FEATURE
When you get to that level, you’ll never run out of topics. One of my
favorite episodes was about insects. It discussed viruses that insects
can carry, what new ones may be coming, and it also stressed not
killing insects that are beneficial to us.”
Dr. Tuckson is quick to say this wide range of topics is deliberate,
and it has grown exponentially since the show’s early days. “I have
constantly tried not to focus too much on any one topic,” he said.
“It used to be that almost every fourth show I did was about cancer.
But, for example, when you talk about smoking and lung cancer,
you’re also going to touch on heart disease and vascular disease and
other problems. One topic may be intertwined with 100 others.”
As for the move to a new location, Dr. Tuckson said the new
environment has been a breath of fresh air. “Honestly, it’s kind
of reinvigorated me to the whole process,” he said. “Having Laura
as a producer has been great. I can rely on her to get things done,
to follow up with people, to make phone calls, and be the voice of
reason. The first thing they did was rein me in a bit. For example,
we started using a teleprompter to keep my introduction consistent.
That was new for me, and I must admit that it’s been fun.”
On the set of Kentucky Health earlier this year, an episode about
Medicaid expansion was being recorded with some prestigious
guests: Michael Rust, the President and CEO of the Kentucky Hospi-
tal Association and Patrick Padgett, Executive Vice President of the
Kentucky Medical Association. Dr. Tuckson and the staff moved at
top speed before and during the show to make sure everything was
running smoothly, all while making the guests feel at ease. When a
word was off on the teleprompter, Krueger and the film crew made a
quick decision behind the scenes and got word to Dr. Tuckson that
another quick retake would be required. In 60 seconds, the reshoot
was complete and the crew had what they needed. From start to
finish, the 28-minute episode was recorded in under 40.
“These guys are sharp,” Dr. Tuckson said. “As I told Ralph and I
tell them at KET, your job is to make me look good and my job is
to reflect the professionalism, hard work, and expertise that they
bring to the show. I know that if we are all working towards the
same goal, we can educate people and have fun.”
His producers will be the first to tell you, the show wouldn’t be
what it is without the work Dr. Tuckson does both in front of and
behind the camera. “Wayne is really good on camera. His ability to
take complicated medical topics and explain them to the general
audience is extraordinary. What you see on TV is exactly what he’s
like,” said Professor Merkel. “He’s friendly. He’s engaging. He cares
about whoever he’s talking to at the time. He’s just a natural, and he’s
dedicated to spreading health care information. With a little extra
time, I think Kentucky Health could be a national show.”
with my program, but I like to go deeper with each subject. I want
to tell viewers ‘How do you get from here to here to treatment’ and
call it a day. I think there’s a role for that type of program.”
Two decades ago, Dr. Tuckson had a goal of putting health care
information in the hands of low income families. Whatever the
health care topic, he wanted to be a resource for Kentucky residents
in need.
Today, Kentucky Health airs on KET or KET-2 almost every night
of the week. What’s more, at www.ket.org/series/KKHEA, online
visitors can find a schedule of upcoming episodes and view older
episodes focusing on almost any health topic they could imagine.
“What Dr. Tuckson really tries to do, and I think he succeeds, is
to make Kentucky Health feel like you have the chance to sit down
with a doctor and pick his brain on any issue you are interested in,”
said Krueger. “These guys really go into detail on each topic, so you
feel like you’re better educated. What’s amazing is that Dr. Tuckson
is a practicing physician, and has been this whole time. He’s stuck
with this because he believes it’s an important service.”
Aaron Burch is the communications specialist for the Greater Louisville
Medical Society.
When asked about that possibility, Dr. Tuckson admits he’s
dreamed that big. “I would like to take it nationally, but is there room
for another health voice out there?” he asked. “Dr. Oz, for example,
is obviously a smart individual, but I don’t like the selling. I have fun
JULY 2017
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