As the University of Kentucky College of Medicine continues expanding its clinical and educational reach, two new graduate medical education (GME) programs represent a major step toward the college’s goal of advancing health care across the Commonwealth.
The new internal medicine residency programs — launched in Ashland and Pikeville, Ky. — are designed to meet two intertwined needs: to train exceptional physicians and to bring care where it’s needed most. Together, they reinforce UK’s commitment to improving health outcomes through education, service and partnership with Kentucky communities.
Kentucky faces persistent challenges in attracting and retaining physicians, particularly in rural and Appalachian regions. The Commonwealth ranks 40th nationally in primary care physicians per capita, and more than 100 of its 120 counties are designated health professional shortage areas.
That’s what makes these new programs so significant. By establishing residency training in Ashland and Pikeville, the college is not only expanding graduate medical education — it’s helping build a sustainable pipeline of physicians who understand, care for and ultimately choose to stay in Kentucky communities.
“Graduate medical education is one of the most powerful tools we have to address the physician shortage,” said Katherine McKinney, MD, professor of medicine and senior associate dean for graduate medical education. “Physicians are far more likely to practice where they train. These programs are about growing talent in Kentucky, for Kentucky.”
Ashland
In Ashland, the UK King’s Daughters (UKKD) Internal Medicine Residency Program will serve as a training hub for residents caring for patients across eastern Kentucky, southern Ohio, and western West Virginia. With two acute-care hospitals, more than 80 outpatient sites, and over 400 physicians and advanced practitioners, UKKD provides the full clinical spectrum of care, offering residents exposure to a diverse range of conditions and patient needs. Under the leadership of program director Charbel Salem, MD, the new program will accept three residents per year.
“The establishment of the Internal Medicine Residency Program at UK King’s Daughters marks a new chapter in our long tradition of teaching and service,” said Dr. Salem. “For years, we have trained nursing students, medical students and rotating residents from the University of Kentucky. Having our own residency program now solidifies that commitment to education and community health.”
He added that training physicians in northeastern Kentucky is essential to building a sustainable health workforce in the area. “This region is a uniquely supportive and close-knit community, but it also faces health challenges that differ from those in urban or suburban areas. Training physicians here allows them to understand and address the local social determinants of health and the complexities of chronic diseases that affect many of our patients.”
Residents at UK King’s Daughters will receive broad clinical experience in both inpatient and outpatient settings, supported by multidisciplinary teams that include care managers, pharmacists and social workers.
“We’re also incorporating didactic sessions led by specialists in areas such as urology, psychiatry and addiction medicine to ensure residents develop a holistic approach to care,” Dr. Salem said. “Beyond clinical training, we are integrating wellness, mindfulness and professional development sessions to help residents grow not only as physicians but also as balanced, purpose-driven individuals.
Pikeville
At Pikeville Medical Center (PMC), the new UK Internal Medicine Residency Program represents a transformative collaboration between UK and one of eastern Kentucky’s most advanced regional referral centers. Modernized facilities, expanding emergency and radiology departments, and a deeply engaged teaching faculty all contribute to an environment designed for both learning and service.
The new program, led by Garred Ross Cline, DO, will train four residents per year. Residents will gain experience managing high-acuity, medically complex patients from eastern Kentucky, southern West Virginia and western Virginia, many of whom face chronic conditions compounded by socioeconomic barriers and limited access to care.
“Our goal in designing this residency was to build something intentionally small, agile and academically rigorous,” said Dr. Cline. “A program of this size allows us to build a training environment where faculty involvement is intentional, consistent and directly integrated into day-to-day learning. It creates the kind of continuity and mentorship that helps residents grow in a structured, meaningful way.”
Residents at PMC will train in inpatient medicine, ambulatory care and subspecialty rotations while contributing to performance improvement and community health initiatives. As members of the program’s inaugural class, they will also help shape its culture and traditions, leaving a legacy for future cohorts.
“Eastern Kentucky needs physicians who are rooted in the region, trained here, and invested in its health. Pikeville is uniquely positioned to deliver that kind of training,” Dr. Cline said. “The major operational and strategic decisions for our hospital network are made right here on our campus by leaders who continue to care directly for patients, giving residents a front-row seat to how health care decisions are made at every level. We want our residents to develop not only clinical excellence but also a deep understanding of how health care functions administratively — because the physicians of the future must know how to navigate and improve the systems in which they practice.”
Preparing future leaders
The new programs in Ashland and Pikeville align with the College of Medicine’s broader mission to advance Kentucky through education, research, clinical care and service.
By establishing high-quality residency programs in communities that have historically lacked such opportunities, UK is expanding health care resources — and cultivating physicians who understand Kentucky’s unique challenges from the ground up.
“The UK College of Medicine is helping ensure that the next generation of physicians gain firsthand experience caring for medically complex and underserved populations, while forming lasting ties to the communities that need them most,” said Dr. McKinney. “Through innovative partnerships, targeted investments and a focus on population health, the college is expanding access to both education and care.”
From the foothills of Ashland to the valleys of Pikeville, the launch of these residency programs signifies more than institutional growth; it represents a shared promise: that where you live should never determine the quality of your health care.
