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What we call "Good Bull" at A&M: Kennedy getting treatment at UK for Parkinson's
Posted on 3/26/25 at 3:31 pm
Posted on 3/26/25 at 3:31 pm
This is a couple weeks old, so my apologies if it has already been posted.
LINK
Quintero and I were PhD students together.
LINK
quote:
LEXINGTON, Ky. (March 17, 2025) — As March Madness sweeps the nation and college basketball takes center stage, a former coach’s journey off the court is proving just as inspiring as any Cinderella story on the hardwood.
Billy Kennedy, former head coach of Texas A&M, has spent his career developing game plans, mentoring players, and leading teams through the highs and lows of competition. But in 2011, he faced an unexpected opponent — Parkinson’s disease.
For Kennedy, the diagnosis was a game-changer, but not a game-ender. His fight against the disease, much like his coaching career, has been defined by resilience, strategy and faith.
Thanks to innovative research at the University of Kentucky, Kennedy has not only maintained a high quality of life but has also played a crucial role in shaping the future of Parkinson’s treatment. His participation in the DBS-Plus study — an experimental procedure combining deep brain stimulation (DBS) with an additional nerve graft — has provided researchers with invaluable data.
Now, that research is leading to the next phase of innovation: the LEAP trial, which aims to intervene earlier in Parkinson’s progression.
quote:
This is all thanks to the work done thus far in the DBS studies, including one known as the STAR trial. Greg Gerhardt, Ph.D., John Slevin, M.D., and George Quintero, Ph.D., lead the work along with van Horne. It spans the departments of neurosurgery, neuroscience and neurology within the UK College of Medicine.
Quintero and I were PhD students together.
Posted on 3/26/25 at 4:06 pm to Wildcat1996
I love this kind of camaraderie!
I wish Coach Kennedy a speedy and healthy recovery!

I wish Coach Kennedy a speedy and healthy recovery!

Posted on 3/26/25 at 4:12 pm to Wildcat1996
Here is to hoping the best for Kennedy. I was just thinking about him the other day wondering how his health has been.
Posted on 3/26/25 at 4:16 pm to Wildcat1996
quote:
Parkinson’s
quote:
innovative research at the University of Kentucky
any family member who has ever been affected by any neurological diagnosis on the Dementia spectrum - will only upvote this -
go kick some arse UK - and find a cure for ALZ and all the other neurological disorders that capture - hold hostage - and torture the afflicted - as well as the families and caregivers -
Billy Kennedy - prayers up Brother - always had respect for him - damn good basketball coach -

Posted on 3/26/25 at 6:21 pm to Wildcat1996
5 downvotes for efforts to treat and cure Parkinson's.
Never change, tRant.

Never change, tRant.

This post was edited on 3/27/25 at 8:41 am
Posted on 3/26/25 at 6:23 pm to Wildcat1996
Thanks for the post.
Missed the Kennedy health issue but glad the backstory is good!

Missed the Kennedy health issue but glad the backstory is good!

Posted on 3/26/25 at 6:25 pm to Wildcat1996
quote:
defined by resilience, strategy and faith.
Life has taught me these 3 greatly changes your survival.

Posted on 3/26/25 at 7:00 pm to Wildcat1996
I am happy for Coach Kennedy that he is making progress. Between the UK research and the help of the Great Physician, I hope he has a long and productive life.
This is what I call a win for everyone.
Unfortunately three people cannot set their childishness aside.
This is what I call a win for everyone.
Unfortunately three people cannot set their childishness aside.
Posted on 3/26/25 at 7:19 pm to Lynxrufus2012
quote:
Unfortunately three people cannot set their childishness aside.
The rant has a huge contingent of immature idiots.
Posted on 3/26/25 at 7:49 pm to 1801
Side note: my daughter's first job out of college was at COC as a "dorm mom". In alumni affairs at MUSC now, but she had some hilarious stories from that time.


Posted on 3/26/25 at 11:52 pm to 1801
quote:
go kick some arse UK - and find a cure for ALZ
Dr. Greg Jicha runs the Memory and Aging Center at UK and is a sharp investigator. I had the pleasure of working with him when I was a Behavioral Neurology Fellow at Mayo and he was a Neurology Resident. Of course the healthcare system in the US has problems, any large system will, but I was blessed to work with many brilliant, dedicated, compassionate doctors and nurses for many years. I applaud UK for its dedicated healthcare professionals.
Posted on 3/27/25 at 8:51 am to Wildcat1996
quote:
Quintero and I were PhD students together.
Outstanding

Are you involved with this research?
Don't worry about the down votes, just shows how many haven't been affected by neuro disease.
Posted on 3/27/25 at 9:05 am to Wildcat1996
I had a friend with Parkinson's that made the trip to Kentucky and the work they did really improved his quality of life.
This is great stuff.
This is great stuff.
Posted on 3/27/25 at 9:21 am to Wildcat1996
quote:
5 downvotes for efforts to treat and cure Parkinson's.
Now you'll probably catch more downvotes for pointing it out.

I wouldn't take it too seriously. Nobody is cheering on Parkinson's. Many like to downvote any perceived appearance of virtue signaling.
Posted on 3/27/25 at 10:24 am to MtVernon
quote:
Many like to downvote any perceived appearance of virtue signaling.
Not hip to the kids lingo, what is this?
Posted on 3/27/25 at 10:26 am to Cheese Grits
quote:
Not hip to the kids lingo, what is this?
Dude I'm 61.
Posted on 3/27/25 at 10:27 am to MtVernon
quote:
Not hip to the kids lingo
quote:
Dude I'm 61.
Your point?
(I may have bunions older than you)
Posted on 3/27/25 at 10:28 am to EulerRules
quote:
Dr. Greg Jicha runs the Memory and Aging Center at UK and is a sharp investigator.
Had a pleasure to meeting and working with him in the past. Very smart man and dedicated to the research!
Posted on 3/27/25 at 10:30 am to Cheese Grits
quote:
(I may have bunions older than you)
I have tinnitus, a floater in one eye, and four teeth replaced with implants.
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