��Houts and Richards shared their experiences with UofL News.

UofL News: You are both non-traditional medical students. How has your journey into medicine been different from the “typical” path? How has UofL shaped this path?

Houts: When I finished high school, I accepted an ROTC scholarship to attend Fresno State, where I studied biochemistry and found a passion for science. Several years into active duty, I realized that wasn’t where I saw myself in 20 years, so I started looking around at other opportunities. A friend made a connection with a surgeon on base, and she let me shadow her in the OR. I was enamored with the idea that someone could go under anesthesia with a terminal disease and wake up healthy and cured. The University of Louisville has provided a place for me to grow and pursue my passions freely while earning my medical degree. I’m especially grateful to all the great mentors I’ve had and connections I’ve made here who have supported my ideas.

Richards: I knew early on that I wanted to work in medicine. After high school, I chose to take a break before beginning college and serve an ecclesiastical mission in Argentina. I spent two years there, away from family, friends and academics, and focused on the importance of serving other people. This time provided me with the opportunity to see others as they are and to truly understand their genuine needs. I quickly realized the importance of human connection and the selflessness that is needed to care for others compassionately. Upon my return from Argentina, I refocused my attention on becoming a physician and applying those deep-rooted lessons to that goal. ��While here at ULSOM, I have had the privilege to work alongside amazing people and bright minds who have supported my goals and aspirations to not only become a doctor, but an entrepreneur and innovator in the field of medicine. This trailblazing school offers countless opportunities to network with renowned physicians and inventors, all of whom are so willing to provide meaningful advice and assistance in my work.

UofL News: At what point did each of you realize you wanted to go beyond practicing medicine and actually innovate within it?

Houts: A majority of medical school is a game of mass memorization. This makes sense, given the vast advances that have taken place over the last 100 years. But spending a day memorizing facts doesn’t fuel my drive. I love to create. When I first met my now wife, I told her it was my goal in life to play and write rock music. I got my MBA from Berklee College of Music because I wanted to be able to market myself as a songwriter and artist. Eventually, I realized I preferred music as a passion instead of a job, but that same desire to create and build something from scratch never went away. I love looking at a problem and trying to discover a new solution. There have been so many evenings I’ve started working on a project or idea, and before I know it, I look at the clock and it’s 11 pm, and I haven’t had dinner. Nothing I’ve built has been a sacrifice; it’s all been a labor of love.

Richards: With my beginnings in rural medicine, I had many opportunities to create, reexamine and iterate new policies and workflows for the small medical staff to improve the care we offered to our underserved patients. The changes I implemented started with simple modifications, such as how we organized our office and how we performed basic patient intake skills, and eventually they led to how we improved our in-office procedures and patient care outcomes. These everyday changes helped me see the impact of innovation on a small rural healthcare ecosystem, and it evolved as I started my education at the School of Medicine. Here, I have been able to see the broader impact of medicine and the everyday processes and tools that we utilize to impact patients. As seen by Dave Brailsford’s British cycling team, making improvements in minor ways can create a revolutionary outcome, and I believe that applying that process to medicine will dramatically improve our healthcare system to what patients deserve.

UofL News: Can you walk me through one of the devices you’ve developed and the impact it could have on patient care?

Both: Our most developed product is called Precisionject… a novel device that attaches to an existing syringe to modify the user’s grip so that they can hold a syringe like a pencil for improved placement accuracy, stability and control. Precisionject attaches to the syringe plunger and controls it with a modulator near the needle-end of the syringe so that the user does not need to move their hand to inject or pull out fluids while performing procedures under ultrasound guidance. The current approach to highly precise injection procedures requires one hand to hold the syringe and push down on the syringe’s plunger to eject the solution. This leads to inaccurate placement, injured tissues, failed procedures, and poor patient satisfaction. By utilizing Precisionject to hold the syringe like a pencil, it allows the user to take advantage of a familiar grip to improve needle placement and decrease tissue damage. Our goal is to empower physicians and elevate the standard of patient care.

UofL News: For someone outside the medical field, how would you describe Claustrum Design in simple terms?

Both: We create new medical and surgical devices to improve patient outcomes and help physicians perform at their highest level. For some of our devices, this may look like lowering a post-operative complication rate; for other projects, it might be improving a logistical process that happens in the hospital basement that no patient will directly encounter. At the heart of everything we do, you will find the patient. Every product we make is aimed towards improving their health and hospital experience from the moment they walk in the door until they return home to their family.

UofL News: How has your experience at the University of Louisville contributed to the way you pursue something like this?

��Richards: The University of Louisville has one of the most community-minded and supportive environments for students to thrive and grow. As we have begun this journey, we have encountered countless people who believe in us and want us to succeed. From our phenomenal team at Tech Transfer to the physicians at UofL Health who have provided meaningful feedback, to our fellow students who inspire us, I don’t think it’s possible to find a more supportive atmosphere for students to grow.

UofL News: What would you advise a prospective medical student who wants to follow your steps?

Houts: I’ve always lived by the motto that I’d rather live with failure than regret. I’ve probably had 100 ideas for medical devices since starting school, and 96 of them didn’t turn out well. I used to shy away from this reality because I thought it meant I was a failure if my idea didn’t succeed. I’ve since come to realize that none of that really matters, and the worst thing I can do is not try or give up on my ideas for fear of failure. I would tell anyone else who has an idea in their field to go for it. The failure isn’t as embarrassing as you think it’ll be, and the prospective rewards that await are priceless. Chase your ideas- the journey they’ll take you on is the adventure of a lifetime.

Richards: First, I can’t stress the importance enough of surrounding yourself with great people. I am fortunate enough to have amazing mentors, friends and family, and Justin is no exception. Justin has been a great partner to work with, and we have created a deep friendship throughout this work. Seek out the people who believe in you and always find ways to support others. Second, great innovators are always looking to improve the world around them. Take the time to identify the problems around you and be patient with yourself as you imagine what could fix that problem. Finally, stick with it and be relentlessly engaged in your goals.

UofL News: What’s the next step for your invention?

Houts: We are going to keep pursuing these projects we have started and see where they take us. We will have the first working prototype of Precisionject built soon and will start in vitro trials to get as much quantitative data as possible to support our continued grant applications and funding opportunities. Maybe if we’re lucky, we’ll even be able to drum up some interest from investors soon. We’ve been accepted to attend a business conference in Salt Lake City in June, so we will present our company there and see what connections we can make. We’ve recently partnered with Dr. Redi Rahmani, the director of cerebrovascular neurosurgery at Jewish Hospital, on a project that looks to improve the logistical operations behind OR turnover. Safe to say, you can probably find us in the library studying, in my garage 3D printing and sketching, or at our laptops at 10 p.m. on a Friday writing grant applications. And on the rare occasion, we get the privilege of talking with other people to share our vision and goals for the future.

The 18-hour event is the university’s largest student-run philanthropy and generates money for and the

The dynamic event, which included themed hours, karaoke and sports tournaments, kicked off Friday at 6 p.m. and ended at noon Saturday with the heartwarming reveal of the total amount raised. As students on stage flipped signs showing the total of $516,485.76, the crowd of students, patients and supporters erupted in a massive celebration.

The funds raised from the 2024 dance marathon brought the cumulative total over the event’s history to more than $5 million.

Read more about this year’s event.

Earlier in February, community partner and UofL neighbor, Dave Barker led participants through a maple tapping workshop, installing taps on several trees in the center of campus. Barker instructed participants on the best practices for tree tapping without causing harm to the trees. He explained that sap flows are much more accessible to tap after temperatures swing from below freezing at night to above freezing during the day, creating an internal pressure that carries sap through the tree. After these conditions are met, sap may be seen leaking through natural scars. The only equipment then needed to harvest sap is a drill to make a one-inch hole, a tap to hammer in, tubing and a covered bucket. Once the sap is harvested, it’s then boiled down to remove the water and create syrup.

Justin Mog, assistant to the provost for sustainability initiatives says tree tapping is a sustainable way to create local maple syrup and sugary products while cutting personal emissions. Combining maple tapping with other gardening and farming practices can make an important impact in reducing individual environmental impacts.

“I think the most important thing we get out of this project is a better understanding of sustainability, which is all about tapping into the local resources right under our noses that we tend to ignore,” Mog said. “As we learned at the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, what makes modern life so precarious and unsustainable is an over-reliance on extractive economies that pull in resources from all over the place. Rather than spending a bunch of money and burning a bunch of fossil fuels to ship in syrup from Vermont, I’d much rather see us make our own and reconnect with the abundance that nature provides for us right here in Louisville.”

To make a gallon of maple syrup about 30–60 gallons of sap is needed. Assuming weather conditions support the flow of sap, UofL Sustainability hopes to produce a few gallons of syrup from Belknap campus trees. While the workshop focused on tapping maple trees, several other tree species can be tapped for sap to make syrup. Birch, hickory, sycamore and other types of trees can be used to create unique syrups with different flavor profiles from maple syrup.

The annual maple tapping workshop is part of . The Garden Commons is a collectively managed space open to all students, staff, faculty and community members. Participants who assist in the garden’s projects are welcome to share in the harvest and take their share of organic produce.

The Garden Commons hosts several workshops and events to get volunteers engaged in recognizing the accessible abundance of gardening and foraging. Upcoming events include workshops on orchard care, berry foraging and community gardening in abandoned urban spaces. Garden Commons intern and UofL student Savannah Dowell organized this year’s maple tapping workshop.

“I want everyone who participates in the Garden Commons to walk away with the understanding and confidence that they, too, can grow, forage or learn anything their heart desires. The world of sustainable urban agriculture can be overwhelming, but don’t become debilitated by the plethora of possibilities,” Dowell said. “Whether you start with a mass-scale maple tapping project or a windowsill herb garden – just start!”

Over the coming weeks, Cardinals can help empty sap buckets into collection barrels at the North Information Center and behind Gottschalk Hall by . ��

Taste UofL’s maple syrup and honey at this year’s on Friday, April 19, from noon – 1 p.m. at the Cultural & Equity Center 176 (Belknap Village North).

View pictures on .

The study surveyed 92 children and 64 caregivers who were participating in the program at the time—52% responded to the questionnaire, leading to the results published in .

Students in the (SNMA) worked closely with UofL Health trauma surgeons and to create the Future Healers Program in 2020. The program helps Louisville youth who have been affected by violence to navigate the trauma, and inspires them to build a better future for themselves and their communities by introducing them to opportunities in the medical field. The partnership has brought more than 100 kids to the program, and its success has inspired Vanderbilt University Medical Center to replicate the initiative in 2023.

The study found that children and their caregivers with significant exposure to gun violence had a positive overall perception of the health care community, a compliment to the longtime goal of the Future Healers founders.

Louisville has seen a significant increase in gun violence within the last decade. The health care response from the , paired with the Future Healer Program, aims to create hope for the kids in this community.

Over the past school year, 22 teams of Bullitt County Public School students designed tiny homes for a local nonprofit organization geared to enable independent, yet sustainable living. All project designs are authentic to the students and focus on disability inclusion, energy sustainability and food independence to facilitate independent living for all people.

As part of the year-long project, carpentry and electrical trade students designed and built the interior of the house and the solar array that will power the home efficiently. The students are continuously working on the project’s future phases as part of earning their school certifications by learning core trade skills – wiring the home, building interior structure, installing cabinetry and potential deck additions.

“GEA’s engineering and development teams have been working diligently with senior capstone students from Bullitt East and Bullitt Central high schools to serve as mentors throughout the school year,” said Michael Ekbundit, director of engineering programs for GE Appliances. “This project and program are so special to me and the students in its impact, we’re changing these kids’ lives and opening doors of opportunity that most of us didn’t have at their age.”

Ekbundit has led the program on behalf of GE Appliances for multiple years and is excited to see the next phase of the partnership launch offering students from Bullitt County Public Schools guaranteed entrance to UofL’s Speed School.

The J.B. School of Engineering is devoted to ushering talent into the school. A large part of their role as an engineering college is to be instrumental in the pipeline of students from the K-12 grades to college STEM disciplines that will lead in STEM positions in the industry. The G.E.E.S. program will provide students with experiences within the engineering field during high school. Through successful completion of the G.E.E.S. program, students are guaranteed admission into the University of Louisville’s J.B. Speed School of Engineering.

“The Speed School of Engineering greatly values the relationship we have with GE Appliances,” said Emmanuel Collins, dean of engineering. “And we are excited to have the G.E.E.S. program graduates as students at the Speed School of Engineering.”

“Our business is laser focused on developing the next generation of advanced manufacturing professionals,” said Katina Whitlock, senior manager of community engagement for GE Appliances. “Our partnerships with local school systems, colleges, universities and skilled-trade centers are investments in the manufacturing industry as a whole with the ability to positively impact people in our region for generations to come.”

GE Appliances also supports Jefferson County Public Schools, Shelby County Public Schools, University of Louisville, Jefferson Community and Technology College and area nonprofit organizations to expose, inspire and support students entering academic and professional careers in science, technology, engineering, math and manufacturing through scholarships, corporate grants and employee volunteerism, mentoring and tutoring.

UofL’s largest student-run philanthropy once again hit it out of the park.

raiseRED, an annual dance marathon that benefits UofL’s Division of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology and the Norton Children’s Cancer Institute outpatient clinic, generated more than $551,000 Feb. 24-25. This brings the cumulative total raised over the 10-year history of the event to more than $4.6 million.

Participants raise a minimum of $200 per person to participate, with many raising even more.

The 18-hour event featured dancing and a few other events-within-the event, such as:

• Buzz for the Cure: A long-standing raiseRED tradition, students pledge to shave their head, or do a major chop, during the dance marathon if they reach their fundraising goal.
• Angel Hour: The people in participants’ lives who have been impacted by cancer and blood disorders are recognized and remembered.��
• Mail Call: Letters of support from participants’ loved ones are read to cheer them on.
• Neon Silent Disco: The speaker system goes silent and participants wear headphones to��dance to music only they can hear.
• And new this year: The Hypnotic Experience. Hypnotist ‘TG’ Rivers will tap participants to be hypnotized to entertain the crowd.

It’s the cause, however, of battling childhood cancer and blood disorders that is the core of the effort, said raiseRED Executive Director Valerie Tran, a senior majoring in industrial engineering.

“raiseRED is a year-long effort to help children with cancer and blood disorders in the Louisville area, and I’m so humbled to see the courage these kids show,” Tran said. “I know what we are doing and the funds we raise can make a difference in the lives of these children and their families every day.”

These are the ingredients that make up raiseRED, the University of Louisville’s largest student-run philanthropy that has raised over $4.1 million for pediatric cancer and blood disorders research and patient support since 2013.

Celebrating its 10^th anniversary this year, raiseRED will be held Friday-Saturday, Feb. 24-25, at the Swain Student Activities Center Ballroom.

raiseRED is a dance marathon that benefits UofL’s Division of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology and the Norton Children’s Cancer Institute outpatient clinic. Participants raise a minimum of $200 per person to participate, with many raising even more.

The event kicks off at 6 p.m., Friday, Feb. 24, and culminates with the big reveal of total dollars raised at the Community Celebration from 10:30 a.m.-noon, Saturday, Feb. 25.

In between, students will kick up their heels. To keep up their spirits – and help keep their eyes open – several events-within-the-event are held. Among them are:

• Buzz for the Cure: A long-standing raiseRED tradition, students pledge to shave their head, or do a major chop, during the dance marathon if they reach their fundraising goal.
• Angel Hour: The people in participants’ lives who have been impacted by cancer and blood disorders are recognized and remembered.��
• Mail Call: Letters of support from participants’ loved ones are read to cheer them on.
• Neon Silent Disco: The speaker system goes silent and participants wear headphones to dance to music only they can hear.
• And new this year: The Hypnotic Experience. Hypnotist ‘TG’ Rivers will tap participants to be hypnotized to entertain the crowd.

It’s the cause, however, of battling childhood cancer and blood disorders that is the core of the effort, said raiseRED Executive Director Valerie Tran, a senior majoring in industrial engineering.

“raiseRED is a year-long effort to help children with cancer and blood disorders in the Louisville area, and I’m so humbled to see the courage these kids show,” Tran said. “I know what we are doing and the funds we raise can make a difference in the lives of these children and their families every day.”

For information and to donate, visit the

The SGA leadership started out the school year by identifying the focus areas of the yearly initiatives: community, academic support, registered student organizations, diversity, services, and safety, collectively known as C.A.R.D.S.S. To improve transparency and accountability, the Top 4 releases monthly updates on their and to inform students about what has been accomplished.

The leadership team recruited some of the most driven students on campus to be on their executive staff and bring their vision to life. SGA President Dorian Brown said he could have never rebuilt the campus community alone.

“From our Welcome Week Luncheon to our Athletics Week, we have put tireless hours into events that we believe will maximize student engagement. The accomplishment of these goals is not possible without the support of a talented and dedicated team,” Brown said.

In 2023, SGA plans to continue working toward a more collaborative, equitable, and vibrant campus, specifically brainstorming more projects that unite the Cardinal community.

“I’m really proud of what we’ve been able to accomplish this semester for the student body,” said SGA Services Vice President Alex Reynolds. “Productive conversations with students and administrators, along with passionate advocacy have been the core of this year’s SGA. I hope we can get more ideas, questions, and involvement from many students next semester during this pivotal point for our campus!”

To learn more, visit the on the UofL SGA Website.

Article by Lizzy Wolfe, SGA director of communications

The gift, from former Speed School alumni fellow Scott McReynolds ’86 and his wife Jennifer ’84, also represents the kickoff to Raise Some L, UofL’s annual day of giving.

Beginning at 6:02 p.m., Tuesday, Oct. 18, and continuing through midnight, Wednesday, Oct. 19, Raise Some L runs for 1,798 minutes in honor of UofL’s founding year. The 30-hour drive, traditionally held during Homecoming Week, is a chance for the Cardinal Community to support students, research and campus initiatives that help build a better world.

The opportunities created by the gift will help underprivileged youth gain critical skills to tackle the world’s problems. The $450,000 donation will provide last dollar scholarships, tutoring and bridge programming, Robotics Research Fellowships within the Louisville Automation and Robotics Research Institute (LARRI), summer research experiences for Central High School students at LARRI and an immersive learning experience trip to Boston, Massachusetts, the hub of robotics research and innovation.

“Gifts like these are inspiring and life-changing,” Interim President Lori Stewart Gonzalez said. “This generous support and other funds raised during our annual day of giving will help fuel the success of our students, advance our research and innovation initiatives and improve our community.”

There have also been several sizable donations that have already been pledged in advance of the day including: ��

• Three gifts to the School of Medicine designated for research in the amounts of $1 million, $400,000 and $100,000 from anonymous donors
• $50,000 gift to the Community Band in the School of Music from an anonymous donor
• $33,675 gift to the Breonna Taylor Memorial Scholarship Endowment by Jill Whitten in memory of her parents Ann W. and Donald J. Roth
• $25,000 gift to establish the Karlynn BrintzenhofeSzoc “Scholars in Healthcare Social Work” Scholarship, funded by Ronald Z. Szoc and Karlynn BrintzenhofeSzoc
• $15,000 challenge match that will support various areas across the university by Hank and Rebecca Conn
• $10,000 gift to the UofL Health Brown Cancer Center by Jason Chesney
• $10,000 match gift for the LGBTQ Center by Steve Bass

“UofL’s Day of Giving Campaign is a great way to support the continued success of the Cardinal community by making a gift to an area that inspires you,” Interim Vice President for Advancement Julie Dials said. “This year’s Day of Giving is especially critical as we navigate challenging times to help create thriving futures for our students.”

Raise Some L 2022 begins at 6:02 p.m., Tuesday, Oct. 18 and runs through midnight, Wednesday, Oct. 19. Interested participants can make a gift to any area of the university at .

In addition to online giving, in-person donations may be made at the Raise Some L Belknap Campus and Health Sciences Campus headquarters from 10 a.m.- 2 p.m., Wednesday, Oct. 19.

The Student Organization for Alumni Relations will be stationed at Raise Some L headquarters at the quads of both campuses with snacks, activities and additional information.�� Share the word about Raise Some L by using #RaiseSomeL.

For information on other UofL Homecoming Week events, please visit the .