For Holly Danneman, MD, “Northern Kentucky is home.” Born and raised in the region, she is a St. Elizabeth Healthcare physician who has spent 20 years and counting practicing medicine in the Northern Kentucky community.
As of March 24, she has a new role to help advance health care in the region: associate dean for the University of Kentucky College of Medicine-Northern Kentucky Campus.
Dr. Danneman takes over for Steven Haist, MD, MS, the campus’ founding associate dean whose leadership was key for its success in reaching a full complement of students. The Northern Kentucky Campus celebrated its first Match Day event on Friday, March 17, and the campus’ inaugural class will graduate this spring.
As the new associate dean, Dr. Danneman will lead the regional campus’ efforts to train more physicians for Kentucky and our Northern Kentucky region. She said she hopes to build upon the campus’ strong partnerships with St. Elizabeth Healthcare and Northern Kentucky University, two organizations that collaborated with UK to establish the regional campus.
“You have to truly know your trade to be able to not only treat patients but also teach the next generation,” Dr. Danneman said. “As a practicing physician, I’ve witnessed firsthand how this medical knowledge and skill translates into exceptional patient care. In partnering with our Northern Kentucky medical community, my colleagues are now able to share their knowledge and skill with this next generation of physicians. This is a win for not only my students but for our patients as we strive to make our community one of the healthiest communities in the nation.”
Dr. Danneman has played an integral role in medical education at the UK College of Medicine’s regional campus starting before it opened in 2019. She has served in important educational roles, including preceptor and site director for the Introduction to Clinical Medicine (ICM) course and acting internship in family medicine, as well as preceptor for the Advanced Clinical Medicine (ACM) course and the family medicine third-year clerkship.
As part of the faculty, Dr. Danneman executed the development of Compassionate Care Reaching yoU (CCRU), a free, Northern Kentucky Campus student-run clinic at the local homeless shelter. For her efforts to strengthen local partnerships, she was recognized with the UK College of Medicine’s 2023 Community Engagement Award within the prestigious Mission, Vision, Pillar, and Enabler awards.
Additionally, Dr. Danneman is a proud Kentuckian whose early years as a doctor were shaped by her education in the Northern Kentucky region. She completed undergraduate training across the Ohio River at Xavier University, followed by medical school at the UK College of Medicine and a family medicine residency at St. Elizabeth Healthcare in Edgewood, Ky.
“I am honored to play a role in helping UK College of Medicine train future doctors to care for patients in my hometown and the Commonwealth of Kentucky,” Dr. Danneman said. “I don’t know how it could get much better than that.”
Dr. Danneman’s promotion to associate dean comes after being named assistant dean of the Northern Kentucky Campus, with a focus on faculty development and student advising.
“Dr. Danneman’s commitment to teaching and devotion to advancing health care in Northern Kentucky are palpable and two key qualities that will make her an exceptional leader of the Northern Kentucky Campus,” said Stephanie White, MD, MS, senior associate dean for medical student education. “As we welcome her to this new role, we thank Dr. Haist for building the foundation for the success at our regional site.”
The UK College of Medicine would like to congratulate Dr. Haist for his four years leading the Northern Kentucky Campus as he transitions into his new role as associate dean for curriculum and assessment to help shape medical education across all campuses.
