UK HealthCare’s Office of Health Disparities to host ‘Back to School Extravaganza’ in Lexington
LEXINGTON, Ky. (June 26, 2026) — Free backpacks, sports physicals, Kona Ice and kid‑friendly fun will come together as UK HealthCare hosts a community celebration for local families at its Back‑to‑School Extravaganza in North Lexington.
To remove barriers and bring essential resources directly into the community, UK HealthCare’s Office of Health Disparities is partnering with local faith leaders, community organizations and Fayette County Public Schools Family Resource and Youth Services Centers to host the free, carnival‑style event.
The Back‑to‑School Extravaganza is 10 a.m.-2 p.m. July 11 at Consolidated Baptist Church, 1625 Russell Cave Road and is open to the public.
Designed to meet families where they are, the event brings health services, educational resources and school essentials together in one convenient, welcoming location — all at no cost.
Tukea Talbert, chief health disparities officer at UK HealthCare, emphasized the importance of making resources accessible to families.
“The Back-to-School Extravaganza is dedicated to providing students with a strong, healthy start to the new school year,” Talbert said. “Our mission is to equip every child with the essential tools and resources needed for academic success and personal confidence. The event is designed to help each student begin the school year prepared, supported and positioned for success.”
Families attending the event can take advantage of free sports physicals and vision screenings, access important safety, nutrition and mental health resources, and enjoy a fun‑filled day designed especially for children. The Kid Zone will feature backpack and school supply giveaways, coloring and activity tables, and free activity books.
Kids and families can also cool down with a frozen treat from Kona Ice and enjoy other refreshments available throughout the event, including hot dogs, popcorn and cotton candy.
Offerings at the Back‑to‑School Extravaganza include:
- Backpacks and school supplies
- Sports physicals
- Vision screenings
- Internet and cyber safety education
- Oral health education
- Nutrition education
- Mental health education
- Kid Zone activities and giveaways
- Food and refreshments
The Safe Kids program will also be on site to provide families with safety resources while sharing education and guidance on general child safety.
Golisano Children’s at UK Mobile Clinic will be on site to offer sports physicals; appointments required. Schedule an appointment by calling or texting the clinic at 859‑487‑9153.
Participation in the Back‑to‑School Extravaganza is free, and families are encouraged to attend and take advantage of the wide range of health services, education and school‑year essentials available.
UK HealthCare is the hospitals and clinics of the University of Kentucky. But it is so much more. It is more than 10,000 dedicated healthcare professionals committed to providing advanced subspecialty care for the most critically injured and ill patients from the Commonwealth and beyond. It also is the home of the state’s only National Cancer Institute (NCI)-designated Comprehensive Cancer Center, a Level IV Neonatal Intensive Care Unit that cares for the tiniest and sickest newborns and the region’s only Level 1 trauma center.
As an academic research institution, we are continuously pursuing the next generation of cures, treatments, protocols and policies. Our discoveries have the potential to change what’s medically possible within our lifetimes. Our educators and thought leaders are transforming the healthcare landscape as our six health professions colleges teach the next generation of doctors, nurses, pharmacists and other healthcare professionals, spreading the highest standards of care. UK HealthCare is the power of advanced medicine committed to creating a healthier Kentucky, now and for generations to come.