New medical students at the University of Kansas School of Medicine recently took their first steps toward a career as a physician as they completed a busy week of orientation and introductions followed by the annual White Coat Ceremony.

“As you embark on this great professional journey, I want to reiterate to you that you have made the best decision by choosing the University of Kansas for your medical education,” said Akinlolu Ojo, M.D., Ph.D., KU School of Medicine executive dean. 

Like many community members, faculty at KU School of Medicine-Wichita have been sneaking peeks at the new Wichita Biomedical Campus taking shape downtown. The difference is, they’ll soon be working in the prominent structure going up at Broadway and William streets.

“I was extremely grateful to be the inaugural recipient of the award,” said Mark Hall, M.D. “It’s special to me to have Dr. Ammar’s name on it because of the guidance and leadership he’s provided to the surgical community in Wichita to help maintain its strength over the decades.”

New leadership roles were recently announced at KU School of Medicine-Wichita, including the appointment of a new chair of the Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology. The appointments come at a pivotal time as KU School of Medicine-Wichita prepares for campus expansion with the opening of the Wichita Biomedical Campus in 2027.

In this file photo, Rick Kellerman, M.D., FAAFP, and Nazeen Morelli, M.D., celebrated during the annual banquet for JayDoc Community Clinic in Wichita. Kellerman recently received the KAFP President's Award. 

The Kansas Academy of Family Physicians recently announced the recipients of the 2025 KAFP Awards, including Rick Kellerman, M.D., FAAFP, and fourth-year medical student Anna Trofimoff. According to KAFP, the honorees represent the heart of family medicine in Kansas, demonstrating clinical excellence, compassionate service and leadership in their communities throughout the state.

The public is invited to the opening of "Photoworx 2025" featuring the work of 10 Kansas photographers. The First Friday opening reception will be from 5-7 p.m. Friday, Aug. 1, in the William J. Reals Gallery of Art at KU School of Medicine-Wichita.

At KU, we're bolstering Kansas and bettering the world. In an interview with the Wichita Business Journal, Laura Tatpati, M.D., dean of KU School of Medicine-Wichita, explains how the new Wichita Biomedical Campus – the largest collaboration between two Kansas Board of Regents institutions – does just that.

Anne Walling, M.B., Ch.B., KU School of Medicine-Wichita professor emerita, has written a book, co-authored by an alumna and a former assistant professor, documenting the experiences of women who entered medicine before the influx that started in the 1970s. It began as an oral history project and they “ended up with so much great information that it turned into a book,” according to Walling. "Women in Medicine, Stories from the Girls in White" contains the accounts of 38 women who graduated med school from 1948-75. 

The American College of Lifestyle Medicine and American Board of Lifestyle Medicine recently announced 15 recipients of the 2025 Dr. Stephen Turner Residency Director & Faculty Scholarship.

Continuing a long tradition, first-year medical students completed community service projects across Wichita, including at Wichita Habitat for Humanity, the Kansas Food Bank, ICT SOS and Rainbows United. Other activities during Orientation Week included a campus tour, Lifesaver Training and an introduction to the Simulation Center. Welcome, Class of 2029!

Rock Chalk, Jayhawk!

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

Visit jobs.kumc.edu to view current job openings for all KUMC campuses.

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