The University of Kentucky College of Medicine is pleased to announce the appointment of Rachel Saunders, MD, associate professor of obstetrics and gynecology, as the new assistant dean for clinical education in the Office of Medical Education.
Dr. Saunders, a UK College of Medicine alumna, completed both medical school and residency at the University before joining the department of obstetrics and gynecology as faculty in 2016.
Since 2020, Dr. Saunders has served as the clerkship director for the obstetrics and gynecology clerkship. She has also chaired the College of Medicine admissions committee and served as vice-chair of the clerkship directors group.
Her contributions to medical education have been recognized with multiple teaching awards, including the national Excellence in Teaching Award from the Association of Professors of Gynecology and Obstetrics. She was also selected by UK medical students for induction into the Alpha Omega Alpha medical honor society.
In her new role as assistant dean, Dr. Saunders will oversee the clinical curriculum for medical students across the college’s four campuses in Bowling Green, Lexington, Morehead (RPLP), and Northern Kentucky. This comprehensive curriculum encompasses required third-year clinical clerkships across eight departments and offers over 200 fourth-year acting internships and elective courses.
"Dr. Saunders’ experiences will be a huge asset to this role," said John Ragsdale, MD, MS, associate dean for curriculum. “In particular, her leadership as a clerkship director and the positive changes she brought to that clerkship will enable her to similarly impact our clinical curriculum as a whole. I’m excited to have Dr. Saunders joining our curriculum leadership team.”