Alumni

When 12-year-old Huy Nguyen and his family escaped Vietnam as refugees, they had no idea what their life in the United States would look like. They just knew they needed to leave their native homeland. “When we left, there was literally a bombing at the airport and we very narrowly escaped,” said Nguyen. 

With a seemingly limitless drive to serve those in need and a commitment to always doing what is right, Darwin Strickland, DO, has never taken the easy path through life. Today, the Strickland family continues to reach beyond the insurmountable, paving the way for countless future generations to rise above even the highest of expectations and creating a legacy worthy of the history books.

Born into a family deeply rooted in osteopathic medicine, Lester Donley, DO (COM 1952), has spent a century embodying the principles of perseverance and community service. Kansas City University is proud to honor his remarkable life and reflect on his extraordinary journey as a veteran, a physician and a dedicated advocate for osteopathic medicine.

KCU alumnus Joseph Albano, DO (COM 2015), is paving the way for more effective and less invasive care with his expertise in spine surgery.

“There are many days when I'm sitting in a room listening to somebody who is pouring their heart out to me, and I know I'm in the right place… and I'm doing what I was meant to do,” said Kansas City University (KCU) alumna Lois Narr, DO, COM 1990).

Dr. Juhasz is grateful to KCU because the education he received allowed him to become an osteopathic physician. Not only was he able to provide a good life for his wife and family, he is now able to give back.

Frances Haas, DO (COM 1995), believes that “to whom much has been given, much is required” – and she believes that she has been given a lot.

As the vibrant energy of Homecoming filled the air, Kansas City University alumni gathered to honor those changing health care for good.

In our fast-paced world, the pursuit of success often comes at the cost of good sleep. But what if improving your sleep quality could be the key to unlocking greater productivity and well-being? Kansas City University (KCU) distinguished alumna, Talene Churukian, DO (COM 2004), a renowned expert in sleep science, shares her invaluable insights in this comprehensive guide.

KCU alumnus Forrest “Phog” Allen, DO (COM 1909), is not only a basketball coaching legend, but also a pioneer in sports medicine and sports psychiatry. 

Hailing from New York City and getting his education in the heartland, Joe Li, DO, a 2022 alumnus of Kansas City University’s College of Osteopathic Medicine and resident at Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai has been named the recipient of the Outstanding Resident of the Year Award. 

A 2023 graduate of Kansas City University's Clinical Psychology (PsyD) program is making significant strides in improving the lives of teens and young adults. Tyler Staples, PsyD, specializes in clinical child psychology, focusing on psychological assessments for neurodevelopmental disorders such as autism spectrum disorder, attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), learning disorders, depression and anxiety.