UK HealthCare announces new director of Gill Heart & Vascular Institute

LEXINGTON, Ky. (March 31, 2026) – After an intensive national search and selection process, UK HealthCare leadership announced Vedant Gupta, M.D., has been selected as the director of the Gill Heart & Vascular Institute and leader of the cardiovascular health service line.  

“We’re tremendously proud and happy to announce Dr. Gupta as the director,” said Jason A. Gill, managing director of the Gill Foundation of Texas. “He’s absolutely the right person at the right time to lead us to the next chapter. We are confident in his vision and excited to see how his leadership will shape the future of the Gill Heart & Vascular Institute.”

Gupta is currently an associate professor of medicine in the UK College of Medicine and associate chief of the Division of Cardiovascular Medicine. Additionally, since its formal launch in 2025, he has served as the acting director of the cardiovascular health service line.  

“It is truly a privilege to be considered for this role, and I take seriously the commitment to the patients of the Commonwealth and the wonderful providers and staff here at the Gill Heart & Vascular Institute,” Gupta said.

Under his leadership, the cardiovascular health service line has implemented processes to improve the patient journey from diagnosis through treatment, effectively collaborated across multiple disciplines to provide even more comprehensive care and expanded work to meet more patient needs throughout Kentucky.  

“Dr. Gupta is an outstanding leader and clinician,” said Robert DiPaola, UK provost and co-executive vice president for health affairs at UK HealthCare. “We are confident in his ability to guide the future of the Gill Heart and Vascular Institute. His dedication to excellence in patient care, research and education will be instrumental as we continue to expand access and improve cardiovascular outcomes across Kentucky.”

As director of the Gill Heart & Vascular Institute, Gupta will lead the strategy and program development for all cardiovascular health and related clinical services at UK HealthCare. He will work collaboratively with leadership across UK HealthCare and the College of Medicine to ensure safe, effective and high-quality care, foster the growth of clinical research and recruit talented faculty, staff and learners.  

“Our mission at the Gill Heart and Vascular Institute is to improve cardiovascular health and outcomes throughout the Commonwealth of Kentucky,” Gupta said. “That requires delivering high quality, patient-centered care every time. We also have a commitment to the training of cardiovascular care providers for the future and the research that advances care. We are committed to the vision where no Kentuckian feels like they need to leave the Commonwealth for cardiovascular care and everyone has access to the world class care that they deserve.”

 With expertise in advanced cardiovascular imaging, cardiac intensive care and cardiovascular medicine, Gupta brings a breadth of clinical knowledge and leadership experience to this role. UK HealthCare is confident he will continue to develop programming, support and expand the Gill Heart Affiliate Network, and advance cardiovascular care for Kentucky.  

The Gill Heart & Vascular Institute was founded in 1997 and has served Kentucky patients for nearly three decades. To expand access statewide, the Gill Affiliate Network launched in 2014, collaborating with local hospitals to bring advanced cardiovascular care closer to home. Today, the network includes 28 hospitals across Kentucky.

“As we look ahead, our focus remains on expanding access to leading-edge cardiac care for patients across Kentucky,” Jason A. Gill said. “That progress is only possible because of the patients, providers and staff who have built this institute into what it is today. We know Dr. Gupta will continue advancing that mission and shaping the future of cardiovascular care across the state.