Leigh Ann Keeton to lead UKCOP expansion in Ashland
LEXINGTON, Ky. (July 14, 2025) — The University of Kentucky College of Pharmacy (UKCOP) is proud to announce the appointment of Leigh Ann Keeton, Pharm.D., BCPS, as clinical assistant professor. In her new role, Keeton will spearhead the development of the Ashland Clinical Education Center (CEC), a transformative partnership between UKCOP and UK King's Daughters aimed at advancing experiential education and pharmacy practice in Eastern Kentucky.
Modeled after the highly successful Louisville Clinical Education Center (LCEC), the Ashland CEC will provide fourth-year pharmacy students with comprehensive Advanced Pharmacy Practice Experience (APPE) opportunities while staying rooted in the community. The initiative marks a significant milestone in UKCOP’s commitment to expanding pharmacy education and healthcare access throughout the Commonwealth.
Keeton brings more than two decades of clinical experience to the role, most recently serving as the infectious diseases and antimicrobial stewardship pharmacist at King’s Daughters Health System. A board-certified pharmacotherapy specialist and seasoned educator, Keeton has precepted pharmacy students and residents across various disciplines for over 20 years. Her deep ties to the Ashland region and longstanding commitment to patient-centered care make her uniquely positioned to lead this new chapter in UKCOP’s educational mission.
“We are thrilled to welcome Dr. Keeton to our faculty,” said Olufunmilola Abraham, Ph.D., chair of the Department of Pharmacy Practice and Science. “Her experience and dedication to mentorship will help ensure that students at the Ashland CEC receive a high-quality, community-focused education. This program will mirror the successes of our Louisville CEC while addressing the specific healthcare needs of Eastern Kentucky.”
The new Ashland CEC is made possible through the University of Kentucky’s acquisition of King’s Daughters in 2022. As part of UK HealthCare, King’s Daughters now serves as a vital hub in a 16-county region across Kentucky, Ohio, and West Virginia. This partnership has already enabled investments in infrastructure, talent, and services that benefit both patients and learners.
The Ashland CEC is designed to provide robust clinical training, academic support, and community engagement, offering the same collaborative, immersive experience that has made the Louisville CEC a model for regional pharmacy education. In her role, Keeton will oversee student rotations, support preceptors, expand local training sites, and coordinate interdisciplinary educational activities that enhance learning and service delivery in the region.
“UK King’s Daughters has a rich history of serving its community, and the creation of the Ashland Clinical Education Center enhances that legacy,” said Dean R. Kip Guy, Ph.D. “By bringing our educational model to Ashland, we’re ensuring that more Kentuckians have access to excellent healthcare. Dr. Keeton’s leadership will be integral to the center’s success.”
“I’m honored to join the faculty and help launch the Ashland Clinical Education Center,” said Keeton. “This initiative represents an exciting step forward for pharmacy education in Eastern Kentucky. I look forward to mentoring students, collaborating with our healthcare partners, and continuing to serve this community that I care so deeply about.”
As the Ashland CEC prepares to enroll its first cohort of students, the University of Kentucky College of Pharmacy remains focused on its mission: to advance pharmacy education, research, and practice in every corner of the Commonwealth.