Advancing Kentucky Together: Improving equestrian care with a digital health system
LEXINGTON, Ky. (April 3, 2025) — Michaela Keener’s passion for the equestrian community has driven her groundbreaking work to improve equestrians’ health care access through innovative digital health systems.
Keener, Ph.D., is an assistant professor of athletic training and clinical nutrition at the University of Kentucky’s College of Health Sciences. Her research, in the Sports Medicine Research Institute, focuses on developing an interactive digital health system designed to enhance access to care for the people who ride horses as part of their jobs, like jockeys, exercise riders and outriders.
Keener’s work began with jockeys at Keeneland, where she identified concerns regarding concussion protocols. Listening closely to their challenges, Keener led them to The Graham, an interactive digital health system designed to measure balance and reaction time. This system is poised to enhance care access for the equestrian community in Kentucky and worldwide.
Keener’s research is an example of focusing on the people in our community, in an effort to teach, care, serve and discover. So many like her are putting in the work to advance Kentucky day and night.
That’s why Keener and other members of our community shared their voices for both the 30-second and 60-second spots. While we hear only a few seconds from each of them, they have powerful stories to tell.
UKNow asked Keener a few questions about what it means to be part of the UK community — and of a legacy — of people who are working to advance Kentucky.
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UKNow: What makes the University of Kentucky special?
Keener: The University of Kentucky feels like home. I was initially drawn here because it is the heart of horse country. I have been pleasantly surprised by the continuous love and support from my colleagues, collaborators and the community. Research always comes with its challenges, but what makes UK unique is how those challenges are met — with a mindset of redirection rather than defeat. A sense of resilience and teamwork here brings all the pieces of the puzzle together, even when things get tough.
UKNow: What does “advancing Kentucky” mean to you?
Keener: To me, “advancing Kentucky” means driving progress across the Commonwealth through education, research, health care and community outreach. The University of Kentucky plays a vital role in improving the quality of life for all Kentuckians while empowering students, faculty and staff to lead and innovate. The Big Blue Nation brings people together from all backgrounds to create lasting, positive change. It’s all about building a better future — together.
UKNow: How has your time at UK helped you be part of UK’s mission to advance Kentucky?
Keener: I am a creative and empathetic individual, guided by a passion for developing innovative, accessible solutions that promote health and improve quality of life. So far, my time here has allowed me to engage in research and community partnerships that turn knowledge into action. I’ve especially valued the opportunity to co-create solutions with communities, aligning with UK’s commitment to service, scholarship and advancing well-being across the Commonwealth.
UKNow: What is your hope for UK’s next 160 years?
Keener: I hope that over the next 160 years, the University of Kentucky continues to lead in education, research, health care and community engagement across the Commonwealth. I want UK to remain a name that carries weight and pride — both within Kentucky and beyond. Most importantly, I hope the university continues to put people’s needs first, ensuring that innovation and research translate into real improvements. UK’s legacy should always be one of service, progress and compassion.
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As we celebrate 160 years of UK, UKNow is sharing more about these members of our community and what inspires them to do more and be more for the people of Kentucky.
As the state’s flagship, land-grant institution, the University of Kentucky exists to advance the Commonwealth. We do that by preparing the next generation of leaders — placing students at the heart of everything we do — and transforming the lives of Kentuckians through education, research and creative work, service and health care. We pride ourselves on being a catalyst for breakthroughs and a force for healing, a place where ingenuity unfolds. It's all made possible by our people — visionaries, disruptors and pioneers — who make up 200 academic programs, a $476.5 million research and development enterprise and a world-class medical center, all on one campus.