History

Department History

In the early 1950’s, the Greater Kansas City Mental Health Foundation entered into a contract with the city of Kansas City, Mo., to reorganize and operate psychiatric services for patients of the city hospital system. The Psychiatric Receiving Center was constructed and it began operations in April, 1954 as the first racially integrated psychiatric hospital in Kansas City. A comprehensive mental health system emerged with the addition of the Child Guidance Clinic, outpatient and aftercare services, establishment of a day hospital program, and continued consultation services with the public school district.

In 1961, the Hospital and Community Psychiatry Institute of the American Psychiatric Association presented the Foundation with the Gold Metal Award for the Center’s efforts in creating community-oriented comprehensive services.

The Psychiatric Receiving Center became part of the state after Missouri purchased the property from the city of Kansas City. The state assumed responsibility for clinical and community services and the Foundation continued its mission to train mental health professionals.

On Nov. 1, 1989, the Missouri Department of Mental Health assumed direct sponsorship for the residency training program.

In 2009, Western Missouri Mental Health Center was renamed the Center for Behavioral Medicine (CBM) with a renewed commitment to treatment of long-term patients.

In 1993, Central Kansas City Mental Health Services (CKCMHS) was created out of its progenitor, CBM, as a freestanding, state-owned community mental health center. In 1997, CKCMHS was purchased by Truman Medical Center and was renamed Truman Medical Center Behavioral Health Network (TBHN). Today, TBHN serves as the primary training site for psychiatry residents in outpatient, acute inpatient and consultation-liaison rotations. 

School of Medicine History

The UMKC School of Medicine accepted its first class in 1971. Among other programs, it offers a six-year B.A. to M.D. program that admits students directly from high school. Upon graduation, students receive both baccalaureate and medical degrees.

The school, which is unique in the United States, does not operate a university hospital. Instead, it contracts with the departments of its affiliated hospitals, which provide clinical instruction to their medical students and residents. Thus, University Health Truman Medical Center and Saint Luke’s Hospital provide clinical training for the Departments of Internal Medicine, OB/GYN and Surgery, while Children’s Mercy Hospital houses the school's Department of Pediatrics. Likewise, medical staff at the Center for Behavioral Medicine and Truman Behaviorial Health Network act as its Department of Psychiatry. Professional staff members at CBM and TBHN hold faculty positions in the School of Medicine and are responsible for teaching psychiatry to medical students both during their psychiatric clerkship at the Center and during rotations at other Hospital Hill Institutions.

“Hospital Hill” is located just south of downtown Kansas City and is comprised of major health education institutions and facilities that are primarily devoted to providing healthcare services to the public. These institutions include The UMKC Schools of Medicine, Dentistry, Pharmacy and Nursing; University Health Truman Medical Center; Children’s Mercy Hospital; the Center for Behavioral Medicine; and Truman Behavioral Health Network.