Faculty at the promotion ceremony

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.

Anesthesiology

Sarah Jean Hall, MD, PhD
Associate Professor

Headshot of Olivia Henderson

Olivia Henderson, MD, said that beyond “tubes and tonsils,” she did not know much about otolaryngology when she started medical school. During her third-year surgery clerkship at the University of Kentucky College of Medicine, she discovered her dream career while working within the specialty.

“It felt like after just one day on that service that I never looked back,” she said.

Dr. Ginny Gottschalk

The University of Kentucky College of Medicine is excited to select physician and dedicated Kentuckian Ginny Gottschalk, MD, as the new chair of family and community medicine.

Dr. Gottschalk has served as acting chair of the department for nearly a year. She is an associate professor in the clinical title series and has been part of the department faculty since 2014.

Dr. Omar Al-Janabi

Omar Al-Janabi, MBChB, PhD, MS, initially arrived in Lexington, Ky., for a master’s program and an affordable place to live with his family. Nearly a decade later, he has completed not one but three graduate training programs at the University of Kentucky College of Medicine. He also has engaged with mentors who will have a lasting impact on his career in medicine and research.

Darayon Moore

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Dr. Na'Tasha Evans

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.

Drs. Khawla Abusamra (left) and Thien Thanh Nguyen

Khawla Abusamra, MBBS, and Thien Thanh Nguyen, MD, are fourth-year residents in the UK College of Medicine Department of Neurology. As they near the end of their programs, they reflect on the department’s exceptional training and the lasting friendships they built along the way, including with one another. 

Samantha Ford

Samantha Ford had always wanted to go to medical school, but after training in a clinical laboratory setting at the University of Kentucky College of Medicine, she gained a new perspective on how research can play a role in her future career as a physician.

Class of 2023 Match Day group picture

The Northern Kentucky Campus inaugural class gained an irreplaceable opportunity to pave the way for future generations and improve health care in Kentucky.

CCRU clinic student volunteers Christa Mattingly and Sonia Bhati pose with Dr. Holly Danneman

This spring, the UK College of Medicine-Northern Kentucky Campus will graduate its first class of students. After four years, the campus not only celebrates its full complement of students, but also their extraordinary commitment to serving their communities.

Ryan Yadav

A young Ryan Yadav assumed he would move far away from home when he set off for college. But after eight years of training at the University of Kentucky, he wants to remain a Kentuckian now more than ever.

Josh Musalia

Josh Musalia’s uncle, an orthopaedic surgeon in Kenya, served as his inspiration for going to medical school. Musalia was moved by what his being a doctor represented: people counted on him, he was a valuable member of the community, and he served as a go-to for medical expertise.

Musalia aspired for that same meaningful patient interaction as a physician.

Katie Ward, Charles Price, and Kassidy Price

Close friends Charles Price, Kassidy Price, and Katie Ward have leaned on one another throughout their medical training. When they graduate this spring and embark on their next journey, residency, it will be the first time they live in different towns in more than eight years.

Gabriella Smith

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.

Claire and Dylan Sanford

Western Kentucky is special to Claire and Dylan Sanford. It’s where they met and started dating. It’s where Dylan proposed to Claire, on the same Owensboro High School court he played basketball and she cheered.

Holly Danneman

For Holly Danneman, MD, “Northern Kentucky is home.” Born and raised in the region, she is a St. Elizabeth Healthcare physician who has spent 20 years and counting practicing medicine in the Northern Kentucky community. 

Paul Hennig, MD

About 2,200 miles away from his hometown and alma mater in Lexington, Ky., Paul Hennig, MD, is using his UK College of Medicine education to promote patient-centered health care for underserved communities.

Northern Kentucky Match Day
The UK College of Medicine celebrated its largest group of matching students and its highest percentage of students matching into Kentucky residency programs.

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.

Match Day celebration at Lexington
Ahead of the big day, UK College of Medicine faculty, staff, trainees, and alumni share their experience with Match Day and offer advice for fourth-years going through it this year

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

Alliance research initiative - researchers collaborating

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.