CCTS Launches New Community Health Worker Program
LEXINGTON, Ky. (Nov. 20, 2025) — The UK Center for Clinical and Translational Science is pleased to announce the availability of Community Health Workers through the Committing to Health Engagement and Care in Kentucky (CHECK) Program.
CHECK Community Health Workers (CHWs) are certified by the Kentucky Department of Public Health and have specialized training that equips them to support research and community-focused initiatives led by University of Kentucky investigators and UK HealthCare. CHECK CHWs foster a sustainable, bidirectional connection between the University of Kentucky and communities across central Kentucky.
Dr. Lovoria B. Williams, professor in the UK College of Nursing and Associate Director of the CCTS, directs the program. She says the vision for CHECK began while she was participating in the Vice President for Research’s Leadership Academy.
“CHECK leverages the Center for Clinical & Translational Science's existing infrastructure as the core unit at University of Kentucky for supporting research efforts and translational science.Through their CCTS role and knowledge of the community, the CHWs are prepared to gather community input, support translational science and community-engaged research, and disseminate sustainable, evidence-based health interventions," Williams said.
Full-time CHWs are on staff at the CCTS and are now available to support activities such as:
- Obtaining informed consent
- Community outreach
- Clinical support
- Cultural mediation
- Data collection
- Navigation to social services
- Participant recruitment
- Delivering health promotion interventions
- and more!
To request CHECK services or discuss how the program could assist your work, please submit a CCTS Service Request Form.
Media Contact: Mallory Profeta, mallory.profeta@uky.edu
