The School of Medicine welcomed Steven L. Kanter, M.D., former vice dean at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, to his new role as the School’s ninth dean on Oct. 1. Kanter is a neurosurgeon, a career physician-educator, and brings a strong foundation in the growing field of medical informatics
A former Fellow in Medical Informatics for the National Library of Medicine, joined the faculty at Pittsburgh in 1991 and became vice dean in 2002. From 2008 to 2012, he also served as Editor-in-Chief of Academic Medicine, the Journal of the Association of American Medical Colleges. In 2013, he was awarded the Merrell Flair Award, the highest honor awarded by AAMC’s Group on Educational Affairs.
Kanter earned his undergraduate degree from Texas A&I University and his M.D. at the University of Texas Medical School in San Antonio. He served his residency at the University of Florida. He was on faculty at Texas A&M University College of Medicine before moving to the University of Pittsburgh. He is a member of the American Medical Informatics Association, the World Association of Medical Editors and the Association for Medical Education in Europe, which presented him with the Patil Award for Best Medical Education Research Presentation in 2007.
“I hope to focus the considerable talent and energy of the School of Medicine faculty, staff, and students on helping to make Kansas City the healthiest city in America,” Kanter said. “Of course, the best way – and the only way – to do this is to engage with business and community partners, clinical partners, alumni, and neighboring institutions.
Kanter said the School of Medicine is at a pivotal point in its history as it is completing its first half-century of existence.
“I am enthusiastic about beginning a process with faculty, staff, and students to contemplate in what ways the school should build on its existing strengths as it prepares to embark on this next, very important phase of its journey,” he said. “It is a privilege to be able to serve the Kansas City community in the role of dean of the UMKC School of Medicine. I look forward to working with community members and the school’s partner institutions to ensure that we continue to bring value to the people of this region in the best possible way.”
UMKC Chancellor Leo E. Morton said Kanter’s background and interest in both medical informatics and interprofessional education were important considerations in his decision to choose Kanter as the next dean of the School of Medicine.
“Steven Kanter also has experience as a leader in community health and education initiatives at an urban-serving university at the University of Pittsburgh. Like UMKC, Pitt is situated in the urban core and recognizes and lives up to the special responsibility that confers,” Morton said. “The UMKC School of Medicine plays a vital role in the community, and I am confident that Dr. Kanter is the kind of leader who will not just preserve those vital community relationships, but grow and strengthen them.”
