UK St. Claire Introduces Medical Staff Officers

During its recent Annual General staff Meeting, UK St. Claire (SCH) introduced its new slate of medical staff officers. These physicians were elected by their peers and will play an important role in the decision-making process, working collaboratively with the administration and all SCH medical staff.

Aaron “Parker” Banks, DO, a West Liberty native, will serve a second term as president and chief of staff. He joined the SCH medical staff in 2016 and provides primary care for patients at our Owingsville clinic. Dr. Banks received his medical degree from the Pikeville College School of Osteopathic Medicine and completed his residency through the St. Claire Family Medicine Residency Program in Sandy Hook.

Phillip B. Baker, DO, will serve as president-elect. He joined the SCH medical staff in 2016 as a family medicine physician at our Owingsville clinic and now serves as a hospitalist. Dr. Baker previously served as chair and vice-chair of the Department of Medicine. He is a graduate of the Pikeville College School of Osteopathic Medicine and completed his residency through the University of Kentucky Family Community Medicine Residency Program.

Colby J. Holmes, DPM, was elected to serve as secretary-treasurer. Dr. Holmes came to SCH in 2018 specializing in podiatry and wound care. He earned his Doctor of Podiatric Medicine at Des Moines University in Iowa and completed a podiatric medicine and surgery residency with a credentialing in reconstructive rearfoot/ankle surgery at St. Mary’s Medical Center in Evansville, Indiana.

Amber D. Sexton, DO, will serve as a member-at-large. Dr. Sexton joined the SCH medical staff as a family medicine physician in 2021. A native of Morehead, she earned her medical degree from the University of Pikeville College - Kentucky College of Osteopathic Medicine. She completed her residency at SCH through the University of Kentucky’s Rural Family Medicine Residency program. She now cares for patients at our Sandy Hook clinic.

The Department of Surgery is represented by Jacob E. Perry, MD, (chair) and Michael E. Vega, MD, (vice-chair).

Dr. Perry, a general surgeon, joined the SCH medical staff in 2011. He has previously served as president and chief of staff and immediate past president. Dr. Perry completed his medical degree at the Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center School of Medicine in New Orleans and completed his general surgery residency at the University of Kentucky.

Dr. Vega, an anesthesiologist, joined the SCH medical staff in 2021 as the Medical Director, Anesthesia. He earned his medical degree at Autonoma University of Guadalajara in Mexico and completed his anesthesiology residency at Vanderbilt University Medical Center in Nashville, TN.

Adam L. Howard, DO, (chair) and Ahmad H. Abuarquob, MD, (vice-chair) represent the Department of Medicine.

Dr. Howard, a Sandy Hook native, is a hospitalist who has been caring for patients at St. Claire Regional Medical Center since 2019. He earned his medical degree at the Lincoln Memorial University – DeBusk College of Osteopathic Medicine in Harrogate, Tennessee, and completed his internal medicine residency at Norton Community Hospital. He also holds a Master of Business Administration from Lincoln Memorial and is a 2010 graduate of Morehead State University.

Dr. Abuarqoub, a cardiologist, joined the SCH medical staff in 2020. He earned his medical degree from the Jordan University of Science and Technology in Arramtha, Jordan, and completed his internal medicine residency at Jordan Hospital of Internal Medicine in Amman, Jordan. He completed a second three-year internal medicine residency at Saint Michael’s Medical Center in Newark, New Jersey and fellowships in cardiovascular disease and interventional cardiology at St. Joseph’s Regional Medical Center in New Jersey.

By accepting these roles, these physicians make a huge commitment to St. Claire that goes above and beyond the care they offer their patients each and every day.