KCU hand surgeon takes on national role to help grow medical education

At Kansas City University (KCU), the next generation of doctors isn’t just learning from textbooks—they’re helping write them. Bryan Beutel, MD, assistant professor of Primary Care at KCU, was recently named editor-in-chief of Hand Surgery at StatPearls, a free, accessible and extensive medical education library in the form of an online textbook. This new role is opening valuable pathways for KCU students to actively participate in medical education.

A national role with local impact

StatPearls helps clinicians worldwide stay current and expand their knowledge through peer-reviewed, evidence-based content. In his new role, Beutel will review, update and expand educational materials, including clinical articles and board-style question banks focused on hand and upper extremity conditions.

Beutel began his involvement with StatPearls nearly a year ago in an informal capacity, revising outdated content. From the beginning, he saw an opportunity to bring students into the process, not just as learners, but as contributors.

Student engagement at the core

 “As articles come up for updating, I want to involve KCU medical students in revising and contributing to them,” Beutel said. He views these collaborations as a way to immerse students in meaningful, hands-on experiences that build critical thinking, scientific communication and clinical reasoning.

Janice Wang, a third-year osteopathic medical student at KCU, was one of the first to participate. She collaborated with Beutel to revise an article on finger dislocation.

Although orthopedics isn’t her primary focus, Wang found the experience beneficial and praised Beutel’s mentorship. “Having exposure to these projects is really beneficial for learning,” she said. “He’s always supportive and pushes me to stay motivated, providing guidance without taking over.”

The project sharpened her ability to critically analyze existing studies and synthesize information quickly—skills she expects to use often during clinical rotations.

A model for academic growth

“This work goes beyond building resumes,” Beutel said. “It equips students with the ability to evaluate data and communicate clearly, which are vital skills in any medical career.” He encourages students to embrace research, even if it can feel intimidating at first. “Reading, understanding and synthesizing medical literature helps students develop a solid clinical foundation,” he added.

To date, five KCU students have contributed to seven published articles on hand surgery—an opportunity that’s only expected to grow. “It’s a new role for me, but I’m excited about the doors it opens for our students.”

Wang, who completed her second year of medical school and took a year for an anatomy fellowship at KCU, is preparing to begin clinical rotations, including time in radiology and radiation oncology in Wichita, Kansas.

“Dr. Beutel has played a big part in helping me grow as a student.”

Grounded in strong mentorship and meaningful experience, Wang’s opportunity reflects the kind of impact Beutel is committed to broadening at KCU.