Embattled UK dean on paid leave

LEXINGTON, Ky. (WTVQ) – A University of Kentucky dean is on paid administrative leave for a year after being named in a recent lawsuit against the university.

University of Kentucky spokesman Jay Blanton confirms Dr. Stephanos Kyrkanides is no longer dean of the University of Kentucky College of Dentistry.

Raynor Mullins, a former faculty member at the college, filed a federal lawsuit against Kyrkanides in 2017, saying he was fired for publicly criticizing Governor Matt Bevin’s plan to overhaul the state’s Medicaid program.

Mullins settled his lawsuit with the university last year.

Blanton would not comment on whether Kyrkanides’ administrative leave was in connection to the lawsuit, saying “the university, as a matter of policy, does not discuss personnel issues.”

Kyrkanides will be returning to the the College of Dentistry as a tenured faculty member after a year-long sabbatical, according to Blanton.

Blanton says Kyrkanides will be paid at 75% of his current salary during the sabbatical.

Vice Provost Larry Holloway, who previously served as interim dean in the College of Engineering, will serve as interim dean of the College of Dentistry, according to Blanton.