AOA Committee on Pre-doctoral Education
RE: KCOM Clinical Faculty
It has come to our attention that the AOA questions the increase in class size at KCOM. This is to inform you that the clinical faculty overwhelmingly voted to not increase the class size. This decision was based on the lack of on-site clinical faculty, decreasing numbers of clinical rotation sites available, and shrinking numbers of GME slots available to KCOM students after graduation.
It has also come to our attention that Dean Kuchera and Rollins represented the entire faculty to the AOA by stating that there was an overwhelming vote for an increase in class size.
This is simply not the truth. The clinical faculty was and is in direct opposition to this decision. We strongly believe that quality will be sacrificed if this happens at KCOM. A written ballot was sent to each faculty member concerning this issue. To the best of our knowledge, the vast majority voted against it. Unofficially the basic science chairs have expressed similar concerns.
Other areas of concern at KCOM have also surfaced including:
Credibility of the Dean
Credibility of the President
Non scientific teaching of OMM
Poor curriculum direction
Unrest of the students
Unrest of the alumni
We feel that these items warrant a complete investigation of the AOA. We are available to assist you.
Steering committee of the clinical faculty,
Dr. Kent Blanke, Section Chief-Surgery
Dr. Jack Bragg, Chairman-Internal Medicine
Dr. Robert Jackson, Chairman-Rheumatology
Dr. Michael Willman, Chairman-Radiology
Dr. Charles Pritchard, Professor, Internal Medicine
Dr. Marvin Sloin, Assoc. Professor, OB/GYN
Dr. Scott Anderson, Assoc. Professor, Internal Medicine
Dr. Kevin Suttmoeller, Assoc. Professor, Internal Medicine
