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Jessica Blackburn, PhD, associate professor of molecular and cellular biochemistry, wanted to make her undergraduate students feel welcome at the start of the fall semester. As the daughter of a teacher, her instinct was to gift each undergraduate student a binder with supplies.

Joy Miracle works with Anthony Sinai, PhD, in the UK College of Medicine Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Molecular Genetics. In the following Q&A, she shares her experience studying parasitic infection and how mentorship in Dr. Sinai’s lab has helped her develop as a scientist.

Katherine Copely, MD, chief resident in diagnostic radiology at the UK College of Medicine, shares what it’s like to train in her specialty, and what advice she has for future residents.

 

Q: What inspired you to go into medicine? 

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. Lisa Williams, MSSA, is serving in the college’s new leadership position, associate dean for wellness and well-being, to help us excel in this goal.

This year, Sally Mathias, MD, was promoted to associate professor of neurology. She shares the pivotal moments of mentorship that have helped her move forward in her career, as well as advice she has for early-career faculty and trainees in medicine.

 

Q: What is your specialty/area of expertise, and why did you choose it?

Madison Campbell, MD, was part of the UK College of Medicine-Bowling Green Campus's inaugural graduating class. She is now a first-year resident in obstetrics and gynecology at Med Center Health, a regional health system that partnered with the college to establish its regional campus.

Q: Why did you want to pursue your residency at Med Center Health?

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is one of the most common forms of liver disease across the globe. One major risk factor of NAFLD is obesity, which approximately 36% of Kentuckians face, according to America’s Health Rankings.

For assistant professor Jamie Key, DO, promoting equality and inclusion “is in my blood as much as red blood cells.” In fact, part of her reasoning for choosing a specialty in physical medicine and rehabilitation was so she could provide care for individuals who experience biases of ableism and help them navigate the challenges.

These residents were selected to participate in a seven-month leadership development course as they embark on their chief resident year and look forward to their future careers.

Nearly two years ago, with funding from UK HealthCare and the vice president for research, the College of Medicine launched the Alliance Research Initiative. It has a mission, Vice Dean for Research Rebecca Dutch, PhD, explained, “to help spur on transdisciplinary research by pairing clinical and basic scientists together to answer new questions in new ways.”

As an occupational therapist, Elizabeth Rhodus, PhD, has worked closely with older Kentuckians facing Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias (ADRD). She also has witnessed firsthand how poor health, limited resources, and high poverty rates have served as barriers to proper prevention and treatment.

The UK College of Medicine-Northern Kentucky Campus celebrated a giant milestone this summer as it welcomed a fourth class of medical students during its white coat ceremony. The excitement will continue because this also means the campus’s inaugural class will graduate this spring.

The UK College of Medicine Office of Medical Education has selected Kimberly Jones, MD, associate professor of child neurology, as its new assistant dean for student affairs focusing on the advancement of learning communities.

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.

Please join us as we congratulate Beth Garvy, PhD, who recently received a leadership title change to reflect her growing responsibilities and ensure equity in her position. The new title went into effect July 1, 2022.

Please join us as we congratulate Lisa Tannock, MD, who recently received a leadership title change to reflect her growing responsibilities and ensure equity in her position. The new title went into effect July 1, 2022.

From the Desk of Acting Dean Charles H. Griffith, MD, MSPH

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.

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.

The University of Kentucky College of Medicine has established a new leadership position that will help continue to advance its growing research enterprise.