Infinite ascent: Strickland family legacy supports KCU students

With a seemingly limitless drive to serve those in need and a commitment to always doing what is right, Darwin Strickland, DO, has never taken the easy path through life.

Today, the Strickland family continues to reach beyond the insurmountable, paving the way for countless future generations to rise above even the highest of expectations and creating a legacy worthy of the history books.

As a young boy in the heart of Villisca, Iowa, Darwin Strickland, DO (COM ’65), was sowing the seeds of a remarkable journey in a snug farming community where everyone knew everyone else. Born and raised in this close-knit community, Strickland found his inspiration in Villisca’s kind and wise physician, Dr. Cooper. His curiosity drew him to shadow the doctor, absorbing all the knowledge he could and learning lessons of compassion and care that would define his career.

Strickland gained a deeper understanding of health care while working for Mr. Wolfe, a local funeral home owner and a close family friend. Mr. Wolfe employed Strickland from the seventh grade until his high school graduation. This early exposure to the harsh realities of life and death deeply impacted Strickland and ignited his fascination with the internal mechanisms of the human body.

After completing high school, Strickland’s life took a turn toward athletics, specifically football. He enrolled at the University of Nebraska to play for the Cornhuskers. However, he soon discovered that his coach frequently used freshmen as practice dummies and pitted them against varsity players. Strickland was constantly injured, but his complaints went unheard, further straining his relationship with the coach. When the Board of Regents considered buying out the coach’s contract, they invited top players to share their experiences with his coaching style. Strickland spoke up about his concerns, but the coach’s contract was not terminated. Strickland made the decision to transfer to the University of Colorado after his first semester.

During his time at Colorado, he excelled both academically and athletically, standing out as one of the best players during the spring football game. Unfortunately, he got into a fight at a popular hangout spot in Boulder and was reprimanded by Coach Dallas Ward, who had high standards for his players both on and off the field. Despite liking Strickland, Coach Ward revoked his scholarship for the upcoming fall semester. However, Strickland remembered that he had previously been offered a full scholarship to Drake University in Iowa. He reached out to the coach at Drake and explained his situation. Fortunately, the coach openly welcomed him, honoring the full scholarship offer. Strickland returned to Iowa and started fresh at Drake University.

Regulations necessitated that Strickland take a yearlong break from football, though, and he utilized this period to prioritize his studies and integrate into the university community. At a fraternity party, Strickland met Suzanne, a fellow student at Drake, who captured his heart and soon became his wife. Together, they navigated ups and downs, victories and setbacks, always with their eyes firmly set on the seeds of the goal Strickland had sown in his home state of Iowa. Darwin Strickland was determined to become a physician.

The Stricklands eventually made their home in Chicago. There, he attended the Illinois College of Podiatric Medicine and Surgery and graduated magna cum laude with a Doctor of Podiatric Medicine degree. He was eager to pursue family medicine and wanted to attend Chicago Medical School. However, despite his excellent academic performance, scholarships were hard to come by, and the couple faced financial struggles. In a pivotal moment, Strickland walked into the Chicago headquarters of the American Osteopathic Association (AOA). During a heartfelt conversation with Larry Mills, DO, director of education for the AOA at that time, Strickland expressed his unwavering commitment to the osteopathic profession in exchange for consideration of financial aid. Two weeks later, he was among 10 recipients of a scholarship.

Strickland embarked on a journey that led him to Kansas City University, where he received training to become an osteopathic physician, earning his Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine in 1965. Supported by a nurturing community, he excelled in academics while juggling multiple jobs, such as serving as a podiatrist for Missouri state hospitals and conducting research on the KCU campus. During this period, his wife, Suzanne, taught elementary school in Kansas City, Kansas.

Outside campus classrooms and labs, Strickland deepened his connection with his new home community. In 1963, when the Dallas Texans football team moved to Kansas City, he saw an opportunity. Strickland approached the team’s physician, Al Miller, DO (COM ’60), and offered his podiatric expertise. Strickland told Miller, "I’m a podiatrist. I know a lot about the foot and ankle. Why don’t you get me a job with the Chiefs?" During his time with the team, he treated not only players but also their owner, Lamar Hunt, and head coach, Hank Stram.

In 1967, the Strickland family moved to Denver, Colorado, where he started practicing family medicine and geriatrics. Throughout his medical career, he remained committed to serving the local community by volunteering as the team physician for Denver’s North High School. He provided medical attention to the football team, faculty and administration. His dedication to the high school continued for more than 50 years never charging them for his services.

As a devoted father who always made time to exercise with his four children – three daughters and a son – Strickland instilled in them the importance of staying physically fit and healthy. The family’s home had an indoor pool, gym equipment and a 100-yard rubberized asphalt track. "We used to have coaches come from all over to train our children," he said proudly.

Every day, Suzanne woke up early to make sure the Strickland children completed their workouts before going to school. Despite criticism and warnings about making his children “too muscular,” Strickland remained unfazed. He firmly believed that exercise was essential for good health, a belief ahead of its time.

Strickland, at the age of 46, demonstrated an unwavering commitment to service when he joined the United States Army Reserves Medical Corps. He did so because all of his children were in the Reserve Officers’ Training Corps at that time, and he wanted to support them despite the negative feelings toward the military then. This was a bold decision that had a lasting impact on his children, as all four of them went on to join the military.

In 2003, three out of four of his children were called to active duty to serve in the Persian Gulf. Janis Strickland Coffin, DO (COM ’98), the second child, a family medicine practitioner, treated patients at a Combat Army Support Hospital near Baghdad, Iraq. Her elder sister, Laura, alongside her husband, Jim Richardson, each led Army helicopter battalions, making history as the first husband and wife battalion commander team to participate in battle together. Their brother, Darwin, third in line, operational law attorney for the 25th Infantry Division, served as a legal advisor for stationed troops. Their sister Elaine, the youngest, would have also contributed to the war effort if it had not been for a severe bout with asthma while in college.

Two decades later, Laura ascended to an elite echelon of military leadership. She currently serves as one of only 10 women to ever achieve the distinguished rank of four-star general in the United States Army, marking a significant milestone in her impressive career.

Strickland’s story is a testament to his commitment to the health care profession, osteopathic medicine and the communities that shaped him. “There’s no doubt I owe everything to this University,” Strickland affirms. To date, he has dedicated over 50 years of his life to service, and he and Suzanne have funded 34 scholarships to support past, current and future KCU students.

Together, the Stricklands continue to lead lives that perpetually ignite an unyielding spirit of determination in others – pushing future generations to rise above their own challenges. Their enduring legacy is a compelling testimony to the power of relentless tenacity, resilience and undying loyalty.