The 2025 John P. Wyatt, M.D. Environment and Health Symposium will be 8:30 a.m.-1 p.m. Tuesday, April 22, in the Gatton Student Center’s Worsham Cinema on the University of Kentucky campus.

Hosted by the UK Center for the Environment, the Wyatt Symposium celebrates the enduring contributions of John P. Wyatt, M.D., a pioneer in environmental and clinical research, particularly in air pollution and lung pathology. The event brings together universities and agencies from across the state to honor legacy achievements in environmental public health and the impact for Kentucky. 

The symposium will begin with three-minute lightning research student presentations at 9 a.m. followed by welcome and awardee presentation at 10 a.m.

Ellen Hahn, Ph.D., a professor emerita in the UK College of Nursing, is this year’s John P. Wyatt, M.D. Awardee and will give the keynote presentation titled “Lowering Tobacco Smoke Exposure Through Local Policy Change: Using Research to Inform Environmental Health Policy.”

“Dr. Ellen Hahn is a trailblazer for environmental public health as she worked tirelessly to protect lives of Kentuckians from the toxic chemicals found in second hand tobacco smoke. Her research exemplifies her dedication to advancing the critical intersection of environment public health research and policy. We are thrilled to have her share her expertise and inspire meaningful dialogue on Earth Day,” said symposium organizer Erin Haynes, Dr.P.H., the Kurt W. Deuschle Professor of Preventive Medicine and Environmental Health in the UK College of Public Health and director of the UK Center for the Environment and UK Center for Appalachian Research in Environmental Sciences.

After the keynote presentation, at 11 a.m., there will be two panelists. Ryan Salzman, Ph.D., project director at OneNKY Alliance, will present “Working Both Sides: Lessons from a Policy Maker Turned Advocate.” He works on a wide range of public interest projects, including the advancement of smoke-free policies, bike trail development and shared governance initiatives.

Shavonnie R. Carthens, J.D., an assistant professor of law at the UK J. David Rosenberg College of Law, will present “Using Academic Research to Inform Community Advocates.” Her scholarly interests examine issues of public health law, environmental health law and health challenges, with a focus on how legal interventions might improve access to healthy living environments for a variety of communities.

Student awards will be presented at 11:45 a.m., followed by a networking lunch at noon on the South Terrace.

Registration is still open. Registrants can participate in person or by Zoom. The complete agenda and symposium registration is available online.

This event is made possible by the support of the John P. Wyatt family. Symposium partners include colleges and centers from UK, Eastern Kentucky University, Hazard Community and Technical College, Kentucky State University, the University of Louisville, Northern Kentucky University and Thomas More University.