25th Anniversary Voluntary Faculty Conference

Community health professionals who dedicate their time as a University of Kentucky appointed Voluntary Faculty are, in part, preparing students to deliver health care to Kentucky. These providers are a crucial part of shaping UK health profession student’s knowledge, skill, values and identities as a health care provider, regardless of discipline. The University of Kentucky Voluntary Faculty Program is designed to meet the needs of these Voluntary Faculty through opportunities for continued professional growth and integration into the teaching process. Beginning in 1994 the then Community Faculty Program (present day Voluntary Faculty Program) began hosing a statewide annual conference specifically for these voluntary faculty, their campus faculty colleagues, administration, professional staff and regional AHEC staff as a way to show appreciation for their time and commitment throughout the year. The Conference allows various programs’ constituents to develop new, and refine existing, precepting skills while also providing a venue for the exchange of information among community and campus colleagues. Happily, the UK Area Health Education Center Central Office hosted the 25th Anniversary Conference on March 22-23, 2019. Distinguished guests who help create and shape the Voluntary Faculty Program and Conference initially joined current preceptors to help celebrate this token anniversary. Needless to say, UK and the AHEC Office are quite proud of the Conference and its continual desire to meet the needs of appointed Voluntary Faculty. No other known AHEC/Voluntary Faculty Conference exists nation-wide.