From the Desk
of the President
April 2017
Marc B. Hahn, DO President and Chief Executive Officer |
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Greetings KCU Family:
As we begin the second quarter of 2017, I am pleased to report our recruitment of
three key individuals, who will round out KCU's senior leadership team and position us well to advance the work outlined in our new five-year strategic plan.
The respective knowledge and expertise that each one brings will complement the strengths of KCU's faculty, staff and administration. We welcome these new team members and look forward to their many contributions.
Last month, students and faculty showcased their research and learned from renowned scientists at KCU's 25th annual Research Symposium. The theme this year focused on the importance of translational research.
In addition to 10 oral and 46 poster presentations, the symposium featured presentations by two national leaders in research from the Kansas City area: Tom Curran, PhD, the Donald J. Hall Eminent Scholar in Pediatric Research and executive director for the Children's Research Institute at Children's Mercy Hospital; and Carl Gelhaus, PhD, senior program manager in the Medical Countermeasures Division of MRIGlobal and KCU adjunct professor. Read more about the symposium and this year's award winners.
 Also last month, George Smith DO (COM '74), was honored as the American College of Osteopathic Family Physicians' (ACOFP) 2017 Physician of the Year during the association's annual convention and scientific seminars. A dedicated physician and supporter of our osteopathic profession, Dr. Smith is known for his heroic efforts during a 2013 fertilizer plant explosion that devastated his hometown of West, Texas. We were pleased to present Dr. Smith and his wife, Jean, with a proclamation during KCU's reception, which drew nearly 70 of our alumni. Read more about Dr. Smith's story of heroism in the Winter 2013 issue of our magazine.
 KCU's new Joplin medical school will soon open! Construction is scheduled to be complete by the end of May, with faculty and staff moving in later this month and students arriving in July. A ribbon-cutting for the community will be held June 6 to officially commemorate the opening of KCU's new medical school. To date, we have accepted 162 students for our inaugural class. Once Joplin's full cohort is enrolled, KCU overall is expected to rank as the largest medical school in the U.S. by class size.
KCU's new doctoral program in clinical psychology (PsyD) is an important step in helping stem the critical shortage of behavioral health providers - now projected to reach 70,000 by 2025. I was pleased to provide a guest commentary in the April 3 issue of Modern Healthcare, stressing the need for health professions educators to train and graduate more clinical psychologists in an interprofessional education (IPE) environment.
Important Events:
See the additional updates below and visit KCU News for the latest on what's happening at our University. You can follow me @KCUMBpresident.  |
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SCORE 1 For Health Garners Coverage on Local NPR Affiliate
 KCUR Health Editor Dan Margolies visited Wendell Phillips at Attucks Elementary School in Kansas City, Missouri, where children received free health screenings through KCU's SCORE 1 for Health program. Margolies talked to participating medical students, faculty, staff and program co-founder Deron Cherry about SCORE 1 and its role in the community, as well as what it means to medical students who have an opportunity to evaluate and treat underserved children in the area. Read or listen to the story.
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KCU Curriculum Highlights the Convergence of Art and Medicine
 Medicine is an art as much as it is a science. "The Art of Observation," a course taught by KCU Assistant Dean Schoen Kruse, PhD, gives anatomy fellows the opportunity to practice reflection through observation in a museum setting. In addition to providing an atmosphere conducive for introspection and sharing with fellow students, the course encourages students to consider how reflection and patient observation can be used for more effective medical care. Hear Dr. Kruse describe his thought-provoking course in this video.
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COM Student Shares Personal Story During Brain Injury Awareness Month
Having overcome a severe brain injury sustained during childhood, Landon Sowell, OMS-I, is an inspiration to all as he defied the odds, eventually becoming an osteopathic medical student at KCU. He now hopes to fulfill his dream of helping others. Learn more about his injury and the amazing story of his recovery.
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We have more exciting news than ever before at KCU! In addition to the updates included in this month's e-newsletter, be sure to check out the current issue of KCU Magazine and visit KCU News regularly for other KCU stories, such as:
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