes for patients and communities alike. She leaves behind a legacy that is impossible to measure; a legacy carried forward by the thousands she mentored, treated and inspired. She will be deeply missed.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to the Niekro Foundation for the newly formed Kerri Simpson Remmel and Niekro Foundation Neurovascular Team Excellence Lectureship at the Association of Neurovascular Clinicians annual meeting. Checks can be mailed to:
The Joe Niekro Foundation
Attention: Elizabeth Hamburg, Executive Director
2401 Fountain View Dr, Ste 312
Houston, TX 77057

It is an undeniable fact that ULSOM has some outstanding staff, and Cheri Bingham is no exception. As the residency and fellowship program administrator within the department of Radiology, Cheri plays a pivotal role in the academic leadership team.  Her expertise spans managing training programs, overseeing daily operations, and ensuring compliance with accreditation standards. She is deeply committed to advancing educational initiatives and achieving departmental goals and objectives.

Residency and fellowship program administrators like Cheri undertake unique responsibilities, including recruitment, credentialing, web content management, mentorship, event planning, and process enhancement at ULSOM. Cheri has admirably fulfilled these roles for 19 years, consistently bringing enthusiasm and expertise to her work.

Reflecting on her role, Cheri shared, “I find immense fulfillment in contributing to the education and development of our future physicians. Working alongside our outstanding staff makes me feel like I’m making a difference.”

Cheri also expressed admiration for ULSOM’s faculty, recognizing their dedication to academic responsibilities while serving as attending physicians.

Outside of her role as program administrator, Cheri is an active member of the School of Medicine Advancement, Retention and Training (S.M.A.R.T.) Advisory Council, advocating for resources that benefit her colleagues. Her involvement allows her to stay up-to-date with new, trending, and relevant topics within the medical education community.

Recently, more than 300 community members gathered at the annual S.M.A.R.T. Staff SummerFest, where attendees explored campus resources and enjoyed engaging conversations. The event fostered a sense of community and included free ice cream – a nice bonus!

“We were thrilled with the turnout at this year’s SummerFest,” said Dr. Glenn Gittings, chief of staff for the ULSOM Dean’s Office. “This event is a great example of how our S.M.A.R.T. Advisory Council continues to prioritize staff engagement and wellness. It’s rewarding to see so many colleagues connect with the resources and people that make ULSOM a special place to work.”

The S.M.A.R.T. Advisory Council remains committed to promoting holistic health and wellness among the ULSOM staff, planning additional events such as the HSC Fitness Center Open House, virtual coffee breaks, Speed Networking, and so much more. Stay tuned for more exciting initiatives aimed at supporting our dedicated staff.

In its 2025 edition of Best Graduate Schools, U.S. News & World Report ranks UofL’s School of Medicine among the best in the nation. Its impact is evident in key areas: it ranks No. 57 for graduates practicing in health professional shortage areas, No. 52 for those entering primary care and No. 52 for graduates serving rural communities.

UofL has a long history of preparing physicians for practice in rural and smaller communities through the UofL School of Medicine Trover Campus, which began in 1998 with the goal of increasing the number of physicians practicing in rural areas, and in existing UofL family medicine residencies in Glasgow and Owensboro.

Supporting this mission, UofL was awarded a $16 million Health Resources and Services Administration grant in 2023 to expand the training of primary care physicians and encourage their practice in underserved areas. 

UofL is also a part of the Kentucky Area Health Education Centers (AHEC), a collaborative effort of the UofL Health Sciences Center, the University of Kentucky Medical Center and eight regional centers. The AHECs work to improve the recruitment, distribution and retention of health care professionals in medically under-served areas throughout the state commonwealth. 

“These national rankings affirm the University of Louisville School of Medicine’s deep commitment to improving access to care in communities that need it most,” said Kelli Bullard Dunn, MD, vice dean for community engagement. “Our longstanding efforts, alongside new investments like the HRSA grant and ongoing support from the Kentucky General Assembly, are strengthening the pipeline of primary care providers and creating real change for families across Kentucky and beyond.”

Other key highlights in the U.S. News & World Report graduate and professional schools ranking include: 

• No. 29 in criminology 
• No. 36 in audiology 
• No. 43 in social work 
• No. 46 in healthcare management

Graduate education at UofL provides over 130 graduate programs to approximately 5,800 graduate students. Learn more on the UofL Graduate School webpage.

Previously, U.S. News & World Report had ranked the university in the top 100 public universities in the nation. Additionally, UofL Online Learning received a five-star rating and came in it at No. 53 in America’s Top Online Colleges 2025 listing.

You know the feeling all too well— throbbing head pain, sensitivity to light and sound, nausea, visual disturbances... it seems to never end. Migraine attacks, a form of moderate to severe headaches with crippling side effects that worsen with movement, are far too common, but there is hope.

Migraines are present in approximately 16% of adults in the United States, and yet migraine attacks are rarely talked about. Those who have never had a migraine often misunderstand the severity, and many who suffer from migraines are under the impression that migraines are not treatable. Despite these misconceptions, migraines can cause severe pain and other side effects, but there are treatments that can reduce, mitigate, and diminish the impacts.

Luckily, there are a wide range of options for treatment. In the past decade alone, there have been more than 10 new medications approved by the FDA for acute and preventative treatment of migraines. These new medications have provided additional options for patients who have not found success with traditional medications.

Beyond medications, lifestyle adjustments can also reduce migraine and headache frequency. Getting adequate hours of uninterrupted sleep, managing stress, eating heart-healthy foods, staying hydrated, and exercising daily can reduce the frequency and severity of migraines.

Migraines are serious, but when does a headache call for a trip to the doctor’s office? Headaches that are made worse by coughing, sneezing, or straining; occur with nighttime awakening; or are progressively worsening may be a cause for concern. A provider who specializes in headaches can best assess these symptoms to determine if a potentially dangerous cause is present.

“We understand that migraines can be miserable hindrances to daily activities, and for many, they are far from rare occurrences,” explained Michael Sowell, M.D., professor of Neurology and director of the University of Louisville Comprehensive Headache Program. “At the University of Louisville School of Medicine, a plethora of resources are available for those suffering from migraines, including neuroimaging techniques and coordination of care with other health care providers, when necessary.”

Although there is a higher prevalence in women as opposed to men (an approximate 3:1 ratio), migraines can affect anyone. Underlying medical conditions, tobacco use, high levels of stress, and family genetics may put some individuals at a higher risk of developing migraines.

Increasing awareness of the condition can lead to improved recognition and treatment, thus resulting in increased work productivity, decreased disability, and improved quality of life for the millions of individuals who experience migraines.

Whether you experience migraines occasionally or frequently, you deserve to feel better. Join us at the University of Louisville School of Medicine as we continue to advance research, refine treatment, and raise awareness for those living with migraine. Learn more about the Comprehensive Headache Program through the Department of Neurology here at the University of Louisville.

Loneliness is increasingly recognized as a serious risk to the health and well-being of older adults, linked to heightened risks of depression, cognitive decline, chronic illness and even early mortality. A new research project launching this year will tackle this pressing public health challenge, “Universal belonging: A place-based intervention to reduce loneliness.”

Led by researchers at the Christina Lee Brown Envirome Institute at the University of Louisville, this five-year project seeks to identify and reduce loneliness among seniors aged 65 and older by combining neighborhood-level data, community engagement and targeted, place-based interventions.

“We are deeply grateful to the Humana Foundation for supporting this effort to find new ways to help seniors live healthier lives in Louisville and across Kentucky” said Ted Smith, Ph.D, co-director of the Humana Center for Community Health Research at UofL.

This initiative builds on the work of the Universal Basic Neighborhood (UBN) project, a framework developed to discover and promote the core resources neighborhoods offer that have been shown to support good health. Through the UBN project, researchers identified social connection as a key ingredient in healthy communities, and loneliness, especially among seniors, as a critical risk factor for poor health outcomes. The new project applies UBN’s data-driven approach to address this challenge, using demographic, clinical and environmental data.

“This project represents a direct application of this place-based framework to a real and growing need in our community,” said Lauren Anderson, a UofL researcher who developed that place-based data model for this work as part of her dissertation research.

The project continues a collaboration with Nancy Seay, Ph.D., with The Reverend Jesse Louis Jackson Sr. Center for Racial Justice and the Department of Sociology at Simmons College of Kentucky, who will lead the asset mapping and community-based research components of the study. Their work will focus on identifying both social needs and existing assets within the neighborhoods selected for intervention, helping to ground the study in the lived experience and local context of older adults.

Over the course of the study, researchers will work with community partners to test a variety of neighborhood-based strategies aimed at fostering social connection. The project will also gather new insights on how local infrastructure and community design influence emotional well-being in aging populations. While target neighborhoods are still being identified, the project team is also actively seeking organizations that serve seniors to join as collaborators and subject matter experts. Interested partners are encouraged to visit the project website to learn more about how to get involved.

Funding for this work is provided by the Humana Foundation, whose commitment to community health and equitable aging has made this study possible.

How to participate:

• For seniors: Enroll in the study by taking the Baseline Loneliness Survey *Coming in July 2025*
• For partners: If you serve the senior population, contact Cayley.Crum@louisville.edu
• For volunteers: To help with outreach, survey collection or event support, contact Cayley.Crum@louisville.edu

“Recovery doesn’t end when treatment does,” shared second-year ULSOM student Vishal John. “Survivorship is about rebuilding physically, emotionally, and socially. It’s about rediscovering who you are in a body that’s changed and learning to trust it again.”

For Vishal, that insight didn’t come from a textbook or a lecture hall. It came from a rock wall.

Before beginning medical school, Vishal volunteered with a unique program in his hometown that used rock climbing to support pediatric cancer survivors. He saw first-hand the emotional transformation that took place when a young climber, once weakened by treatment, pushed past fear, found their footing, and soared upward. He remembered the pride in the children’s faces and the sense of empowerment that returned with every climb. That memory stayed with him.

So, when Visual began medical school at ULSOM, he knew he wanted to bring that same sense of healing and joy to Louisville.

Together, with his classmates, Paige Oldfield and Liam Scott, and his friends at the Norton Children’s Cancer Institute - Dr. Kabat, a hospitalist, and Kate Dooley, a licensed social worker – Vishal helped launch Rock Cancer in Louisville. Hosted at Rock Sport Climbing Gym, the program is a free, adaptive rock-climbing program for individuals aged 4 to 25, and was designed to help those who are undergoing or have completed cancer treatment. Through Rock Cancer, climbers can reclaim strength, rebuild confidence, and find joy after their strenuous journey.  

Each climber is encouraged to bring a friend or sibling, reinforcing that recovery isn’t a solo climb. It’s a shared experience that strengthens both the body and the bond between loved ones.

“Rock climbing forces you to engage muscles that may have been weakened during treatment,” Vishal explained. “But just as important, it encourages confidence, trust, and connection. It shows survivors they are capable of not just climbing a wall, but of reclaiming their strength.”

What sets Rock Cancer apart is the passion of Vishal and his team of volunteers. As ULSOM students watch survivors mount the wall, they are reminded of the importance of healing outside of the clinic.

Still in the early years of medical school, a lot of Vishal’s learning involves textbooks and learning the basics of medicine. By engaging with survivors through Rock Cancer, he finds that he can connect to the human side of medicine. Every disease he memorizes relates to a person with a story, a family, dreams, fears, and goals for the future, and Rock Cancer helps him to remember that.

 “One moment I’ll never forget happened while I was belaying a child during a Rock Cancer session. He was nervous but determined, and when he finally reached the top of the wall, he beamed with pride. I looked to my left and saw his mom crying tears of joy. At that moment, I realized that Rock Cancer isn’t just about climbing; it’s about overcoming.”

As we recognize National Cancer Survivors Month, the Rock Cancer team hopes to raise awareness not only about the challenges of survivorship but also about the possibilities that emerge when patients are met with compassion, community and creativity.

“True healing includes more than what we do in hospitals,” said Vishal. “Sometimes it means meeting a patient on the climbing wall instead of in the clinic and being ready to catch them when they let go.”

Want to get involved with Rock Cancer? Whether you’re a student, a survivor, or a supporter, there’s a place for you in this uplifting community. Learn more and find out how you can help here.

When couples struggle to conceive, the focus often turns to women. But Jessica Schardein, M.D., M.S., is working to change that narrative, one patient at a time.

As one of two male infertility specialists in Kentucky, Dr. Schardein is bringing much-needed awareness to a topic rarely discussed yet incredibly common. Up to 15% of men in the United States experience infertility, and male factor issues contribute to nearly half of all cases where couples have difficulty conceiving. With Father’s Day approaching, her work is a powerful reminder that the journey to fatherhood can take many forms and that every path is worthy of support and recognition.

Before becoming a physician, Dr. Schardein worked as a marriage and family therapist, supporting couples through the emotional toll of infertility. Today, she continues that work in a new setting as assistant professor and Director of Sexual and Reproductive Medicine in the Department of Urology.

“Infertility of any kind can be discouraging, and male infertility often leaves men feeling like they are less of a man,” shared Dr. Schardein. “A man is absolutely not any less of a man if he has infertility.”

Male infertility can stem from a wide range of factors, including lifestyle choices such as smoking, poor overall health, hormonal imbalances, genetic conditions, and environmental exposures. The most common reversible cause of male infertility is a varicocele, a dilation of the veins in the scrotum that hinders sperm production and function.

Yet, despite the heavy presence of male infertility in America, men still do not get routinely tested during an infertility evaluation. Recommendations from the American Urological Association and the American Society for Reproductive Medicine call for both male and female partners to undergo a concurrent assessment for the initial evaluation when a couple is struggling to conceive. Medical professionals of all kinds should understand that a complete medical history, physical exam, labs, and, sometimes, even more advanced testing are crucial when a couple is struggling with infertility. After all, infertility can reveal broader health issues and can even have implications for a patient’s future health.

“I view male reproductive health as an essential part of overall health, deeply connected to physical, emotional, and social well-being, and I strongly believe it should be given the same priority and access as any other aspect of health care,” explained Dr. Schardein. “Reproductive health is health.”

In her clinical practice, Dr. Schardein connects her patients with specialists across disciplines, including primary care physicians, endocrinologists, and mental health professionals. This not only ensures that all aspects of a patient’s health are addressed, but also promotes healthier behaviors and more connected care, which ultimately helps foster healthier individuals, families, and communities.

Her work is advancing the conversation surrounding male infertility by breaking down barriers that stigmatize the condition and limit access to specialty care so that all men can have the opportunity to improve their health and build their families if and when they choose to. But she can’t do it alone.

Kentucky needs more infertility specialists who can help couples achieve their dreams of becoming parents. If you’re passionate about advancing care in this critical area, the University of Louisville School of Medicine’s urology residency program can help you make an impact. Learn more and join the next generation of changemakers in reproductive medicine.

Art created by older adult participants of the UofL Trager Institute’s acrylic painting class, along with music by the Optimal Aging Choir, filled the room as part of the annual Optimal Aging Conference at the Founders Union on UofL’s Shelby Campus.

More than 230 attendees took part in the two-day conference May 15-16, hosted by the UofL Trager Institute Republic Bank Foundation Optimal Aging Clinic and Kentucky Association of Gerontology. The conference, focused on the theme Art of Aging: Advancements in Aging Care, explored healthy lifestyle practices, new technologies, advanced research and community care that improve people’s lives as they age. Sessions also explored how health care professionals, social workers and caregivers help serve older adults.

“When we talk about the art of aging, we’re talking about each person’s unique aging journey and the new approaches and advances in the aging field they can incorporate in a way that suits them and their needs. It’s not an exact science—we’re all defining what aging means to us as we go and refining how we navigate the joys and challenges along the way,” said Anna Faul, executive director of the Trager Institute Optimal Aging Clinic. 

Joy Willenbrink-Conte, a music therapist from the University of Dayton and the conference’s opening keynote speaker, focused on breathing, vocalizing and singing for health and healing. Meantime, Josephine Gomes, a geriatrician at the Optimal Aging Clinic, gave a survey on the past, present and future of Alzheimer’s and related dementias during the day’s second keynote address. She discussed modifiable factors, which are ways people could alter their lifestyle to lower the risk of onset, and innovative care models, such as the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services’ Guiding an Improved Dementia Experience, that can help people better navigate their diagnosis.

A reception with a demonstration of a HealthRHYTHMS drumming session and an opportunity for attendees to interact with the older adult painters showcasing their artwork concluded the first day.

On day two of the conference, keynote speakers Bob Blancato, executive director of the National Association of Nutrition and Aging Services Programs, and Sandy Markwood, CEO of the National Association of Area Agencies on Aging, provided a timely update on aging policy in a changing political environment. A panel of four octogenarians and nonagenarians closed out the conference with humor and wisdom.

“This year’s conference really hit the mark. It provided not only education on a wide range of topics such as artificial intelligence in dementia assessments, using improv to improve communication skills in care settings, integrating behavioral health into aging care, music therapy and more, but also levity and inspiration during a period of great uncertainty for older adult services,” reflected Barbara Gordon, the institute’s director of community engagement.

Learn more about the UofL Trager Institute.

View pictures from the conference on Flickr.

Article by Samantha Adams, UofL Trager Institute. 

Dr. Daisy Sangroula, a global educator and esteemed anesthesiologist, is not just revolutionizing care in Louisville but also shaping the future of obstetric anesthesia in Nepal. For five consecutive years, Dr. Sangroula has led simulation based obstetric anesthesia workshops in Kathmandu, focusing on “Perioperative Critical Events in Obstetrics,” a pivotal training program aimed at enhancing emergency response in labor and delivery units.  

The workshop covers essential topics such as postpartum hemorrhage, hypertensive crisis in pregnancy, cardiac arrest and perimortem cesarean delivery, cardiac diseases in pregnancy, maternal sepsis, and improved decision-making and teamwork dynamics in the labor and delivery unit.

“I have witnessed firsthand the transformative impact of effective anesthesia in ensuring both maternal and fetal safety,” Dr. Sangroula remarked. “Whether in Louisville or in Kathmandu, every woman deserves optimal care during childbirth.”

The urgency of this training resonates far beyond Nepal. Every day, women across the world need care from anesthesiologists as they prepare to bring new life into the world. While sometimes this only requires an epidural, other times, more intense care is a necessity. Dr. Sangroula recalls a time when a patient with Goldenhar syndrome presented for a repeat cesarean section. The patient had a history of difficult intubation and had emergency tracheostomy three times during previous anesthetics. On top of that, multiple back surgeries made spinal or epidural anesthesia particularly challenging.

“Cases like this highlight the importance of preparation and multidisciplinary collaboration,” she said. “I worked closely with both Maternal-Fetal Medicine and Ear Nose and Throat teams to create a comprehensive care plan.”

Dr. Sangroula’s ability to translate clinical expertise into both action and education makes her an extraordinary leader in obstetric anesthesiology. Her passion for patient-centered care is matched only by her pride in easing suffering during one of life’s most intense experiences.  

“I have placed hundreds of labor epidurals, but even now, to see the relief from pain I see in patients' faces after I place a labor epidural gives me immense pride,” remarked Dr. Sangroula. “Labor is a dynamic process, and it is my job as an obstetric anesthesiologist to ensure that both lives, mother and baby, are safe and comfortable.”

Back in Louisville, Dr. Sangroula continues to shape the field. As Director of Obstetric Anesthesia, she mentors residents in the in advanced maternal care, helping them build confidence and competence in managing complex cases.  Under her guidance, patients (especially those at high risk) receive individualized anesthesia plans long before arriving in the delivery room. This level of planning is not just best practice; it’s lifesaving.  

Beyond the bedside and classroom, Dr. Sangroula is an active member of the Society of Obstetric Anesthesia and Perinatology (SOAP) and serves in different subcommittees, including the simulation and technology committee, international outreach subcommittee, and MFM/OB/midwife anesthesia education subcommittee. Her involvement helps bridge the gaps in global health equity and supports the advancement of safer childbirth practices worldwide. 

Dr. Sangroula exemplifies what it means to be a ULSOM faculty member. She is a teacher, a healer, and a global health advocate for maternal health. Her work in both Kentucky and her home country of Nepal underscores the vital role anesthesiologists play in ensuring positive outcomes during labor and delivery.

Interested in learning more about anesthesiology? Our Department of Anesthesiology & Perioperative Medicine is full of compassionate providers who are dedicated to patient safety, comfort, and care.

The University of Louisville’s Trager Institute has opened the Culinary Medicine Kitchen, an innovative space where health care providers can learn practical, science-based skills to help people improve their health through better eating habits.

The space features eight cooking stations where health care professionals and students will learn culinary medicine, a growing field that integrates nutrition science with practical culinary skills that can lead to improved health, including better management and prevention of chronic illnesses such as diabetes and heart disease.

The kitchen supports the mission of the Trager Institute/Republic Bank Foundation Optimal Aging Clinic, which is dedicated to enhancing the lives of older adults in Kentucky through innovative, age-friendly health care practices. The Culinary Medicine Kitchen, located in the institute’s East Market St. facility, will host physicians, trainees, medical students and other health care providers for hands-on demonstrations that will help them guide patients to better health through healthy eating. The kitchen also will host nutrition-focused cooking demonstrations for the community.

“This wonderful educational venue is an outstanding example of our dedication to advancing medical education and community health, reinforcing our role as a leader in integrating innovative practices into health care training,” said UofL President Gerry Bradley. “It also highlights the Trager Institute’s distinctive approach and dedication to ensuring that older adults across Kentucky receive the care and support they deserve with dignity and compassion.”

The UofL School of Medicine joins 60 other medical schools in using the American College of Culinary Medicine curriculum to train health care professionals to understand and communicate the impact of good nutrition on their patients’ health. At UofL, the kitchen will serve as a vital resource for the Schools of Medicine, Public Health and Information Sciences, Nursing, Social Work and others, supporting their mission to train future and current health care providers and advisors in the role of nutrition in patient health.

“Research shows that good nutrition not only promotes overall health and well-being but also plays a crucial role in preventing and managing chronic diseases,” said Joe D’Ambrosio, director of behavioral health at the Trager Institute. “The Culinary Medicine Kitchen will help bridge the gap between what we know about nutrition and the practice of medicine.”

The Culinary Medicine Kitchen was created with support from GE Appliances, a Haier company, which donated state-of-the-art appliances for the buildout. Features such as an overhead camera and large-screen TVs in the kitchen give learners a bird’s-eye view of techniques for engaging, informative demonstrations. Integrated technology also enables live remote classes as well video recording to create enduring resources for sharing with patients and health professionals online.

Improving health for older adults

Beyond the kitchen, new and renewed funding for workforce training and support services has allowed the Trager Institute to expand its mission to improve the quality of life for older adults across the state. The institute has increased its age and dementia-friendly care and support services, particularly in underserved and rural areas to improve care for the Kentucky’s rapidly aging population.

Last year, the institute received $5 million from the Health Resources and Services Administration through the Geriatrics Workforce Enhancement Program (GWEP), the third consecutive GWEP grant awarded to the institute, following grants in 2015 and 2019.

The new funding allowed the institute to establish FlourishCare Centers of Excellence in the Kentuckiana, Cumberland Valley and Barren River regions of Kentucky, bringing together experts from universities, health care providers, community organizations and local governments to improve how care is provided to older adults. Their goal is to ensure health care professionals have the specialized knowledge needed to care for aging adults and to help them stay independent, maintain their dignity and improve their overall well-being.

“By connecting different systems — hospitals, nursing homes, senior care programs and government services — the centers foster a coordinated approach to health care, ensuring that older adults, including those with Alzheimer’s and other memory-related conditions receive continuous and well-organized support, whether they are at home, in a hospital or in a care facility,” said Anna Faul, executive director of the Trager Institute.

In addition, the institute’s Republic Bank Foundation Optimal Aging Clinic was selected as a UofL Health demonstration site for the Guiding an Improved Dementia Experience (GUIDE) model by the Centers for Medicaid and Medicare Services. This national initiative is focused on improving communication between primary care providers and specialists, provides educational resources and emotional support for caregivers, offers respite care and ensures health equity for dementia patients and their families. It is provided at no cost to eligible participants.

The Trager Institute also is expanding its FlourishCare initiative that supports vulnerable older adults with diabetes, depression and dementia, as well as their caregivers thanks to a $600,000 grant over four years from the Administration for Community Living. FlourishCare services aim to improve health outcomes and access to care for those in underserved areas of Kentucky, including:

• BRI Care Consultation: Supports people with dementia and their caregivers by addressing unmet needs, reducing stress and alleviating depression
• Diabetes Self-Management Program: Empowers participants to manage their diabetes effectively
• Program to Encourage Active Rewarding Lives for Seniors: Helps older adults manage and reduce symptoms of depression

To see more images from the ribbon cutting, visit the gallery on Flickr.

Matt Willinger contributed to this story.

Following more than a decade as Associate Dean and distinguished service in an interim capacity for over a year, J. Christopher States, Ph.D. has been appointed as the Vice Dean for Research at the University of Louisville School of Medicine (ULSOM). Dr. States has dedicated years of his career to pharmacology and toxicology research, specializing in arsenic toxicology, DNA repair, and the development of mitosis-disrupting drugs for cancer chemotherapy.

“My passion for research has guided me through my career in medicine, and it is an honor to assume the role as Vice Dean for Research,” shared Dr. States. “It is through research that we can make a real difference in patient outcomes as we work to understand some of the most intriguing diseases and conditions that we are seeing in medicine today. I aim to continue supporting the initiatives of our faculty and learners who are conducting groundbreaking research each and every day.”

Dr. States received his Bachelor of Science in Biochemistry from State University of New York at Buffalo before receiving his Ph.D. in Molecular Biology and Pathology from Albany Medical College, Union University. Since 1999, Dr. States has been an excellent example of what it means to be both an educator and a researcher at ULSOM. Dr. States has inspired generations of medical and graduate students through his dedication to research and its application in clinical practice, teaching within  the Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology,  Department of Radiation Oncology and the School of Public Health and Information Science, demonstrating his well-rounded and holistic passion for higher education.

“This appointment is a testament to the excellent leadership Dr. States has exemplified through decades of work in our research labs at ULSOM,” said Dean Bumpous. “Dr. States will continue to excel in this position, and we look forward to seeing how he continues to lead throughout his official appointment.”

Please join us in congratulating Dr. States on his well-deserved appointment as Vice Dean for Research, effective May 1, 2025.