Kentucky's flagship medical school training compassionate physicians and researchers since 1960.
The College of Medicine offers a four-year MD program with two years of basic science instruction and two years of clinical rotations. Combined degree programs allow students to earn MBA, MPH, or PhD alongside the MD. The curriculum integrates early clinical experiences with traditional science classes and employs a block schedule with flexible afternoon hours for independent study. Seven basic science departments and 18 clinical departments support comprehensive medical education across all major specialties.
Beyond the main Lexington campus, the college operates three full regional campuses: Bowling Green (in partnership with Med Center Health and Western Kentucky University, inaugural class 2018), Northern Kentucky (with Northern Kentucky University and St. Elizabeth Healthcare, inaugural class 2019), and Morehead (Rural Physician Leadership Program with St. Claire Regional Medical Center and Morehead State University, established 2008). The Morehead campus includes the student-run CATS Clinic, an NIH-funded free clinic serving rural Appalachian communities. Graduate medical education sites span the state, including UK HealthCare, UK St. Claire, Hazard ARH, Pikeville Medical Center, and UK King's Daughters in Ashland.
The college received over $225.8 million in research funding in fiscal year 2024. Research centers address critical health challenges including diabetes and obesity, cancer, cardiovascular disease, drug and alcohol research, trauma, aging, and rural health. Notable funded projects include studies on buprenorphine treatment for opioid use disorders, hepatitis C eradication in Perry County, and HPV outbreaks in eastern Kentucky. The college is uniquely positioned with all seven health science colleges on the same campus, enabling interprofessional collaboration.
Students actively engage in community service through the UKSA clinic (affiliated with the Salvation Army), annual Community Health Fairs, and rural medicine externships. Approximately 40% of the Class of 2025 chose to practice in Kentucky. The college has graduated over 10,700 physicians who practice across all 50 states and 26 countries, reflecting its national and international impact.