Historical Highlights

Kansas City University of Medicine and Biosciences is home to the oldest medical school in Kansas City and the largest in Missouri.

1916
The Kansas City College of Osteopathy and Surgery (KCCOS) is founded. George J. Conley, D.O., becomes the college’s first president. Classes begin in a building at 7th and Wyandotte.

1917
Mamie Johnston, a transfer student, becomes the first graduate. KCCOS moves to 15th and Troost.

1921
2105 Independence Avenue becomes the school’s address.

1940
Johnston Hall Science Building is dedicated.

1944
The 100-bed Wesley Hospital at 11th and Harrison is purchased, and Conley Hospital is converted to a maternity hospital.

1950
Dr. Joseph M. Peach is elected the College’s second president.

1964
Dr. Richard Eby succeeds Dr. Joseph Peach as president.

1965
Dr. Richard Eby resigns and Dr. K.J. Davis, alumnus and dean of the College, becomes interim president.

1966
Dr. Eugene B. Powers is installed as the fifth president. The College celebrates its golden anniversary and becomes the largest osteopathic college in the United States.

1968
On the sudden death of Dr. Eugene B. Powers, Dr. K.J. Davis is again selected as interim president. Mazzacano Library opens. Dr. Rudolph S. Bremen becomes the sixth
president.

1970
KCCOS becomes The Kansas City College of Osteopathic Medicine (KCCOM).

1972
The Center for Health Sciences, later known as University Hospital, is opened.

1979
The new Administration Building, a gift from the Alumni Association, is occupied after extensive renovation, and 1750 Independence Avenue becomes the University’s permanent address.

1980
The school’s name becomes the University of Health Sciences.

1988
Dr. Elmer H. Whitten is inaugurated as the eighth president. University Hospital closes.

1991
John P. Perrin, J.D., becomes the ninth president.

1994
Jack T. Weaver, D.O., becomes the 10th president.

1995
Karen L. Pletz, J.D., is installed as the University’s 11th president.

1996
The Educational Pavilion, a four-story, state-of-the-art facility containing classrooms, a library, cafeteria, laboratories and faculty offices, is dedicated. Classes begin on the consolidated campus.

1998
The University receives its first five-year accreditation by the North Central
Association of Colleges and Schools.

UHS is one of eight leading medical schools, including Harvard and Vanderbilt, to receive a prestigious John Templeton Foundation Spirituality in Medicine Award.

1999
Dissolution of the separate corporations of the Alumni Association and Foundation brings stronger organization structure to the University.

Alumni Hall is renamed Leonard Smith Hall.

The University joins with seven other leading research institutions in forming the Kansas City Area Life Sciences Institute.

2000
Genesis 2000, a three-year curriculum revision project, is integrated into the first-year curriculum and provides case-based learning with earlier clinical opportunities.

The Mary Lou Butterworth, D.O., Alumni Center is completed.

Campaign 2000, the University’s first major capital campaign, is launched.

2001
UHS and Rockhurst University inaugurate a dual-degree D.O.-M.B.A. in health care leadership program.

2002
For the first time, alumni giving surpasses the national average – 27 percent.

The University receives its first national challenge grant of $500,000 from The Kresge Foundation.

2003
The University receives a second Spirituality in Medicine Award from the John Templeton Foundation.

The Educational Pavilion is renamed the Darwin J. and Suzanne Strickland
Education Pavilion.

Campaign 2000 ends with more than $16 million in contributions.

2004
The University launches a Health Policy Institute to lead discussions of national, regional and local health policy issues.

The University’s name is changed to Kansas City University of Medicine and Biosciences.

The Paul W. and Mary L. Dybedal Center for Research opens.

2006
The College of Biosciences confers the first master of science in biomedical
sciences degrees to 17 students.

The Center for Clinical Competence opens, providing the first center in the region dedicated to human patient simulator and standardized patient programs.

KCUMB launches the public phase of its second capital campaign, One Vision.

2007
KCUMB launches a dual-degree program offering students the opportunity to earn a doctor of osteopathic medicine and a master of arts in bioethics.

KCUMB implements an aggressive quality enhancement program to measure and evaluate all aspects of the University.

The University officially opens Weaver Auditorium, a 1,500-seat auditorium named in honor of Jack T. Weaver, D.O., Mary Weaver, H. Danny Weaver, D.O., and Debra S. Albers, D.O.

The Kesselheim Center for Clinical Competence is named in honor of Howard I. Kesselheim, D.O., and his wife, Tina S. Kesselheim.

KCUMB announces a spacious 37,000-square-foot library to be built next to Weaver Auditorium in honor of Vincent F. D’Angelo, D.O., and his wife, Cleo V. D’Angelo.

2008
KCUMB names Darin L. Haug, D.O. (COM ’01), as dean of the College of Osteopathic Medicine.

KCUMB expands its bioethics degree offerings to include a one-year track and a part-time professional studies program for working adults.

2009
Officials at KCUMB and Missouri Southern State University agree to establish an additional location of KCUMB on the MSSU campus, pending approvals and accreditation. The new location is scheduled to open in the fall of 2012.

KCUMB breaks ground on three new construction projects: a campus park and garden, the D’Angelo Library and a new student activities center.

The KCUMB Board of Trustees initiates a leadership change, and H. Danny Weaver, chairman of the Board of Trustees, becomes chief executive officer and acting president.