Dr. Blough was born in central Kansas and spent time growing up in rural upstate New York, the South Bronx, and Hong Kong before returning to Kansas for college. She graduated from Bethel College with a BA in Psychology and then attained a Master's in Social Work from the University of Kansas. Prior to returning to the University of Kansas to pursue her pre-medicine coursework and then her medical degree, she worked for several years as a Crisis Mental Health Therapist. Within PM&R, as in her prior career in Social Work, she finds enjoyment in forging meaningful relationships with patients and in practicing medicine aimed at enhancing quality of life for those she serves. Her interests include general PM&R in an inpatient and outpatient setting and Cancer Rehabilitation. Outside of medicine, she enjoys gardening, estate sales, cooking, soap making, and spending time outdoors with her husband, Justin, and their Australian Shepherd, Violet May.

Dr. Francio has Brazilian-Italian heritage and he was born and raised in Bento Goncalves-RS, Brazil. After graduating from Feevale University in Brazil, he immigrated to the US to work and continue his education with a MS in Clinical Sciences and a Doctor of Chiropractic (DC) degree. Dr. Francio spent the next few years working in musculoskeletal and spine care for a few years within the VA Hospital System, community health care centers, and in a multidisciplinary spine center alongside physicians, surgeons, and therapists. He then decided to advance his training and graduated with an MD from USAT College of Medicine. He completed his PGY1 internship at St. Anthony Hospital in Oklahoma City and, considering his background in spine and MSK care, PM&R was the perfect medical specialty to choose. His interests include neuromodulation, interventional pain medicine, regenerative medicine, clinical research, academics, and medical education. Outside medicine, he enjoys watching and playing soccer, listening to his classic rock vinyl collection, playing guitar and drums, reading, and traveling with his wife. Dr. Francio speaks three languages (Portuguese, Spanish, and English), four if you count bad words in Italian. He used to be the lead singer in a rock band before moving to the US.

Dr. Lambeth was born in Florida and moved to Branson, MO at age 7, where she spent most of her growing up years. She attended William Jewell College in Liberty, MO, where she earned a BS in Biochemistry, and did research related to a type of brain cancer. She received her medical education at Kansas City University of Medicine and Biosciences and participated in research related to Parkinson's disease. She completed a Pediatrics Residency (training in general pediatrics) at the University of Missouri in Columbia, MO. She is now continuing training in Rehabilitation Medicine at the University of Kansas and hopes to work with children and adults recovering from brain injuries, battling chronic pain, and other neurological and musculoskeletal disorders. In her free time, she enjoys spending time with her husband, friends and family, admiring works of art at the Nelson-Atkins, reading a good book, or eating some delicious KC barbeque.

Dr. Polston is from Nashville, TN. He earned his bachelor's degree from Vanderbilt University, where he majored in Neuroscience and Medicine, Health, and Society. He then attended Tulane University, where he earned a master's degree in Human Genetics. After that, he completed medical school at the University of Tennessee and his PGY1 internship at KU. Outside of work, he enjoys, running, fishing, triathlons, being outdoors, and spending time with his fiancé, Logan, and their two dogs, Bailey and Juno.

Dr. Hiett was born and raised in Leawood, Kansas and has been a Jayhawk his whole life. He received his undergraduate degree in Biochemistry from KU and then graduated from the University of Kansas School of Medicine in 2020. He spent his intern year in St. Louis before returning to Kansas City to complete his PM&R residency. He is most interested in sports medicine and hopes to work with athletes in some capacity in the future. In his free time, he enjoys watching Chiefs football, exercising, and spending time with friends and family. 

Dr. Rupp was born and raised in St. Cloud, MN and completed his Bachelor of Science in Cell and Molecular Biology with a minor in Psychology at the University of Minnesota Duluth. He went on to complete his medical didactic years at A. T. Still University in Kirksville, Missouri and his clinical years in Detroit, Michigan. He completed his medical intern year at the University of Kansas Medical Center. His interests include interventional pain management and musculoskeletal/Interventional spine. Outside of medicine he enjoys spending time with his wife and dog, traveling the U.S., wood working, gardening, playing soccer and sailing.

 

Dr. Sarmiento was born in Mongolia before moving to California at the age of 11. She obtained her bachelor's degree in Physiological Science at the University of California, Los Angeles. While there, she participated in research related to neuroanatomy of the learning and memory process utilizing Aplysia. She then attended Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine in Florida where she obtained her medical degree. She completed her transitional year internship at HCA hospital system in Hudson, Florida. In physiatry, she is interested in general rehab and is looking forward to having more exposure to different subspecialties within the field! She loves working with her patients and seeing them achieve their goals. Outside medicine, her interests include traveling, spending time with her loved ones, reading, interior design, and fashion.

Born in South Korea, Dr. Yoon moved to the U.S. at an early age. He moved around the country a lot in his youth and lived in the Midwest for some time while he was at the University of Notre Dame for undergraduate studies. He attended medical school at the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland and completed his internship at the Virginia Commonwealth University Hospital in general surgery. He came to KUMC for his love of the Midwest and to train at its historic PM&R program. He is interested in MSK/spine aspect of physiatry. He collects stamps, plays board games, and loves to bake in his free time.

Dr. Leavitt was born in Northern California and later moved to Salt Lake City, Utah where he grew up. He completed his undergraduate degree in Biology at Utah Valley University before attending medical school at Rocky Vista University College of Osteopathic Medicine in Parker, Colorado. He completed an internal medicine preliminary year at Saint Joseph Hospital in Denver, Colorado. Within PM&R, he is interested in pain medicine, interventional spine/MSK, regenerative medicine, and general rehab. Outside of medicine, Dr. Leavitt enjoys spending time outdoors, skiing, fishing, attending sporting events, and spending time with his wife Alyssa and their two English Bulldogs, Ginger and Nutmeg.

 

Dr. Mian was born and raised in Reno, NV. He graduated and was commissioned as a second lieutenant from the United States Military Academy at West point in 2011. He was later stationed at Fort Riley, KS as a tank platoon leader. After returning from deployment in 2015, he married his wife, Jessica. After years of being chronically dehydrated and inhaling copious amounts of tank engine fumes, he decided to attend medical school where he graduated from the University of Kansas School of Medicine. His PM&R interests include brain injury rehabilitation and interventional pain management. Outside of helping his patients achieve functional independence, he enjoys taking orders from his daughter and cleaning up after his geriatric cat.

Dr. Mok is from Louisville, KY. He earned both his bachelor’s and master's of Mechanical Engineering from the University of Louisville. Before attending medical school, he worked in the design development of medical devices ranging from voice prosthetics to surgical devices. Dr. Mok completed medical school at the DeBusk College of Osteopathic Medicine and his intern year at Jewish Mercy in Cincinnati Ohio. In his spare time, he enjoys traveling, rock climbing, and spending time with his wife and two dogs. 

I'm from Dallas, Texas and grew up in the area. I earned my Bachelor's degree in Biology from Texas A&M University. After that I continued my education and received my Doctor of Chiropractic degree. After practicing for a few years, I chose to further my education and attended St. George's University School of Medicine. I just recently completed my PGY1 Year at DMC Sinai- Grace in Detroit, Michigan. With my background, PM&R was the perfect fit for me. I am interested in MSK/Spine and General Physiatry, but I'm also looking forward to having more exposure to other subspecialties in PM&R. Outside of medicine I enjoy travelling, spending time with friends and loved ones, reading, and attending boxing classes.