‘I am a UK Innovator’: College of Public Health’s John Lyons
LEXINGTON, Ky. (Oct. 23, 2024) — A better quality of life can be achieved through the power of innovation. Research Communications partnered with UK Innovate to spotlight faculty innovators with game-changing ideas at the University of Kentucky in the “I am a UK Innovator” video series. UK Innovate works collaboratively with innovators to strategically assess, protect and license early-stage technologies and co-create new technology startups.
In this Q&A, John Lyons describes his work at the interface between practice and policy in mental health, child welfare, education and justice. Lyons is a professor of health management and policy in the UK College of Public Health and is the director of the Center for Innovation in Population Health. He has received research funding from the California Department of Social Services, New York State Department of Health, Sacramento County Department of Health Services and the South Carolina Department of Social Services.
UKNow: What inspired you to pick this specific area of research?
Lyons: There is recognition that the field of mental health services research has historically focused more on services and less on the actual mental health needs of individuals. My work focuses on building large administrative databases that better represent people.
UKNow: How do you approach your research?
Lyons: We use an approach called TCOM, Transformational Collaborative Outcomes Management, a system management strategy designed to help people change their lives. However, it’s difficult to manage what isn’t measured, and what’s been lacking is an effective infrastructure to measure the transformational impact of support systems. We’ve made the most progress in areas like child welfare and public mental health, where the need is immense. Our approach involves developing and teaching others how to conduct person-centered assessments.
UKNow: What is the most challenging aspect of your research?
Lyons: The most challenging aspect of my research is working with systems to implement person-centered care. Change is difficult, and as a result, implementation is hard.
UKNow: What have been the most fulfilling moments for you regarding your discoveries?
Lyons: The most rewarding moments for me regarding my work have been hearing stories from direct care providers who share how our approach has enhanced their effectiveness. Additionally, witnessing how person-centered data positively influences policy and practice has been incredibly rewarding.
UKNow: How has your research impacted the way you train students?
Lyons: My research has significantly influenced the way I train students by emphasizing a more applied approach. I avoid strictly academic exercises and instead focus on ensuring that everything we cover is relevant to support services.
UKNow: What drew you to the University of Kentucky?
Lyons: I have worked in a number of institutes of higher education, and I have found UK to be the most collaborative environment I’ve experienced. The people here are smart, humble and friendly.
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.
In 2022, UK was ranked by Forbes as one of the “Best Employers for New Grads” and named a “Diversity Champion” by INSIGHT into Diversity, a testament to our commitment to advance Kentucky and create a community of belonging for everyone. While our mission looks different in many ways than it did in 1865, the vision of service to our Commonwealth and the world remains the same. We are the University for Kentucky.