Students

In the world of medicine, diversity is not just a buzzword — it's an essential component of a health care system that caters to the needs of all individuals, regardless of their background. Understanding this necessity, the William Edelman, DO (COM '49), Impact Scholarship is committed to promoting diversity in the medical field.

“Class of 2027, there is great meaning resting in the white coat you now hold. The white coat is a universal symbol of integrity, selflessness, compassion, honesty and dedication to service—the principals on which our osteopathic profession was founded.” Josh Cox, DO, KCU executive dean for the College of Osteopathic Medicine (COM) and vice provost for medical affairs, spoke these words during white coating ceremonies that took place July 15 for COM students attending KCU’s Joplin campus and July 17 for those attending the Kansas City campus.

As medical students, members of KCU’s Student-Run Clinic know that feet can be a window into a patient’s overall health. In an effort to improve the health and wellness of Kansas City’s underserved and unhoused community, the Student-Run Clinic designed and implemented a unique experience in foot health called FreshStep.

In the 1984 novel, “Other Women,” American author Lisa Alther wrote, “Any mother could perform the jobs of several air-traffic controllers with ease.” While many moms would agree with Alther’s statement, how about juggling the demands of raising five children while attending medical school? One particular Kansas City University (KCU) student is doing just that!

Student Doctor Hannah Caplan has always been a helper. As a young girl, she spent summers and weekends baby-sitting and volunteering in her community. The Kansas City native knew at an early age that she wanted a career in health care. 

With the excitement of commencement still in the air, two new graduates from Kansas City University (KCU) Farber-McIntire Joplin Campus are now celebrating a successful couples match through the National Resident Matching Program (NRMP).

Medical students are expected to learn about a wide range of diseases and treatments through textbooks, lectures and hands-on simulated experiences; however, it is tragically unexpected to learn about a disease in the classroom that would ultimately impact your own child.

For many individuals, pursuing a career in medicine is a life-long dream that begins in childhood. To fulfill it requires the building blocks of tenacity, dedication, time and knowledge – a combination that is most often regarded as challenging but achievable. Yet, despite having these blocks in abundance, many would-be doctors are still not able to realize their dreams because they don’t have access to a component largely overlooked – a foundation of opportunity.

For the third consecutive year, all of Kansas City University’s Clinical Psychology (PsyD) students matched into internships during the Association of Psychology Postdoctoral and Internship Centers (APPIC) match.

As a first-year medical student who has not completed a full year of coursework, there is no doubt that Student Doctor Joseph Williams is committed to making an impact on his peers, the University and public health. Williams was recently honored by the Physicians Professional Advisory Committee of the U.S. Public Health Service with the 2023 Excellence in Public Health Award.

When KCU student doctors entered a makeshift clinic in the aldeas of Guatemala, they were greeted with a standing ovation. In this community comprised of all ages from newborn babies to elderly abuelas, access to medical care is something to applaud.

The four-day event offered students a platform to showcase their research endeavors and distinguish themselves with a more competitive edge when it comes to residency placement.