University of Kansas School of Medicine

07/26/2025

We welcomed 211 first-year medical students at this afternoon’s White Coat Ceremony. Students donned their coats for the first time and recited the Oath of Commitment to the profession.

While 82% of the incoming students are Kansans, the students hail from 19 different states and 67 different undergraduate colleges and universities. The students will train on our campuses in Kansas City, University of Kansas School of Medicine - Salina Campus and KU School of Medicine-Wichita.

Learn more about the Class of 2029: https://bit.ly/3GRNPUx

07/18/2025

The 2025 White Coat Ceremony is just one week away! KU School of Medicine will officially welcome the Class of 2029 on Friday, July 25, at 1 p.m. at Soldiers & Sailors Memorial Hall in Kansas City. First-year students will receive their white coats and recite the Hippocratic Oath, signifying the beginning of their medical school journey.

🔹 Learn more about the event: https://bit.ly/4m0jS3m
🔹 Can't attend in person? Join the celebrations via livestream: https://zoom.us/j/97205576854

📷: 2024 White Coat Ceremony

07/17/2025

Margaret Sieger, Ph.D., associate professor of population health, recently published a study on a new reporting system designed to improve child protective services referrals and prevent the separation of babies from mothers who are taking medications appropriately.

The study, conducted in collaboration with the state of Connecticut, showed a decrease in the number of infants referred to child protective services at birth. Additionally, it resulted in fewer babies being placed in foster care.

Dr. Sieger notes that this reduction “reflects a more precise and effective way of identifying infants who actually need a child welfare referral, rather than just casting an enormously wide net and not being able to respond to everyone effectively in a resource-constrained system.” Learn more:

New reporting policy for substance-exposed infants aims to avoid separating babies from mothers who are taking medications appropriately.

07/11/2025

Interested in a career in medicine? Attend KU School of Medicine's upcoming JayHawkMD Insights webinar, "Optimizing Shadowing and Service Experiences,” on July 16 at noon.

Hosted by the University of Kansas School of Medicine Office of Admissions, the free, online event invites prospective students to learn about the application process and discuss ways to optimize shadowing and service experiences. Learn more about the monthly webinar series and register online today: https://bit.ly/3RiuWw2

07/02/2025

👋 Meet Cheen Alkhatib, M.D., associate professor in the Department of Anesthesiology, Pain & Perioperative Medicine.

Since joining KU in 2016 as a cardiothoracic anesthesiologist, Dr. Alkhatib has consistently demonstrated a profound dedication to the academic and professional growth of her students and residents. Her innovative teaching philosophy emphasizes diverse teaching methods, including case-based learning, simulation exercises and interactive lectures.

In 2024, she was recognized as a 2024 Chancellor's Distinguished Teaching Award recipient for her exemplary commitment to teaching and mentorship. Hear from Dr. Alkhatib and learn about her journey as an educator: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hbrnVswl4hg

07/01/2025

Matthew Mayo, Ph.D., founding chair of KUMC Biostatistics & Data Science, is the lead investigator on a $31 million grant from the National Institutes of Health (NIH) to coordinate clinical trials for infants and children in rural and underserved areas. The grant is the largest five-year grant in KU Medical Center’s history.

“The ultimate goal is to support high-quality, multi-center trials that generate valuable knowledge and lead to improved health outcomes for a wider range of children across the country," said Dr. Mayo.

In partnership with the University of Nebraska Medical Center - UNMC, KU Medical Center will serve as the Data Coordinating and Operations Center for the Environmental influences on Child Health Outcomes program. Learn more:

The largest five-year grant in KU Medical Center’s history will establish a data center to support clinical trials examining environmental influences on child health.

06/26/2025

A week-long elective course in culinary medicine offers KU School of Medicine students experience combining evidence-based medical knowledge with practical cooking techniques. The program helps bridge the gap between nutrition science and culinary skills. A LaunchKU fundraiser is underway to expand access to the initiative:

Help LaunchKU raise $10,000 for the project: KUMC Culinary Medicine Initiative | Spring 2025. Your gift will make a difference!

06/24/2025

This month, second-year students from our three KU School of Medicine campuses are participating in the Summer Training Option in Rural Medicine (STORM) program, an immersive elective program designed to offer real-world experience in rural health care.

Since 1992, STORM has helped KU Medicine students learn not only the practice of rural medicine, but also the dynamics of working with limited resources, building trust in small communities and understanding their path in medicine.

Early in their training, KU medical students gain rural experience that shapes their skills and sense of purpose.

06/17/2025

University of Kansas alumnus David Seitz is continuing his family's legacy with a $15 million commitment for KU School of Medicine scholarships.

The Seitz family has provided care for the community of Ellsworth, Kansas since 1867, including three generations of pharmacists and David's mother, a nurse, and his father, the town’s beloved family practice physician. His family's legacy wove its way through David's life as a researcher, educator and physician.

His gift is the largest single scholarship fund at KU School of Medicine, providing the equivalent of 17 full-tuition scholarships for in-state medical students, with preferences for students from Ellsworth and those who plan to go into family practice.

“It gives me great satisfaction knowing that KU School of Medicine can continue to train family practitioners and not just big-city specialists, because we'll always, hopefully, have vibrant small communities. And part of what makes them vibrant is having access to quality health care,” Seitz said.

For KU alumnus David Seitz, the town of Ellsworth isn’t just a hometown; it’s the soil that nurtures the deepest roots of his family tree. Inspired by his father, a family practitioner in rural Kansas, Seitz has pledged a gift for scholarships at the KU School of Medicine.

06/03/2025

For physicians working in academia, advancing their career can be challenging, requiring a commitment to teaching, research and scholarship — all while maintaining their clinical practice. Anne Walling, M.B., Ch.B., professor emerita of family and community medicine at KU School of Medicine-Wichita, has written a guide to help physicians navigate academic promotion and tenure.

Published by a KU School of Medicine-Wichita professor, the guide can help doctors navigate the culture and rules of academia while seeking career advancement.

05/30/2025

Scott Owings, M.D., associate professor of family medicine and associate dean for clinical sciences at the University of Kansas School of Medicine - Salina Campus, has been named the campus’s new dean, effective June 1. Tyler Hughes, M.D., who has served as dean since 2023, will retire.

“Dr. Owings is well-positioned to step into the role of campus dean,” said Akinlolu O. Ojo, M.D., Ph.D., MBA, executive dean of KU School of Medicine. “He played an instrumental role in establishing the Salina campus and has been an engaged leader since its inception.”

Learn more about Dr. Owings' journey:

Scott Owings, who has served on the Salina campus since its inception, will succeed Tyler Hughes, who will retire in June.

05/28/2025

The University of Kansas recently announced the promotion and tenure of faculty members and researchers across KU. Please join us in congratulating the exceptional 101 individuals on our KU School of Medicine campuses for these significant accomplishments. Learn more and see the full list:

Chancellor Douglas A. Girod has approved the promotion and award of tenure, where indicated, for 44 individuals at the University of Kansas Lawrence and Edwards campuses and 114 individuals at the KU Medical Center campus.