University of Kentucky College of Medicine student and Lexington native Lee Kiefer became the first American to win a gold medal in an individual foil event defeating reigning Olympic champion Inna Deriglazova (ROC) 15-13 in Tokyo. She also earned Team USA's first fencing medal of the delayed 2020 Olympics and ninth medal since the game began. 

In her work as chair of University of Kentucky’s Department of Molecular & Cellular Biochemistry, Rebecca Dutch, Ph.D., partners with researchers and faculty from multiple disciplines across the University of Kentucky.

Now, Dutch is taking on even more research responsibilities, as she was recently appointed vice dean of research for the UK College of Medicine. In her new role, she will oversee and encourage research, from basic areas to clinical applications and more for the college.

The University of Kentucky College of Medicine is excited to welcome a new class of medical students across all of its campuses.

On Thursday, July 29, and Friday, July 30, 2021, the college will hold White Coat Ceremonies for new students after going through their first-year orientation. These events mark the official start to our students' journey to a medical degree.

Many medical students point to an event or moment while they were growing up when they knew they wanted to go into medicine, but Coby Bessinger’s interests in science and helping people have been a constant as long as she can remember.

“I’ve always loved science,” she said.

Granite Pare, a native of Warren County, Ky., always knew he wanted to be a doctor. At first, it was largely because he enjoyed watching his dad serve as an ER physician in Bowling Green. It seemed exciting, and to anyone young, a career in medicine looks glamorous, promises influence, and has the potential for a high salary.

But as he got older and mapped out a path to medical school, a nagging question would often grip Pare: “Am I doing this for the right reasons?”

In summer 2020, Maya Cleveland joined the University of Kentucky Health Corps as a contact tracer identifying individuals who might have come in contact with a person infected with COVID-19. During this time efforts to control the spread were relatively more difficult with high positive testing rates and uncertainty surrounding the virus.

Cleveland said providing support to faculty, staff, and learners during the toughest parts of the pandemic was a rewarding experience. It prepared her well for pursuing a medical degree at the UK College of Medicine this fall.

John Cornelius remembers in kindergarten being asked what he wanted to be when he grew up. His response was always, “doctor.”

A major inspiration was his aunt, a trailblazer who was one of the first female doctors in his hometown of Mount Vernon, Ky., in Rockcastle County. She battled cancer for decades while treating patients.

“She was very well-known in the community,” Cornelius said. “She was helping a lot of patients that weren’t even as sick as she was, and she was always willing to do that with a big smile on her face.”

LEXINGTON, Ky. (July 22, 2021) — Like many teenagers in Appalachia, Chezney Boothe knows the reality of losing a loved one to cancer all too well.

“My paternal grandmother had colon cancer, and she passed away before I was born,” said the rising high school junior from Hazard, Kentucky. “The experience of not knowing her is what really drove me to want to do something about it in my community.”