Megan Carroll, M.D..

Melissa Doan, M.D.

Ronald Palmen, M.D.

You did it – you are choosing a MedPeds residency! Phenomenal start! We are thrilled that you have decided to consider UMKC for your residency training, and we look forward to getting to know each one of you throughout the application process. We are excited to share with you a few of our favorite things about our program here in Kansas City!

We take immense pride in our MedPeds program, which provides residents a comprehensive and well-rounded training experience that equips them with the skills necessary to provide exceptional care to patients of all ages throughout diverse clinical settings. Our program consists of 6 residents per year and boasts a distinguished faculty of passionate and dedicated physicians who are committed to fostering an environment of excellence, personal growth, and compassionate patient care. They are skilled educators who are invested in your success and development as future MedPeds physicians.

One of the hallmarks of our program is exposure to diverse patient populations at our unique clinical sites: Children’s Mercy Hospital (CMH), University Health, and Saint Luke’s Health System of Kansas City. Children’s Mercy is a stand-alone, pediatric hospital that serves a large portion of the Midwest. CMH is a tertiary referral center that cares for patients from a wide range of socioeconomic backgrounds and presenting pathology. University Health is a busy, academic medical center that acts as a safety-net hospital to the greater Kansas City area with a diverse patient population including insured, underserved, and uninsured populations. This hospital emphasizes resident autonomy, and you will become skilled in providing medical care in low resource settings. Saint Luke’s on the Plaza is a privately-owned, non-profit hospital with multiple nationally recognized subspecialties, including the Mid-America Heart Institute and Saint Luke’s Marion Bloch Neuroscience Institute.

Throughout your residency journey, you will be challenged, inspired, and supported. Our program is designed to help you grow both personally and professionally through the availability of a MedPeds-dedicated primary care clinic, nationally recognized research support, a comprehensive Global Health track, and an expansive availability of elective opportunities. We truly have something for everyone and strive to create a well-rounded experience that nurtures individual interests and long-term career goals.

In addition to the robust clinical training, Kansas City has been a great place to live. All three of us came to KC for the first time on our interview dates (pre-pandemic). We wish we could share with you with the excitement we felt visiting in-person through the virtual setting. This city offers a blend of mouthwatering cuisine with an impressive number of James Beard awarded restaurants (in addition to BBQ), local coffee roasteries on every block, national sports teams (cough cough, Chiefs Nation), recognized art institutions like the Nelson Atkins Museum and a spectacular local art scene, complete with colorful street art dressing the city. KC also boasts a vibrant music scene. We love days off walking in the numerous green spaces, sipping coffee in vibey locations, or driving down parkways adorned with intricate fountains. Did you know that KC is the “Paris of the Midwest?” We joke, but it is nicknamed the “City of Fountains.” Whether you want to live in a lively downtown landscape or the tree-filled, family-friendly suburbs, there is a place for you in Kansas City. In all honesty, we could not have expected what this program and city has given our lives personally as well as professionally.

As you embark on the application process, please know that we are here to support you every step of the way. We encourage you to explore our website, connect with current residents, and learn more about our program’s unique offerings. We have loved our residency experience in Kansas City and our wish for you is to find the place that will do the same for you (with the hope that our program fulfills that).

On behalf of the entire UMKC MedPeds Residency Program, we want to express our enthusiasm and eagerness to meet you. We are excited to learn more about your passion, your experiences, and the unique perspective you will bring to our program. Thank you for considering our program for your residency training and we look forward to the possibility of welcoming you to our MedPeds family.

Megan Carroll, Melissa Doan, and Ronald Palmen
Your UMKC Med/Peds Residency Chiefs 2023-2024