Melchionna Scholarship established to support KCU dental students serving high-need communities

For Kenneth Melchionna, DO, a longtime member of the Kansas City University (KCU) Board of Trustees and alumnus of the College of Osteopathic Medicine (COM) Class of 1990, his calling began during an ophthalmology lecture.

“I realized I could give sight back to patients — instantly. I was hooked,” he recalls.

That realization led to a distinguished career in ophthalmology spanning more than three decades. As the owner of Simpson Eye Physicians & Surgeons in the Chicago area, Dr. Melchionna has performed more than 14,000 cataract surgeries, helping countless patients regain their vision and independence.

“My greatest reward as a KCU trustee is being part of the growth and expansion of our programs,” he says. “Whether it’s in the dental school or the College of Osteopathic Medicine, our students’ talent, drive and compassion constantly inspire me. They keep me young.”

Dr. Melchionna is board-certified by the American Board of Ophthalmology and is a member of the American Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgery, the American Academy of Ophthalmology, the Illinois Society of Eye Physicians and Surgeons, and a Fellow of the American College of Surgeons.

Despite his lifelong dedication to vision care, Dr. Melchionna’s philanthropic focus has turned toward dentistry — and for deeply personal reasons. His son-in-law, Jake Dachman, DMD, is a pediatric dentist whose stories and photographs of children suffering from untreated dental decay made a lasting impression.

“If you catch problems early, they’re easy to fix,” he explains. “But I’ve seen cases where my son-in-law has had to remove a dozen or more teeth from an 8yearold. It’s heartbreaking — not only can those kids not chew properly, but they’re also teased for how they look.”

Recognizing that many communities across Missouri and Kansas lack adequate dental care, Dr. Melchionna acted. In 2022, he established the Melchionna Scholarship, a four-year award for KCU dental students committed to serving in rural and underserved areas.

“There are small towns that don’t have a single dentist, and families can’t drive three hours for basic care,” he says. “The more graduates we can send to those communities, the better." 

For Dr. Melchionna, the scholarship is also a way to pass the torch to future health care providers. Two of his daughters, as well as their husbands are physicians and KCU alumni (COM Classes of 2020 and 2023).

“I was fortunate to graduate debt-free,” he reflects. “But today, even with help from family, my daughters and sons-in-law have nearly half a million dollars in student loans. I hope this scholarship eases that burden for others and encourages them to serve where they’re most needed.”

Ultimately, his motivation is simple: gratitude.

“This is my way of giving back,” Dr. Melchionna says. “KCU gave me a career that has given me so much – and I’m profoundly thankful.”