CHS Dean Announces He Will Retire in Summer 2026

By Ryan Clark
CHS Communications Director

Dr. Scott Lephart — the long-time dean of the College of Health Sciences (CHS) at the University of Kentucky — plans to retire next summer, he told his faculty and staff Tuesday afternoon.

Gathering at the Longship Club at Kroger Field for their annual Fall Assembly, Dr. Lephart surprised the crowd with a personal message.

“I’ve planned my retirement,” he told the crowd. “This has been my plan for a while.”

Dr. Lephart said his retirement will be effective June 30, 2026, and a national search for his replacement will start immediately, led by the Office of the Provost, he said. He will not participate in the search process.

But he was sure to add that the Provost’s Office has made the hire “a priority of the institution.”

“I don’t think there’s a better Health Sciences Dean job in the country,” he said.

Dr. Lephart told the crowd to refer all questions to their Department Chairs, but promised more communications would be coming soon. 

Before coming to Kentucky in 2015, Dr. Lephart served as a distinguished professor and chair of the department of sports medicine and nutrition, and as the founding director of the Neuromuscular Research Laboratory at the University of Pittsburgh. He led multiple Department of Defense research grants to establish Warrior Human Performance Center laboratories across the country focused on uncovering injury patterns and prevention among the military U.S. Special Operations Command. 

At UK, Dr. Lephart also serves as a professor and endowed chair of orthopaedic research and is the founder of the Sports Medicine Research Institute. His research interests include musculoskeletal sports and military injury prevention and performance optimization.

He branded CHS as the “gateway to the health sciences” shortly after coming on board, which helped execute the college’s vision to provide all who walk through its doors the pathway of their choosing to the healthcare world.  

Dr. Lephart has more than 35 years of experience in neuromuscular and biomechanical analysis of human movement associated with musculoskeletal injury, surgery, rehabilitation and prevention. His research has resulted in more than 215 published papers and more than 315 national and international presentations. He has been invited to deliver 20 keynote lectures at professional events round the world.

Among numerous accomplishments during his tenure at UK, he:

• Has overseen the restructuring of the College.
• Founded the Sports Medicine Research Institute.
• Led the creation of innovative programs and partnerships, such as the Audiology and Radiology Therapy programs.
• Championed the inclusion of CHS into the new 500,000-square-foot Michael D. Rankin MD Health Education Building, which will open in 2027.
• Increased enrollment to its highest-ever total of more than 1,800 students.
• Has one of the highest retention rates on campus at 88 percent.
• Helped lead research programs supported by more than $40 million in active funding.

As word spread around campus Tuesday, Dr. Lephart’s colleagues spoke out — first among them, UK Provost Robert DiPaola, M.D.

“For more than a decade, Dr. Lephart has been an unwavering advocate in our efforts to expand health care education to more students across Kentucky,” Provost DiPaola said. “His vision of the College as a ‘gateway to the health sciences’ has created numerous pathways for students to enter health care fields, and his inspirational leadership has elevated the College as a national leader in research, mentorship and care. We are immensely grateful for his steadfast dedication and service to the College of Health Sciences as well as UK and all our students across the Commonwealth.”

In a statement to the College released Tuesday afternoon, Dr. Lephart thanked his faculty, staff, students and other friends and supporters.

“I know I will say this a lot over the next 10 months, but to our extraordinary faculty and staff: Thank you,” he wrote. “Thank you for your commitment to excellence, to each other, and to the students and patients whose lives you change every day. To our students, alumni and friends: We could not have succeeded without you. And to all: Thank you for the culture you have created and maintained. I am certain that the CHS I leave behind will continue to be rooted in the passion, talent and heart of this remarkable community.

“I have said it so many times, and I will say it again,” he continued. “I am so happy and proud to be the Dean of the College of Health Sciences.”