UKPA Program Celebrates 50 Years of Excellence
By Ryan Clark
CHS Communications Director
It was a night of celebration as more than 200 alumni, faculty, and friends of the University of Kentucky Physician Assistant Studies (UKPAS) program gathered Saturday evening at the Signature Club of Lansdowne.
Welcome to the 50th Anniversary Celebration Gala, which celebrated the rich legacy of the UK Physician Assistant Studies program — a legacy defined by innovation, service, and a steadfast commitment to improving healthcare for all Kentuckians.
Many were clad in black ties and ball dresses, and a few of the attendees were some of the program’s earliest pioneers — including Kentucky’s first physician assistant, Ed Sorace, and Mary Bayne, a member of the first graduating class.
The event commemorated five decades of excellence, leadership, and service in physician assistant education, marking UKPAS as one of the nation’s inaugural programs and a leader in the field.
“On behalf of University of Kentucky President Eli Capilouto and Provost Robert DiPaola, I would like to welcome everyone to this night of celebration recognizing 50 years of excellence of our Physician Assistant program in the College of Health Sciences,” said Scott Lephart, Ph.D., and Dean of the College of Health Sciences. “As one of the inaugural PA programs in the country, this marks a historic accomplishment of many students, staff, faculty, and leaders dedicated to the health and well-being of our citizens both in the Commonwealth of Kentucky and beyond.”
Lephart highlighted the program’s continued success, noting that UKPAS now ranks in the top 10 percent of more than 300 programs nationwide. He also emphasized the future of health education at UK, pointing to the new Michael D. Rankin MD Healthcare Education Building (RHEB), a nine-floor, 550,000-square-foot facility scheduled to open in late 2026. The building will become the new home for the PA program and other health sciences disciplines.
“I hope everyone has a chance to view this amazing facility,” Lephart said. “For PA, this will be a game changer as we grow our programs to further meet the healthcare needs of the citizens of the Commonwealth.”
Lieutenant Governor Jacqueline Coleman joined the celebration as the evening’s honored guest.
“In Kentucky, we show up for one another, and if there is anyone who exemplifies this, it is our healthcare heroes,” Coleman said. “It is an honor to be in a room full of heroes tonight at the celebration for the 50th anniversary of the UK PA program.”
The night served as both a look back and a look forward for the program, which has prepared generations of physician assistants who now serve communities across Kentucky and beyond.
“It was such an amazing event to have alumni (including one from the first class), current students, faculty, staff, and many of our physician champions and hospital sponsors all in one room to celebrate this momentous occasion,” said Virginia Valentin, DrPH, PA-C, associate professor and chair of the Department of Physician Assistant Studies. “Fifty years is a significant milestone. The PA program and profession have grown so much in that time — we are now a key member of the healthcare team. I look forward to seeing what the next generation of PA leaders does over the next 50 years.”
Kevin Schuer, DrPH, PA-C, program director and associate professor, expressed his gratitude for the support and camaraderie shown throughout the evening.
“It was so great to see so many alumni, physician champions, and leaders in the healthcare space come and support this milestone,” Schuer said. “We are grateful for their support and leadership — and look forward to working with them for the next 50 years. It was a great event!”
