CHS Celebrates Year’s Successes at Spring Assembly

‘Our Story is Compelling’ Dean Says

By Ryan Clark
CHS Communications Director

In October, the University of Kentucky’s Board of Trustees came away from their annual retreat with a goal — that UK must work “with partners to do more for the health of our state than any other institution in the country.”

Part of that challenge, and responsibility, is falling on the University’s health colleges to grow and graduate more healthcare professionals, which the Commonwealth desperately needs.

On Thursday, Scott Lephart, PhD and Dean of the College of Health Sciences, spoke at the College’s Spring Assembly. And while he acknowledged that 2025 has brought its own set of new challenges, he stated that CHS is positioned to do everything necessary to help meet the Board’s request.

“Every time we’ve been challenged, we’ve met the challenge and continued our trajectory,” the Dean told a room full of faculty and staff at The Longship Club at Kroger Field. “We will continue to do that.”

He said that in order to be successful, the College needs infrastructure and talent.

“We have both,” Lephart said. “We’ve got a great space, and we have the opportunity to grow more talent. We’re in a very good place to address these challenges.”

During the assembly, the College reviewed the successes of the past year, which included moving into new space in the Disciplinary Science Building, hiring new faculty and staff, keeping the University’s best four-year graduation rate (85 percent) and one of the best retention rates (93 percent), as well as having increased enrollment (up 5.7 percent overall over the past year) and increased applications (up 3 percent overall over last year). Lephart also shared updates on the construction of the Michael D. Rankin MD Health Education Building (CHS is still on track to move in December 2026) and celebrated the retirement of Isaac Joyner, MPH, accreditation specialist for the Physician Assistant Studies program.

“This is the time when we can reflect on the year, and the wonderful things that happened in the College,” Lephart said. “We celebrate our successes — and really celebrate our people.”

New hires included:

• Misty Arrington, Physician Assistant Studies​
• Mildred Atkinson, Dean’s Office​
• Kathryn Greenhalgh, Dean’s Office​
• Amanda Hale, Health and Clinical Sciences​
• Ashley Hays, Dean’s Office​
• Logan Little, Student Affairs​
• Jamal Thruston, Athletic Training & Clinical Nutrition​
• Rachael Tubb, UK Pediatric Therapies​
• Ruth Twine, Dean’s Office​
• Nicole Vickers, Voice & Swallow Clinic​
• David Zirlen, Voice & Swallow Clinic

Promotions for faculty included:

• Carrie Baker, Associate Professor with tenure, Athletic Training & Clinical Nutrition​
• Karen Clancy, Associate Professor with tenure, Health & Clinical Sciences ​
• Chris Fry, Professor, Athletic Training & Clinical Nutrition​
• Jean Fry, Associate Professor with tenure, Athletic Training & Clinical Nutrition​
• Hanna Hoch, Professor, Athletic Training & Clinical Nutrition​
• Joneen Lowman, Professor, Communication Sciences & Disorders

Joyner was honored for his years of service providing data, statistics, and analysis for the PA program’s ongoing self-study efforts and accreditation.

New Academic Program Approvals Include:

• Doctor of Audiology Degree Program (Approvals obtained through CPE level)
• Medical Laboratory Science Undergraduate Certificate

“Our story is compelling,” the Dean said, while adding that even though there are modern-day challenges, the College has faced similar situations in the past.

“How have we addressed challenges in the past?” he asked. He then presented these bullet points:

CHS has:

• Grown
• Become more robust
• Become more diverse
• Expanded research
• Expanded its portfolio
• Increased credibility

“These challenges will not deter the productivity of this group,” Lephart said. “We’ll figure out how to address the needs.”

The Dean then ended his presentation with a quote from graduating Human Health Sciences senior Riley Jordan, who was interviewed this week by the Herald-Leader newspaper.

“Our generation will push through and will help future generations,” Jordan said.

It was just the kind of grit and perseverance expected from everyone in the College, the Dean said. He then had one more thing to say to everyone in the room.

“Thank you for all you do.”