Center for Excellence in Rural Health-Hazard

Local UK Student Wins Social Work Scholarship

HAZARD, Ky. (September 10, 2009) − For the second consecutive year, a student in the University of Kentucky’s Southeast Kentucky Master of Social Work Program has received the prestigious Fay Friedman Scholarship Award.

Garnet Sexton of Viper recently won the 2009 award − a $2,000 scholarship, sponsored by the Bluegrass Mental Health-Mental Retardation Board. Sexton, who is scheduled to graduate in May, formerly was a substance abuse counselor for Kentucky River Community Care. She now works in Hazard for UK’s Targeted Assessment Program.

"This means everything," Sexton said. "It’s a stretch, both personally and financially, for me to attend classes right now."

The competitive scholarship is given annually to a faculty-nominated master of social work student on any UK campus. Selection is based in part on a narrative that describes nominees’ accomplishments and future career goals. Sexton was nominated by Deirdra Robinson, coordinator of UK’s Southeast Kentucky Master of Social Work Program.

"Garnet is the type of student who is always seeking out additional information," Robinson said. "Her life experiences and desire to learn made her the perfect candidate for this scholarship award."

More than 95 percent of the UK Southeast Kentucky Master of Social Work Program’s graduates practice in rural Kentucky. The program is based at the UK Center for Excellence in Rural Health, which is located at 750 Morton Blvd. in Hazard.

The center works to improve the health of Kentucky’s Appalachian people through education, research, health care services and community engagement initiatives. For more information about the center and its programs, you may call (606) 439-3557.