KCU Names Paula Gregory, DO, Dean of Joplin Campus

Kansas City University of Medicine and Biosciences (KCU) announced that Paula M. Gregory, DO, will join the university as dean of its new college of osteopathic medicine in Joplin, Mo., effective June 1, 2016. The campus will enroll its first class of 150 students in the fall of 2017.

“I’m honored to be selected as dean for KCU’s new campus and look forward to serving the people of Southwest Missouri and the community of Joplin,” said Dr. Gregory. “Local health professionals and community leaders have joined together in a unique way to make this school a reality. The community is very warm and the people are incredibly engaged,” added Dr. Gregory. “That speaks volumes about what’s going to happen in the future as we all work to meet the community and rural health care needs of the region.”

Among her duties as dean, Dr. Gregory will lead faculty and students at the Joplin campus in academics and co-curricular activities. KCU has been a leader in new and innovative methods of medical education, and Dr. Gregory will be instrumental in delivering this pioneering work in Joplin. In addition, she will engage in ongoing outreach with the community and enhance relationships with local hospitals and physicians.

“KCU is excited to have someone of the caliber of Dr. Gregory serve as dean for our Joplin campus,” said Bruce Dubin, DO, executive vice president for academic affairs, provost and dean of the KCU College of Osteopathic Medicine in Kansas City, Mo. “She has an outstanding record in clinical medical education and brings expertise that will help Joplin area students become the best osteopathic physicians they can be.”

Dr. Gregory currently serves as assistant dean of clinical education for Georgia Campus-Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine (GA-PCOM) in Stone Mountain, Ga. She brings a comprehensive background in medical education, family practice and rural medicine to the KCU – Joplin campus. Dr. Gregory has started and directed residency programs, overseen clinical simulation training, and actively taught in the classroom and the clinic.

“Dr. Gregory’s strong background in primary care with a formidable emphasis in rural health made her a great candidate for the position,” said Dr. Dubin. “She is a respected leader in health care, and we look forward to her insight and the direction that KCU-Joplin will take as Dr. Gregory assumes the helm of the campus this year.”

The development of the new KCU-Joplin College of Osteopathic Medicine has been accelerated by the collaborative efforts of Mercy Hospital Joplin, Freeman Health System, the City of Joplin and philanthropic leadership from the surrounding community. It will be the first new medical school to open in Missouri in 46 years.