I recently watched a TED Talk by Simon Sinek, author of Start with Why. Sinek says that the most successful organizations have a powerful and impactful “why statement,” and those organizations make decisions starting based on that why. The mistake made by less successful organizations: They know what they do and how they are unique, but they don’t know WHY they exist. Why is not about profit; it is the true purpose of an organization.

Why does the UK College of Health Sciences exist? What is our purpose? Fortunately, we have absolute clarity when it comes to our purpose: The College of Health Sciences exists to improve lives. Our College consists of nine academic disciplines, a thriving research enterprise, impactful outreach programs, and expert clinical care. The common thread is helping people attain optimal health – improving lives through education, research, and service.       

Our purpose also serves as a promise to the Commonwealth and to the national and global community. It is a promise fulfilled by our faculty, staff, students, and alumni in the lives we improve every day. In this issue of Gateway, you will see examples of this promise fulfilled by: 

• Amy Hehre, Physician Assistant student, who secured a facility where she plans to treat the most vulnerable population in Kenya – terminally ill orphans.
• Pat Kitzman, Associate Dean of Research, who co-founded the Kentucky Appalachian Rural Rehabilitation Network, which continues to improve outcomes and quality of life for those affected by neurological conditions.
• Melissa Liechty, Speech-Language Pathologist, who led a health education brigade in Ecuador.

It all started with why for Amy, Pat, and Melissa, as well as all of our alumni, students, faculty, and staff. As a College, we are poised for growth, strategically planning to meet expanding and evolving health care needs. In everything we do, we are driven by our purpose. We exist to improve lives. We are proud of our work. If you are not already helping us fulfill our promise, we encourage you to ask yourself why and join us.   

Scott M. Lephart, PhD
Dean
Endowed Chair of Orthopaedic Research