The University of Kentucky Center for Excellence in Rural Health was established by the Kentucky General Assembly to address the unique and growing problems of rural health. The aim of the planners of the new facility was to develop a model for interdisciplinary healthcare that will be practiced throughout the region by graduates and participants of UK-CRH programs and give rural residents throughout the Commonwealth programs for informed decision-making.

The Center’s programs include family practice residency and clinic; educational programs for physical therapy, social work, clinical laboratory sciences, and nursing; research programs for health policy decision-making; and service programs to support community-initiated action. In addition, nursing and allied health programs of Hazard Community College and the State Office of Rural Health are located in the building.