The UofL-led research and education campaign, called Kentucky Antibiotic Awareness (KAA), is aimed at reducing the number of unnecessary antibiotics prescriptions throughout the state.Ěý

Kentucky is consistently ranked No. 1 for per capita children’s prescriptions and jockeys for first with neighboring West Virginia for most prescriptions per capita overall. Nationally, it’s estimated that only one in three antibiotic prescriptions is necessary.

“The big picture, scary concept is antibiotic resistance,” said Dr. Bethany Wattles, a pharmacist at the . “If we continue to overuse antibiotics, then in 10, 20, 30, 40 years, those drugs won’t work anymore.”

She said antibiotic resistance may render them useless for everything from making surgery sanitary, to treating the most simple infections. And aside from antibiotic resistance, overuse of antibiotics can cause unwanted side effects, like diarrhea. Ěý

“We want to prevent all of that as much as possible,” she said.

Aside from their research, the KAA team is also conducting an educational campaign aimed at teaching healthcare providers and the community about overprescribing antibiotics and its possible consequences.Ěý

The campaign is a a collaboration with the Kentucky Cabinet for Health and Family Services Department of Medicaid Services and the Kentucky Department of Public Health under a State University Partnership contract called, “Improving Care Quality for Children Receiving Kentucky Medicaid.”

You can listen to a radio interview with Dr. Wattles on with Mark Hebert.Ěý

“This was really cool to do. We made impressions of our fingers like they do when they put braces on and mold your teeth,” explained Whitney McKee, a college sophomore from Birmingham, Alabama.Ěý

McKee is one of 59 undergraduates from around the United States who are spending six weeks at UofL this summer to boost their academic skills, network with health professions students and faculty, and learn about health care career options. The students, from as far away as California, New York and Puerto Rico, all are interested in pursuing health professional careers after college such as medicine, dentistry, pharmacy, nursing or other advanced degrees.

Although she is a pre-med student, McKee is still refining her career plans. In SHPEP, she is learning about areas of health care she had not considered before.

“I’m open to anything because I don’t know what specialty I want to do,” McKee said. “I’m looking into dentistry and pharmacy and nursing. It’s given me more information about public health, because we don’t have that kind of program at my school.”

This is the 13th year for the program at UofL, one of 13 campuses across the United States hosting students in SHPEP in partnership with the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation and with direction from the Association of American Medical Colleges and the American Dental łÉČËÖ±˛Ą Association. The goal of SHPEP is to strengthen academic proficiency and career development skills of students underrepresented in the health professions. Many of the students identify as African American/Black, American Indian and Alaska Native and Hispanic/Latino, or come from communities of socioeconomic and educational disadvantage.

“This program really allows the participants to get a bird’s eye view of what professional school will be like,” said Sharon Gordon, MS, coordinator of the SHPEP program at UofL. “The students are given the opportunity to study a few of the basic science concepts they will need to master in professional school and are taught by professors at the UofL Health Sciences Center. They also interact with other health-care professionals as well as current students during their time here.”

The students stay in dorms on Belknap Campus and are introduced to the UofL schools of medicine, nursing, dentistry and public health, as well as the Sullivan University College of Pharmacy. Along the way, they learn about programs offered at UofL. McKee was surprised to learn UofL offers a Distinction in Global Health Track to students in the School of Medicine.

“You get the opportunity to learn about global health. I never knew that was an option and I’d really like to do that. I’ll definitely be applying [to UofL] but I am an out of state student, so we will see,” McKee said.

Meeting health professionals, potential mentors and like-minded peers is an important benefit for sophomore Alexandria Danielle Lee of the University of South Alabama. She plans to become a certified registered nurse anesthetist.

“Yesterday, I got to meet an anesthesiologist. Since I’m interested in anesthesia, that was very helpful for me. She said I can come shadow her,” Lee said.

In addition to engaging in rotations in health-care settings and simulations like the one in the School of Dentistry, the students receive academic enrichment in basic sciences, as well as development of study skills, communication, financial literacy, interprofessional education, health equity and health policy.

“In the program, participants learn what they need to do to be prepared for the rigors of professional school,” Gordon said. “Typically, the semester after they leave the program is one of their best based on the academic enrichment they receive through SHPEP.”

Jarvez Ellis, a freshman student from Chowan University in North Carolina, said participation in SHPEP has given him tools to achieve his goal of becoming a physician.

“This program has allowed me to become more focused, clear and confident in my goals and what will be required to get into medical school,” Ellis said.

Lee believes her participation in the program will pay off when she applies to advanced health programs.

“Not everybody wants to spend six weeks of their summer here at a program taking classes,” Lee said. “This program really helps you stand out from other applicants.”

Gary Becker, from Parking Administration, updated the senate on parking rate increases, which do not affect blue permit holders. He said a decision was made to increase rates because it hasn’t been done in six years.

“Our goal is to balance the budget, not to turn a profit. But we have to pay for things like maintenance and equipment,” he said.

As the university continues to grow, it will cost more to park on the core of campus versus the periphery, Becker added. His team conducted a market study, which shows UofL has considerably lower rates than other institutions. The constant goal is to ensure guaranteed spots for blue permit holders, and parking will oversell spots if necessary to achieve that goal, especially as the university continues to grow.

A Q&A was held in which senators brought up the lack of raises putting pressure on employees with these increased rates, and whether or not parking plans to outsource its operations (no such plans are in the works).

Todd Kneale, director of total awards, provided the FLSA Audit results, which are . During the December 2016 FLSA changes, 115 jobs at UofL were reviewed and changed from exempt status to nonexempt status based upon amended guidance from the Department of Labor. There were approximately 700 employees in the 115 jobs that were changed to nonexempt.

Jessie Morgan, manager of outpatient pharmacy services, provided results from the new pharmacy initiatives that were put into place in April and May. These initiatives led to total savings of $296,012. .Ěý

A prescription drug update is , outlining prescription drug spending at UofL versus the market.Ěý

Senators heard an update from Vince Tyra, who was named director of athletics in March.

Tyra said he’s been busy mitigating backlash from various issues that have come up within the past year and is trying to shape the culture to move forward.

“I know where we sit in the food chain and I want us to have a consistent message – not just athletics this or academics this,” he said. “That’s what we’re trying to do and why I took the job, to provide leadership across campus and represent UofL, not just UofL athletics. Being in sync with what (President Bendapudi) wants is important for the success of our university.”

Tyra said he now attends the president’s cabinet meetings, which didn’t happen before. The athletics department has also facilitated summer school aid and provides more money for trainers and managers – who are not restricted by the NCAA – which helps generate revenue for the university. Tyra added that the department has cut $1.6 million and has facilitated meetings with student groups, including the Ville’ns, to generate more engagement and new traditions.

“We have a lot of initiatives going on with our students. I want our fans to see our students in sync,” Tyra said. “It takes time to heel, but we are being patient with the process. I’m excited to get another season going.”

Committee reports from the . There is no Staff Senate meeting in August. The next meeting is Sept. 10 at 2:30 p.m. in Chao Auditorium.