News

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?

Haley Wehder, MD, loved birthday parties. So much so, that after only one year of knowing resident Conor Malloy, MD, she threw an elaborate surprise party for his wife.
Though not a “birthday party person” himself, Dr. Malloy couldn’t help but smile that Dr. Wehder went the extra mile for someone she only knew a short time.

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.
AnesthesiologySarah Jean Hall, MD, PhD
Associate Professor

Kentucky Children’s Hospital (KCH) has been recognized as a 2023-24 Best Children’s Hospital by U.S. News & World Report.

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.

According to her family, Gabriella Smith was the second oldest of six and “the helper child” of the bunch. She lived up to this nickname at home in Alexandria, Ky., caring for her three youngest siblings who have special needs. She demonstrated it through church, traveling with teams across Central America to make health care more accessible.

Thaddeus Salmon, MD, assistant professor of internal medicine and pediatrics, recognized addiction as a major health challenge for patients in Kentucky. He felt that as a physician, it was “a moral conviction” to continue learning how he could best serve his patients and integrate addiction medicine into his practice.

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.

Claire Collins, MD, knew the University of Kentucky Internal Medicine/Psychiatry Residency Program was a perfect fit after she completed her interview.

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.

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.
Laura Krueger and Aaron Silverstein share the same career aspiration. They want to become physician-scientists, which will allow them to fulfill both of their passions – medicine and research. While they are both on the same trajectory, they didn’t quite get to this career path the same way.

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.

The University of Kentucky College of Medicine is excited to announce the creation of a new leadership position at its campus in Bowling Green, Ky., to ensure the seamless integration of the college’s curriculum at the regional site.

The University of Kentucky’s ninth annual Healthy Hearts for Women Symposium will bring in nationally recognized experts to raise awareness about the dangers of heart disease and educate attendees on prevention techniques.

The University of Kentucky College of Medicine’s Salvation Army Clinic is a student-run, free clinic that serves as a learning environment for medical, pharmacy, and social work students while providing acute onsite health care for uninsured patients at the Salvation Army of Central Kentucky.

According to her family, Gabriella Smith was the second oldest of six and “the helper child” of the bunch. She lived up to this nickname at home in Alexandria, Ky., caring for her three youngest siblings who have special needs. She demonstrated it through church, traveling with teams across Central America to make health care more accessible.
Trauma reactions (i.e., emotional trauma) can show up in many stages of a child’s experience at the doctor’s office or hospital. These reactions may present when the child is emotionally scarred by an invasive surgery or painful physical therapy. They may occur when a child struggles with port access or needle sticks and has to be held down to receive life-saving treatments.


During Indigenous Peoples’ Month, the UK College of Medicine is highlighting historical figures who paved the way for an equitable future in medicine.