Food insecurity rises dramatically across the U.S., Kentuckiana
By Tom Lally, Building Kentucky The number of people living in food insecure households in the United States grew drastically in 2022. In the U.S. 1 in 7 people, including 1 in 5 children live in food insecure households, according to a new report from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). In total, 44 million […]
Navy Lieutenant shares his experience as a nurse and what he’s learned along the way at UK and UofL
By Stephanie Smith, Building Kentucky Lt. Aaron Lueke loves his country, his family and the privilege of caring for others as a nurse. “There’s just no other profession where you can have such an impact and provide so much comfort to those who are suffering,” Lueke said. While Lueke always knew he wanted to be […]
Critical behavior and mental health services coming to Louisville schools, neighborhoods
By Jamie Johnson, Building Kentucky LOUISVILLE, KY. – Maryhurst, Kentucky’s longest-operating child welfare agency, announced today a new, thee-year grant totaling $450,000 from Kentucky Association of Health Plans (KAHP), the trade association representing commercial insurers and Medicaid managed care organizations in the Commonwealth. The grant supports the growth and operation of Maryhurst’s Renewal program, a […]
Anthem Medicaid to offer free dental screenings, cleanings to members across the Commonwealth
By Abuzar Iqbal, Building Kentucky Anthem Blue Cross & Blue Shield Medicaid will be host “Dental Days” events throughout Kentucky this October to provide members with FREE dental screenings and cleanings. According to the CDC, more than half of Kentuckians over the age of 65 have lost at least six teeth because of dental decay […]
Nine community health champions recognized by WellCare of Kentucky, received grant for their organization
By Abuzar Iqbal, Building Kentucky On September 20, 2023, WellCare of Kentucky hosted its fourth annual Community Health Champions Awards at Churchill Downs in Louisville. The award honors individuals and organizations throughout the Commonwealth that play a pivotal role in removing barriers, improving outcomes, and supporting community wellbeing. Gov. Andy Beshear attended and spoke at […]
Q&A: Sitting down with Maryhurst’s Demarco Harris
By Quin Welch, Building Kentucky With a passion for destigmatizing mental health and making treatment resources more equitable in Louisville amongst youth and underserved populations, Demarco Harris is changing lives every day in his role as the Community Partner Manager for Maryhurst’s Renewal program. Having just been awarded the University of Louisville’s Dean’s Scholarship for […]
Helping hometown health care heroes, UofL and Anthem Kentucky Medicaid launch new rural medicine scholarship
By Lilli Dubler, Building Kentucky The University of Louisville (UofL) and Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield Medicaid in Kentucky recently announced an endowed scholarship to increase access to care and improve health equity in Kentucky’s rural areas. The Anthem Medicaid Rural Medicine Scholarship will support up to four students at the UofL Trover Campus […]
Person in recovery creates trait-based recovery program to help others struggling with substance abuse
By Harper Carlton, Building Kentucky In October of 2013, Jason Roop decided he was ready to make a change. After struggling with addiction for 17 years, Roop began his recovery at Isaiah House, a nonprofit organization that transforms the lives of Kentuckians with substance abuse disorder by providing comprehensive, evidence-based treatment. “I had destroyed all […]
Louisville Congressman Morgan McGarvey tours Dare to Care facility ahead of 2023 Farm Bill renewal
By Lilli Dubler, Building Kentucky Rep. Morgan McGarvey (D-Louisville) toured Dare to Care’s Louisville facility and got a firsthand look at its day-to-day operations ahead of the Farm Bill renewal this December. McGarvey plans to propose an increase in nutrition programming for the 2023 Farm Bill, using Dare to Care as an example for how […]
Anthem Medicaid, community partners work to spread word about Medicaid unwinding
By Abuzar Iqbal, Building Kentucky With 1.2 million Kentuckians at risk of losing their health coverage due to the Medicaid unwinding process, the clock is ticking for many Medicaid recipients to redetermine their eligibility for Medicaid. It’s very important that Medicaid recipients follow instructions they receive in the mail carefully to ensure they do not […]
Lexington’s new “Mobile Market” prepares to address food insecurity, lack of healthy food options
By Quin Welch, Building Kentucky Lexington Mayor Linda Gorton recently announced the City of Lexington’s new “Mobile Market” – a program designed to address food insecurity among residents — is preparing to hit the streets throughout Lexington beginning in July. A recommendation made by the Mayor’s Commission for Racial Justice and Equality in 2020 called […]
How to celebrate Juneteenth in Kentucky this weekend
By Marvin Bennett, Building Kentucky Many cities across the Commonwealth are preparing to celebrate Juneteenth. On June 19th, 1865, after Union troops marched through Galveston Bay, TX and successfully freed the last of the approximately 250,000 enslaved Africans from involuntary servitude, the former slaves dubbed the day Juneteenth, signifying the end of slave labor and […]
Community Bank partners with St. Claire HealthCare to support Eastern Kentucky
By Quin Welch, Building Kentucky Stock Yards Bank & Trust has underscored its commitment to Eastern Kentucky by donating $60,000 to St. Claire HealthCare – the region’s largest healthcare provider and employer. “We are proud to continue to support the strong mission that St. Claire has carried out for decades,” said Benjamin Caudill, Stock Yards […]
Organizers prepare for Derby Diversity Week
Derby Diversity Week (DDW) founder and Louisville Business First Power 50 2022 honoree Tawana Bain is preparing for the sixth annual Derby Diversity Week, beginning on May 1 in Louisville. DDW attracts some of the world’s top suppliers, buyers, executives and business leaders to four action packed conference days of networking and excitement, along with […]
New health campaign committed to cutting hair and cutting minority health disparities
By Quin Welch, Building Kentucky A community-based organization working hard to increase equity in health care held its first “Barber Shop Initiative” event on Saturday at Well Groomed Barber Shop in Lexington. Partnering with Anthem Blue Cross & Blue Shield Medicaid and other community sponsors, Project Ricochet’s Barber Shop initiative is designed to develop and […]