UK King's Daughters Medical Center in Ashland, Kentucky is recruiting a board-certified or board-eligible Emergency Medicine physician to join a stable, high-retention team as the hospital launches its brand-new, next-generation Emergency Department — a state-of-the-art facility that opened in June 2025 and stands as one of the most comprehensively equipped community EDs in the region. The 455-bed academic-affiliated medical center anchors a full-service campus spanning heart and vascular, orthopedics, oncology, stroke/neurology, digestive health, and maternity services, giving EM physicians immediate access to robust subspecialty backup. With 65,000 annual ED visits, dedicated scribe support, and a generous sign-on and start-date bonus, this opportunity is built for a physician who wants to practice at the top of their license without administrative friction.
Perks and Benefits
- Generous sign-on and start-date bonus available for full-time physicians
- Competitive hourly rate with a night-shift differential
- Full-time schedule of ten 12-hour shifts per month
- Scribe documentation support on every shift, reducing administrative burden
- Stable group with a high physician retention rate
- Hospital recognized as a "Best Place to Work in Kentucky" (2024) and "Best Places to Work" by Modern Healthcare
Practice Highlights
- 65,000 annual ED patient visits across a broad acuity spectrum
- Brand-new Emergency Department opened June 2025 — purpose-built for patient privacy, comfort, and safety
- 86 total treatment areas, including 60 private rooms and four dedicated trauma bays
- Two on-site CT scanners and a STAT lab for rapid diagnostic turnaround
- Dedicated behavioral health unit, isolation rooms with decontamination showers, and specialized EMS/first responder workspaces
- Provider-in-Triage service to optimize patient flow for lower-acuity presentations
- 72 hours of physician coverage daily via 12-hour shifts; 48 hours of APP coverage daily via 12-hour shifts with APP presence in the main ED
- Epic EMR throughout the department
- Certified Stroke Center with a 24-hour dedicated stroke team
- Full subspecialty backup on campus: cardiology/vascular, orthopedics, oncology, neurology, digestive health, and maternity with a Level III NICU
- 455-bed acute care hospital serving as the regional referral center for the tri-state area of Kentucky, West Virginia, and Ohio
- Multiple national quality recognitions: Women's Choice Award for Emergency Care and Patient Safety; Leapfrog "A" Grade for Hospital Safety
Qualifications
- Board certification or board eligibility through ABEM or AOBEM required
- Completion of an ACGME- or AOA-accredited Emergency Medicine residency
- Active Kentucky medical license or eligibility to obtain prior to start
- Comfort managing the full acuity range of a high-volume community ED, including trauma, stroke, and behavioral health presentations
About the Community
Ashland sits along the Ohio River in northeastern Kentucky — a welcoming, family-oriented community that pairs small-town livability with genuine cultural amenities, including the Paramount Arts Center, local dining, and a walkable downtown. The area offers affordable housing, a low cost of living, and access to excellent public and private schools, along with riverfront recreation, hiking trails, and city parks. Huntington, West Virginia is just across the river, and Lexington, Kentucky — home to the University of Kentucky — is an easy drive, giving residents the best of both regional convenience and outdoor Appalachian scenery.