Ronald W. Hubbard, DO, FACOS,
Memorial Lecture Series

John P. Smith, DO, FACOS (COM 1975)

Since graduating from the Kansas City University College of Osteopathic Medicine in 1975, John P. Smith, DO, FACOS, has exemplified visionary leadership on a global scale – establishing a legacy of service that surpasses expectations and transcends borders. 

Born and raised in Wichita Falls, Texas, Smith aspired to practice medicine from childhood. As the first in his family to attend college, Smith balanced academics with a job as an operating room orderly at a local hospital – a role in which he discovered his passion for general surgery. Following his undergraduate studies, Smith traded in his orderly scrubs for a white coat, earning his Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine from KCU and subsequently completing his residency in general surgery and a fellowship in clinical nutrition.

Smith practiced general surgery for 36 years, serving the Wichita, Kansas, community through his private practice as well as pivotal physician leader positions at numerous regional medical institutions. A dedicated educator and advocate for osteopathic medicine, he has held adjunct faculty positions at colleges and universities nationwide and leadership roles in myriad professional organizations, including Past President and Fellow of the American College of Osteopathic Surgeons Board of Governors.

In addition to his extensive service throughout the country, he has participated in and led medical missions overseas for over 25 years, rising to Chair of the Medical Ministry International US Board of Directors. Smith’s medical missions teams now provide essential health care services to more than 1,000 patients in under-resourced regions such as the Dominican Republic each year.

From 2017 – 2024, Smith provided Kansas City University with exceptional guidance in its strategic and fiduciary responsibilities as Chair of the KCU Board of Trustees. Prior to his tenure as Chair, Smith had served as Board Vice Chair, as well as the chair of numerous Board committees, after first joining the KCU Board of Trustees in 2011.

Kansas City University is immensely grateful to Dr. John P. Smith for his steadfast commitment to improving the well-being of the communities we serve, and we are proud to host this extraordinary physician, educator, leader and alumnus during the 2025 Ronald W. Hubbard, DO, FACOS, Memorial Lecture Series.