Medical radio show, based in Morehead but co-hosted by UK folks, recently aired its 600th edition

"Health Matters," a medical radio show on WMKY in Morehead, recently aired its 600th edition, according to a University of Kentucky news release.

Dr. Anthony Weaver and Rick Phillips, manager of communications infrastructure at UK, co-host the show, which debuted in 2003.

"It's my golf," said Weaver, a general internist and associate dean of the Rural Physician Leadership Program at UK's College of Medicine, which is based at a satellite campus in Morehead. "I have a passion for teaching and felt like I had lost opportunities to teach in my practice. This and my love for medical research led to the radio show."

Weaver and Phillips restructured the program in 2003 to be educational, engaging and entertaining, breaking away from the typical physician call-in show of that time, the release reports.

"One of Weaver's favorite shows, "A Musical Journey to Your Anus," won the 2013 National Media Award from the American Society of Colon and Rectal Surgeons for excellence in communicating a better understanding of colon and rectal disease. It featured such catchy tunes as "Oops the Colon's Fragile; It gets Diverticulosis" and "Under the Cecum," the release says.

"Guests have included Kentucky Gov. Ernie Fletcher, former UK President Lee Todd, MSU President Wayne Andrews and 'Kentucky Joe' from the reality show 'Survivor.' Also featured have been UK's vice president for health affairs and the deans of the University Louisville School of Medicine and the University of Pikeville's Kentucky College of Osteopathic Medicine," the release reports.

"The show could not have reached our 600th milestone without the generous support of the Northeast Kentucky Area Health Education Center and the guidance of Morehead State Public Radio Station manager Paul Hitchcock and news and information director Chuck Mraz," Weaver said.

Health Matters airs on 90.3 FM Saturdays at 10 a.m. and Sundays at 6 a.m. You can also listen to the podcast anytime by visiting www.wmky.org/programs/health-matters.