How Osteopathic Medicine Meets Community Needs
Osteopathic medicine is a health care practice that not only addresses your physical ailments but also emphasizes preventive care, patient education, and community wellness. Doctors of osteopathic medicine (DOs) are at the forefront of a movement to foster stronger, healthier communities through comprehensive and individualized care. Discover how the community-focused approach of osteopathic medicine is transforming lives and building Read more >
Dr. Joaquin Santos Hits an Education Home Run at the College World Series
Baseball is about hot dogs, peanuts, and Cracker Jack. It’s about swings and strikes. It’s about pitching, hitting, and catching as well as family, friendship, and fandom. It’s about winning on the best days and losing on the worst. Unfortunately, sometimes it’s also about strains, sprains, concussions, and contusions. On those occasions, the most valuable players aren’t the athletes Read more >
Kansas Health Science Center is now Kansas Health Science University
After five years as a Wichita-based nonprofit university committed to developing strong, innovative education programs in emerging areas of health care, Kansas Health Science Center (KHSC) is changing its name to Kansas Health Science University (KHSU) effective today. “This name change reflects our growth and ongoing commitment to providing exceptional programs that produce forward-thinking, empathetic health care leaders,” said Read more >
Muscle Energy Technique: Highlighting Osteopathic Practices
What Is Muscle Energy Technique? Muscle Energy Technique (MET) is a manual therapy in osteopathic medicine developed by Fred Mitchell Sr., DO, in 1948 and is one of the many techniques taught in the osteopathic curriculum at KansasCOM. MET uses the patient's muscle force in controlled isometric contractions to actively participate in their treatment, guided by a practitioner's counterforce. Read more >
What Is Patient-Centered Care, and Why Is It Important?
A transformative shift is redefining the way we approach health and wellness in modern health care. At the heart of this change is patient-centered care, a philosophy that puts the patient at the center of medical care instead of only their symptoms or disease. This patient-centered approach is a methodology of crucial importance to the future of osteopathic medicine, Read more >
KansasCOM and League 42 team up to hit a home run for community health at annual DO Day of Service
The Kansas College of Osteopathic Medicine (KansasCOM), in partnership with League 42, hosted a health fair as part of the National DO Day of Service. This special day was not only a chance to support the Wichita community but also an educational opportunity for the 90 student doctors who volunteered. The event took place at League 42’s Leslie Rudd Learning Read more >
Committed to Service: Military Scholarship Programs at KHSU-KansasCOM
The Kansas Health Science University-Kansas College of Osteopathic Medicine (KHSU-KansasCOM) proudly announces that 24 of its students, approximately 10% of the student population, are enrolled in military scholarship programs, a testament to their commitment to both their medical education and their nation. KHSU-KansasCOM facilitates numerous students through the Health Professions Scholarship Program (HPSP), offering full tuition, a monthly stipend, Read more >
Understanding the Core Tenets of Osteopathic Medicine: A Foundation for Future Practitioners
Osteopathic medicine offers a distinctive approach to health care, one that champions a integrative view of the patient. It's a practice rooted in the belief that a person's well-being depends on the harmonious functioning of body, mind, and spirit. At the heart of this approach lie the tenets of osteopathic medicine. Understanding these foundational principles is critical to transforming Read more >
Real-World Impact: Examples of Osteopathic Medicine in Patient Care
Osteopathic medicine stands out in the health care field with its unique, integrative approach to patient care. Osteopathic medicine isn't just about treating symptoms; it's about looking at the body as a whole and understanding the interconnectedness of all its parts. What Is Osteopathic Medicine? Osteopathic medicine is a distinct form of medical practice. It provides all of the Read more >
Tech and Touch: Teaching Innovation at KansasCOM
Innovative care is one of the pillars of the KansasCOM mission. This is what it looks like in the classroom. Human interaction is at the heart of osteopathic medicine. Through touch and patient dialogue, doctors of osteopathic medicine diagnose patients and foster communication. Now, though, KansasCOM is employing a range of state-of-the-art technological innovations to maximize medical classroom and Read more >
KHSC-KansasCOM hosts poverty simulation to empower future health care leaders
At the Kansas Health Science Center-Kansas College of Osteopathic Medicine, 136 first-year osteopathic medical students recently took part in a Community Action Poverty Simulation (CAPS). The event, aligned with KHSC's mission, aimed to deepen students' understanding of community health challenges and inspire them to support underserved populations. During the poverty simulation, students roleplayed as members of diverse families facing financial Read more >
Kansas College of Osteopathic Medicine students participate in Physician Advocacy Day
Student doctors from the Kansas Health Science Center – Kansas College of Osteopathic Medicine recently attended Physician Advocacy Day at the Kansas Statehouse in Topeka. Led by Angela Carrick, DO; John McMaster, MD; and Molly Fox, the event allowed students to engage with elected officials, physician specialty groups, and practicing physicians. Discussions centered around health care policy under review Read more >
Honoring Dr. King’s legacy: Saving lives through blood donation
In commemoration of Martin Luther King Jr. Day, the Kansas Health Science Center Cares Committee organized a blood drive at KansasCOM aligned with the National Day of Service. The holiday encourages Americans to volunteer and uplift their communities, and our blood drive highlighted the dedication of KHSC student doctors and faculty members to supporting the Wichita community. Collaborating with Read more >
KansasCOM’s medical students score insight through Wichita Thunder collaboration
In a power-play partnership between the Kansas Health Science Center–Kansas College of Osteopathic Medicine (KansasCOM) and the Wichita Thunder, first- and second-year medical students are lacing up their learning skates and shadowing the team's athletic trainer, Julia Phillips. The collaboration aims to expose medical students to diverse experiences beyond traditional clinical settings, providing valuable insights into health care and Read more >
What Is the Doctor of Osteopathic Approach?
Doctors of Osteopathic Medicine (DO) are fully licensed physicians, able to practice in all areas of medicine. When a doctor specializes in a field of medicine, they choose to focus on a specific group of patients, diseases, skills, or philosophy. As an osteopathic doctor, the approach becomes holistic, looking for whole-body or whole-person treatments when possible. Doctor of Osteopathic Read more >
Commonly Asked Questions About DOs
In the world of health care, there's an increasing interest in understanding the role and capabilities of doctors of osteopathic medicine (DOs). You might have a few questions about what DOs can and cannot do, and how they fit into the larger healthcare ecosystem. KansasCOM is here to address some of these questions. Can DOs Prescribe Medication? Absolutely. DOs, Read more >
Important Leadership Skills for Doctors of Osteopathy
Why doctors need leadership training Leadership training is essential when considering the qualities of a good doctor. Empathy, resilience, ethical integrity, and a willingness to continue learning are essential characteristics of a doctor. These qualities are crucial for managing a health care team and shaping health care policy, highlighting the importance of leadership skills in the medical field. The Read more >
How Is Osteopathic Medicine Different From Allopathic Medicine?
In today's diverse medical landscape, understanding the differences between various fields can empower patients and professionals alike. Institutions like the Kansas College of Osteopathic Medicine stand at the forefront of this evolving space. Allopathic and Osteopathic: Key Distinctions and Differences Allopathic Medicine (MD) Allopathic medicine is rooted in treating specific ailments. It uses evidence-based practices to provide targeted solutions. Read more >
Army Veteran Brings Medical Savvy and a Drive for Learning to KHSC – KansasCOM
After 26 years of service, Ryan McGill wanted to continue to expand his medical knowledge and to serve his fellow veterans, so he enrolled at KansasCOM. Sometimes a turn of events that seems improbable makes perfect sense: A career military officer nearing retirement applies for medical school, is accepted, and finds purpose delivering services to veterans. Lt. Col. Ryan Read more >
MedEd Hubs Expand Care for Rural Communities
KHSC-KansasCOM has launched a program to place student doctors in rural medical facilities that desperately need them. In June, 11 students from KHSC-KansasCOM packed up and headed west. Their destination was Garden City, Kansas, a community of about 30,000 and four hours’ drive from Wichita. They spent five days meeting with local health care professionals, civic leaders, and young Read more >
Where Can You Work as a Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine?
As a DO (Doctor of Osteopathy), your skill set is vital for a wide range of patients who will come to you with a variety of needs and questions. As medical professionals trained with traditional medical knowledge and holistic approaches to patient care, a doctor of osteopathy can prescribe medication and perform surgery like any other doctor. But their Read more >
The Importance of Cultural Competence in Osteopathic Medicine
If a doctor wants to have a successful relationship with their patients, it is imperative that they understand the importance of cultural competence in health care at every step of inpatient and outpatient treatment. Osteopathic medicine, if applied correctly with the help of cultural competence, can create an open and understanding relationship between patient and doctor which leads to Read more >
Connecting Students and Rural Practitioners to Learn and Improve Practice
The Kansas Educational Research Network (KERN) will provide rural doctors with practical research and students with the chance to work to solve real-world problems. The Kansas Educational Research Network (KERN) is a practice-based research network (PBRN) and a department of the Kansas Health Science Center (KHSC). The objective of the network is to bring together practices, students, and physicians Read more >
Fort Hays State University and Kansas Health Science Center – Kansas College of Osteopathic Medicine launch new partnership
Wichita, Kan. – A new admissions partnership agreement between Fort Hays State University (FHSU) and Kansas Health Science Center – Kansas College of Osteopathic Medicine (KHSC – KansasCOM) will help address Kansas’ physician shortage. The agreement allows a select number of Fort Hays State University students to accelerate their career path with a 3+4 program. Qualified students who meet Read more >
Refining Patient Interactions: KHSC -KansasCOM Students Hone Their Skills at the Tokola Simulation Center
Lab director Megan Bayer has learned through experience the importance of training future doctors to excel at all facets of patient care. At the heart of every visit to a doctor of osteopathic medicine (DO) is a conversation between health care provider and patient. For these interactions to be successful, the patient must feel comfortable communicating uncomfortable details and Read more >