Construction continues on the UK College of Medicine Bowling Green campus

Emily DeLetter

Construction continues on a new medical school in Bowling Green, in partnership with WKU, the University of Kentucky, Morehead State University and several other regional healthcare providers.

The Herald previously covered the project’s groundbreaking ceremony, held on June 6. Construction preparation began in late May, and the project is estimated to be completed by June 2018.

The new medical school will include a five-story parking structure with a two-story building wrapped in front of the structure.

Associate Dean of Ogden College Dr. Kenneth Crawford said the construction is right on schedule.

“They’re well on their way towards completion,” Crawford said. “Construction began quickly after the groundbreaking, thanks to the large amount of construction preparation that took place in May.”

Crawford said construction progress can be viewed via a live webcam through their YouTube channel, TheMedicalCenterBG.

Although classes will not begin in the new building until July 2018, several administration, faculty, and staff have already been hired for the new school. Dr. Don Brown, a vascular surgeon in Bowling Green, has been hired as the assistant dean.

“Dr. Brown has been a major mover and influence in getting the school started for the last two or three years,” Crawford said.

Dr. Todd Cheever, currently employed by UK as the Associate Dean of Student Affairs at the College of Medicine, has been hired as the associate dean for the new school.

Additionally, four full-time staff members as well as a curriculum coordinator have been hired before the school’s expected start date.

Administrators hope the new campus will have a positive effect on Bowling Green and the southern and western Kentucky regions.

Crawford said a student was more likely to practice in or near the region in which they were educated, which will help tremendously with the physician shortage in nearby regions.

“There is an understaffed medical community in western Kentucky and counties surrounding Bowling Green,” Crawford said. “If you attract students from this region and educate them, they’ll stay in this region after they graduate. I’m hopeful it will have a positive impact on healthcare in our region and the Commonwealth.”

Reporter Emily DeLetter can be reached at 270-745-6011 or [email protected].