CHS Honors 2026 Hall of Fame Inductee, Alumni Award Winners

By Ryan Clark
CHS Communications Director

Mimi Loan says life is all about The Ripple Effect. 

“Everyone in this room will be a mentor for someone,” she told the crowd. “Be an advocate for them.”

She explained that touching others’ lives in that way creates a ripple that spreads out to more and more people, which then affects even more. That is what Loan tried to do — and it’s what was done for her — during her 45-year career in clinical laboratory science, where she served in national leadership roles that took her across the world.

Loan further expressed gratitude to all those who mentored her when she was honored Tuesday night as the Hall of Fame inductee at the 2026 College of Health Sciences Hall of Fame Awards Celebration. Many of her family, friends, co-workers and mentors made up more of the 100 who turned out for the annual awards ceremony held at The Signature Club of Lansdowne. 

“I’m so humbled by this recognition,” she said. “I’m so blessed to look out over this room and see those special people that impacted my career.”

Loan, a Nicholasville, Ky., native, earned her bachelor’s degree in Health Science with a concentration in Medical Technology in 1983. She recently retired from Quest Diagnostics after a distinguished 45-year career. As executive director of operations, she worked with cross functional teams and suppliers to drive automation solutions in the areas of Hematology, Chemistry and Immunology. She also provided leadership to teams that implemented total automation across the entire laboratory in three Quest sites. This included specimen management in addition to the clinical areas.

Mentorship was a strong theme for the Hall of Fame festivities. Along with Loan, the College also recognized their 2026 Young Alumni Award recipient, Dr. Kyle Kosik, and the Undergraduate Alumni Achievement Award Recipient, Latoya Harris, PA-C, MPAS. Both shared similar feelings about mentors and supporters. 

Kosik, from Crescent City, Ill., earned his degree from the Rehabilitation and Health Sciences PhD Program (RHB) in 2017 and completed postdoctoral training at UK from 2017 to 2020. He is now an assistant professor in the Department of Athletic Training and Clinical Nutrition and a faculty member in RHB and the Sports Medicine Research Institute.

Dr. Kosik’s research agenda focuses on understanding how the current treatment for lower extremity joint injuries fail to prevent individuals from presenting with neuromuscular dysfunction and biomechanics adaptations that are responsible for causing lifelong disability and post-traumatic osteoarthritis. His previous work has primarily relied on an acute lateral ankle sprain as a model to examine these underlying mechanisms by incorporating a variety of laboratory testing techniques, while also utilizing clinical- and patient-reported outcomes.

“I’m honored to be a part of this College,” Kosik said, adding that he especially values the commitment to “collaboration and service.” 

He thanked his team and peers, which includes his wife, Dr. Danielle Kosik, and noted that he looks forward to coming to work “every single day.”

Harris, a native of Elizabethtown, Ky., earned her bachelor’s degree in Human Health Sciences from the College of Health Sciences in 2020 and her Master of Physician Assistant Studies in 2023. She currently practices at Novant Health Surgical APC in Winston-Salem, N.C.

During her studies, Harris became a CHS student ambassador, engaged in multiple research projects and graduated as an AHEC Scholar. While in the Physician Assistant program, she participated in the HIV interprofessional education program, which led to a fellowship in HIV and infectious disease care and helped shape her clinical interests.

“So many people supported me and guided me to where I am right now,” she said, thanking the crowd. “So many stopped and took the time … and I just think that is amazing.”

Scott Lephart, PhD and Dean of the College, lauded the three alumni for how well they have represented CHS. 

“The mission of this College is to improve the health of the people of the Commonwealth, and every day, these wonderful alumni are living this mission,” Lephart said. “They are amazing examples of the talent produced in this College, and they are role models for us all.”