Long-time UMKC School of Medicine faculty member and chair of the Department of Anesthesiology, Eugene Fibuch, M.D., died on Aug. 20 at the Hospice House of Kansas City.
Only the second chair in the history of the department, Fibuch provided leadership in that role from 1997 until 2014. He was also the second program director for the residency program and served in that position 35 years.
Under his leadership, the residency program flourished, graduating more than 125 residents, most of whom remain and practice in this region. Fibuch recruited the first Westport/Missouri Endowed Chair in Anesthesiology, John Wang, M.D. Together, they enhanced the research and scholarship in the department.
His leadership extended beyond the department to include quality initiatives at Saint Luke’s Hospital and Saint Luke’s Health System. His efforts were instrumental in the recognition of Saint Luke’s Hospital as a Malcolm Baldrige Quality Award winner in 2004.
A graduate of the Creighton University School of Medicine, he did his anesthesiology residency at the Mayo Graduate School of Medicine and entered the United States Navy as a Lieutenant Commander. He returned to Kansas City in 1976 and became program director for the anesthesiology residency at Saint Luke’s Hospital.
Following a funeral service on Aug. 25, a military burial took place at Fort Leavenworth National Cemetery.
