Cory Pelarski, CSSP, CHPCP

Director of Emergency Management

University of Kentucky HealthCare

Captain, University of Kentucky Police Department

Cory serves as Director of Emergency Management for UK HealthCare, leading enterprise-wide preparedness, response, and recovery operations across multiple facilities, including King’s Daughters Medical Center and St. Claire Hospital. He brings over eleven years with the University of Kentucky Police Department and 23 years of military service as a Naval Officer, providing a strong foundation in leadership, crisis management, and operational execution.

Since assuming the role in 2021, Cory has expanded the Emergency Management program from two to six team members and advanced system-wide readiness by identifying gaps and implementing practical, scalable solutions. His leadership focuses on operationalizing plans into effective, real-world processes that strengthen coordination, resiliency, and response capabilities across complex healthcare environments.

Under his direction, the UK HealthCare Emergency Management program has become highly regarded and was recognized during the 2025 Joint Commission survey as one of the top programs in the country. In 2024, Cory was invited to present at the regional Joint Commission meeting on strategies for building successful and effective hospital Emergency Management programs, sharing best practices in program development, operational integration, and healthcare preparedness leadership.