Alumni Class Notes

1974

David F. Hitzeman, DO (COM '74) was recognized as a pioneer of the osteopathic medical profession in an In Memorium piece in The DO in the January 2023 issue. The tribute recognizes Dr. Hitzeman for having provided decades of service and leadership to the American Osteopathic Association (AOA), as well as his state and specialty societies.

1981

Patrick F. Leary, DO (COM '81) authored an op-ed in The DO, “News organizations should consult physicians when discussing NFL injuries.” Dr. Leary is the Founder and Program Director of the Millcreek Hospital Sports Medicine Fellowship in Erie, Pa.

2002

John C. Ireland, DO (COM '02) was named to Ingram’s magazine’s Top Doctors 2022 list. Dr. Ireland is a Pulmonary Specialist with Saint Luke’s Health System. Read more on Ingram’s website.

Michael B. Watto, DO, MPH (COM '02) has joined the HealthFirst Family Care Center as the new medical director. He will be providing primary and osteopathic care to patients in both the Laconia and Franklin HealthFirst Locations in New Hamphire. Read more in the Laconia Daily Sun.

2007

Gina L. Jones, DO (COM '07) received the Research Team Award: Pediatric Epilepsy Research Team recognition as part of the Department of Pediatrics awards event at Children’s Mercy Kansas City in January 2023. Dr. Jones is Program Director, Headache Medicine Fellowship; Director, Headache Section; and Director, Neurology Clinic at Children’s Mercy Kansas City.

2012

Kelsey L. Able, DO (COM '12) received the Kansas City Medical Society’s Rising Star Award in Fall 2022. The Rising Star Award recognizes a physician who has made significant contributions to medicine in the Kansas City Metro Area early in their career. Read more on the Kansas City Medical Society’s website in its 2022 Year-in-Review Publication.

Dr. Able is a private practice Gastroenterologist at Consultants in Gastroenterology in the Northland, Kansas City, Mo., and is currently the Chair of Medical Ethics for North Kansas City Hospital. She will often have third- and fourth-year KCU students in rotation with her.

Bridget M. Clark, DO (COM '12) received the Clinical Care Team Award as part of the Department of Pediatrics awards event at Children’s Mercy Kansas City in January 2023. Dr. Clark is a Psychiatry Specialist at Children’s Mercy Kansas City.

2014

Jeff Foster, DO (COM '14) will begin his new role as Director of Pain Medicine at Ascentist Healthcare in Leawood, Kan., on March 1, 2023. Dr. Foster is currently an Interventional Pain Medicine Physician with Saint Luke’s Health System and was previously a Pain Medicine Fellow with the University of Kansas Medical Center.

2016

Danielle N. Wentzel, DO (COM '16) received the Clinical Care Team Award as part of the Department of Pediatrics awards event at Children’s Mercy Kansas City in January 2023. Dr. Wentzel is a child and adolescent psychiatry specialist at Children’s Mercy Kansas City.

Kansas City magazine 2023 Top Doctors

Kansas City University is proud of its 16 alumni recognized as Top Doctors 2023 in the January 2023 issue of Kansas City magazine.

Allergy & Immunology

• Celina C. Bernabe, DO, FAAAAI, FACAAI (COM '94)

Child & Adolescent Psychiatry

• Christopher R. Van Horn, DO (COM '96)
• Debra A. Willsie, DO (COM '86)

Colon & Rectal Surgery

• John H. Ashcraft, DO (COM '02)

Family Medicine

• Louis Christifano, DO (COM '91)
• James L. Miller, DO, FAAFP (COM '95)

Hospice & Palliative Medicine

• Kevin P. Hubbard, DO (COM '86)

Internal Medicine

• Cory T. Carpenter, DO (COM '12)
• Donald L. Cohen, DO (COM '78)
• Micholee B. Polsak, DO (COM '08)

Medical Oncology

• Joseph P. McGuirk, DO (COM '90)

Nephrology

• Cassandra A. Kimber, DO (COM '11)

Pediatrics

• David Lowry, DO, FAAP (COM '96)
• Kathryn L. Petelin, DO (COM '08)

Pediatric Gastroenterology

• Sarah T. Edwards, DO (COM '08)

Psychiatry

• Poonam Khanna, DO (COM '97)