Dirt and predictions of great things to come flew at the groundbreaking for the Wichita Biomedical Campus. Led by Gov. Laura Kelly, two dozen elected officials, educators and others turned over ceremonial shovels of soil this month to launch the $300 million campus.

“I can’t wait to come back and see this campus and the impact it will have on health care all across the state,” Kelly said.

Four years ago, during the pandemic, many college seniors didn’t get a proper graduation. They missed out on what so many others got: a public walk to receive their diploma, a few cheers and the memory that comes with that rite of passage. This year’s graduates got their chance to dress for the occasion at the recognition ceremonies and then, the next day, to make the walk through the Campanile — donned in cap, gown, hood and tassel — and down the hill at the commencement ceremony on the Lawrence campus.

After retiring in 2017 from a long career delivering babies, providing women’s health care and teaching medical students and residents, Mike Brown, M.D., is again making an impact in OB-GYN health care. The Michael P. Brown, M.D., and Janet M. Brown Wichita OB-GYN Support Fund is the department’s first endowed fund to focus solely on engagement and education.

New technology — transcystic common bile duct exploration — is allowing surgeons to explore and remove stones from the common bile duct during the cholecystectomy. When successful, the patient won't require an additional procedure for stone removal.

Bliss Baird, M.D., earned the Lawrence E. Lamb Prize for Medical Teaching, and Sofia de la O Bahr, M.D., earned the Lawrence E. Lamb Prize for Medical Practice. The annual recognition celebrates three top graduating medical students at KU and memorializes KU alumnus Larry Lamb, M.D.

“I started KU School of Medicine with a mere inkling of interest in teaching, and the inspiring faculty and myriad of opportunities cultivated growth I could not have imagined four years ago,” Baird said.

The exhibit by Kevin Lundy, an oil painter based in Wilson, Kansas, will open during a First Friday art reception from 5-7 p.m. Friday, June 7, in the West Atrium of the medical school. Lundy is known for the near-photographic imagery in his paintings.

Interested in medical school but can't make it to an in-person open house? The June 21 virtual open house is a great opportunity to learn about our M.D. program, application process and more.

Chancellor Douglas A. Girod has approved the promotion and award of tenure for faculty members, including several at KU School of Medicine-Wichita. Promotion and tenure are effective by or at the start of the fall semester. Congratulations to these dedicated faculty and researchers on a significant milestone in their careers. 

Electronic Monitoring of Mom's Schedule, which offers support for expecting mothers, is looking for participants. The program and study offers ongoing support for expecting mothers, including a mobile health app along with free access to a health coach, online breastfeeding and nutrition resources, and more.

Leslie De La Rosa, second-year medical student at KU School of Medicine-Wichita, talked to students from Stafford and Macksville about medical school, encouraging them to pursue medicine as a profession and calling.

The presentation was part of the new Rural Opportunities & Outreach To Students program led by medical students in the Rural Medicine Interest Group. The end goal of the program? Ensuring there are more "doctors who love rural Kansas serving rural Kansas."

Rock Chalk, Jayhawk!

See how KU School of Medicine-Wichita is making headlines across the state and beyond.

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