Check here to keep up with our residency program as well as residents, fellows, and faculty when they appear in the news!
Introducing New Alumni Newsletter!
This is the first edition of the UMKC Department of Community and Family Medicine Newsletter. It comes at a busy time of the year, but also a time of the year that we get to reflect on the past and look forward to the future. We are thankful for all those who have contributed to the growth of the Department and excited to see what 2024 and the future holds.
Family Medicine Focus will be produced quarterly to keep alumni and friends of the Department of Community & Family Medicine up-to-date on our department, keep in touch with our alumni, and announce future plans.
Faculty Research Mentors
Dr Kelly Jo Sandri and Dr Helen Hill both presented research posters at the recent AAFP Family Centered Pregnancy Care Conference. Congratulations on getting their research out there and representing the scholarship of the Department of Community and Family Medicine. Both are great faculty mentors to our residents doing research.
Retirement Congratulations
Jon Dedon, MD hung up his stethoscope at the end of July after 32 years of service at University Health Dr. Dedon was the medical director for the University Health Lakewood Care Center as well as the section leader for the Geriatric Medicine program at the UMKC School of Medicine Family Medicine Department and the program director and founder of the UMKC School of Medicine Family Medicine Department’s Geriatric Medicine Fellowship, which has trained more than 50 fellows in geriatric medicine over the past 25 years. He has been the trusted physician to many UH Lakewood patents and a respected educator/mentor to medical students, residents, and fellows as well as staff and colleagues.
Retirement Congratulations
R. Stephen Griffith MD
Professor, Family Medicine, Department of Community & Family Medicine, UMKC SOM, University Health Lakewood Medical Center
Medical Degree: University of Missouri – Columbia, MO 1977
Residency: University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, 1980; Certification of added qualification in Geriatric Medicine, 1994
After 39 years with University Health, formerly Truman Medical Center, Dr. Steve Griffith is retiring. He has been with Department of Community and Family Medicine at UMKC School of Medicine since 1984. Initially he worked in the rural office of the Department, then became Program Director of the residency in 1989. He held the position of Associate Chair from 1998 until he became Chair of the Department in 2001. Dt Griffith says what attracted him to our hospital was that it is a primary care hospital with one residency that trains residents in the full spectrum of Family Medicine. This created a sense of camaraderie that has existed since the inception of the program and the mission to care for all patients regardless of ability to pay and it continues to make this a great place to be. Dr. Griffith educated and mentored many, many residents over the years, provided many hours of personalized health care to his patients, and is highly appreciated by staff as well.
In Memoriam
It is with sadness that I send the news of the passing of Dr. Bruno Zwerenz, MD. Dr. Zwerenz retired from the UMKCSOM Department of Community and Family Medicine in 2016 where he was an Associate Professor and had served as Chief Behavioral Science Section from 1982 until his retirement.
Dr. Zwerenz completed residency at the University of Missouri-Kansas City Department of Psychiatry, Western Missouri Mental Health Center in 1969 and was board certified by the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology. He joined the General Hospital, now University Health, Medical Staff in 1969 and was a member for 53 years!
He served as UMKCSOM Docent for the Year 1 students for many years. He taught countless family medicine residents/fellows as well as residents from other disciplines. In his role in our department/residency program he was at the forefront of teaching clinical and therapeutic aspects of psychiatry in the setting of family and community medicine. Just as importantly Dr. Zwerenz served the mental health needs for thousands of patients over decades throughout Jackson County, MO and beyond, providing psychiatric care to many who otherwise might not have had access.
Many of us know Dr. Bruno as one half of the amazing Drs. Rose and Bruno Zwerenz combo. In fact they have been married 54 years! Together they have been a vibrant, inspiring academic medicine couple and fully lived human-beings. Our hearts are heavy and we send our love and support to Rose and her family.
Dr. Zwerenz will be remembered as one of the pillars of our department, UMKC SOM and our hospital system.
Results are in!
Congratulations to the winners and finalists in the 2022 Best of Eastern Jackson County competition. Every year The Examiner newspaper that serves the area of Independence and Eastern Jackson County sponsors the nomination and selection of winners in many categories of businesses that serve the residents of the area. One of the categories of voting is Health Care. We are always grateful at University Health Lakewood Medical Center to be thought of so highly by the people we serve. Our continued goal is to bring excellence in academic medicine to the residents of Jackson County.
Winners of the MAFP Poster Contest Recognized
In June this year the resident and student poster contest was held at the Transition to Practice Conference for Family Medicine Residents and Students. This event is sponsored by the Missouri Academy of Family Physicians in order to promote scholarly activities. Posters were judged on their relevance to family medicine, study design, and presentation. Let’s congratulate some familiar winners from Department of Community & Family Medicine, UMKC SOM, University Health Lakewood Medical Center.
Rebecca Aguayo, MD & Sonia Hussain, MD (First Place Tie)
Effect of Addition of Obstetric Hemorrhage Bundle on Rate of Diagnosis of Postpartum Hemorrhage
Bailey Englund, DO & Zahn Raubenheimer, MD (First Place Tie)
Echogenic Foci on US and NIPS Availability Prior to L2US Screening
Morgan Murray, MD (PGY2), Aliya Tolentino (High School Student} (Third Place)
Middle School Medical Explorers (MedEx) Curriculum
For more examples of our residency scholarly activities. you can view the posters presented during our annual Research Day.
New in Print!
Congratulations to Dr. Meg Gibson our Program Director Sports Medicine Fellowship, Family Medicine, Department of Community & Family Medicine, UMKC SOM, University Health Lakewood Medical Center on the publication of a new book which she co-authors. Here is the blurb from Amazon.com.
Best Practices in Sports Medicine: AMSSM and AOASM Case Studies (Second Edition) is a one-of-a-kind INTERACTIVE resource designed specifically for sports medicine professionals. The book includes 56 clinical scenarios obtained from the files of two of the most prestigious organizations in the world for sports medicine professionals―AMSSM and AOASM. Each scenario is described, reviewed, and interpreted by a team of professionals, selected specifically for their expertise in the subject being addressed. The scenarios are further clarified by over 200 multimedia elements, featuring physical exam consults, radiology consults, manual medicine consults, rehabilitation consults, podcasts, and lecture highlights, as well as significant key articles.
Tasfia Ahmed, D.O., Awarded Scholarship by the DiRenna Foundation and Missouri Society of the American College of Osteopathic Family Physicians
Tasfia Ahmed, D.O., was recently awarded a $1,000 scholarship from the DiRenna Foundation for the Advancement of Osteopathic Family Physicians in coordination with the Missouri Society of the American College of Osteopathic Family Physicians. (MSACOFP). Dr. Ahmed was honored at a virtual ceremony on January 29, 2022. The prestigious award is given to an osteopathic family medicine resident who has demonstrated leadership skills in medical school and residency and is committed to practice family medicine in Missouri after completion of his/her residency training. Dr. Ahmed received her Doctor of Osteopathy degree from Kansas City University – College of Osteopathic Medicine. She is in her second year of residency training at the University of Missouri-Kansas City Family Medicine Residency located at University Health Lakewood Medical Center in Kansas City, Missouri. Dr. Ahmed plans to remain in, and serve, the citizens of Missouri in a family medicine practice in the Kansas City area upon completion of her residency.
The DiRenna Foundation is a 501c3 organization founded in 2018 to be a sister organization to the MSACOFP. The mission of the Foundation is to advocate for greater awareness of osteopathic family medicine principles and practices as well as promote retention of osteopathic family physicians in Missouri. The MSACOFP is a network of osteopathic family physicians dedicated to providing the finest family medical care in Missouri. The mission of the MSACOFP is to preserve and promote the distinct philosophy and practice of osteopathic family medicine by advancing quality education, leadership and responsible advocacy. The MSACOFP actively works to defend and protect the rights and interests of the osteopathic family physician.
We are happy to announce that Dr Kevin Gray has been selected as a UMKC QIPS Scholar! Dr Gray is an Associate Program Director, Family Medicine, a Clinical Assistant Professor, Community and Family Medicine Department, and did his Sports Medicine Fellowship at University Health Lakewood Medical Center.
Launching February 2022, the new “QIPS Faculty Scholars” program is a professional development experience that will prepare faculty to lead healthcare improvement efforts and mentor future physician leaders to engage in the critical work of making today’s healthcare system sustainable for tomorrow. This program is for any faculty member interested in building their academic and leadership profiles through teaching, coaching, and problem-solving scholarship, even if they are not pursuing careers as research scientists.
QIPS Faculty Scholars were selected through a competitive process to:
- participate in an immersive 2-day workshop to learn problem-solving methodology and project coaching principles
- be paired with a “QIPS Student Scholar” mentee in the coming year
- mentor students to submit their scholarly project to the annual QIPS Day on May 13, 2022, and support student mentees in submitting a manuscript for publication in a peer-reviewed journal prior to graduation
- attend monthly Faculty Scholar “Evening QIPS Forums” to receive ongoing coaching support
- mentor future QIPS Faculty Scholars
CONGRATULATIONS to the University Health Primary Care Bess Truman Family Medicine Center!
We are happy to announce the appointment of two of our faculty members to the residency administration. Dr. Kevin Gray and Dr. Jennifer Livingston will become Associate Program Directors of the residency, effective January 1, 2022.
Dr. Gray graduated from the UMCK SOM in 2014 and completed his residency here, followed by the Sports Medicine Fellowship. He has been a faculty member since his graduation from the fellowship in 2018. He became the Medical director of the Bess Truman Family Medicine Center in 2020 and will continue to serve in that role.
Dr. Livingston completed medical school at the University of Kansas-Wichita in 1996 and her residency there in 1999. She joined the faculty here after graduation and served until 2004 when she moved to Utah. She returned as a surgical OB fellow in 2011 and has been a faculty member here since. She will be increasing her time commitment to the program. In addition, she will be the Chair of the Clinical Competency Committee.
We are pleased to announce the appointment of Kelly Swade, DO, CAQ-FPHM as Medical Director of the eICU at University Health Lakewood Medical Center. Dr Swade joined UMKC Family Medicine in January 2016, and is currently Section Chief of Inpatient Services for the Department. She has been instrumental in working with the Hicuity organization to establish the eICU and reworking policies and procedures. Her work has resulted in improvement of the care of patients at UH Lakewood MC and the ability to care for patients here instead of having to transfer them elsewhere.
Please join us in congratulating Dr. Swade, supporting her in her new role, and wishing her great success.
Michael O’Dell, MD, MSHA
Former Chair, UMKC Community and Family Medicine
Professor Emeritus, UMKC
After over 10 years of dedicated service to the UMKC Department of Community and Family Medicine, Dr. O’Dell had decided to retire and will be accepting the title of Professor Emeritus at UMKC on September 1, 2021. Through his support and leadership the department and it’s faculty, residents, fellows, and staff saw many new and innovative changes throughout his term at the helm. His commitment to quality patient care saw us through attaining (and maintaining) our Patient Centered Medical Home certification for our Family Medicine Bess Truman Clinic. His dedication to quality medical education led our department growth in academic scholarship for our faculty, residents, and fellows. His service in many medical community organizations demonstrated his belief that it is the duty of a professional to give back to his community. Congratulations on a well deserved retirement!
Dr Todd Shaffer was a medical contributor to this article in US News and World Report that provides patient-centered information on seasonal allergies. “The U.S. News Health team delivers accurate information about health, nutrition and fitness, as well as in-depth medical condition guides. All of our stories rely on multiple, independent sources and experts in the field, such as medical doctors and licensed nutritionists.”
https://health.usnews.com/conditions/allergies/articles/how-to-treat-seasonal-allergies
Truman Medical Centers/University Health makes Forbes List of most diverse workplaces
UHLMC/UH Diversity and Inclusion initiatives have placed us in the top 20 Of the most diverse healthcare workplaces in the nation according to Forbes magazine. Other hospitals in the top 20 include Mayo Clinic in Minnesota, John Hopkins in Baltimore, and Sloan Kettering Cancer Center in New York.
Forbes surveyed 50,000 Americans to pinpoint their employer’s dedication to diversity and equity. The ranking features the top 500 employers that received the most recommendations, had the most diverse board and executive ranks, as well as the most proactive diversity and inclusion initiatives.
The 2021 Match for Family Medicine announced today and we are excited to present to you the new Class of 2024!
This winter the National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) announced the decision to award an expansion franchise to Kansas City. They don’t have a name yet so for now they are KC NWSL but they DO have a new team physician and it is our own Margaret (Meg) Gibson, MD, FAMSSM.
Dr. Gibson has served as the medical director for the Kansas City Marathon and the Hospital Hill Run as well as the US Ski team and the US Girls under 18 National Volleyball team.
She is a physician at the Lakewood Orthopedic and Sports Medicine Center and the Director of the UMKC Community and Family Medicine Sports Medicine Fellowship Program.
Dr Gibson has also earned the designation of Fellow of AMSSM (FAMSSM) which was created in 2019 to recognize sports medicine physicians who have demonstrated an ongoing commitment to lifelong learning, the advancement of the profession, service to AMSSM and leadership in their communities. Conferred on sports medicine physicians who meet specific academic, practice and service requirements.
Cheyenne Goodwin, DO, a third year resident in the UMKC Community and Family Medicine program at TMC Lakewood received the 2021 Family Medicine Resident Scholar Award from the Missouri Society of the American College of Osteopathic Family Physicians (MSACOFP).
The award includes a plaque and a $1,000 scholarship from the DiRenna Foundation for the Advancement of Osteopathic Family Medicine. The scholarship was established to help identify and develop future leaders for osteopathic family medicine in Missouri.
Dr. Goodwin is a Missouri native and has a position waiting for her in the Smithville area after she graduates later this year. She received the award from Jesica Richter, DO, VIce president of MSACOFP (and former graduate of our program) in a small ceremony at TMC Lakewood which included Beth Rosemergey, DO and Steven Foote, DO. A video of the ceremony can be viewed here.
Jessica Richter, DO, MPH, Class of 2018 exemplifies the character and attributes we hope to instill in all our graduates. We at the UMKC Family Medicine Residency and the TMC Lakewood Department of Community and Family Medicine send our love and support to her and her family.
Read more here.
The Bess Truman Family Medicine Clinic along with 5 other departments at UHLMC were awarded Best of Eastern Jackson 2020 status by The Examiner, the major newspaper in Independence. Thank you to the community for selecting us and congratulations to all the departments that earned this award through their hard work and dedication to their patients and their community. Watch the certificates being presented in this video and read the flyer.
Tuesday, October 20th we gathered together in the Griffith Education Center to celebrate the retirement of Dr Mark Byler. Dr. Byler attended medical school at the University of Nebraska Medical Center. He completed his residency at Truman Medical Center Lakewood in 1987 and then returned as faculty in 1991 after working at a mission hospital in Zimbabwe, Africa. In 2004 he resigned from his faculty position and returned to the mission hospital full time until 2015 when he returned to TMC Lakewood, seeing patients and becoming a dedicated and valued member of our faculty. He will be missed but not forgotten! (more photos)
The American Academy of Family Physicians held elections for its board of directors this week at its annual Congress of Delegates, the organization’s governing body. Members of the board of directors advocate on behalf of family physicians and patients nationwide to inspire positive change in the US health care system. The AAFP represents 136,700 physicians and medical students.
Todd D. Shaffer, MD, MBA, FAAFP, is a member of the board of directors. He is a family physician in Kansas City, Missouri. Shaffer has practiced family medicine for 29 years. Since 1995, he has served the University of Missouri—Kansas City School of Medicine as assistant professor, associate professor, and then professor of family medicine. He also served as family medicine residency program director from 2002 to 2017. Shaffer practices the full scope of family medicine through University Physicians Associates at Truman Medical Centers and the Lakewood Medical Pavilion.
Dr. Edwin Kraemer is the nominated Ethics Champion for University Health Lakewood Medical Center to the Center for Practical Bioethics. Dr Kraemer is recognized for his excellent leadership as the chair of the Lakewood Ethics Committee, a subset of the UH Ethics Committee. He keeps the committee active and up to date with the ever-changing landscape of bioethics. He guides with ethic consults and continuing educational efforts with the residents and staff of the Lakewood campus are extraordinary.
“The Center for Practical Bioethics (CPB), founded in 1984, is a Kansas City-based nonprofit nationally recognized for its work in practical bioethics. On the PERSONAL level, we provide guidance to patients, families and clinicians grappling with hard choices. On the PROFESSIONAL/EDUCATIONAL level, we teach bioethics to medical students, clinicians and lay leaders. On the POLICY level, we address ethical issues by bringing diverse groups together to work collaboratively, recommend guidelines and policies, develop programs and disseminate thousands of free resources.” (the CPB web site)
Dr Carlos Pacheco III, Class of 2020, and his wife Jennifer Pacheco, an ICU nurse at Providence Medical Center, talk about their experiences during the COVID-19 pandemic in this nice article in The Leaven.
Local doctor, nurse rely on Christ’s example of service for courage.
In order to celebrate the great work that is done by residents, fellows and faculty who work/teach in our graduate medical education programs at UMKC, 4th District Councilwoman at large, Katheryn Shields and Kansas City Mayor Quinton, Lucas declared by proclamation that July 1, 2020 is Graduate Medical Education Day.
Click on Councilwoman Shield’s photo to listen to proclamation.
