photo of Paula Works and Franny Meritt

Franny Meritt, Certified Nurse Midwife (CNM) in the UK College of Medicine Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, was recently named UK HealthCare’s first CNM of the Year! The special recognition was part of UK HealthCare’s Celebration of National Advanced Practice Provider (APP) week. National APP week was celebrated September 25-29, 2023.

Dr. DeFranco

The University of Kentucky College of Medicine is thrilled to announce that after an extensive search, Emily DeFranco, DO, MS, has been selected to serve as the new chair of obstetrics and gynecology.

A picture of four pregnant women holding their stomachs

A team of researchers at the University of Kentucky is working to reduce the number of deaths and injuries among pregnant and postpartum women through an online training program for UK students in helping professions across nine UK colleges.

Dr. Harbin

Mackenzie Harbin, MD, is gynecologic-oncology fellow (PGY-7) at the University of Kentucky College of Medicine. Originally from Frankfort, Ky., she cherishes the opportunity to return to the Bluegrass to care for women in the Commonwealth.

From left to right: Dr. Rachel Wilson, Lisa Williams, Renee Gallagher, and LeAnn Barber

Burnout is a problem in any profession, but it is rampant in health care. This national problem has been evident recently as the COVID-19 pandemic pushed many learners, practitioners, faculty, and staff to the limit.

Image of Dr. Flowers, Amandah Hesselbrock and Baby

When Amandah Hesselbrock found out 37 weeks into her pregnancy that her fourth baby was in a breech position, she was overwhelmed with anxiety. Breech babies account for about 4% of all full-term pregnancies and often result in a Cesarean birth (C-section). 

Image of Drs. Saunders, Rone, and Flowers

The mission of the department of obstetrics and gynecology is to provide excellent and advanced clinical care, educate the next generation of physicians, and research the questions that lead to discovery and advancement. The mission only succeeds when we have committed faculty who devote their career to these grand goals.

Stock photo of woman on computer

The University of Kentucky College of Medicine is excited to announce that faculty, staff, learners, and trainees will have free access to a leading online resource for medical Spanish proficiency.

CanopyLearn, a Spanish language training program for health care professionals, will be available to the UK College of Medicine community starting Aug. 1.

A purple filtered image of a diabetic person checking their blood sugar.

A new study conducted by a group of researchers, including the interim executive director of the University of Kentucky Center for Research on Violence Against Women (CRVAW), has found that people who experience interpersonal violence or child abuse face a more than 20% increased risk of developing diabetes. 

Headshot of Dr. Na'Tasha Evans

Na’Tasha Evans, PhD, MEd, is a researcher, published author, champion for female empowerment, and our new vice dean for diversity, equity, and inclusion at the University of Kentucky College of Medicine. Learn more about her goals, her past work, and more in the following Q&A.

Q: What inspired you to pursue a career in research? 

Faculty at the promotion ceremony

Congratulations to the following basic science and clinical faculty at the University of Kentucky College of Medicine! These individuals were honored with promotions and tenure in fiscal year 2023.

Names are organized alphabetically by department.

Anesthesiology

Sarah Jean Hall, MD, PhD
Associate Professor

The University of Kentucky College of Medicine invites applications and nominations for chair of its highly-regarded department of obstetrics and gynecology.

THE OPPORTUNITY

Dr. Na'Tasha Evans

Following an extensive national search and interviews with highly qualified individuals, the College of Medicine is excited to welcome Na’Tasha Evans, PhD, MEd, as the new vice dean for diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) and associate professor in the department of behavioral science.

Behind the Blue logo

This past December, the Ashland-based King’s Daughters Health System officially became part of the University of Kentucky, a move that helps create greater access to high-quality care for more Kentuckians.

Northern Kentucky Match Day
The UK College of Medicine celebrated its largest group of matching students and its highest percentage of students matching into Kentucky residency programs.

The University of Kentucky College of Medicine is proud to recognize its fourth-year students who learned their pivotal next step in training – residency – during Friday’s Match Day celebrations.

Red-haired boy standing in front of the words, "SEE IT, STOP IT."

A team of researchers at the University of Kentucky is studying strategies to prevent child sex trafficking (CST) across the Commonwealth. The first phase of the project involves raising awareness about the issue.

Alliance research initiative - researchers collaborating

Nearly three years ago, the University of Kentucky College of Medicine launched the Alliance Research Initiative to promote collaboration and mentorship through interdisciplinary research teams. With members spanning across UK departments and colleges, these teams were established to address Kentucky’s most urgent health needs.

Congrats graphic

The University of Kentucky College of Medicine is pleased to announce the faculty, staff, and learners who were winners of the annual Mission, Vision, Pillar, and Enabler Awards.

BIRCWH Logo - A woman standing with her arms outstretched like tree branches. BIRCWH: Building Interdisciplinary Research Careers in Women's Health at the University of Kentucky

The University of Kentucky Building Interdisciplinary Research Careers in Women’s Health (BIRCWH) program is accepting applications for scholars interested in research to advance women’s health.

Gurpreet Dhaliwal

The UK College of Medicine is excited to welcome Gurpreet Dhaliwal, MD, as the visiting professor delivering this year’s Alpha Omega Alpha (AOA) Humanities Lecture.