2024

New dean appointed

The School of Medicine appoints Alexander Norbash, M.D. as dean. As a UMKC School of Medicine alum, dean Norbash returns after serving most recently as chair and professor of the radiology department at the University of California San Diego (UCSD). Prior to UCSD, he served in multiple academic and leadership positions at the Stanford University School of Medicine, Harvard University School of Medicine and Boston University School of Medicine.

2020

New dean appointed

2015

Family Medicine Residency recognized

The school’s Family Medicine Residency program is recognized as a top program by U.S. News and World Report, ranking No. 7 in the Midwest.

2015

School receives major research grant

The school receives $1.9 million grant from National Institute of Mental Health to continue research leading to new drug therapies and treatments for depression.

2014

New dean appointed

Steven L. Kanter, M.D., is appointed dean.

2014

New program introduced

The school welcomes 14 students into its new Master of Medical Science Physician Assistant program.

2013

New program introduced

In collaboration with UMKC’s School of Graduate Studies, the School of Medicine launches its new Interdisciplinary Ph.D. program in Biomedical and Health Informatics.

2013

Founding member passes away

2009

Master of Science in Bioinformatics program introduced

The Master of Science in Bioinformatics is offered through a joint effort by the UMKC School of Medicine, School of Biological Sciences and School of Computing and Engineering.

2008

Master of Science in Anesthesiology program introduced

The school welcomes the first students to its Master of Science in Anesthesiology program, one of only a handful across the country designed to help address the shortage of anesthesia services.

2007

Skills Lab opens

The school’s Youngblood Medical Skills Lab opens, equipped with human simulators to provide a realistic learning environment for future healthcare professionals.

2007

Vision Research Center opens

The school’s Vision Research Center opens, serving as the Department of Ophthalmology’s research arm.

2005

Kansas City VA Medical Center becomes an affiliate hospital

Kansas City VA Medical Center signs agreement to serve as a primary teaching hospital for the school.

2004

Sojourner Clinic established

The school’s medical students establish the Sojourner Clinic, providing free healthcare to the homeless.

2003

New dean appointed

Betty M. Drees, M.D., is appointed dean.

2002

Shock/Trauma Research Center established

The school’s Shock/Trauma Research Center is established, one of the first in the Midwest.

2000

Saturday Academy established

The UMKC and University of Kansas schools of medicine partner to create Saturday Academy, a free program for middle and high school students interested in healthcareers.

1999

New dean appointed

Michael Friedland, M.D., is appointed dean.

1998

New division of Basic Medical Science established

The school forms a new Basic Medical Science division, bringing medical student classes in anatomy, physiology, biochemistry and microbiology under the direction of the medical school.

1997

New dean appointed

Marjorie Sirridge, M.D. accepts a two-year appointment as dean.

1996

Interim dean appointed

Stuart Munro, M.D., is appointed interim dean.

1996

New dean appointed

E. Ratcliffe Anderson Jr., M.D., is named dean later this year.

1994

Center for Behavioral Medicine become affiliate hospital

The school signs an agreement with the Center for Behavioral Medicine, making it a primary teaching hospital.

1991

Construction completed on Diastole

Construction of the Mary Clark and E. Grey Dimond Scholars’ Center – known as Diastole – is completed.

1989

Saint Luke's Hospital becomes affiliate hospital

School of Medicine and Saint Luke’s Hospital finalize their primary teaching hospital affiliation agreement.

1988

M.D. program recognized for excellence

The school and its docent system of learning is named a Model Education Program by the National Fund for Medical Education.

1987

New dean appointed

James Mongan, M.D., is appointed dean.

1986

Eye Foundation founded

The Eye Foundation is founded by Felix Sabates, chairman of the school’s Department of Ophthalmology, to support patient care and vision research.

1985

Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery/M.D. program established

Faculty from the School of Medicine and the School of Dentistry develop one of the country’s few combined oral and maxillofacial surgery/M.D. programs.

1980

Summer Scholars program established

Summer Scholars is established to expose minority and disadvantaged youth to careers in healthcare.

1979

First exchange physician welcomed from China

The school welcomes Dr. Hsu Chia, the first exchange physician from the People’s Republic of China to come to the United States, as the first Edgar Snow Professor.

1978

New dean appointed

Harry Jonas, M.D., becomes the second UMKC School of Medicine dean.

1977

Friends of the School of Medicine group founded

The Friends of the UMKC School of Medicine is founded to provide support to the school and its students.

1976

Truman Medical Centers becomes affiliate hospital

Truman Medical Center opens, replacing General Hospital as one of the school’s primary teaching hospitals.

1975

Partnership with China begins

The school begins a long-standing relationship with the People’s Republic of China, accepting a formal invitation to visit for a “study and analysis of the Chinese healthcare system.”

1974

New School of Medicine building opens

The new $13.2 million School of Medicine building opens.

1973

First M.D. cohort graduates

Nine students admitted with “advance standing” are the school’s first M.D. graduates.

1972

Children's Mercy Hospital Kansas City become affiliate hospital

Children’s Mercy Kansas City signs affiliation agreement to be a primary teaching hospital of the school.

1971

School of Medicine's first dean appointed

Richard K. Noback, M.D., is named dean of the new UMKC School of Medicine.

1971

First official day of class

Aug. 30 marks first day of class; 18 students begin their medical education.

1971

Research Medical Center becomes affiliate hospital

The school signs Research Medical Center as one of its partner teaching hospitals.

1968

Founding process gets underway

Appointed consultant to UMKC chancellor on health affairs, E. Grey Dimond, M.D. works to establish the School of Medicine and its non-traditional docent system of learning.