LEXINGTON, Ky. — The University of Kentucky has announced plans for a third regional medical school, with the latest campus to be in the northern part of the state.
UK said in a statement that it has partnered with Northern Kentucky University and St. Elizabeth Healthcare to develop a campus where students will receive a four-year medical education. The statement said the aim of the school is to increase the number of physicians in Kentucky.
UK has previously announced plans to develop regional campuses in Bowling Green and Morehead.
“In Kentucky we have a shortage of physicians, especially primary care physicians, throughout the state,” said UK President Eli Capilouto. “As the university for Kentucky, we are working in close partnership with leading universities in our state and regional medical centers to directly respond to this need. Additionally, this collaboration will allow us to expand college of medicine enrollment in a manner that effectively and efficiently utilizes existing resources throughout the state.”
UK medical school dean Robert DiPaola says the Lexington campus has a deep applicant pool but is at capacity and c
an’t expand enrollment without regional partners.
“NKU is proud to have the opportunity to partner with the University of Kentucky and St. Elizabeth Healthcare to leverage our individual strengths and the power of our brands to bring professional medical education to Northern Kentucky,” NKU President Geoffrey Mearns said. “Among other things, this medical school campus at NKU will help us further the mission of our Health Innovation Center to improve the health of the people that we serve.”
Details are still being worked out, but officials from UK, NKU and St. Elizabeth have signed a memorandum of understanding.
