UK PA Residency Program Celebrates 5 Years of Training Healthcare Leaders Across Kentucky

By Ryan Clark and Ella Rosner
CHS Contributors

The University of Kentucky Physician Assistant Academic Residency Program, housed in the College of Health Sciences, is celebrating its fifth anniversary this year — marking a half-decade of advanced clinical training and workforce development for physician assistants across the Commonwealth.

Launched in 2020 with just four specialties, the program has since doubled in size and geographic reach. Today, it offers eight clinical tracks across both medical and surgical specialties at five medical facilities throughout Kentucky.

Originally developed by David Fahringer, MSPH, PA-C, and Sibu Saha, MD, FACS, the program had a clear mission: To provide specialty training to recently graduated PAs and help meet the growing healthcare workforce needs of Kentucky.

“There’s no doubt we’ve achieved that goal,” said Ryan Hunton, DHSc, PA-C, and director of the PA residency program. “About 70 percent of our residents have stayed in Kentucky after completing the program, and 40 percent are hired at the same site where they trained. We’re contributing to a net increase in well-trained healthcare leaders in Kentucky.”

A Launchpad for Lifelong Careers

Among those leaders is Dalton Gifford, MSPAS, PA-C, a lifelong Kentuckian and a graduate of the University of Kentucky’s PA program in 2020. He enrolled in the Critical Care residency track immediately after graduation.

“The intense hours and training of my residency accelerated my clinical development and opened doors I couldn’t have imagined,” Gifford said. “The principles and discipline I learned continue to shape my career today — both in clinical settings and in advocacy work within the PA community.”

Another alumnus, Dennis Zelenak, is currently completing the Neurology residency. A former high school educator, Zelenak said he was drawn to UK’s program for its strong academic culture and spirit of collaboration.

“The University of Kentucky PA residency has been the best decision of my professional life,” he said. “I’ve grown tremendously in my ability to treat a wide array of neurological conditions and hope to stay in Lexington after residency, contributing to both clinical care and PA education.”

Building Confidence and Community

The UK PA residency program now offers clinical tracks in Critical Care, Hospital Medicine, Neurology, Orthopaedic Surgery, Acute Care/Trauma Surgery, General Surgery, Cardiac Surgery, and Emergency Medicine. Residents rotate through facilities including UK HealthCare, UK St. Claire, Baptist Health Louisville, Baptist Health Lexington, and St. Elizabeth Healthcare.

For Jayleigh Amstutz, PA-C, choosing the Hospital Medicine/Critical Care track at UK St. Claire offered a unique chance to train in a rural setting while developing a broad range of inpatient medicine skills.

“Being in the unique position of being both a provider and a learner has helped me gain confidence and clinical experience,” Amstutz said. “Even after residency, I plan to be a lifelong learner and stay rooted in evidence-based care.”

Investing in the Future of Kentucky Healthcare

For Hunton, who completed an emergency medicine PA residency himself, the benefits of residency extend well beyond the individual provider.

“Residency isn’t for everyone, but for those seeking specialization and growth, it’s incredibly valuable,” he said. “Our residents have gone on to publish, teach and lead. As we enter our sixth year, we’re proud of what this program has accomplished—and even more excited for what’s ahead.”

For more information about the UK Physician Assistant Residency Program, visit chs.uky.edu/pas-residency-programs/tracks.