LEXINGTON, Ky. (Oct. 29, 2014) — A nationally recognized scholar in sports medicine and the physical performance of military personnel has been named dean of the University of Kentucky’s 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. 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,” UK Provost Christine Riordan said. “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.”
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,” added 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.”
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