Meera Gupta, MD

Meera Gupta, MD, is an assistant professor of surgery at the University of Kentucky College of Medicine and a transplant surgeon at UK HealthCare. In the following spotlight by Women in Medicine and Science (WIMS), she explains how she became involved in her field, why she loves what she does, and how she is helping address health inequities for patients.

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.

Dr. Lillian Sims presents for workshop series

In 2020, the University of Kentucky joined 22 other academic institutions and organizations as inaugural members of The National Center for Pre-Faculty Development, working together to focus on pre-faculty development as a means to diversifying academia.

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.

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.

Erin Camac

Erin Camac, DO, FCCP, is an associate professor of medicine, as well as a pulmonologist and critical care medicine physician. She said that within her specialty, women are underrepresented. “The principle ‘you can't be what you can't see’ is very true in these environments,” Dr. Camac said. “I am very lucky to have come to my field with the help of amazing female mentors.”

Jennifer Murphy

A mentor might be defined simply as a senior professional willing and able to provide support and direction for younger colleagues or learners. But it’s also a challenge requiring particular skills and strengths. Just how are mentors made?

Markey STRONG scholars

In 2021, researchers and educators from the University of Kentucky College of Medicine and Markey Cancer Center developed an idea for a program to diversify the health care workforce, particularly in cancer research.

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. 

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.

Keerthana Kumar

Keerthana Kumar, MD, MPH, is a third-year preventive medicine resident. Her program is housed within the UK College of Medicine Department of Family and Community Medicine.

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.

Congrats graphic

The University of Kentucky College of Medicine is pleased to announce the faculty, staff, and learners who were winners of the annual Mission, Vision, Pillar, and Enabler Awards.

Drs. Murphy, O'Hara, Bachstetter, Duncan, and Sunderam

After taking an undergraduate course in circadian rhythms, Marilyn Duncan, PhD, became fascinated with how internal rhythms regulate daily sleep-wake rhythms and many aspects of health and disease.  She said that at the time, courses centered on circadian rhythms and sleep were relatively uncommon, but as knowledge in this field has expanded, many more courses are now available, including

Group shot: Steven Haist, Jade Nicely, Jackie Cain, John Cain, and Charles Griffith

You don’t need to convince Jackie Cain that Kentucky is a special place.

Kristin Miller
Kristin Miller is Paying it Forward Leading the WIMS Mentoring Program

Kristin Miller, a UK College of Medicine graduate student in toxicology and cancer biology, is leading the effort to expand mentorship opportunities for women through Women in Medicine and Science (WIMS).

Shelley Stiltner
Shelley Stiltner is a first-generation college student and fourth-year medical student currently enrolled in the UK College of Medicine Rural Physician Leadership Program. She explains why a college education was so important to her, and how it will lead her to success in her future career as a physician.

Q: Why was going to college important to you?