UK’s Be Healthy Bash returns Sept. 19 with free health and wellness resources

LEXINGTON, Ky. (Sept. 15, 2026) — For UK HealthCare, the University of Kentucky and their local partners, promoting health and wellness extends beyond the clinic walls and into communities across Kentucky.

This year, UK HealthCare and UK Cooperative Extension Service, with the helping hands of more than 100 volunteers, will gather to host the Be Healthy Bash 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 19, at the Fayette County Extension Office. 

Community members can take advantage of free health screenings, immunizations and other wellness resources like nutritional cooking demonstrations. 

This fun-filled event is presented in coordination with: 

• UK Barnstable Brown Diabetes Center
• UK HealthCare’s Healthy Kentucky Initiative
• Fayette County Extension Office
• Lexington Farmer’s Market
• Lexington-Fayette Urban County Government - Department of Safety
• New Vista

“The Be Healthy Bash is about empowering people to take charge of their health,” said Kristen Stakelin, M.D., ambulatory chief medical officer for UK HealthCare and the medical director at the Barnstable Brown Diabetes Center. “With access to nutritious foods, expert guidance and fun activities, we’re making healthy living something everyone can achieve.”

Stakelin has been a part of the Be Healthy Bash since the beginning. When offered an opportunity to dream big for community health improvement projects, one of her first ideas was a diabetes-focused health fair. What started with a vision to address diabetes has grown into the Be Healthy Bash, which has become a signature event that provides general health and wellness education and services beyond diabetes. 

The Be Healthy Bash reflects UK’s commitment to improving health not only within traditional healthcare settings, but in the communities where Kentuckians live, work and raise their families. From the beginning, UK Cooperative Extension Service emerged as a natural partner. Extension’s mission of connecting people with research-based education, resources and programs to strengthen the health and well-being of Kentucky communities closely aligned with the vision for the Be Healthy Bash.

Through the Healthy Kentucky Initiative and its partnership with UK Cooperative Extension Service, the bash brings that shared mission to life. Extension has been an integral partner in the growth of the Be Healthy Bash, helping turn an idea centered on community health into an event that showcases everything the University of Kentucky has to offer to the people it serves. 

“Cooperative Extension is uniquely positioned to help bring the University of Kentucky’s health expertise directly into the communities we serve,” said Jennifer Hunter, associate dean and director of the UK Cooperative Extension Service. “By combining Extension’s trusted local presence with the expertise of UK HealthCare and our community partners, the Be Healthy Bash connects Kentuckians with information and resources that can help them live healthier lives.”

Multiple UK departments will be on-site conducting screenings, including a fall-risk screening with UK Physical Therapy, a nutrition screening with UK’s Department of Dietetics and Human Nutrition, blood pressure checks with Gill Heart & Vascular Institute and more. 

Bluegrass Lions Diabetes Project, a longstanding partner of Be Healthy Bash will perform free A1C testing, eye exams and vision screenings. Last year, the group was able to complete 52 A1C screenings. 

Many chronic conditions, including diabetes, hypertension and vision problems, can go undetected. Through screenings with on-site health experts, the Be Healthy Bash helps attendees identify potential health concerns and connect with appropriate follow-up care.

Now in its fourth year, the bash continues to grow year over year, drawing more participants and partners each year. The bash has more than 65 tables representing departments across the university, UK HealthCare, community partners and sponsors. Over the past three years, the Be Healthy Bash has served 2,166 attendees and provided 1,080 screenings and services to the community at no cost. 

Bringing health information and local services directly into neighborhoods is a key goal of the Be Healthy Bash. By holding the event on a Saturday, the bash creates a family-friendly, approachable space where attendees can connect face-to-face with healthcare providers and local organizations.

“We know that access to care is a significant issue, particularly for those individuals who have a lot of barriers to care. And so, by providing these services and offerings in one spot for free, it’s a way to help people get access that they wouldn’t otherwise have,” said Trudi Matthews, UK HealthCare’s chief of value-based programs, public policy and community initiatives.

The Be Healthy Bash strives to make health and wellness fun for any age. There will be free lunch for the first 500 attendees, inflatables, a petting zoo, face painting and the opportunity to shop with a voucher at a Lexington Farmers Market farm stand, a partner of the bash since 2022.

With both indoor and outdoor activities, the Be Healthy Bash will be held rain or shine, and attendees are encouraged to preregister.

“UK’s Be Healthy Bash is where knowledge, resources and community come together for one incredible day,” Matthews said. “By sharing what we know and do best, we’re helping Kentuckians live healthier, happier lives.”