For Ulysses (Uly) and Vanessa Fernandez -Miro, DO, medicine has always been about people. From the clinics of Alaska to the structure of the U.S. Air Force, they’ve built careers around connection, care and service.
Uly’s path has taken him through military service as a primary care physician at the main hospital in Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Alaska. There, lessons in discipline, teamwork and adaptability have shaped the kind of physician he is today.
“I’ve loved the military experience: the camaraderie, the pursuit of excellence, the sense of purpose,” he says. “It gave me tools I wouldn’t have anywhere else, and I get to bring that back to serve patients every day.”
Across the United States, millions of people live in areas with too few primary care physicians, and the shortage is expected to worsen in the coming decade. Communities in rural and underserved regions and Indigenous populations in Alaska are among the most affected. The National Association of Community Health Centers estimates more than 100 million Americans, about one in three, lack reliable access to primary care because of provider shortages.
Kansas City University (KCU) is working to help close that gap by training physicians who enter primary care and underserved communities.
Fifty-seven percent of College of Osteopathic Medicine (COM) alumni from KCU-Joplin practice a primary care specialty, thirty five percent practice in a medically underserved area and the KCU-COM alumni network of more than 10,000 graduates spans every state, including Alaska. That foundation prepared Uly and Vanessa to thrive in distinct but equally demanding environments, one focused on rural and Indigenous primary care, the other on military medicine and patient-centered service.
Vanessa practices at Southcentral Foundation, an environment built around relationships, continuity and holistic care.
“Every day I get to know my patients, their families, even multiple generations. That continuity brings me joy and it’s why I became a family physician,” she says. “The appointment times are longer, the team is integrated and we can bring in behavioral health or a dietitian right away if someone needs help. That makes a real difference.”
The work is challenging, and the resources are limited compared with the lower 48, but she sees it as a unique opportunity. “You get to see different problems than what I encountered in the Midwest,” she explains. “It stretches your brain medically and personally. I love that every day I’m learning something new.”
Vanessa and Uly also navigate life as parents, balancing their 1-year-old daughter and a new dog with busy careers. “We bundle her up and bring her along,” Vanessa says. “We try to let her experiences enhance our lives instead of restricting our choices.” The couple enjoys outdoor activities, hiking and exploring Alaska together whenever possible, finding joy in simple family moments.
Through military service, Uly has gained a different, yet complementary, perspective on care. While in medical school, he was commissioned as an officer through the Health Professions Scholarship Program and completed officer training before beginning residency.
“The structure, the core values, the mentorship,” he says. “It’s been incredible. The Air Force gave me an opportunity to learn medicine in a way that emphasizes both excellence and service. I can’t wait to give back to the military through my work.”
Both credit KCU-Joplin for setting the foundation for their careers.
“The people at KCU were genuinely kind and supportive,” Vanessa said. “Even during COVID, we found ways to enjoy our time, study outdoors and build connections. That experience made a lasting impression.”
“I wanted to learn skills that help patients immediately, like OMM (osteopathic manipulative medicine), but also receive top-notch medical training,” Uly said. “KCU gave me both.”
From the Midwest to Alaska, and family medicine to military medicine, Uly and Vanessa’s story exemplifies how KCU alumni bring care, commitment and compassion to communities across the country.
“We feel incredibly blessed to do the work we do, in places that are meaningful, with people who are supportive,” Vanessa says. “It’s a privilege we never take for granted.”
To see how KCU graduates are expanding access to care in communities across the country, explore the full report from the National Center for the Analysis of Healthcare Data here.
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