News

BH WELL Open House at Eastern State Hospital

The BH WELL research team hosted an open house event at their new office space in the Eastern State Hospital research suite on November 21st from 11AM-1PM and 4PM-6PM. Dr. Zim Okoli gave a short address at noon.

Chizimuzo "Zim" Okoli Able to Explore Mental Health with Global Perspective through the Fulbright Specialist Program

Dr. Okoli participated in the Fulbright Specialist Program this summer. Learn more about his experience in UKnow

Partner Spotlight: Laurel Co. Health Department

The Laurel County Health Department (LCHD) has seen great success in their mission to “prevent, promote, and protect the public health of its citizens by providing quality health education, preventive health care, and environmental services.” This includes their work to address tobacco treatment and tobacco free policy efforts within behavioral health organizations in their community.

Tailoring Messages about Behavioral Health Care Tobacco Treatment

Imagine if you entered your favorite barbershop or hair salon only to find there was one haircut from which to choose. Or, suppose you wear a size 5 shoe but are told only size 8 shoes are sold. You just need to make it work.

While this approach might work for breathing air or drinking water, there are only very few other situations where a prescriptive, one-size-fits-all approach works. 

Graduate Spotlight: Zainab Almogheer, PhD

Congratulations to Dr. Zainab Almogheer, for graduating from the University of Kentucky (UK) College of Nursing (CON) with her PhD in Nursing. Almogheer successfully defended her dissertation, “Intentions to Seek Mental Health Services of Nursing Students in the United States: The Impact of Adverse Childhood Experiences and Psychological Distress” on April 2, 2024. She explains that engaging in her research was driven by her own experiences as a nursing student living with mental health challenges. 

Shane Landis Inducted into Delta Psi Chapter of Sigma Theta Tau

Graduate Spotlight: Kristi Richmond, DNP

Congratulations to Kristi Richmond, DNP, on her graduation from the University of Kentucky (UK) College of Nursing (CON) with her Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP). Dr. Richmond’s project, “The Effects of Employee Recognition Program for Clinical Registered Nurse Retention at Eastern State Hospital.” aims to assess the affect of targeted employee recognition program implemented at Eastern State Hospital (ESH) on RN satisfaction as strategy to increase retention. 

Graduate Spotlight: Kevin Bryant, DNP

Congratulations to Kevin Bryant, DNP, BSN, on his graduation from the University of Kentucky (UK) College of Nursing (CON) with his Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP). Dr. Bryant’s project, “The Impact of an Educational Training to Front-line Nurses and Providers to Reduce Seclusion and Restraint: Assessing Knowledge, Practices, and Attitudes” explores effect of web-based educational intervention on front-line nurses knowledge, practices, and attitudes concerning use of seclusion and restraint of patients within psychiatric in-patient facilities. Dr.

Graduate Spotlight: Johna Arnett, DNP

Congratulations to Johna Arnett, DNP, RN, on her graduation from the University of Kentucky (UK) College of Nursing (CON) with her Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP). Dr. Arnett’s project, “The Impact a Nurse Recruiter has on Nursing Staff Shortages and Nurse Manager Satisfaction in an Acute Psychiatric Facility” explores the impact of a nurse recruiter role in addressing nursing staff shortages and nurse manager satisfaction within an acute psychiatric facility. Dr. Arnett is a Nurse Manager at Eastern State Hospital (ESH). 

Graduate Spotlight: Michelle Van Outer, DNP

Congratulations to Michele Van Outer, DNP, BSN, on her graduation from the University of Kentucky (UK) College of Nursing (CON) with her Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP). Dr. Van Outer’s project, “Improving Structural Empowerment Through the Co-Creation of a Professional Governance Program of Nurse Managers and Frontline Nurse Leaders” aims to uncover the potential benefits of a collaborative approach on staff members’ patient care outcomes. Dr. Van Outer serves as a Nurse Manager at Eastern State Hospital (ESH). 

Partner Spotlight: Green River District Health Department

The Green River District Health Department (GRDHD) is located in Western Kentucky and serves seven counties – Daviess, Hancock, Henderson, McLean, Ohio, Union, and Webster.

Behavioral Health Tobacco Treatment Awardees Celebrated

LEXINGTON, Ky.

Staff Spotlight: Michele Gulley

Michele Gulley, BH WELL’s Multimedia Support Specialist, received her Bachelors of Arts in Media Arts and Studies from the University of Kentucky (UK). She started her career at the Media Depot in William T. Young library on UK’s campus. There, she educated and coached students in video production. Michele was later introduced to the UK College of Nursing through an internship opportunity, which eventually led to her working with BH WELL.

Nurse Leader Spotlight: Karen O’Connell

Karen O’Connell, PhD, RN, FNP-BC, NEA-BC, is an associate professor in the Northern Kentucky University School of Nursing. She completed her PhD in Nursing Science from Uniformed Services University in 2012. O’Connell is now working toward a psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner degree at the University of Cincinnati because of her passion for veteran care. This passion comes naturally to O’Connell, who served as an Air Force Nurse Corps Officer for 25 years. 

Artist Spotlight: Dotty K. Berryman and David Bryan Blondell

This spotlight honors and celebrates Artist Dotty Berryman and Art Director David Bryan Blondell. They make The Dimensions comics come to life! The comics are based on Behavioral Health Wellness Environments for Living and Learning (BH WELL) research that spotlights the 8 Dimensions of Wellness.

Mental Health Awareness Month May 2023

Each year millions of people navigate life with a mental or behavioral health challenge. This issue hits especially close to home in Kentucky. In 2021, 43.6% of adult Kentuckians reported experiencing symptoms of anxiety or depression and 22.8% were unable to access counseling or services, according to data reported by the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI).

Graduate Spotlight: Lella Still

Congratulations to Dr. Lella Still, DSW, MSW, BSW, for graduating from the University of Kentucky (UK) College of Social Work (COSW) with her Doctorate of Social Work. Dr. Still’s capstone project, “Falling from the Discharge Cliff: How Social Work Interventions can Bridge the Gap after Psychiatric Hospitalization to Improve Patient Outcomes,” explores whether phone-based transitional care interventions reduce hospital readmission rates for psychiatric patients. Dr. Still is the Social Work Director for Eastern State Hospital (ESH) and Good Samaritan Behavioral Health Units.

Graduate Spotlight: Priscilla Cho

Welcome to the Behavioral Health Wellness Environments for Living and Learning (BH WELL) Graduation Spotlight, where we celebrate the achievements of our outstanding students. Today, we shine the spotlight on Priscilla Cho, who is graduating in May 2023 from the University of Pennsylvania with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing. Priscilla also works as a project assistant with BH WELL where she supports content development related to behavioral health and tobacco dependence educational resources. She has been with our team since July 2021.  

Graduation Spotlight: Hannah Brewer

Congratulations to Hannah Brewer, a Behavioral Health Wellness Environments for Living and Learning (BH WELL) Graduate Research Assistant since May 2022, for graduating with a Master’s in Social Work in May 2023 as an advanced standing student.

Graduation Spotlight: Bassema Abu-Farsakh

Congratulations to Bassema Abu-Farsakh, for graduating from the University of Kentucky (UK) College of Nursing (CON) with her PHD in nursing. Abu-Farsakh successfully defended her dissertation, “Adverse Childhood Experiences, Nicotine Dependence, and Depressive Symptoms Among Community Sample of People with Mental Illnesses” on April 6, 2023. Abu-Farsakh explains that engaging in her research was driven by the goal of eliminating the impact of adverse childhood experiences as toxic stressors on adult mental and physical health.