Rate My Professor Cheryl Vanderford

Cheryl Vanderford, MSPAS, PA-C, serves as Assistant Professor in the Department of Physician Assistant Studies within the University of Kentucky College of Health Sciences. She joined the faculty in 2019 after a distinguished career in clinical practice. A proud alumna of the University of Kentucky Physician Assistant Program (Class of 2008), Vanderford holds a Master of Science in Physician Assistant Studies from the University of Kentucky College of Allied Health Professions and a Bachelor of Arts from Transylvania University (2003). Prior to academia, she worked as a Physician Assistant in the Mental Health Service at the Lexington Veterans Affairs HealthCare System, delivering care in outpatient walk-in and crisis clinics, the Emergency Department, and residential programs for PTSD and substance use treatment. In addition, she served as Workplace Violence Prevention Coordinator, conducting Prevention and Management of Disruptive Behavior training for all Lexington VA employees. Vanderford completed a fellowship with the National Center for Patient Safety at the Veterans Administration Hospital in Lexington and maintains NCCPA certification. She currently practices at University Health Service, serving UK students through UK HealthCare.

As Alumni Chair for the Department of Physician Assistant Studies, Vanderford plays a key leadership role. Her teaching emphasizes the didactic curriculum, utilizing innovative simulations to equip students with real-world skills in a safe environment. Her research interests encompass all aspects of mental health and student preparation for clinical practice. Notable publications include "Suicidal ideation" in JAAPA (2026); "Physical Activity and Sleep as Predictors of Well-Being in Young Adults," co-authored with D. Dlugonski, D. Potter, and J. M. Hoch, in the American Journal of Health Promotion (2025); "ImPActing mental health stigma through interprofessional psychiatric simulation" (2023, JAAPA); and works on COVID-19's impact on PA students' emotional intelligence competencies (2023, JAAPA). She has led as Principal Investigator on Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration grants for "Communities Talk to Prevent Alcohol and Other Drug Misuse" (2023, 2024, 2025) and contributed as Co-Investigator on Health Resources and Services Administration projects enhancing primary care training in mental and behavioral health for physician assistants.