Lake Cumberland Compass, May 2025 by LCCompass

LAKE CUMBERLAND

Why this issue looks a little different

You may notice this issue is slimmer than usual — just 16 pages instead of our typical 32. That’s intentional. Rather than skip May entirely or compromise the quality of our full-length edition, I chose to publish a focused, streamlined issue. It allows me to honor commitments to our current advertisers while continuing to share stories that reflect the heart of our region.

This was a tough call — but it’s the kind that comes with running an independent publication. Every issue of Lake Cumberland Compass is created from scratch, without corporate backing, and entirely fueled by local support.

A friend, trying to comfort my distress over this issue going south, offered me these words: “This isn’t a reflection of your value or the quality of the magazine. It’s a reflection of where we are as a culture — stretched, distracted, and not always aware of the real cost of what gets taken for granted.”

If you’ve ever considered placing an ad or sharing this magazine with a friend, now is the perfect time. Every bit of support helps us keep telling great stories about amazing people in Pulaski County and beyond.

It’s about more than just ad space. It’s about creating lasting connections, supporting each other, and sharing stories that matter. But like any business, Lake Cumberland Compass needs community support to thrive.

When you advertise with us, your business gets lasting visibility:

• A permanent spot in our digital flipbook

• A blog post with a direct link to your website

• Social media support throughout the month — including shares, not just mentions

Ad packages start at just $130/month for an eighth-page ad. Every advertiser — big or small — receives the same care and support.

I also offer discounts for non-profits and Chamber members because I believe in investing in our community. I want to give back — but I also need to ensure this work is sustainable and valued.

If you’ve enjoyed the stories shared in Compass, please consider supporting the publication. Your ad does more than appear on a page — it helps keep the heart of locally-owned storytelling alive.

Want to be part of the June issue? The deadline is May 8.

Thank you for picking up this copy.

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Volume 2, Issue 4 May 2025

–PUBLISHER / EDITOR / DESIGNER–Lisa Rowell

–ADVERTISING SALES–info@LCCompass.com

—CONTRIBUTORS—

• Lake Cumberland Regional Hospita

• Dr. Manoj Chandran

• Kristy Brown

Lake Cumberland Compass is an independently published periodical in Somerset, Kentucky, by Compass Communications, LLC. Content is for entertainment purposes only. Print copies are distributed throughout Pulaski County. Digital flip books are available for free at LCCompass.com.

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced or stored for retrieval by any means without written permission by the publisher. The publisher is not responsible for unsolicited materials and accepts no responsibility for the contents or accuracy of claims in any advertisement. Lake Cumberland Compass is not responsible or liable for any errors or omissions and reserves the right to refuse or reject any submitted content. The opinions of contributing writers do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the publisher.

LCCompass.com

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Format: Online ISSN 2998-3576

Format: Print ISSN 2998-3568

Cover photo of Jerome Gullett and his horse LuLu by Lisa Rowell

Member: SomersetPulaski Chamber of Commerce

Hippotherapy

Dr. Michael Coldiron of Total Pediatric Therapy in Somerset, explains how “hippotherapy” is helping area children with their therapy through the assistance of

Stroke Awareness Month

Dr. Prostko, a hospitalist at LCRH talks with us about his own stroke experience.

Readers to Leaders Storybook Trail

Jessica Carlton

Mental Health Matters

Dr. Manoj Chandran provides tips on how

Hippotherapy

NEIGH, IT’S NOT ABOUT HIPPOS!

Story and photos by Lisa Rowell

When you first hear the term, “hippotherapy,” it’s easy to do a double take and ask, “Hippo WHAT?”

As the subheading implies, hippotherapy has nothing to do with hippopotamuses—or is it hippopotami?

The term actually comes from the Greek word “hippos,” meaning horse.

Hippotherapy is a therapeutic approach that uses the movement of a horse in physical, occupational, or speech-language therapy to help individuals with neurodegenerative disorders like multiple sclerosis or

cerebral palsy. By engaging core muscles, balance, and coordination, it significantly improves gross motor function.

Meet Dr. Coldiron

Michael Coldiron, OTD, OTR/L, CAS, is an occupational therapist at Total Pediatric Therapy in Somerset, where children receive occupational (OT), speech (SLP), and physical therapy (PT) services. A Somerset native, he specializes in pediatric therapy and holds certifications in Autism and Feeding Programs.

Dr. Coldiron emphasizes that hippotherapy isn’t a separate

program but an integrated technique within standard therapy sessions to enhance patient outcomes.

A team effort

“Some days we’ve had four horses and all-day patients scheduled,” Dr. Coldiron says of the hippotherapy sessions. “Everybody involved has a career so we squeeze in as much as we can.”

Dr. Coldiron says it takes a whole lot of team effort to have a session. Each session has one or two therapists — for instance a physical and occupational therapist; a technician or “sidewalker” who walks beside the horse on the opposite side of the therapist, and the handler in the front who is leading the horse.

Depending on a patient’s needs, the therapist, who is in charge of the visit, will ask the handler to guide the horse to do specific movements. Dr. Coldiron said the hippotherapy session will replace an in-office visit and could last about 30 minutes, depending on the tolerance level of the child.

Jerome Gullett, who owns horses “Bay-be” and “LuLu,” plus two others used in the program, says the most sessions he recalls in one day were 24.

“We have a waiting list for our clinic patients who want to do hippotherapy,” Dr. Coldiron said. “We don’t currently have the means to get them all in so we’re rotating.”

“I’m always careful when we’re talking about hippotherapy,” Dr. Coldiron said. “In all the trainings we’ve done to prep us for doing

this — meshing health care with equine skill — we’re careful to say that it’s not about learning to ride a horse.” Dr. Coldiron explains that the children don’t have goals to learn to control or tack a horse. “That’s not what we’re doing. Those are riding lessons.”

He explains: “We’re using the horse’s movement to do specific things to the body or the brain of a patient.” The team’s patients who have taken part in the hippotherapy sessions have included those with autism spectrum disorder, pediatric stroke patients, cerebral palsy, and other conditions.

“There are certain diagnoses that are contraindicated,” Dr. Coldiron said. He explained that those conditions would make it unsafe for patients to have hippotherapy. “It’s not only a bad decision, it’s against the law and against our licensing board.”

Certification

Before offering hippotherapy, Dr. Coldiron and his team underwent rigorous training and certification. The American Hippotherapy Certification Board (AHCB) endorses voluntary certification to ensure the safe and effective application of hippotherapy.

From its website, The American Hippotherapy Certification Board (AHCB) states they endorse the concept of voluntary, periodic certification by examination for all professionals who use hippotherapy in their practice and that certification promotes delivery of safe and effective treatment.”

Dr. Coldiron and Jerome both said it took many months from the time they decided to use Jerome’s horses for this purpose, until it became a reality.

Not only did the staff and volunteers need to be trained but the and the horses needed to go through extensive training as well.

Jerome’s horses

Jerome Gullett, of the Kentucky Natural Gaited Horse Association (KNGHA), provides specially trained horses for hippotherapy. His horses exhibit a smooth, even four-beat gait, creating stable, rhythmic movements—crucial for riders with physical or developmental challenges.

Jerome, who is Dr. Coldiron’s neighbor, says working with the horses provides stress relief for him too. The horse owner also has a full time job in addition to the work he does with the horses.

The horses are put through “desensitization” training to ensure they are capable of handling the many distractions they will be exposed to during a therapy session.

LuLu (the white horse) is eight years old and she is expecting a foal soon. Jerome said it was her first time being at a hippotherapy session.

Bay-Be (or Baby Baby) is 11. Interestingly, she has one blue eye and one brown eye. Jerome said she was the first horse they used in the hippotherapy. She’s also a favorite of Ellie Cromer, a young patient who eagerly anticipates each session.

Reining in expectations

Dr. Coldiron said many elements have to come together just right for hippotherapy sessions to take place. Keep in mind the staff also operates a clinic in the building behind the outdoor sessions so there are logistics all around to be worked out.

Left: Five-year-old Elli Cromer rides “Bay-be” as part of her therapy with Total Pediatric Therapy in Somerset. Assisting her are Lori Meece, DPT (in the gray shirt); and Emily Hall, an EKU occupational therapy grad student (in the pink shirt). Above right: Lu Lu with Jerome Gullett, who is the handler for both horses. Below right: Michael Coldiron, OTD, OTR/L, CAS, leads Baybe during Ellie’s therapy.

Summertime at the PULASKI COUNTY LIBRARY

Bookmobile Summer Feeding:

June 9 to July 18

Colonial Village

12:00-12:30

Harris Hills .............................. 12:45-1:00

Cumberland Manor 2:15-2:45

Hope Way ................................. 3:00-3:20

Free meals-to-go lunch for anyone 18 and younger. Free activities and programs throughout the week.

Children’s Department

June 2025

Mon., 2nd @ 11 AM: Animal Tales

Tues., 3rd @ 1 PM: Storytime w/ Jonathan New

Wed., 4th @ 4 PM: Painting Class w/Ms. Olivia*

Fri., 5th @ 2 PM: Sugar Rush Speedway Party

Sat., 7th, 10 AM-12 PM: Truck Day

Mon., 9th @ 11 AM: Hooked on Science

Tues., 10th @ 1 PM: Storytime w/ Music & Movement

Wed., 11th @ 2 PM: Paper Sculptures

Fri., 13th @ 3 PM: Candyland Tea Party *

Sat., 14th @ 11AM: Meet us for Storytime at Woodstock Lavendar Farm

Mon., 16th @ 11AM: KY Reptile Zoo

Tues., 17th @ 1PM: Storytime & Yoga

Wed., 18th @ 3PM: Squirt Gun Painting Activity in the Garden

Thurs., 19th: Closed

Fri., 20th @ 2PM: Charlie & the Chocolate Factory Book Party

Mon., 23rd @ 1PM: Barry Mitchell & Sam the Turtle

Tues., 24th @ 1PM: Storytime & Karate

Wed., 25th @ 2PM: Mondrian Art

Thurs., 27th, 10AM-2PM: The END Inflatables, chalk art, outdoor games and more!

Sat. 28th: Closed

* Indicates sign up required.

Art-Themed Scavenger Hunt in the Garden All Month Long!

Contact your Pulaski County Public Library branch for summer activities and feeding schedules!

304 So. Main St. 606-679-8401

@pcpchildrens

It’s difficult to say who’s enjoying this hippotherapy session more — therapist Lori Meece, patient Ellie Cromer, or horse handler Jerome Gullett who never stopped smiling.

“We’re trying to expand our group of handlers,” he said, adding they’ve been fortunate to have such a high quality of people involved the program. “There’s a process involved to make sure they’re comfortable around children and the horses. Can they handle the horse safely? So the more handlers we get the more flexibility we have. The long term goal — we want to do this a LOT.”

Prospective volunteer handlers should to be 18 or older and have experience with horses. They also need to go through extensive training. The teams always have to be prepared for the unexpected and have the patient’s safety and best interests in mind.

Dr. Coldiron said that this time of year, when the weather cooperates, they might only get in a few hours each week with the horses.

really structured and specific communication,” Dr. Coldiron said.

Ellie and Bay-be

As with all patients in hippotherapy, when Ellie Cromer arrived for her session, all safety precautions were adhered to before she ever went near the horse. Ellie is one of four daughters of Charles and April Cromer of Somerset.

With helmet and gait belt in place, Ellie took to Bay-be like an old friend. And Bay-be welcomed her. Charles said Ellie has been participating in hippotherapy sessions for three months. “Every single day she asks to ride her horse Bay-be,” Charles said. It’s easy to see how this little girl and “her horse” have bonded. “She’s been on some of the other horses but that’s her favorite one,” he said.

For now, it’s only his clinic’s active patients who are participating in the hippotherapy which is billed through his office just like every other therapy session they offer. He said every session is noted in the medical chart and every movement or speech is notated. Each guided movement of the horse is designed for a specific purpose for each patient. “There’s

With physical therapist Dr. Lori Meece, and EKU occupational therapy grad student Emily Hall at Bay-be’s sides, Jerome took Dr. Meece’s instruction in guiding the horse around the pen. For Ellie, it seemed like fun and games while she placed rings on pool noodles throughout the pen and eagerly listened to Dr. Meece’s instructions for her.

Dr. Coldiron explained that Ellie has cerebral palsy and was receiving both physical and occupational therapy that day. “Everything we’re doing here, the position of the horse’s withers [part of the spinal column that projects upwards between the shoulder blades] in relation to her hips, is promoting a stretch,” he explained. “We’re asking her to shift her weight a lean a certain way.” He said the motions they are asking Ellie to do all have specific purposes and are not random.

Charles said he has learned a lot from watching Ellie’s sessions. “You can definitely tell a difference,” he said. n

For more information, visit: totalpediatrictherapy. com/; americanhippotherapyassociation.org/

Ellie works with placing rings on pool noodles which are strategically placed around the track as Lori notes her movements and Emily helps keep her secure. One or two rings found their way onto Ellie’s helmet and on Bay-Be’s ears.)

Watershed Arts Alliance visibly, accessibly, and inclusively will:

• Facilitate spaces that reflect diversity

• Offer a variety of unique programming

• Foster the board scope of art

• Connect artists and organizations with existing resources

• Support programs directly to amplify their impact on the Lake Cumberland Community

Join us:

• Southeastern Kentucky African-American Museum and Cultural Center Quilt Exhibit and Stories Behind the Quilt. Thursday, May 22 and Friday, May 23 at the Pulaski County Library

• Artist Mixer. Saturday, July 19 from 5-8 p.m. at the Lake Cumberland Farmers Market.

Every May, organizations like the American Stroke Association work to raise awareness about stroke risks, symptoms, and the urgency of seeking immediate medical help.

According to the American Heart Association’s 2025 Heart Disease and Stroke Statistics Update, stroke causes one in every 20 deaths in the U.S. The report highlights eight key health factors and behaviors that influence stroke and heart disease risk:

• Not smoking

By Lisa Rowell

• Regular physical activity

• Healthy diet

• Maintaining a healthy weight (71% of U.S. adults are overweight or obese)

• Proper sleep

• Controlling cholesterol (25.5% of U.S. adults have high LDL-C)

• Managing blood pressure

• Regulating blood sugar

While many of these are modifiable, uncontrollable risks include age, family history, previous stroke or heart attack, race, and gender. Other contributing factors may also play a role.

Stroke Statistics

The World Stroke Association reports over 795,000 strokes in the U.S. each year—about 610,000 of them first-time strokes.

Types of Stroke

Ischemic Stroke (87 percent of cases) is caused by a blocked blood vessel in the brain, often due to a clot. A cerebral embolism occurs when a clot forms elsewhere—usually the heart or major arteries—and travels to the brain. Atrial fibrillation (AF) is a common cause.

Hemorrhagic Stroke (13 percent of cases) is caused by bleeding in or around the brain, often from an aneurysm or arteriovenous malformation (AVM).

Other types include:

Transient Ischemic Attack (TIA) a temporary blockage that resolves within 24 hours but still requires emergency attention.

Cryptogenic Stroke has no identifiable cause.

Lacunar Stroke affects small, deep brain vessels.

Stroke Symptoms

Recognizing symptoms quickly can save lives. Use the FAST test:

Face drooping

A rm weakness

Speech difficulty

Time to call 911

Other signs include sudden numbness, weakness, or loss of speech or vision. Quick action is critical. Calling 911 ensures EMS can alert the hospital’s stroke team and begin care en route. Imaging like CT or MRI determines stroke type and guides treatment. Experts at Lake Cumberland Regional Hospital (LCRH) emphasize: do not drive— call 911.

Dr. Prostko’s story

Dr. Michael Prostko, a hospitalist with Apogee Physicians at Lake Cumberland Regional Hospital. Many of the patients he cares for have suffered strokes. Now, as a stroke survivor himself, he shares his firsthand experience, offering insight into the importance of timely medical care and the recovery process.

October 3, 2024, did not begin like a typical morning for Dr. Prostko. He said he woke up and his foot didn’t quite feel right, but he went to work anyway.

“As I progressed through the morning, my arm started getting weaker and it became more and more difficult to walk,” he recalled.

Dr. Prostko went to the ER as a stroke alert around noon. “It was very rapid — a lot quicker that I thought it would be,” he said of the response.

“I was taken immediately to have a CT done,” which confirmed he had suffered a subacute stroke. Because of the nature of his stroke, he wasn’t

eligible for Tenecteplase (TNK), a clot-busting agent.

Dr. Prostko said people often think stroke happens in an instant. “It happened over the course of hours,” he said of the stroke he had.

He was admitted to the hospital’s Neuro Unit. By evening, he could no longer stand on his right leg. He underwent an MRI and frequent neurological exams. “I was getting weaker and weaker. I think I reached maximum weakness in the night – as best as I could figure.”

The medical staff monitored him for “drift,” where a stroke patient struggles to raise one arm. “Imagine holding two bowls of soup. You should be able to keep them level, but my right arm would have dropped the bowl,” he explained.

“It was very shocking and scary to me,” he said of the ordeal.

His condition also caused “foot drop,” where the toes remain on the ground while lifting the foot. He was quickly fitted with a brace, which he said helped significantly.

“I started working with therapy. I could only walk about 20-30 feet initially.”

While a patient at LCRH, Dr. Prostko said the stroke nurses took good care of him. “They are all very attentive. I needed help to get around and they immediately came and helped me,” he said.

Road to recovery

Stroke recovery varies by type and severity. The American Stroke Association says the fastest recovery usually happens in the first three to four months.

Within days, Dr. Prostko was using a walker and transferred to the Rehab Unit for two weeks.

“I was getting three hours of rehab a day and an hour and a half of occupational therapy,” he said.

“Dewayne was my main occupational therapist and he was just fantastic.”

“I had several physical therapists and they were all very good. I progressed

from really not walking at all to walking about 150 feet.”

After discharge, he continued occupational therapy at home.

Continual hard work

“It’s been continual gains since then,” he said. “Twenty-four hours after the initial stroke I could barely walk or stand. Now I am independent — but that was a long road.”

He walked tracks, the mall— anywhere he could—pushing through fatigue.

“Now I can do it all without even a cane but it still fatigues me,” he said.

He returned to work in December.

“It was definitely a lot harder than I expected,” he admitted. By January, he was back full-time.

Challenges remain

“My hand and forearm are numb, and my shoulder is numb. I can’t lay on my right side.”

“I have a lot of hand numbness and weakness,” he said. “I can’t really throw a ball or anything with my right arm… Typing is slow but I can use my right hand a little bit for typing.”

A physician’s perspective

“What I had was a typical stroke,” Dr. Prostko said. “It’s an ischemic stroke where it killed off some nerve cells.” Most patients with this type can be treated at LCRH without transfer.

He emphasized early rehab: “I spent two weeks using a walker, and then I was walking with a cane.”

Recovery is physical and emotional.

“It’s a lot of work. It can get people depressed,” he said. “You’re not able to do things and you get depressed.” While he didn’t struggle with depression, he said it’s critical to address.

“I know if you work really hard you can definitely make gains. My advice to those who’ve had a stroke is: do your therapy — and then do your therapy at home.”

He credits progress to persistence.

“You get exhausted but you don’t want to get too exhausted. It’s just really effort, effort, effort… If I took a break I went backwards. It’s a forward hard situation.”

He praised both the inpatient and outpatient therapy teams.

“They challenge you to find where your deficits are.”

“I haven’t hit my ‘new normal’ yet. I will always have deficits. I have gotten a lot back and it’s through working at it.”

Final thoughts

Seeing stroke from both sides— physician and survivor—gave him new perspective.

“It’s a new understanding of their situation,” he said.

He commended LCRH’s stroke response, noting they may see 10–12 cases a week, or even three in a day. Some are short TIAs—often warning signs of more serious events.

He urged people to watch their habits—especially smoking, fried foods, and unmanaged blood pressure.

Dr. Prostko’s journey is a testament to early care, persistent rehab, and the dedication of the stroke team. n

Resources include the World Stroke Organization: world-stroke.org/en/; the American Stroke Association: stroke.org/en/; Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: cdc.gov/stroke/index.html

Dr. Michael Prostko

FLASHBACK THEATER CO.

The House of Blue Leaves

Flashback Theater Co. presents the final production of the 2024-25 Season, The House of Blue Leaves, running May 8-18, 2025 at Stoner Little Theater. Set in the wild world of the mid-1960s, this uproarious black comedy invites audiences to laugh at the everyday madness of modern civilization. Filled to the brim with comic hijinks and revealing truths in equal measure, director Jenny Cleberg hopes this production will remind audiences that when times are troubled, laughter can be our light in the darkness.

This production contains depictions of violence, adult situations and the use of unsettling language. There will be a simulated explosion in Act ll.

“When I first read the play, I knew very little about it,” said Cleberg, “I laughed the whole way through and then felt so distraught at the end that I wasn’t sure how to process it.” The play falls into a genre known as Black Comedy, where tragic events are played for comedic effect. Some events of the show might strike audiences as shocking, but the playwright’s intended effect is to satirize these events to the extreme, so we might see humor in them.

Zookeeper Artie Shaughnessy has his sights set on arrogant aspirations of Hollywood stardom. On a cold October Day in 1965, the day Pope Paul Vl is visiting New York City, Artie and his girlfriend Bunny launch a plan to escape to California by disposing of Artie’s wife Bananas in a mental hospital that has trees with blue leaves. But their plans are more than derailed as the day unwinds into chaos; lost nuns take refuge in Artie’s apartment, Artie’s son Ronnie has gone AWOL, and his apartment becomes the site of a political bombing. This outrageously biting farce puts into perspective just how low some are willing to go for fame.

Production Info

The House of Blue Leaves By John Guare Directed by Jenny Cleberg May 8-18, 2025

Stoner Little Theater, 808 Monticello St., Somerset Ky 42501

Performances

Thursday, May 8: 7:30 p.m. Saturday, May 10: 2:30 p.m. Sunday, May 11: 2:30 p.m. Friday, May 16: 7:30 p.m. Saturday, May 17: 7:30 p.m. Sunday, May 18: 2:30 p.m.

Ticket Information

Purchase online at:fbtc.ticketleap. com/blue-leaves, visit the box office in person at 209A E Mount Vernon St. during office hours, or by call the box office at (888) 394-3282, ext. 1. Box office hours: Tues.- Fri., 11-4 .

Single ticket pricing for the 11th Season of Flashback productions: Adults – $23 Advance, $25 Door; Students – $12 Advance, $15 Door; Seniors – $20 Advance and Door

Readers to Leaders

Leadership Lake Cumberland (LLC), facilitated by the Somerset-Pulaski County Chamber of Commerce, helps local leaders grow through selfdiscovery, networking, and a deeper understanding of the community and its challenges. The program connects participants with civic organizations, exposes them to regional issues, and engages them with leadership experts.

As their community project, the Class of 2020 launched the Readers to Leaders Storybook Trails — offering families a fun, active way to enjoy children’s literature while promoting literacy and healthy habits.

Jessica Carlton — along with several others — still helps maintain the group’s project five years later. With strong roots and continued momentum, the initiative shows no signs of slowing down. She said once the group decided on the project, they hit the ground running.

Jessica’s class included about 30 individuals from a wide range of industries and backgrounds.

As the project’s unofficial “ringleader,” Jessica said she was focused on timely implementation.

“I wanted to make sure that we got these trails installed, that we didn’t sit and wait two years for a project to come to fruition,” Jessica said.

“Our first trail was installed in July of 2021, and that was at Eubank Park,” she said.

In addition to Eubank Park and Firebrook Park (pictured here), Readers to Leaders Storybook Trails are now located in White Lily, Shopville, Burnside’s Cole Park, Rocky Hollow, and Woodstock. Pulaski Park was the latest addition, with a dog-themed grand opening on April 26.

Jessica said that after completing the initial project, several classmates

decided to form a nonprofit to keep it going.

“In February of 2023, we became our own non-profit,” she said. They began printing more books and rotating them between parks. Their goal is to eventually have a trail in every community in Kentucky. The nonprofit developed a package allowing other communities to install trails using the trademarked design.

“We wanted we started every trail off with a local children’s book author,” Jessica said. Each installation had a grand opening, with the local author taking part in the celebration.

“We have an agreement with the publisher for the Dolly Parton Imagination Library,” Jessica said. They’re able to use select titles from the library and change out the featured books seasonally.

Although the books are geared toward preschoolers through fifth graders, Jessica said even older children enjoy them.

“One of the things we wanted to do with the project is get kids loving to read and get them outdoors. At the bottom of each page, there is a task to engage them in the book, and plus it gets their brain working and it gets some exercise as they go along the trail.” n

Follow the organization on Facebook: @ ReadersToLeadersStoryBookTrail.

Above top: Readers to Leaders Storybook Trail at Firebrook Park in Somerset. Middle: Jessica Carlton swaps out the story boards at Firebrook Park’s Readers to Leaders Story Book Trail.

Below: the 2020 Leadership Lake Cumberland Class. (Lisa Rowell photos.)

MATTER OF THE MIND:

Why your mental health matters and how to care for it

by Manoj Chandran, MD Board-Certified in Child, Adolescent and Adult Psychiatry

When you think about your health, what first comes to mind? For many – if not most – of us, it’s probably our physical health. Are we eating healthy? Are we exercising regularly? Are we feeling tired? Or ill? Do our joints ache? Have we scheduled our

All these questions are, of course, important ones to answer, but there’s another question we should be asking – another part of our health how is our

tremendous impact on our overall health and well-being. Our mental health includes our thoughts, emotions, feelings and moods. It influences our choices, actions and how we relate to others. Good mental health can help us cope with stress, succeed in our professional lives, more effectively recover from difficult situations and add value to our community and be our best

It’s important to understand that maintaining good mental health can often be a challenge.

Mental health conditions are quite common. According to statistics published by the National Alliance on Mental Illness, one in five U.S. adults experience mental illness, and one in 20 adults experience serious mental illness. So, if you are struggling to maintain good mental health, you are definitely not alone. It’s important to know that it is ok to speak up and ask for help if you’re suffering from a mental health condition. The benefits of seeking professional help and treatment can make a positive difference in your overall health and quality of life.

In addition to professional care, there are some steps you can take at home and in life to improve mental wellness:

Take care of your body — Exercise can help burn anxious energy, prevent muscle tension, release endorphins that help you feel relaxed, and build strength and endurance which can boost your confidence.

Eat healthy — Avoiding processed and high-fat foods can help prevent lethargic feelings and a lack of motivation, concentration and energy.

Learn a new skill or engage in a new activity — Challenging your brain can result in positive and healthy stimulation and promote mental wellness.

Make time for family and friends — Building and maintaining healthy relationships can go a long way toward long-term mental well-being.

Sleep — Ensuring that you’re getting the sleep your mind and

body needs can help prevent fatigue and ensure you have the energy and mindset to navigate tomorrow. Meditate — Meditation can help relax your mind and body. Even one minute of quiet meditation during your workday can make a difference.

Practice deep breathing — Deep breathing gives your brain and muscles necessary oxygen and can help keep your mind and body healthy.

Seek Help — Of course, the most important step, as mentioned before, is to talk to a mental health professional if you are struggling with maintaining good mental health. A mental health provider can help you with tips and treatment individualized to your unique needs and circumstances.

Your mental health is a valuable and vital part of your well-being. This National Mental Health Month and all year long, make sure you’re giving it the care and attention it needs so you can be your best self and enjoy all that life has to offer. n

If you think that you or someone you know may be suffering from a mental health condition, Lake Cumberland Regional Hospital can help. The Springs at Lake Cumberland offers various services for individuals facing behavioral health challenges. For more information or a free, confidential assessment call (606) 678-3440. Additionally, the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline offers free and confidential support at (800) 273-8255 for anyone experiencing suicidal crisis or emotional distress. For more on the importance of mental health, visit www.mentalhealth.gov and www.nami.org.

Lake Cumberland Regional Hospital Completes 50 Inspire® Implant Procedures, Advancing Sleep Apnea Treatment

Lake Cumberland Regional Hospital (LCRH) is proud to announce a major milestone in sleep apnea treatment, as Dr. Andrew Vaughn, Otolaryngologist, has successfully performed 50 Inspire® implant procedures.

Inspire® therapy is a long-term, mask-free1 solution for people with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) who have tried and struggled with CPAP. When those with OSA sleep, their tongue relaxes into a position that blocks their airway which then causes them to wake up to take a breath. If left untreated, the lack of quality sleep adds up and can lead to serious health risks and harm overall quality of life.2

Lake Cumberland Regional Hospital is proud to offer Inspire therapy as a proven, safe and effective solution. Inspire therapy syncs with patients’ natural breathing pattern, working comfortably3 to keep airways open during sleep, allowing for regular breathing and improved sleep quality.4

The procedure consists of two small incisions. One is in the upper chest where the Inspire implant and breathing sensors are placed. The second is under the chin, where the nerve that controls the airway muscles, including the tongue, is located. Inspire therapy delivers gentle pulses to move the tongue forward and keep the airway open. When the airway is open, patients are able to breathe regularly and sleep better.4 Patients can easily activate their therapy using a small handheld Inspire™ remote. No mask or hose is required.

At Lake Cumberland Regional Hospital, Inspire® therapy is part of a customized, multidisciplinary approach to sleep apnea care. Dr. Sandy Schuldheisz, a board-certified pulmonary/sleep physician, plays a key role in the Inspire treatment process. Dr. Schuldheisz evaluates patients for Inspire therapy, ensuring they are appropriate candidates before referring them to Dr. Vaughn for the procedure. The activation and adjustment of the Inspire device are tailored to each patient’s unique sleep patterns and needs, making a close collaboration between physicians essential for achieving a high success

advertise in a locally

• Targeted Audience – Reach a specific local demographic that aligns with your customer base.

• Community Connection – Establish your brand as a trusted business supporting the community.

• Longer Shelf Life – Print magazines are often kept for weeks or months, increasing exposure.

• Less Competition – Fewer ads compared to online platforms, meaning less clutter and more attention to your message.

• Credibility & Trust – Print media is often perceived as more reliable than digital.

rate. Following the procedure, Dr. Schuldheisz continues to manage patients’ long-term care, optimizing their treatment plans to ensure the best possible outcomes.

As part of the comprehensive care process, patients visit the Lake Cumberland Sleep Disorders Center following their Inspire procedure for a titration study, which fine-tunes therapy settings to maximize effectiveness. This ensures that each patient receives personalized, optimized therapy for long-term success.

“We are excited to have completed 50 Inspire therapy procedures at Lake Cumberland Regional Hospital.” said Carolyn Sparks, CEO. “Inspire therapy represents a significant advancement in treating sleep apnea. It is clinically proven to reduce sleep apnea events, has a high level of patient satisfaction and a high therapy adherence.” n

Lake Cumberland Regional Hospital remains dedicated to offering innovative solutions to improve the health and well-being of the community. To learn more about these services, visit LakeCumberlandHospital.com/ear-nose-throat.

• Higher Engagement – Readers tend to spend more time with a magazine, leading to better ad retention.

• Multiple Impressions – Magazines are often shared among family, friends, and businesses, increasing reach.

• Supports Local Economy – Advertising in a regional magazine helps sustain local journalism and businesses.

• Cost-Effective for Niche Markets – Regional magazines offer affordable rates while effectively reaching a dedicated audience.

Dr. Andrew Vaughn, pictured with the surgical team and Lake Cumberland Regional Hospital Chief Nursing Officer, Tanya Nelson-Hackney, celebrating a significant milestone in Inspire procedures. (submitted photo)

The Intentional Affair: With Your Spouse!

Experience the most powerful love affair of your life — with the one you are already married to! The Intentional Affair: with Your Spouse! is not your typical marriage workshop. It’s a bold, engaging, and spiritually rich seminar designed for couples who are ready to stop coasting and start connecting with purpose and passion with God at the center. Hosted by Massage Therapist and Educator Christine Zaccanti and Transformation Life Coach Brenda Pryor, this oneday workshop promises a space of restoration and intentionality. Through powerful teachings, hands-on exercises, and guided practices, couples will explore the healing power of touch, how to reconnect emotionally, and how to slow down long enough to feel the divine rhythm of love and grace pulsing through their covenant. From laughter to learning, from stillness to spark, this worship is a soul-deep refreshment for your marriage.

Christine Zaccanti brings the calming, healing power of touch, teaching couples how to connect physically in ways that foster trust, relaxation, and deeper intimacy.

Brenda Pryor brings wisdom and humor, and God-led insight into what it means to pursue your spouse with intentionality, even years into marriage.

Together, this dynamic duo creates a space where couples can rediscover the power of love done God’s way — fierce, fun, and faithfully grounded.

This isn’t just about enhancing what God has beautifully joined together—it’s also about healing what may feel broken. We will offer the tools, truth, and training to restore and rekindle your

When: Saturday: May 17, 2025 9am to 3pm

Where: Courtyard by Marriott, Somerset, Kentucky

2254 S Hwy 27

Cost: $24 each or $40 per couple

Includes: Refreshments and light lunch

Melissa Tuggle, LPN, honored with DAISY Award for

extraordinary nursing at LCRH

covenant.. Whether your marriage needs a spark, a shift, or just some sacred space. The Intentional Affair: with Your Spouse! is your invitation to lean in and love intentionally. Hurry! Space is limited and hearts are already saying, “YES!” Will yours?

Lake Cumberland Regional Hospital (LCRH) is proud to recognize Melissa Tuggle, LPN, as a DAISY Award® recipient for her outstanding dedication to patient care, leadership, and mentorship on the Medical Unit.

The DAISY Award, an internationally recognized honor, celebrates nurses who go above and beyond in providing compassionate, highquality care. Melissa was selected as a quarterly DAISY Award honoree by LCRH’s nurse leadership team after being nominated by patients and families who have witnessed her exceptional dedication firsthand.

Melissa has been a valued member of the LCRH team for nearly three years, beginning as a contract nurse before transitioning to a full-time role. She is currently advancing her career through the LPN to RN program, reflecting her commitment to professional growth and excellence in nursing.

As a unit preceptor, Melissa is a trusted mentor to new nurses, guiding them with patience and knowledge. Her colleagues describe her as a compassionate leader who fosters teamwork and always puts her patients first. She is also a devoted mother of

six and a proud grandmother of seven, balancing her nursing career with a deep commitment to her family.

The DAISY Foundation, established in memory of J. Patrick Barnes, honors nurses for their extraordinary contributions to patient care. DAISY Award recipients at LCRH are recognized with a special ceremony, a certificate, a DAISY Award® pin, an exclusive parking spot, and a handcarved “A Healer’s Touch” sculpture. The tradition also includes iced cinnamon rolls, a favorite treat of Patrick’s during his illness, as a way to celebrate the impact of extraordinary nurses like Melissa.

Tanya Nelson-Hackney, MBA, RN, NEA-BC, CPPS, Chief Nursing Officer at LCRH, shared, “Melissa exemplifies the heart of nursing. Her compassion, dedication, and leadership make a lasting impact on her patients, colleagues, and the future of nursing at LCRH. We are thrilled to recognize her with this well-deserved DAISY Award.”

Patients, families, and colleagues are encouraged to nominate outstanding nurses for the DAISY Award by visiting LakeCumberlandHospital.com/ daisy-award.

From left to right: Stephanie House, BSN, RN, Nursing Director; Melissa Tuggle, LPN; Tanya Nelson-Hackney, MBA, RN, NEA-BC, CPPS, LCRH CNO; and Corey Clarke, BSN, RN, Senior Nursing Director. Submitted photo

National Foster Care Awareness Month

Story by Kristy Brown

Every child deserves a loving, stable home where they feel valued and supported. Strong families and connections help youth thrive, shaping their futures and strengthening our communities. For youth in foster care, these relationships are especially vital. All youth need caring adults who encourage their dreams, uplift their voices, and provide the stability every child deserves.

According to the latest available data, from 2019-2021, Pulaski County reported a foster care rate of 53.7 per 1,000 children aged 0-17, a sharp increase from 41.1 per 1,000 in 2014-2016 (KIDS COUNT Data Center; Kentucky Youth Advocates, 2022). While specific numbers of children in foster care are not provided, these rates indicate a rising demand for foster homes and resources. This underscores the importance of recruiting additional foster parents and ensuring youth in care have access to strong, supportive relationships and opportunities to thrive.

At Specialized Alternatives for Families and Youth of Kentucky, Inc. (SAFY), we know empowering young people in foster care goes beyond meeting their basic needs—it’s about helping them build meaningful relationships, advocating for their future, and ensuring they receive the support they need from their community.

How SAFY supports youth in foster care

Giving youth a voice – Every youth deserves a say in their future. SAFY ensures that youth in foster care are heard, respected, and involved in decisions that affect their lives.

A holistic approach – We recognize that a youth’s well-being is shaped by physical, emotional, educational, and cultural factors. Every young person is unique, and we strive to create environments where they feel seen, valued, and understood.

Building strong relationships and communities – Supportive connections are essential for all youth, especially those in foster care. SAFY helps youth build relationships with caring adults, whether foster parents, family members, mentors, or friends—who provide guidance and a sense of belonging.

How you can help — Fostering is one way to make a difference, but there are many ways to support youth in care:

Advocate – Encourage policymakers, educators, and community leaders to prioritize the needs of youth in foster care. Policies that promote stability, educational opportunities, and mental health support can transform lives.

Educate – Learn about foster care and the challenges faced by children and families. Awareness fosters empathy and leads to meaningful action.

Support – Whether through mentoring, donating, or fostering, everyone can contribute to creating a network of care that uplifts youth and provides them with the tools to thrive.

Take action today — National Foster Care Awareness Month is a call to action for all of us. We can ensure that every youth in foster care has the opportunity to grow, succeed, and feel supported. When our youth thrive, our entire community is stronger. n

If you are interested in becoming a foster parent or learning more, SAFY is here to help. Visit SAFY.org or contact SAFY’s Louisville office at 502-813-8280 to find out how you can make an impact today.

A higher level of stroke care.

LiveLiFeHealthiest Your LiveLiFe

May is National Stroke Awareness Month.

Every 40 seconds, someone in the US suffers a stroke – and for those at risk, nothing is more important than having access to the care you need, close to home. We’re here with a higher level of stroke care, as a Joint Commission certified Primary Stroke Center. Seek emergency care immediately if you see these warning signs:

• Balance loss

• Eyesight changes

• Face drooping

• Arm weakness

• Speech difficulty

• Time to call 9-1-1

Talk to your loved ones about their stroke risk, and remember: if you observe these symptoms, BE FAST and call 9-1-1. With local, certified stroke care, we’ll help you live your healthiest life.

To learn more about your risk for stroke, take our online Stroke Health Risk Assessment at

To find a healthcare provider, call