HIGHLAND HEIGHTS, Ky. — Two Kentucky universities and St. Elizabeth Healthcare are teaming up to open a new college of medicine in northern Kentucky.
Northern Kentucky University, the University of Kentucky and St. E's celebrated the opening of the UK College of Medicine - Northern Kentucky Campus Thursday on NKU's campus. The new school is in NKU's Albright Health Center.
“These three institutions are working together to transform health science education and better prepare future health care workers,” said Dr. Steven Haist, associate dean for the Northern Kentucky campus. “Through this partnership we can help advance medical education and access to health care within our state.”
The new school marks the fourth medical school to be offered by UK across Kentucky. The others are located in Lexington, Bowling Green and Morehead.
School officials said the expansion is part of a plan to keep medical doctors in Kentucky, therefore improving the health of Kentuckians.
“As our footprint across the state of Kentucky grows, we will continue to strive to provide high-quality education and retain well-trained physicians in the Commonwealth,” said Dr. Robert S. DiPaola, dean of the UK College of Medicine. “We are thrilled to see our partnership with St. Elizabeth and Northern Kentucky University officially come to fruition.”
The first class of 35 students to go through the new college of medicine started their training on Friday, August 30.
