St. Louis Alumni Reception

We had a great time in St. Louis visiting, reminiscing, sharing updates, and making connections at a special KCU alumni reception on June 8. Thank you to all who attended!

Texas Osteopathic Medicine Association Luncheon

We had a great time in Arlington at the TOMA Luncheon on June 17. Thank you to all who attended!

Class Notes

Passing through Kansas City on your way to a medical conference or late-summer vacation? We’d love to give you a tour of campus! Please email alumni@kansascity.edu with at least one (1) business day of notice.

KCU announced on March 25, 2022, the establishment of the J. Mike Stanton, DO (COM '77), FAOCA Endowed Professorship in Medical Simulation, the first endowed professorship in the history of the University. Stanton graduated from KCU’s College of Osteopathic Medicine in 1977 and credits the university for much of his success as an osteopathic physician and anesthesiologist. More information about the new endowed professorship and Dr. Stanton’s generous philanthropic donation is available on KCU’s News page.

Dale Bratzler, DO (COM '81) served as the keynote speaker at The Journal Record’s (OK) Health Care Heroes event on March 22, 2022.

Denise Bratcher, DO (COM '86) was invested as the Dr. Sidney F. Pakula Endowed Chair in Graduate Medical Education at Children’s Mercy at the 2022 Investiture ceremony on April 13, 2022.

Ron Holt, DO (COM '93) graduated in May 2022 with a master’s degree in Sexuality from San Francisco State University.

Effective June 1, 2022, Sarah Hon, DO (COM '93) has been named Vice President, Neurosciences Service Line with The University of Kansas Health System. According to The University of Kansas Health System, Dr. Hon will spend 50% of her time as vice president and 50% seeing patients. Hon is a clinical associate professor of Neurology at KU Medical Center, a position she has held since 2015. She also serves as chair of the Neurology Division of the Department of Specialty Medicine at Kansas City University. She will continue in this position after she joins The University of Kansas Health System. Dr. Hon also graduated from the Rockhurst University Executive MBA cohort in May 2022. 

Drs. Hon and Holt, who are close lifelong friends from the COM Class of 1993, celebrated their respective master’s degree graduations in mid-May in Kansas City.

Shailesh Rajguru, DO (COM '95) was elected Chairman of the American Osteopathic Board of Neurology and Psychiatry (AOBNP) in April 2022 at AOBNP’s annual election.

Kansas City University was pleased to honor the achievements of Elisa E. Vinyard, DO (COM '00) with a proclamation presented to her July 8 at Cameron Regional Medical Center. Read more.

Col. Scott M. Everson, DO (COM '04) was promoted to the Air Force Chief of Occupational and Environmental Medicine (OEM) and assigned to the Office of the Surgeon General as a consultant for OEM. Lt. Col. Everson also was elected to the Board of Trustees for the American Osteopathic College of Occupational and Preventive Medicine (AOCOPM) for the 2022 to 2024 term.

Brandi Morrison, DO (COM ’09) spoke with WDAF-TV (MO) in May as a subject matter expert on how to best help children fall asleep.

Cameron Smith, DO (COM ’09), CPE, FACMPE, FACOI, FACP joined Kansas City University’s Kansas City campus in spring 2022 as associate professor of Primary Care. Effective July 1, 2022, Dr. Smith transitioned to the Curriculum and Integrated Learning Team, where he now serves as director of COM Student Success. Watch Dr. Smith sing “The Star-Spangled Banner” at the Class of 2026 White Coating Ceremony on July 23, 2022. (Singing starts about 1 minute into the video.)

Lauren Neuman, DO, MBA (COM ’17) was named the new Medical Director at the Johnson County Rehabilitation Hospital at Overland Park, in Overland Park, Kansas, which will open its doors in July 2022.

Upcoming Events

Please note that in-person receptions and luncheons are subject to change due to COVID-19 protocols and safety measures.

2021 Alumni Awards

Because the COVID-19 pandemic limited our ability to gather and celebrate in groups, we traveled to visit the award recipients and celebrate in person with each of them. The result of those visits is a video version of the 2021 Alumni Awards.

Thank you to the 2021 Alumni Award recipients for your outstanding work and service to your communities. See the list of honorees.

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