KU School of Medicine-Wichita

06/04/2026

One family in Pittsburg, Kansas, is doing their part to provide physicians for the state — three brothers followed in both their parents’ footsteps to the University of Kansas Medical Center. Both Simon and Ryan Higginbotham are first-year resident physicians in the General Surgery Residency Program at KU School of Medicine-Wichita. Their brother, Aaron, will graduate from KU School of Medicine in 2027.

Read the full story: https://bit.ly/higginbothamfamily

06/02/2026

Thank you to CNN for talking to Thomas Moore, M.D., volunteer clinical professor in our Department of Internal Medicine, about how to protect yourself from viruses. Dr. Moore was among the experts consulted for tips about staying healthy while traveling.

If you’re anxious about catching rare viral diseases like Ebola and hantavirus, experts say you should focus on preventing infection from more common viruses instead.

05/29/2026

Our newsletter has hit inboxes with the latest news from our campus and beyond. Get the details on a generous gift from Donna Sweet, M.D., graduation, faculty achievement, a family legacy at the University of Kansas Medical Center and more.

Here's what's happening at KU School of Medicine-Wichita Graphic header that says KU, News from KU School of Medicine-Wichita May 2026 # Donna Sweet, M.D., pledges $1 million estate gift to KU School of Medicine-Wichita Donna Sweet, M.D., understands the importance of a University of Kansas School o...

05/28/2026

It wasn’t Cupid’s arrow that made Ryan Weir lovestruck when he first met Autumn Smith during a Scholars in Health program for college undergraduates who plan to become doctors in Kansas.

It was a reflex hammer.

“She tapped her reflex hammer on my knee, and it was love at first sight,” said Ryan, laughing. At the time, Ryan was studying biology at Pittsburg State University, while Autumn was studying cellular biology at The University of Kansas. They had been paired up during a physical exam activity within the program.

Read the full story to find out how this pair of KU School of Medicine-Wichita alumni ended up serving rural Kansans together at Minneola Healthcare: bit.ly/kuwichitatominneola 🩺

05/27/2026

We're pleased to share the National Board of Medical Examiners has recognized two of our faculty members for their service.

Robert Wittler, M.D., professor, Pediatrics, was recognized by NBME for service on the United States Medical Licensing Examination Committee in the USMLE Forms Review Group. Members review examination forms to ensure each form is balanced in terms of content and also demonstrates breadth across content. Individuals selected to participate in this activity are veteran committee members with previous item writing or case authoring experience. Dr. Wittler also participated in the Step 2 Forms Review and on the USMLE Interdisciplinary Review Committee.

Tessa Rohrberg, M.D., associate professor, Family & Community Medicine, was recognized by NBME for service during 2025 on the Medical School Services Subject Examination Test Material Development Committee as an MSS forms and pool reviewer. Form and pool reviewers are responsible for reviewing items within the Medical School Services portfolio to ensure individual items are accurate and current, and the finalized exam forms are balanced in terms of content breadth and depth.

Congratulations to Dr. Wittler and Dr. Rohrberg!

05/26/2026

The University of Kansas Chancellor Douglas A. Girod has approved the promotion and award of tenure for 146 faculty and researchers, including a dozen at KU School of Medicine-Wichita. Congratulations to our dedicated faculty members on marking this milestone in their careers. 👏

Chancellor Douglas A. Girod has approved the promotion and award of tenure, where indicated, for 50 individuals at the University of Kansas Lawrence and Edwards campuses and 96 individuals at the KU Medical Center campus. Promotion and tenure are effective at the start of the fall 2026 semester.

05/26/2026

HOPE on wheels: Free cancer screenings are being offered in rural communities across the state this year thanks to The University of Kansas Cancer Center's mobile cancer screening bus, supported by the Masonic Cancer Alliance. See the 2026 cancer screenings schedule: masoniccanceralliance.org/mobile-medical-unit.html

The Masonic Cancer Alliance, the outreach network of KU Cancer Center, has added a bus to better serve rural communities.

05/25/2026

KU School of Medicine-Wichita offices are closed today in observance of Memorial Day and in remembrance of those who made the ultimate sacrifice in service to our nation.

05/21/2026

Laura Tatpati, M.D., dean of KU School of Medicine-Wichita, recently joined some of our faculty and staff on a tour of the Wichita Biomedical Campus, where progress includes carpet being installed on the second floor, floor and wall tile going in on the fourth floor, the enclosure of the south side of the building, and zinc metal panels going up around the top of the building.

When completed, future doctors, pharmacists, nurses and other health professionals will train at the Wichita Biomedical Campus.

Learn more: https://bit.ly/wichitabiomedicalcampus

05/21/2026