University of Kansas Medical Center

Last month, our community came together for the fourth annual Well-being Conference. The event fosters a culture of well-being and collegiality at KU Medical Center through a variety of presentations, panels, networking activities and interactive sessions, like tours, gardening and yoga experiences, a cooking demonstration and more.

Attendees had the opportunity to hear from experts about the latest research, best practices and strategies to support well-being, as well as a keynote presentation by Chris Long, co‑founder and co‑owner of KC Current, who shared insights on building community through sport and intentional design.

A special thank you to all who participated!

Researchers at the KU Alzheimer's Disease Research Center are transforming how dementia care is delivered. The new Brain Health Care Accelerator model shifts some diagnostic and treatment responsibilities to primary care providers, enabling patients to receive diagnoses and start treatment much sooner.

Developed by a team of researchers led by Jeffrey Burns, M.D., co-director of the KU Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center, the Brain Health Care Accelerator model places primary care at the forefront of dementia diagnoses and treatment.

“The new tools allow the primary care provider to confidently complete a cognitive assessment visit, which walks through all of the requirements to complete the evaluation, order appropriate tests, interpret those tests, diagnose the patient, start treatment and make appropriate referrals,” said Jennifer Woodward, M.D., MPH, associate professor of family medicine and community health. “The results are that the patients receive a diagnosis much sooner and can start treatment earlier, if appropriate.”

Learn more about the approach and the difference it's already making at The University of Kansas Health System:

A new primary care-centered approach increases capacity to diagnose and treat Alzheimer’s disease and dementia The Brain Health Care Accelerator model, published in Alzheimer’s & Dementia, enables earlier, more accurate diagnoses and treatment for the growing number of people who need care.

Last month, the 28th annual Student Leadership Awards ceremony recognized exceptional leaders and organizations in our community. Congratulations to the following honorees:

🔵 Student Community Leader Award: Qays Abu-Seymah, KU School of Medicine, M.D. Class of 2027
🔵 Kellyann Jones-Jamtgaard Commitment to All Award: Zaid Umar, KU School of Medicine, M.D. Class of 2028
🔵 Dorothy Knoll Outstanding Student Leader Award: Aria Triska, doctoral candidate in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology
🔵 Outstanding Student Organization Award: Socially Responsible Surgery
🔵 Outstanding Student Organization Advisor Award: Catey Payne, advisor to the Student Research Forum and manager of Graduate-Postdoctoral Studies and Assessment

Learn more about the awards and past winners: https://bit.ly/3RUzP1m

Researchers at The University of Kansas Cancer Center are working to expand access to CAR T-cell therapy and explore its potential for treating solid tumors. This groundbreaking treatment has already changed outcomes for individuals with blood cancers by using genetically re-engineered immune cells to find and destroy cancer.

KU Cancer Center researchers are addressing barriers that prevent eligible patients from receiving CAR T-cell therapy, including education gaps among providers and logistical challenges for patients in rural communities. They're also developing new approaches to enhance the effectiveness of CAR T-cells and adapt them for use against solid-tumor cancers.

“We are in a revolution in cancer therapeutics right now, and a lot of that is based on our better understanding of the immune system and leveraging that knowledge to develop novel therapies like CAR T-cell therapy,” said Joseph McGuirk, D.O., division director of the Hematologic Malignancies and Cellular Therapeutics program at KU Cancer Center. “It’s an extraordinarily promising time.”

KU cancer researchers aim to expand horizons of CAR T-cell treatment CAR T-cell treatment has been a game changer for blood cancers. Now researchers hope to expand access and explore its use in solid tumors.

Sleep isn't just about rest; it's when your brain does some of its most important work. Though still in its infancy, sleep research and the study of what happens to our brains while we are asleep are critical to promoting good health.

Nancy Stewart, D.O., assistant professor of pulmonary, critical care and sleep medicine at the University of Kansas School of Medicine, explains that during sleep, the brain cleanses toxins, stores memories and restores hormones. Disruptions to sleep cycles can affect everything from heart health to cognition.

Learn more about common sleep issues and explore tips on how to improve your sleep:

Science is waking up to how sleep affects our brain Though still in its infancy, the study of what happens to our brains while we are asleep is critical to promoting good health.

The American Lung Association Lung Health Cohort Research Study is the first-ever large-scale lung health study to improve knowledge about lung development by utilizing data from young adults. The study is calling for adults aged 25-35 to consider participating in the study to help shape the future of lung gealth research.

"Our hope is that the Lung Health Cohort Research Study will fundamentally change how we prevent, diagnose and treat lung disease for people in America and around the world. By studying the lungs of young adults, we hope to be able to predict what leads to chronic lung disease and lung cancer, and determine a way to stop it before a person is diagnosed with a disease," said Mario Castro, M.D., MPH, professor of pulmonary, critical care and sleep medicine and vice chair for clinical and translational research and site principal investigator for the study.

Learn more about the study and how to get involved:

KU researcher calls for more participation in nationwide lung health study More young adult participants are needed in the American Lung Association Lung Health Cohort Research Study to improve knowledge about lung development.

A day to remember 💙 On May 16, we gathered at separate hooding and recognition ceremonies for the schools of Health Professions, Medicine and Nursing. It was a momentous day celebrating and honoring more than 800 graduates. Congratulations, Class of 2026!

As the weather turns warmer, you may find yourself reaching for a sports drink or an energy drink. But what's the difference? Aaron Carbuhn, Ph.D., associate professor of dietetics and nutrition at KU School of Health Professions, is breaking down the science.

While sports drinks are hydrating and contain electrolytes, energy drinks contain caffeine. The purpose of each drink varies, and knowing which beverage is right for you can be helpful for your health and fitness goals. Learn more:

Is it time for a sports drink or an energy drink? KU School of Health Professions researcher helps demystify these popular beverages

The University of Kansas recently announced the promotion and tenure for 96 faculty and researchers at KU Medical Center. Chancellor Douglas A. Girod, Arash Mafi, university chief academic officer, provost and executive vice chancellor; and Steve Stites, chief health sciences officer and executive vice chancellor at KU Medical Center, shared their joint regards:

"Congratulations to these faculty and researchers on their well-earned achievement. Jayhawks like these exemplify excellence in research and teaching and are why the University of Kansas is one of the country’s top research institutions and home to a distinguished scholarly community. Please join us in congratulating these individuals on a new career milestone and their service to KU, the state and the world beyond.”

KU announces promotion and tenure for 146 faculty and researchers Chancellor Douglas A. Girod has approved the promotion and award of tenure, where indicated, for 50 individuals at the University of Kansas Lawrence and Edwards campuses and 96 individuals at the KU Medical Center campus. Promotion and tenure are effective at the start of the fall 2026 semester.

The All of Us Research Program is helping shape the future of health research. The program was recently featured in an episode of The University of Kansas Health System's Open Mics program.

Led locally by KU Medical Center and supported by partners, now including Children's Mercy, the program gives people living in the Midwest and their families a chance to be part of one of the largest health information resources of its kind.

Enrollment is now open for adults and children through age four. By participating, you can help ensure your community is represented in health research and contribute to better health for future generations. Watch the video and learn more about the All of Us Research program:

Open Mics - Medical Research Takes All of Us- Especially Kids! Kansas City, KS- Dr. Sean Kumer, Chief Medical Officer of the Kansas City Division of the University of Kansas Health System, discussed the All of Us Resea...