Nationally Respected Sports Medicine, Military Human Performance Scholar Named Dean of UK College of Health Sciences

LEXINGTON, Ky. (Oct. 29, 2014) — University of Kentucky Provost Christine Riordan announced today that a nationally recognized scholar in sports medicine and the physical performance of military personnel has been named dean of the College of Health Sciences.

Scott Lephart is currently a Distinguished Professor and chair of the Department of Sports Medicine and Nutrition at the University of Pittsburgh. He will take over as dean at UK on March 1, 2015, pending approval from the Board of Trustees.

Having served on the University of Pittsburgh faculty for 27 years, Lephart is widely published and recognized as a leader in sports medicine, particularly with regard to neuromuscular and biomechanical analysis of human movement associated with musculoskeletal injury, prevention, surgery and rehabilitation.

Lephart also has secured multiple research grants as the principal investigator leading the Department of Defense Human Performance Research initiative.

Lephart is the founding director of the Neuromuscular Research Laboratory at the University of Pittsburgh. In this role and as chair, he has been successful in building a flourishing research enterprise with extraordinary growth in academic programs, personnel and facilities. You can read more about Lephart's academic and research background at http://www.nmrl.pitt.edu/content/scott-m-lephart-phd

"Scott has demonstrated impressive leadership in developing partnerships between academic units in allied health and an academic medical center, and has cultivated meaningful relationships with federal funding agencies, private and public foundations, and the industry," Riordan said in making the appointment. "President Capilouto and I are excited that he will bring a national reputation as a scholar in some critically important areas to a college that has had a growing research presence and impact in recent years."

"Research that impacts communities today is most often found between and at the intersection of disciplines," said Dr. Michael Karpf, UK's executive vice president for health affairs. "In Scott Lephart, we have someone who not only understands that fact, but that has taken a leadership position in working across disciplines in a collaborative way to advance research in this growing area of human performance."

“The College of Health Sciences at the University of Kentucky is a place where outstanding teaching and research are taking place,” Lephart said. “I am excited to join a faculty and an institution with a deep commitment to developing and growing interdisciplinary partnerships that directly address the challenges and needs of the Commonwealth."

Riordan said Lephart received a strong recommendation from both the search committee and the groups within the college that he met with during his visits to UK.

“Dr. Lephart has demonstrated success fostering growth in personnel and facilities, and he is an expert and scholar in the area of sports medicine, specifically neuromuscular research and optimization of human function,” said Carl Mattacola, chair of the dean search committee and director of the CHS Athletic Training and Rehabilitation Sciences Ph.D. programs. “He brings to the College experience in cross-disciplinary research and educational programs, participation in a Responsibility Centered Management (RCM) budget model, and has had success with philanthropic giving. He has been successful in stimulating a thriving research enterprise with innovative Department of Defense partnerships, and he is a proven and creative leader.”    

“Scott Lephart is a game changer for UK and UK HealthCare,” said Dr. Darren Johnson, chair of the UK Department of Orthopaedic Surgery and Sports Medicine.  “His leadership will enhance opportunities for innovative collaboration across multiple colleges and departments and his impressive research background and reputation in musculoskeletal sports and military injury prevention will elevate and provide even more opportunities for the college’s already emergent and successful programs.”

Lephart will replace Sharon Stewart, who has been serving as interim dean of the college since August 2011.

"I often say that people make the place. Dean Stewart embodies that credo, as she has ably led the college for more than three years, all the while further strengthening its commitment to preparing the clinical, educational and research leaders of tomorrow," Riordan said.

 “Dr. Lephart brings with him an exciting research portfolio and a breadth and depth of administrative experience that will serve our College well,” said Stewart, who will return to her role as the associate dean of Academic Affairs in the college. “We are excited that he will be joining us at the College of Health Sciences, and we look forward to his arrival.”

MEDIA CONTACT: Jay Blanton, jay.blanton@uky.edu