The symposium featured nationally acclaimed speakers with diverse backgrounds, such as Dr. Pauline Chen, Paul O'Neill, and Dr. Dennis O'Leary who shared their visions for the future of physicians and the health care system."We are looking at what kind of physicians we need to create, and how we can prepare our students to provide optimum care for patients," said Wilson. "New standards of care are being established every day, and tomorrow's physicians must embrace several core competencies in order to advance the delivery of health care and the education of future providers."
Recently, the college celebrated the union of past, present and future through the White Coat Ceremony, a significant and meaningful tradition, with alumni representatives from the past five decades presenting the newest medical students with their coats.
"As we mark our 50th anniversary, we celebrate our past and look to the future," said Dr. Carol Elam, UK College of Medicine associate dean for admissions and institutional advancement. "Our newest students stand on the shoulders of those who came before them. Their entrance into our College of Medicine will change their lives. And through the education they receive here, they will, in turn, change the lives of countless patients. To serve society in such a manner is indeed a privilege."
As part of the upcoming three-day 50th Anniversary Alumni Reunion and Family Weekend this weekend, the college already expects over 500 attendees to the Signature Event. Attractions inside the Keeneland Sales Pavilion will include a birthday cake designed for the College by none other than Charm City Cakes, made famous by Food Network's top-rated show, "Ace of Cakes." One of the staff members of Charm City Cakes will be in attendance with the specially-created UK College of Medicine cake.
This event will commemorate the rich history of the College with an emphasis on each of the past five decades' food, sights, and sounds, including oral histories from students and faculty throughout the era and special presentations. Musical entertainment will be provided by numerous notable musicians, including the Johnson Brothers, with special guest performer Dr. Jay Zwischenberger, chair of UK's Department of Surgery and 1977 alumnus of UK's College of Medicine.
The University of Kentucky College of Medicine is currently undergoing construction on UK HealthCare's new $762 million, 1.2 million square-foot hospital and is one of the few universities in the nation to have all six health science colleges (Medicine, Dentistry, Health Sciences, Nursing, Pharmacy and Public Health) on one campus.
Source: University of Kentucky College