Message from the Dean: Forging new paths through  academic medicine  

When I was a medical student, my focus was on becoming a competent and skilled physician. Now, in my role as executive vice president for health affairs at the University of Louisville and dean of the School of Medicine, I have come to appreciate the full “lifespan” and “ecosystem” of the physician—not only within health care, but also in the broader context of society. Physicians are more than clinicians; they are scientists, educators, advocates and leaders who shape health policy, build trust and dedicate themselves to the communities they serve. Society expects us to help, and we must deliver. 

This charge reflects the larger mission of academic medicine nationwide, where priorities center on expanding the health care workforce, providing innovative treatments and improving access and outcomes for populations historically underserved in both urban and rural communities. As physicians, our responsibility is to meet patients where they are, while also embracing new approaches to health and disease management that ensure progress for all. 

Training Health Workforce 

At the University of Louisville School of Medicine, these priorities remain central to our work and continue to guide us as we educate and train the next generation of health care professionals.  

Looking ahead, we are committed to building on our role as both an engine of innovation in diagnosis and treatment and as a pipeline for developing future physicians and scientists. These leaders will treat patients earlier, faster and more effectively, while upholding our long-standing commitment to professional and ethical care. 

To uphold this commitment, we have expanded our MD/PhD program, preparing more physician-scientists to drive discoveries and lead groundbreaking clinical trials. At the same time, we have strengthened combined degree offerings such as the MD/MBA and MD/MPH programs. These pathways ensure our graduates leave not only with deep medical expertise but also with the skills to connect medicine with business, organizational strategy and public health—tools that are essential for addressing today’s most complex health challenges. 

Our progress is receiving national recognition. In the 2025 U.S. News & World Report rankings, our graduate programs earned distinction in health care categories for Physician Shortage Areas, Rural Health, and Primary Care. Our students continue to excel in residency placements as well, with a match rate above the national average—44% entering primary care and 36% choosing to remain in Kentucky, where their expertise will directly serve our communities. With 107 of Kentucky’s 120 counties being health professions shortage areas, this impact is phenomenal. 

Driving Innovation and Discovery 

Even as we grow the number of physicians in Kentucky, we recognize that solutions to health problems cannot come from medicine alone. Collaboration across disciplines, including engineering, social sciences, humanities and the arts, provides new perspectives and strengthens our work. This integration reflects what I believe is a “renaissance in medicine,” where progress depends on reaching beyond traditional boundaries and embracing a more holistic approach to human health. 

This is the work of academic medicine—and it is a mission we are proud to lead at the University of Louisville School of Medicine.