Dr. Stephen W. Wyatt will step down as dean of the University of Kentucky (UK) College of Public Health, effective July.

Dr. Wyatt is the founding dean of the College of Public Health at the University of Kentucky. He began serving as dean in November 2004, following six years of research, teaching, and service at UK, while serving as the associate director for cancer control at the Markey Cancer Center. During his tenure at UK, Dr. Wyatt was the PI for several large cancer control grants, including the NCI-funded, Appalachia Cancer Network and Cancer Information Service and the CDC-funded, Prevention Research Center and Comprehensive Cancer Control.

“It’s bittersweet because Dean Wyatt’s tenure has been marked by incredible successes for the College and University and we will miss him in this important leadership role at UK,” University of Kentucky Provost Christine Riordan said in a news release.

Dean Wyatt will serve as senior associate director for the University of Kentucky Center for Clinical and Translation Science and vice president for research at Norton Healthcare. Dr. Wyatt will lead educational and research initiatives between UK and Norton Healthcare.

“Dr. Wyatt’s high caliber leadership, expertise, and experience — demonstrated by a strong track record of success — are critical assets to this important and evolving partnership that will help to improve the health of Kentuckians, advance health care, and enhance the capacity of both UK and Norton to serve their communities,” said Dr. Michael Karpf, UK executive vice president for health affairs.

Dr. Wayne Sanderson, has accepted the position of interim dean of the College of Public Health, effective July 1.

Dr. Sanderson’s experience and expertise will be an asset to continuing the College’s growth and success during this interim period.  With a research focus on a wide variety of occupational and environmental exposures, Dr. Sanderson has served as chair of the epidemiology department in the College of Public Health since January 2010. Prior to joining the University of Kentucky in December 2009, he was a professor in the occupational and environmental health department of the University of Iowa College of Public Health. Dr. Sanderson was also a commissioned officer in the U.S. Public Health Service beginning in 1978, assigned to the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH/CDC). His tenure culminated in 2002 with his position as chief of the Industrial Hygiene Section in the Industrywide Studies Branch.

Plans to identify candidates to fill this position permanently are underway.