Students, Faculty and Staff,

Greetings. I hope you’re staying well.

As we come to the middle of the semester, I want to congratulate all of you. By staying safe and respecting one another we have almost made it to the midpoint, and I hope all of you are feeling a bit of ease from the pressure of the pandemic.

Of course, with that ease comes the added pressures of things like midterm exams, and everyday life, so again I say: Please take some time for yourself. Plan accordingly. Carve out some time to watch the Super Bowl if you want — or the Olympics.

And for just a moment I’d like to tell you about two amazing alumni. No matter if you are a student, or a faculty or staff member, you will be inspired.

The first is a social entrepreneur and bestselling author whose goal is a world where no child is an orphan. She has literally dedicated her life to helping children halfway around the world. A 2017 Physician Assistant Studies graduate, Iza Correll, PA-C, COC, is the CEO and founder of OVI Healthcare in Kenya. She is the youngest-ever recipient of the Muhammad Ali Humanitarian Award for Global Citizenship (among fellow laureates U.S. President Jimmy Carter, Michael J. Fox and Christina Aguilera).

The second is a name you may recognize. He is a PhD researcher who focuses on muscle health and physical function in patients with critical illness. He received his Doctor of Physical Therapy degree from the University of Kentucky’s Center for Excellence in Rural Health in Hazard in 2014, and after practicing as a staff physical therapist at Chandler Medical, Kirby Mayer, DPT, PhD, returned to school and completed his Doctor of Philosophy degree at the University of Kentucky, where he now serves as an assistant professor of Physical Therapy. 

Both will be honored for their extraordinary careers — Correll with induction into the College Hall of Fame, and Mayer with our Young Alumni Award. Both will be in attendance to receive their honors at the College of Health Sciences Hall of Fame & Young Alumni Award Celebration at 5:30 p.m., Feb. 24, at The Campbell House.

If you’re interested in attending this event, visit this site.

I wanted to share this with you because I feel these two are wonderful examples of the talent produced in this College. Every day, they are living our mission, and they are role models for us all. I could not be prouder of them — as well as all of you.

Because it is in this environment, the one which you have helped build and care for, that students like this can thrive.

May they continue to serve as inspirations to us all.

Continue to take care,

Scott