Xylazine, a veterinary anesthetic commonly referred to as “tranq,” has recently made its way into the illicit drug supply as a drug adulterant to enhance the effects of fentanyl, a potent opioid that can be lethal even in small amounts. The new drug combination has resulted in a 1,127% increase in xylazine-positive overdose mortalities in the American south from 2020 to 2021, and results in other problematic health effects including tissue necrosis. Now two researchers at the University of Kentucky will use a $2.65M grant to study how xylazine and fentanyl change the brain’s signaling pathways. This week Dr. Greg talks with Cassandra Gipson-Reichardt, associate professor in the University of Kentucky College of Medicine’s Department of Pharmacology and Nutritional Sciences, who is conducting the study with fellow professor Terry Hinds, Jr.

Dr. Greg talks with D'Lorah Hughes, director of the UK Legal Clinic. She explains how the help provided by the clinic's third year law students can make a difference in the health and wellbeing of its clients.

The World Health Organization ranks antimicrobial resistance as one of the top 10 global public health threats. A University of Kentucky researcher is trying to change that. She talks about her mission and goals with Dr. Greg Davis.

University of Kentucky Human Resources Elder Care, in partnership with the UK Sanders-Brown Center on Aging, is hosting several events for Dementia Caregivers Week, Nov. 7-10. The theme for the week is "Embracing the Dementia Caregivers Journey." On Wednesday, Nov. 8, the Elder Care lunch and learn session will feature former Wisconsin Gov. Marty Schreiber, who will discuss his book “My Two Elaines.” Schreiber provided care for his wife, Elaine, who lived with Alzheimer’s disease for nearly 20 years. Dr. Greg recently spoke with Marty about his journey to write the book.

Karyn Czar has been off the WUKY airwaves while she recovers from a recent bone marrow transplant; part of her treatment plan for the disease multiple myeloma. Her friend and colleague Dr. Greg Davis scored the first post-op interview with the newly named Kentucky Broadcaster's Association Radio and Political Reporter of the year.

Are Kentucky patients and communities healthy? Are people being taken care of in their communities? University of Kentucky College of Public Health (CPH) alum Andrea Flinchum has spent many years answering these questions. For her, it's all about helping people, building trust and partnerships, and "doing better for others than what you did yesterday." Flinchum is currently the manager for the Healthcare-Associated Infection/Antibiotic Resistance Prevention Program at the Kentucky Department for Public Health (KDPH), furthering their mission of preventing and eliminating health care-associated infections and antibiotic resistant organisms. She talks with Dr. Greg about what she's learned along the way.

The University of Kentucky announced in September that the Markey Cancer Center has earned a National Cancer Institute “Comprehensive” Cancer Center designation, the highest level of recognition awarded by the NCI. Markey is the first and only center in Kentucky to achieve this designation, and the next-closest Comprehensive Cancer Center is nearly 200 miles from Lexington. There are currently only 72 NCI-Designated Cancer Centers in the country, and 56 of those are Comprehensive Cancer Centers. Dr. Greg speaks with Center Director Dr. Mark Evers about the remarkable achievement.

Flu, RSV and COVID: What are the chances that the healthcare system will be overwhelmed by cases of all three this fall and winter? Dr. Greg talks with Vaneet Arora, associate professor of pathology and laboratory medicine at UK HealthCare.

The COVID-19 public health emergency may be officially over, but COVID has not completely disappeared from concern. In fact, Lexington hospitals are seeing an increase in COVID patients this summer. With a new COVID vaccine coming this fall, the UK Pharmacist Care Clinic's Jim Hallahan, Pharm.D., and Ryan Babb, Pharm.D., answer some questions you may have. Dr. Greg talks one on one with Hallahan.

Sydney Clark is now a disability and preparedness specialist for the Tennessee Department of Health, a state agency with the mission of protecting and improving the health of people in the state of Tennessee. She was born with a genetic condition that resulted in losing her vision over time. However, Clark never allowed her disability to stop her from achieving her academic and professional goals — attending the University of Kentucky and becoming a public health influencer and champion.Some of her projects have included examining emergency plans for inclusivity and providing preparedness for people that need electronic medical devices. She talks about her work on this week's edition of Dr. Greg Davis on Medicine.