Department of Psychiatry

This is an exciting time to enter psychiatry training due to the major advances in our understanding of the causes and treatment of mental illness. Our department strives to provide the highest level of patient care, innovative educational programs, active research in mental illness and advocacy throughout the state of Kentucky and beyond.

I have been with the department for 30 years, first as a medical student, then as a resident, faculty member, residency training director and now as chair. Education has always been one of my personal priorities, a mission shared with others in our department. Our success in this area is evidenced by a history of teaching awards within the University of Kentucky and the addition of graduating residents to our faculty each year. Our residents are talented, dedicated professionals who have traditionally held positions of prominence and have won awards in local and national organizations. Our department has the distinction of being the only department to win the American College of Psychiatrists’ Award for Creativity in Psychiatric Education twice.

I hope you will take a closer look at the strength and breadth of our training programs and the involvement of our residents and faculty in all aspects of mental health care in the region. The warmth, friendliness and dedication of the people in our department along with excellence in research, patient care, outreach, innovative programming and commitment to education create a great environment for training. Those qualities have kept me here and I hope will make you seriously consider coming here. I invite you to take a closer look to see what the University of Kentucky is all about!

Lon Hays, MD, MBA
Chairman
Department of Psychiatry