Ian McClure is expanding his role from associate vice president for research, innovation and economic impact at the University of Kentucky to include vice president of innovation for UK Healthcare, the institution's health system.
Ian McClure, the associate vice-president for research, innovation and economic impact at the University of Kentucky in the US, has been appointed vice-president of innovation for the university’s healthcare system, UK Healthcare.
The promotion comes as the University of Kentucky anticipates the recruitment of an additional 5,000 healthcare professionals to join UK Healthcare over the next few years to meet the state’s growing healthcare needs. UK Healthcare employs 9,000 people across its hospitals and clinics in the US state.
McClure has been tasked with bringing more innovation into the health system through new technologies and products and partnerships with providers, healthcare companies and community stakeholders.
He will maintain his current duties, which include oversight of the university’s entrepreneurship and tech transfer activities through commercialisation arm UK Innovate. He became the associate vice president for research, innovation and economic impact when UK Innovate was created in 2021, having joined the university as executive director of the Office of Technology Commercialization in 2016.
McClure said: “Our vision is to establish UK Healthcare as an innovation leader and partner-ready enterprise capable of enhancing its ability to perform patient care, conduct research and create health care access through technology, innovation and entrepreneurial partnerships and projects.
“UK Healthcare has the opportunity to be an innovation-forward thought leader on a regional and national level, but most importantly in ways that improve the health of the state we serve and seek to advance.”
McClure’s promotion is the latest personnel shift at the University of Kentucky and UK Innovate, following the departure of 25-year veteran Taunya Phillips as director of the Office of Technology Commercialisation this past July. Philips, who took on the position of assistant vice president at Wayne State University, was replaced by Matthew Upton, who became acting director of the tech transfer office last month.
Thierry Heles
Thierry Heles is editor-at-large of Global University Venturing and Global Corporate Venturing, and host of the Beyond the Breakthrough podcast.
