HealthCare Cats provide educational, altruistic opportunities for students

By Ella Rosner and Ryan Clark
CHS Contributors

Are you interested in giving back to the community, learning about professional healthcare options and helping to provide healthcare opportunities to students?

Maybe the HealthCare Cats are for you.

A student organization here on UK’s campus, HealthCare Cats aims to guide students who aspire to become future healthcare professionals. Originally created by students from rural areas who wanted more direction on how to become physicians, the HealthCare Cats want to provide an avenue into college and healthcare opportunities for rural students of Kentucky in order to create a better Commonwealth.

The organization hosts monthly meetings to provide students with plentiful opportunities for professional development, and also collaborates with many of UK’s professional schools to help undergraduate students better prepare for the next step in their education.

Now, the organization has grown to include almost 300 students, and last year, it was awarded the Lead Blue “New Student Organization of the Year” award.

We were able to catch up with Ashley Downing, a sophomore in the College of Health Sciences, who was recently chosen to be the president of HealthCare Cats for the 2024-2025 school year. The Human Health Sciences major (she’s on the pre-Physical Therapy track) from Union, Ky., said she feels like the organization has become a family — one that hopes to help as many others as they can.

Here's 5 questions with … HealthCare Cats President Ashley Downing:

1. What is HealthCare Cats? How did the club get started?

HealthCare Cats began with two students coming from rural areas of Kentucky: Jackson Miller, from Sharpe, Ky., and Ethan Morgan, from Fairdealing, Ky. Jackson and Ethan both felt that they did not have a clear roadmap of how to pursue their career aspirations of becoming physicians.

To help other students who felt the same way when navigating their future healthcare professions, Jackson and Ethan created a student organization during their sophomore year called HealthCare Cats!

Jackson and Ethan proceeded to develop a presentation that has since been shared with high school students in rural areas and college students to inspire them to take on a career in healthcare. The presentation also provided information on the various opportunities that each health care program had to offer at the University of Kentucky. HealthCare Cats hosts monthly meetings that focus on mentorship, community service, networking opportunities, outreach, and guest speakers. 

2. How did you first get involved with the club?

   

I first became involved with HealthCare Cats during my freshman year at the University of Kentucky. I have always been someone who loves to be involved, and HealthCare Cats immediately caught my eye. I attended the HealthCare Cats meetings along with the Ronald McDonald House community service events.

I loved being able to connect with members of HealthCare Cats while making dinners for families at the Ronald McDonald House. After my heavy involvement in HealthCare Cats, I was honored to be chosen as the new president. It has truly been one of the most rewarding and amazing roles I have taken.

3. What does the club provide for students and the community?

HealthCare Cats hosts monthly meetings that focus on mentorship, community service, networking opportunities, outreach, and guest speakers. The organization has a mentorship program that pairs freshmen HealthCare Cats members with upperclassmen in the organization. This allows students to connect with their upperclassmen peers, ask questions about health care opportunities, research, and graduate school requirements.

HealthCare Cats also has an outreach committee that allows our members to present our mission, the opportunities UK offers for students interested in healthcare, specific healthcare college requirements, and the importance of practicing in rural health communities and being aware of rural health disparities to high schools in rural areas.

HealthCare Cats also emphasizes the importance of volunteering and giving back to the community. We have taken part in making meals and cards for the Ronald McDonald House and caroling at UK Chandler Hospital. We are looking forward to our upcoming volunteering dates at God's Pantry.

4. What is your favorite memory from HealthCare Cats?

My favorite memory from HealthCare Cats was cooking chili for families at the Ronald McDonald House. This was the moment that I knew that HealthCare Cats was more than an organization, it was a family. I will never forget stirring the pot of chili and watching a wonderful group of students spend their weekend making dinner for families who are struggling. 

5. What are your plans after graduation?

After graduating from the University of Kentucky, I plan to attend the University of Kentucky Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) program. I then plan to graduate from the University of Kentucky DPT program and complete a pediatric residency. After completing my residency, my dream is to work at Cincinnati Children’s Hospital as an inpatient pediatric physical therapist.

BONUS: What advice would you give to a student who aspires to be a future healthcare professional? 

For any student who aspires to be a future healthcare professional, know that no matter what field you choose to go into, you are making an impact. There is always a place for you on the University of Kentucky's campus and there are so many opportunities for you to become more involved in your healthcare interests. Be involved! Ask questions! Market yourself! Meet new people! Find your community and find your passion! You are changing the world.