Advancing health equity research requires a lot of work behind the scenes, and that work is wide-ranging. Sustainable success is found by opening doors for more experts to train, join the workforce, and improve health care for future generations.
The UK College of Medicine’s star in these efforts is Ariel Arthur, MPH. Under the behavioral science department and the Center for Health Equity Transformation, Ariel is instrumental in organizing and facilitating a variety of programming and training that enhances pathways for physicians and researchers of all backgrounds and training levels.
Her work aligns with her personal mission – to build bridges between future physicians and researchers and their passion for service.
Ariel spent her year developing a more inclusive workforce and helping more trainees pursue their dreams.
Ariel has been a part of the University of Kentucky since 2019, joining shortly after the UK Center for Health Equity Transformation (CHET) was established. As a member of the core leadership team, she played a major role in shaping the center’s work in its first five years.
She facilitates efforts for belonging and inclusion within the UK College of Medicine Department of Behavioral Science. In addition, under the guidance of the Office of Community Advancement, she joins fellow ambassadors from clinical and basic science departments, offices, and centers to develop more inclusive practices across the college.
There is some overlap, but each role has its own unique purpose.
“With CHET, my role is broader in terms of administrative management,” Ariel says. “My role in behavioral science is very much centered on inclusive initiatives.”
Having a public health background, Ariel brings solid experience to these roles. Her mindset is focused on how to help promote better population health outcomes.
“I’m really committed to fairness,” she says. “I always ask the questions, ‘Why are things the way they are now? What can history tell us about those things, and what will work moving forward?’”
To Ariel, who better to help answer those questions than the next generation?
She plays a major role in programming that aims to recruit, retain, and develop future health care and research leaders of all backgrounds.
For example, Ariel helps facilitate the application process, onboarding, and activities for the White Coats for Black Lives (WCBL) fellowship. This program, launched by the department of behavioral science, is offered to all rising second-year medical students. Participants enhance their understanding of health inequities and leave the program better prepared to care for underserved patient populations.
In total, there have been three cohorts and 11 fellows so far.
In a KET interview this past winter, ahead of the 2024 application season, Ariel joined WCBL participant Rachel Cooper to explain the benefits of the program.
She also helps run CHET’s Students Participating as Ambassadors for Research in Kentucky (SPARK) program. SPARK connects undergraduate students, “SPARKlers,” with mentors to develop a research project and enhance their resume for future academic and employment endeavors.
The program has supported 17 students in its five years. Seven are completing undergraduate degrees. Three have graduated and are enrolled in graduate or medical school. Seven have graduated and are engaged in medical research careers.
This year’s cohort included six students (four from the University of Kentucky and two from Kentucky State University.)
At the end of the year, the new cohort attended a meet-and-greet with recent SPARK graduates, which Ariel says is a crucial way for the program experience to improve each year.
As a public health professional, Ariel knows how important community relationships are to making progress.
She joined SPARKlers Treasure Ebikwo, Carey Beth Smith, and Maddie Duff in Louisville, Ky., to meet with Aetna Better Health Kentucky. Aetna has supported the SPARK program since January 2022 and provides Medicaid coverage for Kentucky residents at an affordable housing development run by LDG Development.
“LDG shared lots of health, education, and food and economic security-based initiatives to address resident needs,” Ariel says.
The SPARK team also met with Anthem BlueCross BlueShield Kentucky Medicaid and a panel of employees at the Louisville Center for Health Equity, where they learned about various facets of local health department equity-focused work, including pivots during the COVID-19 response, strides in population-level equity, and emerging threats to public health and equity.
Last, they met with Trinidad Jackson, PhD, MPH, MS, assistant dean of culture and liberation at the University of Louisville School of Public Health and Information Sciences and senior advisor to the department for community-based services commissioner.
Ariel sees the impact of her work in real time.
Some of her favorite words from her students are those that signify a renewed dream.
I had no idea how to be a researcher, and now I have a mentor.
This project has been so meaningful to me.
I never knew I could do something like this.
“Hearing some of them share about the impact and what they hope to do in the future has been great,” Ariel says. “Through some of our programming efforts, being able to see people make those connections and then go on to collaborate on grants or other projects, it's incredibly rewarding to witness.”
She was extremely proud to see her SPARKlers’ hard work come full circle during the 19th annual Center for Clinical and Translational Science Spring Conference.
Maddie Duff and Treasure Ebikwo completed oral presentations. Jade Forest, Ellis Jackson, Segen Mussie, and Carey Beth Smith presented posters about their research. Topics included chronic diseases, social needs, HIV, health screenings, and health disparities for Black Americans and those in Appalachia.
“This was their culminating experience of the program,” Ariel says. “It’s their moment to shine, and it’s really neat to see.”
In October 2023, CHET celebrated its five-year anniversary. The center is on the verge of exciting developments, and Ariel continues to play a major role.
She helped recruit and onboard four new faculty members as part of a health equity cluster through CHET and the UK College of Medicine Department of Behavioral Science to improve the health of the most vulnerable residents of Kentucky and beyond.
These researchers bring a wide range of expertise and research interests to UK and will help the University address health disparities:
Those who know Ariel know that she is a quiet performer, but her work behind the scenes is vital.
“I have been working with Ariel for three years now. As CHET’s manager, Ariel makes all CHET’s research and training efforts possible. As a CHET graduate research assistant, I came in my first year with a lot of questions. Ariel has patiently answered my questions and is CHET’s go-to person to ask how to get something done. Many times, I’ve been in a meeting where the to-do item is to “ask Ariel.” She is integral to CHET’s success and ability to impact health equity."
The Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion* was thrilled to bestow Ariel with the inaugural College of Medicine Ambassador Service Award at the first ambassador retreat in January.
The award recognized Ariel for her work in community involvement and outreach. Specifically, the honor noted her integral role in the success of the WCBL fellowship.
When one program ends, another begins. Ariel knows that each cohort of students and trainees signifies new beginnings for the future of health care.
For Ariel, the “a-ha” moment comes to her whenever she hears from students. After all, they are the next generation helping shape health care and research.
If she can be part of bridging the divide for their opportunities, she will consider her job complete.
“I hope I was a sower of good seeds,” she says. “I hope I contributed to the education and careers of those impacted by my work in a way that will produce a more just and healthier future.”
*The Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion closed in August 2024.
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