FROM THE DEAN

RECENTLY, I HAD THE OPPORTUNITY to connect with Richardson Noback, M.D., who not only served as an architect of the brand new UMKC School of Medicine in 1971, but who also served as dean from the first day of class on Aug. 30, 1971, through 1978. Dean Noback and his contemporaries were committed to serving the citizens of Missouri by training the next generation of healers. They were also committed to creative education, noting where tradition stood in the way of timely innovation. Dean Noback taught us to be caring and compassionate professionals, driven by the common good and guided by service at all times. Just as we are inspired and guided by his examples and principles, we are also elevated by our peers, who teach us the true power of teamwork.

It is heartwarming to see how the vision of our founders echoes through the decades. One tangible reflection of our founders’ attention to serving the rural citizens of Missouri is our St. Joseph Campus, where students are trained throughout northwest Missouri. Many of those students plan to practice medicine in areas where the need is great. Read more about our efforts on page 2. Another echo of our founders can be seen in our novel curriculum. Just as they created curriculum that was contemporary and groundbreaking, we are working to structure the inclusion of innovative subjects. These include mini courses in leadership, communication, organizational behavior, artificial intelligence and epidemiology – new necessities for our students in this fast-moving and quickly expanding world of knowledge.

Thanks to our founders, we have persevered and flourished. Perhaps the power of our contributions comes into sharper focus when we consider the essential dependency the whole has on every single individual. The experiences and perspectives we each possess contribute to a collective symphony, even when we are gone.

On a somber and related note, our school is of such an age where we find ourselves coping with the passing of beloved alumni, including the recent losses of Dr. Leland Graves (B.A./M.D. ’83), chief of endocrinology at University of Kansas Health System, and Dr. Brad Warner (B.A./M.D. ’82), chief of pediatric surgery at Washington University. These physicians not only practiced at the pinnacle of medicine as esteemed leaders in their respective fields, but they gave back to their alma mater in extraordinary ways – Dr. Graves as a longtime docent in our school and Dr. Warner as a generous donor and Take Wing awardee. Their examples will continue to inspire each of us, and we will remember their accomplishments and character deep into the future.

We also lost a distinguished member of our School of Medicine faculty this year, Dr. Agostino Molteni, M.D., Ph.D., who died at age 91. Dr. Molteni, the director of our medical student research program, provided mentorship to many residents, fellows and student researchers in his nearly 30 years at UMKC. His impact on the field of medical research will be felt for many years to come.

We have been given this singular medical school community composed of remarkable individuals who have clarified our ethos for the past 54 years. As we celebrate each other, please place a calendar hold on Friday, Oct. 23, and Saturday, Oct. 24, 2026, for our 55th Celebration and Reunion Weekend in Kansas City. We will have a rich, in-person opportunity to remind each other of how much we care for one another, and for our collective community.

With thanks and respect,

Alexander Norbash (B.A. ’85/M.D. ’86) Dean, School of Medicine