News

To enable the University of Kentucky College of Medicine to succeed in its mission for a healthier Kentucky, leadership must prioritize the wellness and well-being of faculty, staff, and learners. We are excited to announce that Lisa Williams, MSSA, has been selected to serve in a new position to help us excel in this goal.

Alicia Fields, DNP, FNP-C, aspired to become a doctor ever since she was a child with her Fisher Price medical kit and toy stethoscope. But when it came time to review the pre-med curriculum and start training, she was intimidated.

It is a great pleasure to announce that effective today, July 18, Stephanie L. White, MD, MS, associate professor of pediatrics, will lead the UK College of Medicine Office of Medical Education as the new senior associate dean for medical student education.

When Alison Porter attended Morehead State University for her undergraduate degree, she “fell in love” with the eastern Kentucky community and the nearby Appalachian Mountains.

For physician-scientist Mary Sheppard, M.D., her clinical practice and research are deeply personal.

The UK College of Medicine has new social channels, including a new Facebook page. Follow us to stay connected! Click the links below to find us on social media platforms.
 

Senior year of high school, Ahmad Hakoum decided to make a lifestyle change that would end up making a huge impact on his life. 

“I looked in the mirror one day and was like, ‘I’m super skinny. I need to do something about this,’” Hakoum said.

For years, Jade Nicely’s family told her that she shared mannerisms and an uncanny resemblance to her late aunt Chrissy. They also shared an interest in medicine.

Chrissy died young, before following her dream of becoming a doctor. As Nicely joins the UK College of Medicine-Northern Kentucky Campus, she will pursue her medical career as a tribute to her aunt.

The UK College of Medicine is excited to announce that Diana Heiman, MD, professor of family and community medicine, has been selected to serve as associate dean for faculty development and advancement.

Rachèle Yadon, MD, is an assistant professor of psychiatry at the University of Kentucky College of Medicine. Along with serving on the faculty, she is a diversity and inclusion ambassador. In this role, she is charged with developing more equitable practices and leading these efforts in her department.

Jon Vincent is not a doctor yet, but he has played one on TV.

Vincent, an MD/PhD student at the UK College of Medicine, had early experience wearing scrubs in a clinical setting when he served as an extra for a recent episode of the hit medical drama, “Grey’s Anatomy.”

The College of Medicine LGBTQ+ Advisory Committee was established to build a more inclusive environment for LGBTQ+ faculty, staff, and trainees. Under direction of the Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, the committee hosts social events, creates mentorship and networking opportunities, and more.

Darwin Conwell, MD, MSc, FACG, (pictured left) recently joined the University of Kentucky College of Medicine as a professor and the Jack M. Gill Endowed Chair in Internal Medicine.

For more than two decades, Michael Cecil, MD ’00, R ’05, has served the Lexington, Ky., community as a physician committed to advancing the health and well-being of the Commonwealth.

While completing his undergraduate degree at the University of Kentucky, Jonathan Davies, MS, found himself at a crossroads. He had stretched himself too thin with involvement in organizations and programs, and he started suffering burnout. He then missed the window to take his medical school entrance exam junior year.

The UK College of Medicine is excited to announce that Sarah Hall, MD, PhD, and Eleftherios Xenos, MD, PhD, have been elected to represent the college on the University Senate.

The University Senate is the faculty voice in the governance of our college and the University and determines broad academic policies of the University. Dr. Hall and Dr. Xenos will serve as College of Medicine representatives for three-year terms beginning in August.

In 2020, high-profile murders of Black civilians by police garnered national attention, shining a light on the growing need for social change. Learners at the UK College of Medicine collaborated to compose a letter to their leadership, advocating for solutions to combat systemic racism. The College of Medicine administration engaged with learners to implement strategies and initiatives that would address their concerns.

Rob Brooks is from Bedford, Ky., a town of fewer than 600 people in Trimble County. He grew up knowing that rural areas like his hometown are typically underserved in regards to health care, so he planned to become a doctor who could be part of the solution.

Through the UK College of Medicine Rural Physician Leadership Program (RPLP), Rob received two years of education at UK’s large academic medical center in Lexington, Ky., followed by onsite rural medicine experience and training in Morehead, Ky.

The University of Kentucky College of Medicine is excited to announce the appointment of faculty members Sarah Marks, MD, MA, and Jordan Clay, MD, to serve on its committees. The electeds have been endorsed by the College of Medicine acting dean and Faculty Council. They will serve three-year terms on their respective committees.

Dr. Marks has been appointed to the College of Medicine Admissions Committee. Dr. Clay has been appointed to the College of Medicine Medical Student Curriculum Committee.

The UK College of Medicine Office of Faculty Affairs and Development is pleased to announce that Caryn Sorge, MD, and Rachèle Yadon, MD, have been selected as fellows for the 2022 Bluegrass Higher Education Consortium Academic Leadership Academy (BHEC-ALA).