F. Douglas Scutchfield, M.D.

Scutchfield joined UK in 1997 with the goal of instituting a School of Public Health at the UK Chandler Medical Center. He also is the director, Center for Health Services Management and Research, UK Chandler Medical Center, and holds joint appointments as professor, Department of Preventive Medicine and Environmental Health, UK College of Medicine; professor, Department of Family Practice, UK College of Medicine; professor, Department of Health Services, UK College of Allied Health Professions; and professor, Martin School of Public Policy and Administration, UK Graduate School.

Scutchfield is a native of Wheelwright, Ky., and received his medical degree from the UK College of Medicine in 1966. Scutchfield began his career in public health as a resident in preventive medicine at the UK College of Medicine in 1969 and as a surgeon in the Public Health Service, Epidemic Intelligence Service, of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Following positions at St. Claire Medical Center in Morehead, Ky., and the University of Alabama, Scutchfield was the principal organizer of the Graduate School of Public Health at San Diego State University, where he served as director from 1979 to 1997.

Under a joint agreement, UK and the University of Louisville will coordinate their efforts to develop programs in public health. Academic public health programs will be offered and accredited at UK through the Kentucky School of Public Health under the governance of UK’s Board of Trustees and at U of L through its School of Medicine under the governance of U of L’s Board of Trustees.

UK anticipates focusing on professional degree programs and will offer a master’s in public health (M.P.H.) degree, which was approved today by the UK Board of Trustees. Plans also call for the recommendation to the UK Board of Trustees to institute a doctor of public health (Dr.P.H.) degree.

By Maureen McArthur