News

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.

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. 

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.  

Margaret Griffen, MD, has long called the UK College of Medicine home. Her father, Ward Griffen, MD, led the UK College of Medicine Department of Surgery as chair between 1968 – 1984. Like her father, Dr. Griffen was drawn to medicine and surgery.

From Dec. 8-10, 2023, the UK College of Medicine had the honor of hosting the SNMA Region X Medical Education Conference. 

Before training at the University of Kentucky College of Medicine, Nick Devanney, PhD, had little connection to The Bluegrass State. He is from New England, and his family currently lives there. 

Julie Youssefi, MD, discusses being the University of Kentucky College of Medicine’s epilepsy fellow in 2020-2021 – and how being the fellow gave her the tailored experience she needed. 

Julie Youssefi, MD, became interested in epilepsy care during medical school and neurology residency training at the University of Kentucky College of Medicine.

Anna Maria South, MD, is an addiction medicine physician who treats patients with substance use disorders. She is also an assistant professor at the University of Kentucky College of Medicine training the next generation of health care leaders to improve access and advance treatment. 

The University of Kentucky College of Medicine is excited to announce that Matthew Bush, MD, PhD, MBA, has been selected to serve as the new department chair of otolaryngology-head and neck surgery. 

The University of Kentucky College of Medicine has appointed a division chief of academic medical education – Todd R. Cheever, MD. 

Elizabeth Smith, PA-C, has been an advanced practice provider (APP) in the University of Kentucky College of Medicine Department of Urology for eight years.

The University of Kentucky College of Medicine is excited to announce that Sandra Beck, MD, and Janna Neltner, MD, will join the Office of Graduate Medical Education (GME) leadership team.

Dr. Beck will serve as assistant dean for program development. Dr. Neltner will serve as assistant dean for accreditation.

The following individuals were honored at the University of Kentucky College of Medicine Awards Convocation on Wednesday, Oct. 18, 2023. Winners included those in Bowling Green, Lexington, Morehead, and Northern Kentucky.

Outstanding Graduate Student Award:
Jamila Tucker, MS

The University of Kentucky College of Medicine welcomes a familiar face to its neurosurgery faculty next year. Randaline Barnett, MD, will join the college and UK HealthCare as a pediatric neurosurgeon, returning to her alma mater where she “fell in love” with neuroscience and officially became the first doctor in her family.

If you ever meet Michael Huang, chances are you’ll see him with a stethoscope hanging around his neck, or a camera strap. Either way, you’ve met Dr. Michael Huang, Lexington physician, or Dr. Mike, well-known, freelance photographer about town.

The University of Kentucky College of Medicine is thrilled to announce that after an extensive search, Emily DeFranco, DO, MS, has been selected to serve as the new chair of obstetrics and gynecology.

Since graduating from the University of Kentucky College of Medicine, Ben Mattingly, MD, has climbed the highest peaks on each continent, known as the “Seven Summits.” He has gone scuba diving near the Galapagos Islands. He has ridden dirt bikes in Romania. He has fished in bodies of water across the U.S. and traveled to so many countries, that he has lost count.

Burnout is a problem in any profession, but it is rampant in health care. This national problem has been evident recently as the COVID-19 pandemic pushed many learners, practitioners, faculty, and staff to the limit.

A key component of the University of Kentucky College of Medicine’s mission is providing exceptional education for medical students, residents and fellows, and biomedical trainees.

Terry Hinds, PhD, joined the University of Kentucky College of Medicine faculty with an impressive record of groundbreaking research and state-of-the-art specialized technology. He is not only advancing scientific discoveries at UK but also helping more undergraduate students, graduate students, and postdoctoral fellows gain early experience with high-impact work.