Investing in Future Doctors
A scholarship represents an invitation to serve, a demonstration of trust in a student’s potential, and, in many cases, the essential support that enables an individual to pursue a calling in medicine. At Kansas Health Science University, we believe cost should not determine a student’s future, or the future of healthcare in Kansas. Your support makes this possible.
Why Scholarships Matter
Wellness Beyond the White Coat
The cost of medical school is extraordinary. In addition to tuition, student doctors must cover personal expenses, frequently relocate for clinical rotations, purchase educational resources, and pay numerous application fees—all while being discouraged from working so they can focus on their training.
“This scholarship is particularly important to me as a non-traditional student because it eases the burden of tuition on my family—husband and 5-year-old son—while we navigate medical school and moving to a new state. I am exceedingly grateful for this gift.”
— Laura Bishop-Gellen, KansasCOM Class of 2028, Riverside Health Foundation Scholarship Recipient
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Stay informed about KHSU and its initiatives to address the physician shortage and improve community health by subscribing to Scope, our email newsletter published every two months. You’ll receive exciting updates, invitations to events, and important announcements.
Attracting Talent to Serve in Kansas
In a competitive national environment, strong scholarship offerings help KansasCOM attract exceptional students from Kansas and across the country and retain them as doctors in communities where they’re needed most.
“Even before starting medical school, this scholarship made me feel that I already had a community behind me. Knowing that within my own community here in Kansas, others believed in my journey enough to invest in it has been profoundly encouraging.”
— Kamren Hall, KansasCOM Class of 2028, Wichita Eye Foundation Scholarship Recipient
Donor Voices
“The Coonrod Family Foundation was established to honor my parents’ commitment to education and to perpetuate their values for future generations. They would be incredibly proud to see their legacy honored through these scholarships by an organization that shares their compassion for Kansas and community.”
– Randy Coonrod, Carl M. and Ruth L. Coonrod Family Foundation
Scholarship Expansion for Students and for Kansas
KHSU leadership advocates for and supports external scholarships as tools to recruit and retain physicians for Kansas. Efforts to develop and promote these opportunities to student doctors are a key focus to accomplish our mission.
Kansas Osteopathic Medical Service Scholarship Impact Story
Dr. Alana Longwell, DO, is a powerful example of the scholarship’s impact. After receiving support, she began to practice medicine in rural Emporia, Kansas. Now, 14 years later she has become a leader in the growing area and serves as a preceptor for KansasCOM students, helping train the next generation. Her story illustrates how scholarships can spark a lasting cycle of rural care and mentorship.
A Mission to Serve
“The Health Professions Scholarship Program has allowed me to combine my two lifetime goals of becoming a doctor and serving in the United States Air Force. This unique educational pathway has allowed me to bridge the gap between civilian and operational healthcare landscapes by learning valuable skills related to operating effectively under high-stress environments and expanding my understanding of teamwork. It is my intent to leverage this multifaceted training to distinguish myself as a competent, adaptable, and compassionate physician for our nation’s service members.”
Krystian Brzek, KansasCOM Class of 2028, United States Air Force
You Can Change a Life and a Community
Your generosity does more than fund education, it builds the future of healthcare in Kansas. When you give, you invest in students who will serve where care is needed most.
Be part of the change shaping healthier Kansas communities!
Join Us in Making a Lasting Impact
Join us in making a lasting impact on Kansas healthcare and be part of the change. Whether through advocacy, partnerships, or philanthropy, your support helps shape the future of Kansas healthcare. Fill out the contact form below, and a member of our team will get in touch with you.
KHSU encourages donors to visit with their family, and financial and legal advisors, about strategies for making charitable gifts.
Contact the Office of Institutional Advancement
Federal Tax ID: 82-5178988
† A study by the Kansas Health Foundation found that in 1992, Kansas was ranked 8th healthiest nationally, but by 2023, it had fallen to 29th, according to America’s Health Rankings. The Kansas Department of Health and Environment’s 2023 Underserved Areas Report indicates that 61 out of 105 counties are designated as medically underserved for primary medical care. Data from the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) shows that approximately 49.32% of Kansas residents live in areas designated as Health Professional Shortage Areas (HPSAs) for primary care.
‡ A study published in Healthcare found that clinicians are most likely to establish their practices in regions where they completed all three stages of their education—high school, medical school, and residency training. A report by the Niskanen Center highlights that residency location significantly influences physicians’ practice locations. The report notes that physicians often remain near their residency sites due to developed professional, personal, and financial ties. An analysis of family medicine physicians revealed that 56% practiced within 100 miles of their residency location.