University of Kentucky's Rural Family Medicine Program

02/27/2026

Happy Thank A Resident Day from the hills of Eastern Kentucky!

Today we're pausing to shine the spotlight on our incredible residents here at the UKFM Rural.

These are the people who wake up before sunrise, stay long after sunset, and show up for the people of rural Kentucky — day in and day out. They deliver babies, manage chronic illness, treat your neighbor's knee and your grandma's heart — often the same afternoon. 🏥🌄

Rural medicine isn't just a specialty — it's a calling. And our residents answer it every. single. day.

To our UKFM Rural residents: Thank you for choosing this community. Thank you for choosing this work. We see you, we're proud of you, and Eastern Kentucky is better because of you!

Drop a ❤️ to show our residents some love, or tag a resident who deserves a shoutout today!

12/21/2025

May this holiday season illuminate your path, warm your heart, and fill your life with boundless joy and love. Season's Greetings from the UKFM Rural! ✨🎄

12/09/2025

🌟PROGRAM LEADERSHIP SPOTLIGHT 🌟
Meet our Associate Program Director, Marie Dennison, MD!
Hometown: Salyersville, KY
Medical School: University of Louisville School of Medicine
Residency: University of Kentucky Rural (Morehead) Family Medicine Program

Why did you join UK St. Claire?
I always knew I wanted to come back home to practice in eastern Kentucky after residency. I felt confident our residency would equip me with the skill set I would need to comfortably enter practice after graduation. During residency I realized how unique our program is in regards to the relationships residents form with their Family Medicine attendings and specialists. I appreciated the range of procedures I could do here and the generational care I get to practice. By graduation I hated the idea of giving up my work family, the families I care for in clinic, or my scope of practice here, so I joined as a faculty after my graduation in 2017.

What’s the most rewarding aspect of your job?
I’m really proud to see our residents grow from nervous interns who need guidance to independent clinicians by graduation. It’s rewarding to see how far they’ve come and to reflect upon how many patient lives are impacted for years to come by our program

If you weren’t in medicine/healthcare, what career path would you have chosen?
I’ve always wanted to be a doctor. As a kid I did say I might be an astronaut or rockstar on the side. I did take a course in Hawaii during college and would love marine biology

What’s your spirit animal, and why?
Definitely a dog. Fiercely loyal? Check. Wary of strangers? Check. Easily distracted? Check. Aways up for a fun adventure? Triple check! More specifically, I’m a mutt- my hobbies are all over the place, love all music genres, same for my decor and clothing, on top of, of course, going into the medical field with the most variety. Just call me a Heinz 57 dog!

What's your favorite quote or mantra that you live by?
The good physician treats the disease; the great physician treats the patient who has the disease.

11/21/2025

Last Friday we broke out the Aqua Net, Pac Man and leg warmers, throwing it back to the 80’s to celebrate the Northeast AHEC’s 40th Anniversary and honor our amazing regional preceptors! 🎉✨

A huge congratulations to Dr. Nancy Henly (UK St. Claire Pediatrics) on receiving the Lifetime Achievement Award for her years of dedication to educating future healthcare leaders. 🙌💙

We also celebrated one of our own, Dr. Nathan Kaufmann (PGY-2), for his incredible commitment to helping students explore health career pathways through hands-on training and skill development. 👏🩺

What an unforgettable night and thank you to all of our regional preceptors and the Northeast AHEC! 💫

11/14/2025

Kentucky’s rural communities deserve great doctors close to home — and that’s exactly what UKFM Rural is building.

We’ve been named to the Rural Medical Training Collaborative’s 2025 Rural Recognition List, honoring programs that train physicians who choose to serve rural communities. 💙🏥

UK HealthCare UK St. Claire Rural Family Medicine Residency earns national recognition By Crystal Staley Nov. 5, 2025 of MOREHEAD, Ky. (Nov. 5, 2025) — The University of Kentucky Rural Morehead Family Medicine Residency, located at UK St. Claire, has earned national recognition for its proven succ...

11/14/2025

🌟PROGRAM LEADERSHIP SPOTLIGHT 🌟

Meet our Program Director, Craig H. Burrows, MD, FAAFP!

Hometown: Newfane, New York (one stop light & plenty of farmland!)

Medical School: State University New York Jacobs College of Medicine and Biomedical Science at Buffalo

Residency: Saint Vincent Hospital - Erie, Pennsylvania

I spent my childhood helping neighbors with their cows, picking potatoes, loading hay, tending our family’s large garden, and riding my bike down country roads to friends’ homes.

In high school, I balanced academics with athletics and the arts, playing baseball, basketball, and golf while performing in school musicals, competing on the academic team, staying active in Boy Scouts, and attending church regularly.

In 1996 my National Health Service Corps commitment brought me to St. Claire Regional Medical Center's Menifee Clinic in Frenchburg, KY. I’ve been here ever since.

At UK St. Claire, I practice full-spectrum family medicine—from inpatient and outpatient care to obstetrics, pediatrics, geriatrics, home visits, and sports medicine. This broad scope of practice is the reason I came to Morehead and it is the reason I’ve stayed. Developing our residency program and training future family physicians has become one of the most meaningful aspects of my career.

Outside of work, I enjoy running, mountain biking, golf, time on the lake, and an array of outdoor activities. Above all, I love spending time with my wife, our four children and their spouses, and our six grandchildren, who continue to be the greatest joy of my life.

10/31/2025

🎃 Halloween Spirit at UK St. Claire! 👻

UKFM Rural brought the Halloween fun to a very special patient on our inpatient service! Led by our inpatient attending, Dr. Bri Ishmael, and PGY-2 resident Dr. Hayden Ton, our amazing residents and staff at UK St. Claire came together to make trick-or-treat happen — right in the hospital!

Thank you to everyone who helped bring smiles, laughter, and a touch of spooky cheer to our patient’s day. 🖤🧡🥷

10/30/2025

This week UK St. Claire is shining the spotlight on our Associate Director of Osteopathic Education, Dr. Tyler Dittmann!

Through his leadership, Dr. Dittmann helps bridge the gap between clinical care and osteopathic philosophy—ensuring that residents at UK St. Claire graduate with both technical skill and a compassionate, holistic mindset. His work strengthens the program’s mission of improving rural health outcomes across Eastern Kentucky, where osteopathic principles have long played a vital role in comprehensive family medicine.

10/24/2025

🌟 RESIDENT SPOTLIGHT 🌟
Meet our PGY-3, Chief Resident, Lexi Ousley, DO!

What inspired you to choose family medicine as your specialty?
o I chose family medicine originally because I enjoyed almost all of the medical practices. However, I continued the path for family medicine because of the life change you get to see in people. I get to deliver babies, watch them grow up and take care of the rest of the family. Family medicine is the only specialty you get to see life start and hold an elderly patient’s hand as they pass away in the same day. It is the front line of medicine. I am the first to know what is going on with my patients, I get to tell them the good and the bad and stay with them through it all. The relationships you get to build are lifechanging not only for the medical care of patients, but for myself.

Why did you pick the UK FM Rural?
o I love the city of Morehead, so I chose to come here for my medical school rotations. Once I got here, I fit right in and knew this was the program for me. Everyone was so kind and welcoming. The residents and attendings here care deeply about this community and will do everything it takes to get their patients the care they need.

What's your favorite aspect of living and working in the Morehead community?
o The small town feel has always been my favorite thing. I also love being outdoors and this place is so beautiful. It is not far from a big city if you feel like you need to get out for a bit, but I feel like I have everything I need here.

What's something interesting about you that not many people know?
o I have recently gotten into gardening, baking and sourdough. My love language is food.

If you were stranded on a deserted island, what three items would you want to have with you?
o My dog, my husband and a water filter.

10/16/2025

🌟 RESIDENT SPOTLIGHT 🌟
Meet our PGY-3, Celina Charles, MD!

What inspired you to choose family medicine as your specialty?
o I love the great variety of presentations we see in Family Medicine including caring for patients of all ages. I love the continuity of care we provide as we care for patients in a variety of settings.

Why did you pick the UK FM Rural?
o I wanted to complete my residency in an unopposed program in a beautiful rural setting, and Morehead fit the bill perfectly.

What's your favorite aspect of living and working in the Morehead community?
o I have loved being in Morehead. The providers and other staff with whom I work are deeply invested in their patients.

What's something interesting about you that not many people know?
o I love to run! My favorite place to run in Morehead is on the trails at Eagle Lake.

If you were stranded on a deserted island, what three items would you want to have with you?
o I would bring a violin, a blanket, and a big Bowie knife.

10/09/2025

🌟 RESIDENT SPOTLIGHT 🌟
Meet our PGY-2, Dalton House, MD!

What inspired you to choose family medicine as your specialty?
o I had an interest in everything in medicine. I felt like family medicine allowed me to practice all of the different parts of medicine.

Why did you pick the UK FM Rural?
o I grew up in a rural town in central Kentucky and saw disparities people faced because of their surroundings. I enjoy small town life and the community that comes with it.

What's your favorite aspect of living and working in the Morehead community?
o Togetherness- everyone looks out for one another.

What's something interesting about you that not many people know?
o I’m left handed.

If you were stranded on a deserted island, what three items would you want to have with you?
o I’d want my Macbook pro, ipad, & iphone!

10/06/2025

🎉 National Primary Care Week | October 6–10, 2025 🎉

🏥 Family Medicine: The Heart of Primary Care
Family physicians are uniquely trained to care for people of all ages and stages — from newborns to seniors — and address most health concerns, regardless of condition. They:

✅ Build lifelong, trusting relationships with patients
✅ Consider social, community, and family factors that impact health
✅ Serve as the first contact for any health concerns
✅ Coordinate care with specialists and hospitals
✅ Use technology and data to improve health outcomes

This week, we recognize the vital role of primary care providers — especially those in rural communities — who make compassionate, comprehensive care possible every day.

💙 Thank you to all who dedicate their lives to keeping our communities healthy.