Students

Megan Ottomeyer, DO, a neonatologist and assistant professor of pediatrics at SSM Health Cardinal Glennon Children's Hospital in St. Louis, Missouri, did not go into medical school at KCU thinking she’d end up working with the tiniest of patients. Instead, she thought she’d end up in emergency medicine, hematology-oncology, or one of many different pediatric specialties. It wasn’t until she joined KCU’s Global Health Track program on a trip to Kenya that she changed her career trajectory—and her life.

On a frigid Saturday morning, equipped with a collapsible bucket for water, an array of ointments and bandages and new pairs of shoes and socks, KCU Student-Run Clinic volunteers hosted their second FreshStep clinic within a year for people experiencing homelessness in Kansas City.

Demand for mental and behavioral health providers is expected to grow by 22 percent by the year 2031—much faster than the average for all other occupations. As the United States experiences a severe shortage of mental health professionals, Kansas City University offers a doctorate of clinical psychology program to meet the growing need.

Dr. Strickland knows firsthand the value of investing in students and has a deep desire to pay forward the generosity he has received. He and his wife, Suzanne, recently funded two additional endowed scholarships bringing the total number of scholarships generously given to KCU to 34.

Shelby Davenport silently struggled with an undiagnosed vision condition until a Score 1 for Health screening changed everything.

“The true sign of intelligence is not knowledge, but imagination.” This quote, attributed to Albert Einstein, epitomizes Donald Keating and his desire to balance the demands of his studies with his passion for innovation and creativity.

Congratulations Class of 2024 on Military Match Day. KCU thanks you for your service! Click here to view all KCU Class of 2024 Military Match students. 

Congratulations to Student Doctor Katie Lindsey and Student Doctor Kylie Limback! They have each been named the Student DO of the Year for KCU’s Joplin and Kansas City campuses for the 2023-2024 academic year.  

You will often find first-generation KCU Student Doctor Cierra Hall wearing a sweatshirt that reads “Be the Light.” However, she is not the only one sporting the phrase across the Joplin Campus – many KCU students and faculty wear the unique design as well.

Students who want to pursue a career as both a physician and as a scientist will find a warm welcome at KCU. Just ask Mahan Hadjian. The third-year med student started working in the lab of Abdulbaki Agbas, PhD, MSc, professor of biosciences, as soon as he arrived at KCU’s College of Osteopathic Medicine.

Despite many advances in medicine, septic shock remains a serious illness with a mortality rate exceeding 30 percent among patients who receive treatment and resulting in more than 200,000 deaths each year in the United States alone. However, an ongoing study conducted by KCU third-year medical student Takara Newsome-Cuby in collaboration with a research team from University of Missouri-Kansas City, shows much promise.

Before she began chasing her dream of becoming a physician, second-year medical student Bailey Austin rose to prominence as one of the top water skiers in the world.