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Medical

Learn about the mission of the alumni board and meet the current members.

Mission of the KU Medical Alumni Board

To strengthen and promote the KU School of Medicine and support its students, graduates, residents, fellows, and potential students.

The board accomplishes this mission primarily by:

  • Promoting collaboration and fellowship among the graduates and former students of the KU School of Medicine at the University of Kansas Medical Center.
  • Promoting and maintaining a high degree of interest and involvement with the KU School of Medicine and the University of Kansas Medical Center.
  • Providing continued support for students and student education through grants that support professional development programs and activities.
  • Providing continued support for faculty excellence that includes exceptional teaching and education in both clinical and non-clinical fields.

Learn more about the KU Medical Alumni Association

Current Board Members

Alan Kovar, MD’10, MBA
DMT Trustee

After graduating from the KU School of Medicine-Wichita in 2010, Dr. Kovar completed his anesthesia residency at KU in Kansas City. He then completed a critical care fellowship at the Cleveland Clinic Foundation before moving to Oregon, where he was in private practice for a few years. He then joined the faculty at Oregon Health and Science University in the Department of Anesthesiology and Perioperative Medicine and is the current Program Director for the Anesthesia Critical Care fellowship. Dr. Kovar recently completed a healthcare-focused MBA through OHSU and currently provides expertise and attending supervision within the Cardiovascular Intensive Care Unit of the Knight Cardiovascular Center. He has special interests in mechanical circulatory support, critical care education, healthcare reform and management as well as a long-standing emphasis on quality assurance and process improvement.


Lisa Bernard, MD'87
Metropolitan Member-at-Large

Dr. Lisa Bernard is a retired anesthesiology specialist in Overland Park, KS. Dr. Bernard graduated from the University of Kansas School of Medicine in 1987 and completed a Residency in Anesthesiology at St Luke's Hospital. She practiced Anesthesia at Research Medical Center for 30 years and retired in 2020. 


Don Brada, MD'65
Statewide Member-at-Large

Dr. Donald Brada is a clinical psychiatrist and Clinical Professor Emeritus for the Department of Psychiatry at the University of Kansas School of Medicine-Wichita. Dr. Brada graduated from the KU School of Medicine in 1965 and completed his Residency in Psychiatry at the medical center in 1972. He served as President of both the Kansas Medical Society and the Kansas Psychiatric Society and is currently Chair of the Advisory Board of the Biodiversity Institute at KU Lawrence.


Kent R. Bradley, MD'92
DMT Trustee

Dr. Kent Bradley is Vice-Chair and Clinical Professor for the University of Kansas School of Medicine-Wichita’s Department of OB/GYN, and is in private practice with Associates in Women's Health, P.A. He is a board-certified Diplomate of The American Board of Obstetrics and Gynecology and has served as an Oral Examiner for the General Boards for 15 years. Dr. Bradley received his Bachelor of Science, with honors, in Nutrition Science from Kansas State University and his Doctor of Medicine and Residency from the KU School of Medicine-Wichita.


Bumi Braimah
Wichita Student Representative

Bumi Braimah is an MD student graduating in 2024. Bumi grew up in Liberal, Kansas, and received his bachelor's in biology from the University of Pittsburgh at Bradford.


Glendon G. Cox, MD’80, MBA, MHSA’05
President/DMT Trustee

Dr. Glendon G. Cox, a native Kansan, has served in many roles in healthcare and academic medicine. He attended the University of Kansas, graduating Phi Beta Kappa with a degree in chemistry in 1977. In 1980, he graduated from the University of Kansas School of Medicine as a member of the Alpha Omega Alpha honor society.


Eric Edell, MD'81
National Member-at-Large

Eric S. Edell, MD, is a Professor of Medicine and Consultant in the Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota. He received his BS at the University of Kansas in 1976 and his MD at the University of Kansas School of Medicine in 1981.  internship and residency training in Kansas City, Dr. Edell pursued subspecialty training in thoracic diseases at Mayo Clinic in Rochester. He became a consultant in the Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine at Mayo in 1991 and is Professor of Medicine, Mayo Clinic College of Medicine. He was appointed Vice-Chair of the Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine in 1994 and served in this role until 2001. Dr. Edell continues to be involved in the use and development of technology for the treatment of benign and malignant airway diseases.


Fred Gilhousen, MD'66
Immediate Past-President

Dr. Fred Gilhousen is a retired orthopedic surgeon who practiced in the Kansas City area for 38 years. He graduated from the University of Kansas School of Medicine in 1966 and completed his Residency at the University of Oklahoma in 1973. Dr. Gilhousen served in the US Air Force as a medical officer, rank of Captain, from 1967 to 1969. He is the owner of Glenn Books, an antiquarian book shop in Kansas City.


Maria Iliakova, MD'16
National Member-at-Large

Dr. Maria Iliakova is a bariatric and general surgeon. She is passionate about enabling her patients to reach their goals through bariatric care. She believes that quality of life matters most. Dr. Iliakova is board-certified in General Surgery. To specialize in bariatric surgery, she completed Fellowship in Minimally Invasive and Bariatric Surgery at Hackensack University Medical Center in New Jersey after finishing General Surgery Residency at the University of Missouri - Kansas City. She earned her medical degree at the University of Kansas. Prior to medical school, she was awarded a Fulbright Fellowship in proteomics at the Center for Genomic Regulation in Barcelona, Spain, and a Master's of Science degree in Biochemistry at Georgetown University. Dr. Iliakova is a member of the American College of Surgeons, the Society of American Gastrointestinal and Endoscopic Surgeons, the American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery, and the American Medical Association. She lives in Kansas City with her dog and is starting a private practice in Overland Park, KS.


Kayla Johnson, MD'15
Statewide Member-at-Large

Dr. Kayla Johnson is a pediatrician at Clara Barton Hospital and Clinics. Dr. Johnson attended undergraduate school at Fort Hays State University. After obtaining her undergrad, she attended the  University of Kansas School of Medicine-Salina and graduated with her doctorate in 2015. Johnson then completed her Pediatric and Chief Residency in 2018 at the University of Kansas School of Medicine-Wichita and is board certified in general pediatrics.


Jennifer Scott Koontz, MD’05, MPH’01
Statewide Member-at-Large

Dr. Jennifer Scott Koontz is a board-certified sports medicine physician in Newton, Kansas and serves as the President of the Harvey County Medical Society. She graduated from Nickerson High School and received her undergraduate degree from Bethel College in North Newton before completing her Master of Public Health and Doctor of Medicine from the University of Kansas. She has served on the Board of Directors for the Kansas Medical Society, Kansas State Board of Healing Arts, and the American Medical Society for Sports Medicine. She also served as the Chairperson of the Sports Medicine Advisory Committee for the Kansas State High School Activities Association and is the team physician for several schools including Newton High School and Bethel College. She and her husband Matt reside in Newton and have three children.


Barbara Lukert, MD'60
DMT Trustee

Dr Barbara Lukert is a Professor of Emerita at the KU School of Medicine. Her career at the school spans over five decades, beginning with her residency in 1961. Joining the Department of Medicine faculty in 1965, Lukert served as the Mary F. Roberts Distinguished Chair in Nutrition, the Director of the Osteoporosis Clinic, the Metabolic Laboratory, and as the Medical Director of the Medicine Outpatient Clinic. She has led or co-authored 96 full-length manuscripts and written 11 books or book chapters.


Jennifer Bacani McKenney, MD'06
President-Elect

Dr. Jennifer Bacani McKenney is a KU School of Medicine Kansas City and Wichita alumna. In 2021, she was named Rural Health Practitioner of the Year by the National Rural Health Association and received the "Early Career Achievement Award" by the KU Medical Center Alumni Association. Dr. McKenney is a family physician in her hometown of Fredonia, Kansas. She has owned and managed her practice alongside her father since 2009. She also helped establish the Fredonia Area Community Foundation and Cultivate Fredonia, a community-wide growth initiative, and she serves on the board of directors for both. She is the Wilson County Health Officer and has been a member of the USD 484 school board since 2014. She completed her residency through Via Christi Family Medicine in Wichita. Dr. McKenney also serves as the Associate Dean for Rural Medical Education for the KU School of Medicine.


Mark Meyer, MD'89
Metropolitan Member-at-Large

Dr. Mark Meyer, the Alice M. Patterson, M.D. and Harold L. Patterson, M.D. professor of family medicine, is a lifelong Kansan, earning his undergraduate degree from Kansas State University before completing medical school and residency training in family medicine at the University of Kansas School of Medicine. Following completion of his residency in 1992, Dr. Meyer joined the KU School of Medicine faculty in the Department of Family Medicine. Over the course of his career, he has served as the Medical Director for Student Health Services, Residency Director in Family Medicine, Founding Director of the Mahlon Delp Academic Society, Executive Director of the Medical Alumni Societies, and has served as Associate Dean for Student Affairs since 2000 and acting Associate Dean for the Office of Diversity and Inclusion 2012-2020. In 2018, he was appointed Senior Associate Dean for Student Affairs.


Justin Mills, MD'06
National Member-at-Large

Justin Mills, MD, MPH, F.A.A.P, is a medical officer at the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) where he supports the work of the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force in developing evidence-based clinical guidelines for primary care clinicians. Before joining AHRQ he served as a Sr. Clinical Advisor for the Bureau of Primary Health Care (HRSA) where he advised on clinical issues and worked to improve clinic quality in federally qualified health centers. He is a graduate of the University of Kansas where he received both his Bachelor of Arts (2001) and medical degree (2006). He completed his pediatric residency at the University of Kansas School of Medicine–Wichita (2009) and went on to receive his Master of Public Health from Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health. Dr. Mills is a board-certified pediatrician and continues to see patients at Mary’s Center, a Washington, DC-based community health center.


Richard L. Morgan, MD'80
Treasurer/DMT Trustee

Dr. Richard Morgan received a BA in Biology at the University of Kansas in 1977 and finished medical school at KU in 1980, as part of the last 3-year class. After Anesthesia residency at St. Luke’s Hospital in Kansas City, he completed a combined Critical Care and Pain Medicine Fellowship at the Mayo Clinic. Returning to Kansas City in 1985, Dr. Morgan is now in his 36th year of private practice. For 22 years, he worked in the operating room providing anesthesia while also building a pain management practice focused on helping those with chronic pain. In 1998, inspired by a growing trend in palliative care providing comfort to those dying and on hospice care, he became interested in end-of-life care. This led to board certification in Palliative Care and Hospice Care Medicine in 2008. He has served in the past as Medical Director for Grace Hospice and has practiced inpatient pain management and Palliative Care. He currently practices at St. Joseph Medical Center and Cass Regional Medical Center in Harrisonville Missouri.


Amanda Nguyen
Kansas City Student Representative

Amanda is a medical student at the Kansas City campus and set to graduate in 2026. She grew up in Overland Park, KS. Amanda received her bachelor's degree in Biochemistry from the University of Kansas. She is interested in pursuing a specialty in primary care and hopes to continue her involvement in community health.


Emma Renwick
Salina Student Representative

Emma Renwick is a second-year medical student on the Salina campus. She received her Bachelor’s in Human Biology with a minor in Spanish at the University of Kansas. Emma currently holds leadership positions as the Lukert Academic Society co-president and Salina Medical Outreach co-volunteer and trip coordinator. To further express her passion for medical outreach and serving Spanish-speaking populations, she has also established a new Medical Spanish Student Interest Group on the Salina Campus. Emma grew up in Leawood, Kansas and currently lives in Salina, Kansas while attending medical school.


Donna Sweet, MD'79
Membership/Elections Chair

Dr. Donna Sweet is a professor in the Department of Internal Medicine at the University of Kansas School of Medicine-Wichita. Dr. Sweet is a delegate to the American Medical Association, a member of the leadership for the American College of Physicians, and past president of the ACP Board of Regents. In 2015, Dr. Sweet was awarded an honorary doctorate from Wichita State University in recognition of her 35 years of service to patients with HIV/AIDS, as well as her contributions to health care as a clinical educator. She is certified as an HIV specialist by the American Academy of HIV Medicine of which she is a past board chair.  She received her Doctor of Medicine degree from the KU School of Medicine in 1979. Prior to medical school, she completed a master’s degree in biology with emphasis on microbiology/immunology, and she worked in a hospital lab as a clinical microbiologist.


Bradley Thedinger, MD'76
DMT Trustee

Dr. Bradley Thedinger is a University of Kansas Medical Center alumnus, having graduated in 1976. Post medical school training consisted of Family Practice residency at Mercy Medical Center, General Surgery and Otolaryngology Residency at the University of Oregon, and fellowship subspecialty neurotology training at the House Ear Institute. He started his career post-training in 1983 in the department of Otolaryngology at KU Medical Center being their first neurotology specialist. While there, he developed complete neurotology medical and surgical services including the medical center's first cochlear implant center. He also developed a state-of-the-art temporal bone dissection laboratory for teaching ear microsurgery. In 1987, Dr. Thedinger went into private practice (Otologic Center Inc.), rendering medical and surgical ear care until 2020 when he retired. He was an active staff member of St. Luke’s Hospital, Children’s Mercy Medical Center, and Menorah Medical Center.


Laurel B. Witt, MD’11, MPhil
National Member-at-Large

Dr. Laurel B. Witt is an Associate Professor of Family Medicine at the University of Kansas School of Medicine. She provides hospital medicine and outpatient family medicine at the University of Kansas Health System. Her other medical interests include addiction care. Dr. Witt currently serves as Director of the Undergraduate Medical Education Division in the Department of Family Medicine and Community Health, which includes the required third-year Family Medicine Clerkship at the School of Medicine. She is the Assistant Director of the Cates' Learning Community at the School and Chair of the Education Council for the School. She also serves as Faculty Co-Advisor for the Jaydoc Free Clinic, the student-run free clinic affiliated with the School. She enjoys teaching medicine with all levels of medical learners and family medicine residents in both didactic activities and clinical environments. Dr. Witt earned her Doctor of Medicine degree at the University of Kansas School of Medicine. She completed her Internship and Residency in Family Medicine at Oregon Health Sciences University, where she served as clinic Chief Resident. She practiced full-scope rural family medicine in Enterprise, Oregon, prior to moving home to Kansas City to join the faculty at KU.


Become a Board Member

Interested in becoming a KU Medical Alumni Board Member? Fill out this form >> 

Board Member Responsibilities

  • Attend meetings of the board annually, at own expense
  • Adhere to the Bylaws of the Association
  • Board members should maintain membership in the Association, as well as actively promote membership in the Association.
  • Participate and represent the Association at various events and activities supported by the KUMC Alumni Association
  • Identify and recruit volunteer leaders and financial support for the Association

Terms of Office

  • Terms begin at the first board meeting of the year
  • President: two-year term
  • President-elect: two-year term
  • Immediate Past President: two-year term
  • Treasurer: annual appointment by president
  • Membership and Elections Chair: two-year term
  • Members-at-Large (includes metropolitan, statewide and national): three-year term
  • Distinguished Medical Teaching Fund Trustees: Subset committee of the Board of Directors (regular board term limits are not applicable)
  • Student Representatives (Kansas City, Salina and Wichita campuses): two-year term while as a student on campus
  • Ex-Officio Members: Executive Vice Chancellor, University of Kansas Medical Center; Executive Dean, KU School of Medicine; Director, Alumni Relations
Alumni Relations