The University of Kentucky College of Medicine is pleased to announce that, following a comprehensive national search, Kenan Penaskovic, MD, has been selected as the next chair of the UK College of Medicine Department of Psychiatry. He will officially begin his role this summer.
In addition to serving as chair, Dr. Penaskovic will be the physician-in-chief of psychiatric services for UK HealthCare.
Dr. Penaskovic joins the University of Kentucky from the University of North Carolina School of Medicine, where he has built an exemplary career as a clinician, educator, and administrative leader. He currently serves as interim chair of psychiatry, vice-chair of clinical affairs, and assistant dean for student affairs.
Dr. Penaskovic received his Doctor of Medicine from the University of Alabama School of Medicine and completed his psychiatry residency at the University of North Carolina Hospitals, where he also served as chief resident. He has since built a distinguished career at UNC, holding key leadership roles in clinical operations and medical student education. He has also served as inpatient medical director for the psychotic disorders unit and as a supervisor in the adult diagnostic and teaching clinic, bringing extensive experience in both inpatient and outpatient care.
Throughout his career, Dr. Penaskovic has demonstrated a strong commitment to expanding access to psychiatric services and strengthening clinical operations. He has led initiatives that improved patient care, enhanced service delivery, and supported the growth of departmental programs.
As an educator, he is widely recognized for excellence in teaching and mentorship. He has held key leadership roles in medical student and resident education and has been honored at both local and national levels for his educational contributions.
We are confident that Dr. Penaskovic’s vision and experience will advance the psychiatry department’s mission and support the continued growth of clinical, educational, and research programs across the UK College of Medicine.
The UK College of Medicine would like to thank Teresa Gevedon, MD, for her dedicated service as acting chair of psychiatry. Her leadership and steady guidance have been invaluable during this transition period. We would also like to thank the search committee for its hard work and time commitment during the selection process.
Please join us in welcoming Dr. Penaskovic to the UK College of Medicine!