UofL graduate student and employee plays pivotal role in health care ethics for state

When graduate student Stephanie Schemke receives her master's degree in applied philosophy/health care ethics (HCE) this December, she also marks 20 years as part of the Cardinal family. From earning her bachelor's degree in biology in 2004 to 18 years of employment with the university, and now this latest educational achievement, Stephanie hasn't strayed far from her Cardinal values.

With years of experience in clinical trial regulatory and human studies administration, Schemke said she chose to pursue the master's program in health care ethics because of its flexibility and applicability.

"It involves and builds upon the same ethical principles I have learned through my research administration experience, and it culminated at the degree level that gives me the upward mobility potential I was looking for, as well as giving me the opportunity to continue to work full time," she said.

As part of the degree's culminating graduation experience requirement, Schemke completed a three-month internship at the Kentucky Department for Public Health, helping to establish and develop the new Drug and Supplement Branch of the Kentucky Cabinet for Health and Family Services. The branch will work to maintain and regulate hemp-derived cannabinoid production and sales in Kentucky.

Schemke said the internship was an important part of the HCE program because "it provided the avenue for real world application of the concepts I learned during the program's courses," she said.

As part of this hands-on experience, Schemke played a pivotal role in crafting regulations at the state level, ensuring that all of the research, outreach and advocacy was informed by ethical considerations and methodologies that she's learned in the HCE program.

What will this mean for Kentuckians? According to Schemke, when responsibility for hemp regulation began shifting to the Drug and Supplement branch, it expanded the number of staff focused on public safety related to the use and sale of these products.

"I was grateful to observe and learn the details of how such a reorganization is managed and think the recognition of need in this area can only help public safety in our state," Schemke said.

She credits the University of Louisville for making her next step possible.

"I am thankful for the tuition remission benefit that UofL offers employees," she said. "I felt very supported in the goal of advancing my education for future opportunities."