UK College of Medicine-Northern Ky. Campus receives Unity Award from Northern Kentucky Chamber

Covington, Ky. (September 20, 2018) – The University of Kentucky College of Medicine-Northern Kentucky Campus, a collaboration with Northern Kentucky University and St. Elizabeth Healthcare, received the annual Unity Award at the Northern Kentucky Chamber of Commerce Annual Dinner.

The Unity Award is presented to an individual or individuals who have shown leadership in bringing Northern Kentuckians together to address and solve common challenges and issues, and has shown leadership in seeking regional solution to Northern Kentucky challenges.

“The UK College of Medicine-Northern Kentucky Campus was envisioned by our leadership as a proactive solution to address the growing physician shortage across the Commonwealth,” said Dr. Robert S. DiPaola, dean of the UK College of Medicine. “Along with our dedicated partners at Northern Kentucky University and St. Elizabeth, we are honored to receive this award and to be able to directly address a challenge for the region.”

The four-year regional medical school campus will open in August 2019 with an inaugural class of 35 students and will be located in the NKU Albright Health Center. Onsite learning such as basic science courses will be taught following the UK College of Medicine curriculum in collaboration with partners in the region. Each of them will have an appointment with the UK College of Medicine.

“The UK College of Medicine Northern Kentucky Campus is an outstanding example of innovation growing out of public-private partnership,” said Ashish Vaidya, president of NKU. “It will transform how we educate and train the next generation of doctors and health care professionals who will be on the front lines of the population health challenges with in the region.”

“We are extremely proud of this collaboration that will allow UK to expand its College of Medicine enrollment in a manner that effectively and efficiently utilizes existing resources throughout the state,” said Garren Colvin, CEO of St. Elizabeth Healthcare. “We know that working together — across disciplines and across the Commonwealth— is the best way to ensure real, positive change for those we serve. Together, we will be able to bring students from across the Commonwealth (and the nation) to our region to continue to strengthen the health care landscape in education, training, teaching and practicing.” 

The Northern Kentucky Chamber of Commerce (NKY Chamber) Annual Dinner, presented by Fifth Third Bank, is the chamber's largest networking event of the year and recognizes community and business leaders who are making a lasting impact in the region while also highlighting the strides the NKY Chamber has made in the last year, and sharing plans for the year ahead.

“The individuals and organizations being recognized tonight reflect the best our region has to offer,” said NKY Chamber President Brent Cooper. “With our increased membership, sold out events, and ‘off the charts’ good reviews, it is clear the NKY Chamber is as important to our community today as it has ever been.”

The Northern Kentucky Chamber of Commerce, Inc., founded in 1969, is the leading business organization in Northern Kentucky. It is a Five-Star Accredited Chamber with nearly 1,500 member companies representing approximately 175,000 employees. The Chamber focuses its efforts on education, workforce development, international trade, leadership development, and government relations at the federal, state and local level. Rhonda Whitaker, Vice President, Community Relations – Ohio & Kentucky for Duke Energy, is the Chair of the Board and Brent Cooper is the President and CEO of the Northern Kentucky Chamber of Commerce. Additional information on the Chamber is available at www.nkychamber.com.