Bowling Green, Ky. - Twenty-four students in Western Kentucky University’s Department of Public Health spent Valentine’s Day in Frankfort to lobby state lawmakers on cardiovascular research legislation.

The focus of the American Heart Association Lobby Day was House Bill 477 that seeks $5 million for the next two years for cardiovascular research in Kentucky. Speakers included three cardiovascular surgeons, a University of Kentucky public health administrator and a heart transplant survivor.

WKU students and faculty member Dr. Cecilia Watkins also met with Sen. Brett Guthrie and House Speaker Jody Richards.

Dr. Watkins and the students spoke with Guthrie about the need for funding cardiovascular research, increasing the cigarette tax, requiring automatic external defibrillator (AEDs) in schools and fitness facilities, and requiring Kentucky Medicaid program to cover smoking cessation services and medications.

They also discussed legislation that would enable state and local governments to address smoking policies in government buildings. This bill was important for Dr. Watkins’ students who are supporting a no-smoking policy coalition in Bowling Green.

The group also spoke with Guthrie, head of the Senate transportation committee, about roads around Bowling Green. Dr. Watkins expressed a desire to make Bowling Green a bike and running friendly town.

"Being able to participate in the American Heart Association Lobby Day is very rewarding," said graduate student Crissy Hodges, president of WKU’s chapter of Kentucky Public Health Association. "This opportunity provides great experience in communication and the legislative process. While at Lobby Day, our group spoke with Sen. Brett Guthrie and we were able to get his insight on various health related issues, such as tobacco usage among Kentuckians and cardiovascular research funds for Kentucky universities. While Sen. Guthrie was in favor of our support, he could not say if the funds would be there to support these public health issues."

Jagdish Khubchandani, a graduate student from India, said: “It was an eye-opening experience. It is due to the practical experiences like the Lobby Day which make pursuing higher education in this country a worthwhile experience. The Department of Public Health at Western Kentucky University is doing a laudable job by helping students with practical application of the coursework by engaging them in community work.”

More WKU news is available at www.wku.edu. If you’d like to receive WKU news via e-mail, send a message to WKUNews@wku.edu.

For information, contact Dr. Cecilia Watkins at (270) 745-4796.