Duane Fredrickson M.D. Wins Super Bowl of Family Medicine
WICHITA, KAN. –The 2009 Kansas Family Physician of the Year award recipient, Duane Fredrickson, MD’66, of Lindsborg, Kan. was formally recognized at the Kansas Academy of Family Physicians (KAFP) 62nd Annual Meeting & Scientific Session: The Medical Home Team Advantage on June 19, 2009 during the President’s Dinner and Installation of Officers. Read more.

Barbara Geiger BSN'83 owns Worldwide Clinical Research which has been named one of the 2009 Top Ten Businesses by the Greater Kansas City Chamber of Commerce. Read more.

Elmer E. Gaede, M’54, Family Medicine Physician, practiced medicine as a Public Health officer at the Alaska Native Hospital in Anchorage, Alaska, 1955 - 1957; and as a bush pilot doctor at the Tanana (Alaska) PHS hospital1957 – 1959. In 1959, he was transferred to the Blackfeet Indian reservation, PHS hospital, in Browning, MT. After leaving PHS, he did a residency at the Tulare (California) County hospital, 1960 – 1961. His heart remained in Alaska. In 1961, he spotted a medical ad requesting private practice assistance in Soldotna, Alaska (Kenai Peninsula.) He accepted the offer, where not only did he practice with minimal equipment and resources, but he and his partner flew to Seldovia (a fishing village across the inlet) for weekly clinics, and transported emergency patients to the Seward Hospital – most often in their airplanes. During this time, he got in on the last Homestead Act in the area, proved up 80 acres of land, and within three years had cleared trees for the Gaede Private airstrip. His curiosity and passion for practicing medicine never diminished. When he retired from private practice in 1987, he continued his services to the Dena’ina Natives, Heritage Place nursing home, and missionaries. After years of flying hazards and adventures, he died peacefully during a typical Sunday afternoon nap, on the Gaede-80 Homestead, October 5, 1991.

His Alaska stories are told in Prescription for Adventure: Bush Pilot Doctor. Experiences in Montana and California are added to Prescription for Finding Home in Alaska, which introduces his family and offers their perspectives of living in Alaska --- with a physician husband and father. A documentary DVD, “Homesteading Doctors on the Last Frontier,” portrays early medical care in the Central Peninsula, including Gaede’s work. These are all available at www.prescriptionforadventure.com. .

Jennifer L. Brull, M’98, a Family Medicine Physician in Plainville, Kansas, has recently converted to an entirely electronic system of medical records. Her story was featured in The New York Times. Read more.

Clarke Henry Jr., M’78, cardiothoracic surgeon, has joined the Shawnee Mission Medical Center medical staff. Henry earned his medical degree from the Kansas University Medical Center and completed his internship, fellowship and residencies at Vanderbilt University Affiliated Hospitals. He is board-certified in surgery and thoracic surgery. For the past 20 years, Henry has practiced at Cardiovascular Surgery Inc., a St. Joseph Medical Center affiliate in Kansas City, Mo.

Would you like to be featured or do you know a KUMC alum who would be a great candidate for the Alumni Spotlight? Please email Pamela Ojini, at pojini@kumc.edu.