Psychiatry Medical Director; Empath Program University of Kentucky in Lexington

About the Role

University of Kentucky Health Care is seeking a board-certified/board-eligible Psychiatrist to join the program as a Medical Director. EmPATH Psychiatric Unit | UK Healthcare
Lead as the Medical Director for both Eastern State Hospital and the EmPATH unit, providing high-quality psychiatric care to adult patients. The EmPATH (Emergency Psychiatric Assessment, Treatment, and Healing) unit is a crisis intervention center that offers a therapeutic alternative to emergency departments for behavioral health crises.

Eastern State Hospital: A 239-bed facility with a mission of recovery-focused care, delivering inpatient mental health services across 50 counties.
EmPATH Unit: A specialized, 24/7 crisis intervention unit with a welcoming environment for behavioral health, providing rapid assessment and stabilization within a dedicated space

As part of our faculty, you will engage in a robust mix of clinical care, teaching, and research within UKHC’s state-of-the-art facilities. You will mentor medical students, residents, and other healthcare professionals, contributing to the continued growth of our respected psychiatric program.

Work Hours, Call Schedule & Other Info.

Work Location:

Empath Unit located at Eastern State Hospital

Call Schedule:

Yes, rotation

Patient Volume IP/OP:

12 patients at a time (rotation)

# of Exam Rooms:

12 Chairs

# of Advanced Practice Providers:

7 (4 Day Shift, 3 Night Shift)

# of Nurses:

6 RNs, 1 Nurse Manager

# of Support Staff:

10 Mental Health Associates, 2 Peer Support Specialists, 2 Social Worker Seniors (MSW), 4 Patient Access/Registration Staff

Compensation and Benefits

• Transparent, competitive salary with bonus structure based on AAMC benchmarks
• Loan forgiveness eligibility
• $5,000 CME allowance + relocation support
• 22 days annual PTO (prorated)
• Malpractice coverage (including tail) through UK Health Care
• Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision insurance (with dependent coverage)
• 200% retirement plan match
• Wellness and professional development programs

This package is designed to support your career growth, financial well-being, and work-life balance.

Qualifications

Education: M.D./D.O. degree or equivalent
Experience: Completion of residency in Psychiatry; strong clinical background and demonstrated teaching abilities
Certifications: Board eligible/board certified in Adult Psychiatry (American Psychiatric Association) with current or eligible licensure to practice in Kentucky
Skills: Excellent communication and leadership skills, with the ability to connect with internal and external stakeholders

UK Health Care Highlights & Impacts

• Ranked #1 hospital in Kentucky by U.S. News for 8 consecutive years.
• Level I Trauma Center
• Strong in cancer, ENT, OB-GYN, GI, cardiology, pediatric specialties, and high-volume complex procedures
• 34K cases July 2024-April 2025
• 2 million ambulatory volumes
• 110K ER Visits / 39K discharges
• New Cancer & Neuro Center opening 2027
• Kloiber Foundation Teen Lounge

UK Health Care Locations

• Albert
  
  B. Chandler Hospital
• Kentucky Children’s Hospital
• Eastern State Hospital
• UK Good Samaritan Hospital
• King’s Daughters Medical Center (Ashland)
• Claire Regional Medical Center (Morehead)

About Lexington, KY

• Horse Capital of the World
• Vibrant Arts, Culture, Music & Dining Scene
• Strong Healthcare & Education Institutions
• Affordable Cost of Living
• Outdoor Recreation & Natural Beauty
• Strong Healthcare & Education Institutions

Links

About UK Health Care | UK Healthcare
In Kloiber Foundation Teen Lounge, teens can be themselves | UKNow
Psychiatry | UK Healthcare

Contact Information

Karen Kuehn, Senior Physician Recruiter
University of Kentucky Health Care
karen.kuehn