Announcing new dean of the College of Health Sciences

Dear Colleagues,

I am pleased to announce that Dr. Phillip Gribble has accepted the offer to serve as the next dean of the College of Health Sciences effective July 1, 2026, pending approval of the Board of Trustees.

Dr. Gribble joined UK in 2014 as an associate professor in the Department of Athletic Training and Clinical Nutrition and became a professor in 2018. He was named chair of the department in 2019 and also serves as the director of the graduate certificate in Musculoskeletal Injury Management.

Dr. Gribble’s extensive experience within the College of Health Sciences community enables him to effectively engage and support faculty in advancing the essential work of preparing a new generation of health professionals — particularly as Kentucky faces a critical shortage of health care workers. Having taught at the undergraduate, graduate and post-professional levels, Dr. Gribble is familiar with the student experience during their academic careers and can help our faculty and staff support them through their journeys. 

Dr. Gribble is also an accomplished researcher and practitioner, having been named the 2025 National Athletic Trainers’ Association (NATA) Most Distinguished Athletic Trainer and receiving the NATA Research Foundation Medal for Athletic Training Research in 2020. He has served previously as the co-director of the International Ankle Consortium and serves currently as the chair of the NATA Research and Education Foundation’s Research Agenda Committee.

As we continue our work to advance Kentucky and prepare our students to join a highly skilled and technologically literate workforce, I am confident that Dr. Gribble will help the College of Health Sciences faculty, staff and students attain even greater heights through impactful education, innovative research and compassionate care and healing.

I also want to extend my deepest gratitude to Dr. Scott Lephart for serving as dean and helping transform the education, research and service missions of the college. Please join me in thanking him for his unwavering service to the college, its community and our university.

Please also join me in congratulating Dr. Gribble as he takes on this critical leadership role. Thank you for continuing to build a healthier Kentucky for all our communities.

Robert DiPaola 
Provost