Welcome from the Program Director, Virginia Valentin, DrPH, PA-C

Welcome and thank you for your interest in the University of Kentucky PA Academic Residency Program based in Lexington, KY. Our program is PA led and offers a unique approach by partnering with hospitals across the state. We believe in being education centered and using our partnerships to create opportunities that build the next generation of PA leaders through specialized clinical training, teaching, research, and mentoring.

Our Legacy – The UK PA program started in 1974 and we are proud of our almost 1,500 alumni who work in all areas of medicine with a majority working in underserved communities. Responding to workforce needs in an ever-changing healthcare delivery landscape, the Department of Physician Assistant Studies created the UK PA Academic Residency in 2020.   

Our Goal – To develop PA leaders who will gain mastery in the specialty of their choice to increase access to health care in Kentucky and beyond.

Your Experience – The UK PA Academic Residency program is 1-year in duration and contains didactic instruction woven throughout 12 months of supervised clinical rotations.  We collaborate with hospitals across Kentucky to train PAs to meet current and future healthcare needs. Each resident is provided individualized support, education, and mentoring. Each residency position in medicine and surgery provides an opportunity for intensive clinical work, didactic education, research, teaching, conferences, and leadership development.  

Welcome and thank you for your interest in the University of Kentucky PA Academic Residency Program based in Lexington, KY. Our program is PA led and offers a unique approach by partnering with hospitals across the state. We believe in being education centered and using our partnerships to create opportunities that build the next generation of PA leaders through specialized clinical training, teaching, research, and mentoring.