Written by Lexie Mims, 340B Program Director, Williamson Health and Wellness Center

The Leadership Kentucky BRIGHT Class of 2024 had a packed three days in Pike and Floyd counties! We touched on all topics from healthcare to education to art and everything in between.

For the first portion of our session, we were graciously hosted by Pikeville Medical Center where we had the opportunity to hear from several PMC staff members, including Kansas Justice, LKY Class of 2023 and Senior VP and COO; Lisa Kendrick, VP Development; Stormie Adkins, AVP Physician Practice Administration; and Vickie Justus, AVP Physician Practice Administration. We then participated in a health fair called “Pathways to Health” where we had the chance to have several health metrics, such as our blood pressure and body mass index, taken and evaluated. Wrapping up at PMC, we heard from a panel that included Dr. Anna Johnson, Hematologist/Oncologist; Dr. Rishi Raj, Endocrinologist; and Dr. Maen Assali, Interventional Cardiologist. These three spoke primarily of patient demographics and comorbidities that seem to be worse in Eastern Kentucky than in other regions of the United States. They further spoke on the importance of choices we make each day and how those choices might impact our long-term health.

The second part of October 2nd was spent at the Overlook Center in Pikeville where we joined several Leadership Kentucky BRIGHT Alumni for dinner. Before dinner, Charles Mims and Evan Wright set up with Brothers Wright Distillery and offered tastings as we mingled. To cap off the night, Rusty Justice, LKY Class of 2013, regaled us with a brief history of Pikeville, the Cut-Through Project, and some of the men and women who helped catapult the city to where it is now, including but not limited to Dr. Bill Hambley, Colonel John Dils, Katherine Langley, and John Mayo. To quote Mr. Justice, “We stand on the shoulders of those who came before us.”

The team kicked off October 3rd at the Floyd County School of Innovation - Renaissance School where we toured the entire school and had the privilege of speaking with several students. These students study non-traditional subjects such as engineering, construction, and agriculture. Next we headed to the Floyd County Board of Education where we met several of Kelsey’s coworkers and got to tour the STEAM Bus. I can safely speak for the team when I say that listening to the staff at both the Renaissance Learning Center and the Floyd County Board of Education was one of the many highlights of this session. These individuals care for each individual student they meet and they understand that not all students will thrive under traditional education models. Our very own Kelsey Tackett helped with both tours and her passion for her profession was clear to all of us!

We then left the Floyd County Board of Education and headed to the Mountain Arts Center (MAC) where we met up with Joe Campbell, the Executive Director, and Robert Daniels, Technical Director. After a backstage tour, the MAC provided us with a classroom where we met Colby Hall, BRIGHT Class of 2021 and SOAR Executive Director. Along with Elmer Whitaker, LKY Class of 2006 and Chairman of the Board & CEO of Whitaker Bank, we discussed the importance in building and maintaining community connections and breaking certain negative generational mindsets. One thing Mr. Hall said that stuck with me was “The definition of poverty is when you think your future is predetermined.”

Next, we met Kris Preston, Bek Smallwood, and Mia Lequire with the Mountain Grrl Experience. What started as a one-day festival during COVID is now a weekend-long event that has donated over $40,000 to flood victims and provides a free Ovarian Screening Program through the University of Kentucky. We concluded the day by eating a wonderful meal from Made to Crave, provided by Rachelle Burchett with Appalachian Regional Healthcare. As we dined, we got to listen to the incredibly talented Junior Opry Pros.

Our final day of this session took place at the Pike County Library in Pikeville. We were so fortunate that Reggie Hickman, Pikeville City Manager, and Ray Jones, Pike County Judge Executive, took the time to speak with our class about advocating for our region and navigating both local and national politics. As we draw nearer and nearer to graduation, each session becomes more and more impactful and the friendships we’ve cultivated become stronger. We have all grown so much on both personal and professional levels. I know that every class says it, but the Leadership Kentucky BRIGHT Class of 2024 is the best class ever.