Campus News

'Behind the Blue': Lee Kiefer Balances Medical School and Olympic Dreams

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LEXINGTON, Ky. (May 22, 2019) – Just in case you’re thinking, ‘I have a really busy schedule,’ pause for a moment to consider just what University of Kentucky College of Medicine student Lee Kiefer has ‘on her plate.’

A graduate of Paul Laurence Dunbar High School in Lexington, Kiefer is trying to qualify for her third consecutive Summer Olympics appearance as a member of Team USA Fencing for 2020. She posted a Top-5 finish at the 2012 Summer Games in London, England and followed that up with a Top-10 finish at the 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

Kiefer, who comes from a family of medical doctors, starred as a collegiate fencer at the University of Notre Dame before entering medical school at UK in the fall of 2017. She recently completed her second year of study ahead of schedule and will be taking a one-year leave of absence in order to compete in high-level meets around the world as she strives to earn a spot at the 2020 Summer Olympics in Tokyo, Japan.

On this week’s episode of “Behind the Blue,” UKPR’s Carl Nathe talks with Kiefer about what it’s like to be an aspiring doctor while chasing her goal of an Olympic medal.

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For questions or comments about this or any other episode of “Behind the Blue, “ email BehindTheBlue@uky.edu (mail to: BehindTheBlue@uky.edu) or tweet your question with #BehindTheBlue.