Jeremy Swiney, MD

Jeremy Swiney, MD, became interested in medicine after shadowing his hometown physician while in high school. Growing up in Magoffin County, Ky., Dr. Swiney witnessed the impact local physicians had on his small town, igniting a passion for serving rural communities. 

Michael Rankin, M.D., a decorated UK College of Medicine alum and Fort Logan Derby-Wright Foundation board member, interacts with students. Mark Cornelison | UK Photo

For years, the University of Kentucky College of Medicine’s Professional Education Preparation Program (PEPP)-Scholars has provided summer academic enrichment activities to rising college freshmen from racially/ethnically underrepresented or rural backgrounds. The goal of this early exposure to the field of medicine carries with it the hope of solidifying their commitment to the career path.

Second-year College of Medicine students Parisa ShamaeiZadeh (left) and Noor Ali.

Thanks to a student-led effort, free sunscreen dispensers are available throughout the University of Kentucky’s medical campus. 

The dispensers — which offer passersby a hypoallergenic SPF 30 perfect for all skin types — are the idea of second-year College of Medicine students Noor Ali and Parisa ShamaeiZadeh.  

muto and his wife

Just a few weeks into Alexander Muto’s first year of medical school, disaster struck his hometown of Lahaina, Hawaii. 

Class of 2024

On Saturday, May 11, we celebrated the graduation of 195 medical students from the UK College of Medicine Class of 2024!  

Watch the Commencement Ceremony >>>

Todd Cheever with Trevor Hoffman
Congratulations to following students, trainees, faculty, and staff who were honored at the University of Kentucky College of Medicine’s Senior Awards Ceremony this spring.  College of American Pathologists Distinguished Medical Student Award

Melissa Murphy (Student, Bowling Green)

 

Group of award winners

The University of Kentucky College of Medicine is excited to share the winners of the third annual Mission, Vision, Pillar, and Enabler (MVPE) Awards.

Thaddeus Salmon, MD

Thaddeus Salmon, MD, was recognized by the University of Kentucky as a 2024 Outstanding Teaching Awardee. Dr. Salmon, an alum of the UK College of Medicine, is an assistant professor of medicine and pediatrics. Please join us in congratulating Dr. Salmon on this recognition! 

aerial view of St. Claire Healthcare in Morehead, Ky.

The University of Kentucky Board of Trustees on Friday approved plans to proceed with the acquisition of St. Claire HealthCare in Morehead. 

The University of Kentucky College of Medicine is excited to share that 31 medical students from the Bowling Green, Lexington, Morehead, and Northern Kentucky campuses were recently inducted into the Gold Humanism Honor Society. 

Congratulations to the following medical students in the Class of 2025!

JB Bradley and his daughter, Cali, celebrated Match Day in Lexington

When John “JB” Bradley was a young boy growing up in Beattyville, Ky., he dreamed of being a doctor. Inspired by his small town’s family physician, he imagined taking care of families just like his own one day.

Anthem scholarship

The University of Kentucky College of Medicine congratulates two outstanding medical students for receiving the inaugural Anthem Rural Medicine Scholarships, funded by Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield Medicaid in Kentucky.

the dean interviewing a department chair in front of a camera

Over the next few months, the UK College of Medicine will be releasing an exciting mini-documentary series called “Because We Care.” Capturing interviews and conversations with people across our community, the four-part series explores who we are as a college and why our mission matters to all of us, whether we are learners, faculty, researchers, or staff.

chris lakes headshot

The UK College of Medicine is pleased to announce that Chris Lakes, EdD, has been named associate dean for student affairs, with his first day set for April 8, 2024. 

Dean Griffith talking to faculty

Charles “Chipper” Griffith’s workday uniform switched from scrubs to office wear when he graduated residency and joined the University of Kentucky College of Medicine faculty in 1994. Shortly after, he began making a statement with loud, colorful ties. 

voelker and dunbar

Andrew Dunbar, a fourth-year medical student at the UK College of Medicine-Lexington Campus, is looking forward to his future career in pediatrics. After Match Day this year, he is also looking forward to completing residency in the same city as his fiancé, Alex Voelker, a fourth-year student at the college’s Northern Kentucky Campus. 

Sam Potter

Samuel Potter, MD, considers himself a “lifelong Kentuckian.” He was born and raised in the Commonwealth and says he has no intentions of leaving anytime soon. The Pikeville, Ky., native grew up watching his father run a small medical practice, learning about health disparities affecting such rural areas from a young age.  

BG match

On Friday, March 15 at noon ET, aspiring physicians around the country learned where they would continue their medical training during annual Match Day celebrations. 

The UK College of Medicine celebrated Match Day across its four campuses—Bowling Green, Lexington, Northern Kentucky, and Morehead—with 192 students entering some type of match this year. 

Dillon Powell

Northern Kentucky has always been home for Dillon Powell, a fourth-year medical student at the University of Kentucky College of Medicine. Raised in Independence, Ky, he attended Simon Kenton High School and Thomas More University. When the College of Medicine opened its Northern Kentucky Campus in 2019, he knew that was where he wanted to go for medical school. 

April Hatcher, PhD headshot

The University of Kentucky College of Medicine is pleased to announce that April Hatcher, PhD, has been named assistant dean for foundational sciences. Dr. Hatcher will assume this new role beginning April 1, 2024.