News
In June 2026, Dr. Julie Lang, an acclaimed translational research scientist and a clinical specialist in breast surgical oncology, officially joined the faculty of the University of Kentucky Markey Cancer Center as medical director of the Breast Center and the Department of Surgery Division of Surgical Oncology as a professor and section chief of breast surgery.
Five graduating residents and fellows from the UK Department of Surgery will continue serving Kentucky patients as new UK surgery faculty members or in private practice. In addition to the graduates joining UK in Lexington, one graduate is joining the team at Ephraim McDowell Regional Hospital in Danville and another will remain at the UK-affiliated General Surgery group practice at UK St.
The UK College of Medicine Department of Surgery is pleased to welcome new surgeons to its faculty roster. George Lodeiro, MD, a vascular and endovascular surgeon, and Alexander Fagenson, MD, an abdominal transplant specialist, will begin treating Kentucky patients at UK HealthCare in June 2026.
Cortney Lee, MD, professor and section head of endocrine surgery, was appointed to the Warren H. Proudfoot, MD, Endowed Professorship in Surgical Oncology. The UK Board of Trustees approved the appointment at their regular meeting in April 2026.
UK HealthCare and the UK College of Medicine Department of Surgery welcomed an international audience of more than 500 endocrine surgeons to Lexington, Kentucky, for the 46th Annual Meeting of the American Association of Endocrine Surgeons (AAES), April 18 - 20, at the Central Bank Center.
Michael Sekela, MD, professor and division chief of cardiac surgery, officially retired from the University of Kentucky College of Medicine Department of Surgery faculty in February 2026, finishing a 40-year career as one of Kentucky's preeminent cardiac surgeons.
A new study co-authored by University of Kentucky Markey Cancer Center researchers Jessica Burris, PhD, Timothy Mullett, MD, and Graham Warren, MD, PhD, shows that making smoking cessation assistance a standard part of cancer care is achievable on a national scale and can happen relatively quickly.
By Josh Shepherd
The UK College of Medicine Department of Surgery is proud to announce the appointment of Hassan Reda, MD, professor of surgery, as the new division chief of cardiac surgery. His term officially began on February 1, 2026.
The University of Kentucky Multidisciplinary Endocarditis Team recently published a seminal paper on the treatment of infective endocarditis with oral antibiotics.
Kentucky has one of the nation’s highest burdens of chronic lung disease, a challenge intensified by smoking prevalence, occupational exposures and limited access to specialized care in rural communities. As UK HealthCare looks to expand its services for those with advanced lung conditions, a new leader is helping to guide that effort.
By Tanya Leach
One spring day in Missouri, Kyle Riggs sat on the bench during his Little League game. His teammates ran across the diamond, but his uniform stayed clean, his glove tucked under his arm. A long scar marked his chest.
The Eastern Association for the Surgery of Trauma (EAST) has awarded their 2026 Trauma Research Scholarship to Helen Wei, MD, assistant professor in the UK College of Medicine Department of Surgery Trauma Division.
Jacob Hubbuch, MD ’22, grew up in London, Ky., dreaming of a career in medicine. Now a fourth-year surgical resident at the University of Kentucky College of Medicine, he’s helping shape something new: a generation of physicians fluent in both clinical care and technology.
At the start of November, William Weir, MD, became the 11th new faculty member to join the UK College of Medicine Department of Surgery in 2025. Dr. Weir joins the division of thoracic surgery, bringing with him considerable experience in lung transplantation, mechanical circulatory support, and critical care.
By Josh Shepherd
University of Kentucky Markey Cancer Center researcher Eric Rellinger, MD, was selected to receive the American College of Surgeons’ 2026-2031
The American College of Surgeons (ACS) Scholarship Committee has selected Eric Rellinger, MD, FACS, a pediatric surgeon-scientist at the University of Kentucky, as recipient of its most prestigious early-career research award. The announcement came at the beginning of the 2025 ACS Clinical Congress in early October.
The University of Kentucky College of Medicine Awards Convocation recognizes excellence across our institution. During the annual event, faculty, staff, and learners were recognized for their exceptional contributions to education, research, clinical care, and service. On Oct.
By Hilary Brown
When Shelia Binion went to UK St. Claire for a lung biopsy, it happened to be on her birthday.