Swope Recognized as 'Pioneering Physician' at the UK College of Medicine
LEXINGTON, Ky. (Oct. 30, 2019) — Dr. Marian Swope has done it all: University of Kentucky College of Medicine graduate, professor and a pioneering physician. She was recently recognized at the College’s first Faculty of Color Network (FCN) Gala held on Oct. 18.
Swope started teaching soon after finishing medical school but that wasn’t always the plan. Becoming a doctor with altruistic plans of providing medical treatment to the underserved was her ultimate goal. However, the mission of education, research and clinical care in medical school and residency helped lay the groundwork for her future. Now Swope’s time at UK has amounted to about 30 years, and she contributes that to UK’s atmosphere.
“The academic setting at the University is a very stimulating work environment,” says Swope. “The mission of the University makes me enjoy providing patient care, administrative work, mentoring and educating even more.”
Swope is professor in the Department of Psychiatry and specializes in child psychiatry. She was honored at the gala for being a pioneering physician of color. Swope feels grateful, but says she’s still working on feeling worthy of following so many pioneers who came before her.
“There are many other programs on campus that recognize people of color, but this has a different feel to me,” says Swope. “It’s especially an honor to have them reach out to the College of Medicine specifically.”
The Faculty of Color Network was established in the College of Medicine in 2018. It is designed to advocate for African-American and Hispanic members of the school’s faculty. Minorities in the field of medicine have had a long history of being underrepresented, but Swope says she has always felt a sense of unity with people of color at UK.
“Being recognized for this is such an honor, but it also raises consciousness and lets people know that we do have people of color here that are ready to serve,” says Swope.
The FCN continues to champion and celebrate people of color year-round. It is an organization completely committed to recognizing the progress that College of Medicine faculty members are making in their respective fields. The organization has created a platform to honor individuals within the College for the innovative work they do for the University.
As the state’s flagship, land-grant institution, the University of Kentucky exists to advance the Commonwealth. We do that by preparing the next generation of leaders — placing students at the heart of everything we do — and transforming the lives of Kentuckians through education, research and creative work, service and health care. We pride ourselves on being a catalyst for breakthroughs and a force for healing, a place where ingenuity unfolds. It's all made possible by our people — visionaries, disruptors and pioneers — who make up 200 academic programs, a $476.5 million research and development enterprise and a world-class medical center, all on one campus.
In 2022, UK was ranked by Forbes as one of the “Best Employers for New Grads” and named a “Diversity Champion” by INSIGHT into Diversity, a testament to our commitment to advance Kentucky and create a community of belonging for everyone. While our mission looks different in many ways than it did in 1865, the vision of service to our Commonwealth and the world remains the same. We are the University for Kentucky.