Established in 1975, the University of Kentucky (UK) Physician Assistant (PA) program has a 50-year history of academic excellence and commitment to primary care, rural health, and interprofessional education. Ranked among the top in the nation, the program expanded from early clinical associate certificates to a master's degree, including campuses in Lexington and Morehead.
Key historical milestones for the UK Physician Assistant Program include:
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Early Roots (1968): Thomas Kotheimer graduated with a Clinical Associate certificate, marking the first person trained as a PA at UK, shortly after the profession's inception at Duke University.
- Program Formalization (1975): The formal, lasting Physician Assistant program began, educating generations of health professionals to meet Kentucky's healthcare needs.
- Interprofessional Education (1980s): The program began collaborating with the Colleges of Medicine and Pharmacy, leading the way in teaching, training, and working in interprofessional health care teams.
- Growth and Recognition: The program has developed a strong reputation for its clinical training and commitment to serving underserved, rural communities.
- Post-Graduate Training (2020): The UK College of Health Sciences launched PA Residency Programs, offering specialization in areas like Critical Care, Acute Care Surgery, and Hospital Medicine.
- 50th Anniversary (2025): The program marked 50 years of education, celebrating its role in producing qualified physician assistants who work throughout Kentucky and across the country.
- View our 50th Anniversary Gala photo gallery
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In October 2026, the Morehead campus will celebrate its 30th anniversary.
- The Lexington campus offices should move into the new Rankin Health Education Building in Spring 2027.
- Through the Class of 2025, our program has graduated 2009 physician assistants.
The program continues to focus on improving healthcare access across the Commonwealth through its comprehensive curriculum and statewide partnerships