..HERE FOR RURAL HEALTH.. Meeting the Moment in Kansas

Answering the Call: A Closer Look at Care in Rural Kansas

This summer, we once again brought KansasCOM student doctors to communities in western Kansas through our Rural Medicine Summer Immersion Program.

Working alongside providers in Garden City and Dodge City, the students, who just completed their first year of medical school, gained exposure to the resource-limited environments that define rural medicine. For participant Megan Mallord, a former paramedic, the experience offered a closer look at how physicians adapt when specialists aren’t always nearby. For Mercy Haboro, the program reaffirmed her goal of practicing primary care in underserved communities. As part of KHSU’s Medical Education Hub, the program highlights both the challenges and rewards of rural practice.

Read more about the students and their adventure in the Garden City Telegram.

Kansas Has Nation’s Highest Number of Rural Hospitals at Risk

A recent report finds more rural Kansas hospitals are at risk of immediate closure than in any other state, with 69 at risk and 28 in immediate danger. Rising costs are putting increasing strain on these essential providers. Rural hospitals are often the backbone of their communities, and closures can mean longer travel for care and broader economic impacts. The findings highlight the urgent need for solutions that expand access and strengthen rural health systems. Read the full story from KAKE News.

..KHSU HIGHLIGHTS.. Excellence in Education & Partnership

Students Support McConnell AFB in Major Emergency Exercise

Student doctors from KansasCOM recently participated in a Major Accident Response Exercise (MARE) with McConnell Air Force Base, serving as simulated patients in a mass casualty scenario. This hands-on experience gives students a valuable behind-the-scenes look at emergency response, strengthens critical thinking, and builds empathy by seeing care from the patient perspective. We are proud of our students for contributing to this important training, and for embracing opportunities that prepare them to lead with skill, compassion, and readiness.

WATCH: Sparking Interest in Sports Medicine Careers with Kansas Experts

For many future healthcare professionals, the journey to finding their niche starts with a single moment of inspiration. KHSU's fourth annual Sports Medicine for Students Symposium looked to create those moments, bringing high school and college students and sports medicine experts together.



It is one way we are working to inspire a strong, sustainable healthcare workforce for our state. Read more and watch a video about the experience on our blog.

Inaugural Class Graduates & Accreditation Milestone Achieved

We’re proud to celebrate KansasCOM’s inaugural graduates, who walked the stage in May, marking an important milestone for our institution. This class reflects years of hard work and our commitment to expanding access to compassionate, high-quality care. An impressive 97.3% matched into residency programs, well exceeding the national average, with more than half entering primary care specialties.

Following the achievement, KansasCOM has been granted accreditation with warning by the Commission on Osteopathic College Accreditation (COCA), the national accrediting body for osteopathic medical schools. This designation indicates that COCA has identified specific standards where KansasCOM must continue to submit data and demonstrate progress over the next two years to meet its rigorous requirements. We are also pursuing WSCUC accreditation (WASC Senior College and University Commission), an institutional accreditor that would enable KHSU to continue to develop into a full university model.

Laboratory Progress, Powered by Partnership

With generous support from the Mabee Foundation, DeVore Foundation, Dwane & Velma Wallace Foundation, INTRUST Bank, and Fidelity Bank, we are moving closer to bringing our Biomedical Science Lab to life. This new lab will expand opportunities for learning and interdisciplinary collaboration. The lab space will play a role in strengthening health education and innovation in downtown Wichita, creating an even more connected, collaborative environment for students and partners alike.

Give Smart: Your IRA Can Change Lives at KansasCOM

You can support the future of KansasCOM in a tax-smart way by making a qualified charitable distribution from your IRA. This type of gift allows you to directly benefit student learning and innovation—like our expanding health education spaces—while potentially reducing your taxable income.

If you’re interested in exploring this option or have questions about how to get started, please reach out to Molly Fox, VP of Institutional Advancement.

Stay connected with KHSU

Photo: Richard R. Thacker, DO, MACOI, President-elect of the American Osteopathic Association, delivers remarks at KansasCOM's inaugural commencement.

For additional questions, including inquiries about the Scope newsletter, please contact our team at info@kansashsc.org.

The content and dates mentioned in this newsletter are subject to change. We strive to provide accurate and up-to-date information, but unforeseen circumstances may occur.