MDNews - Greater Kansas

GENERAL SURGERY PHYSICIAN BRENNER DIXON, MD, JOINS STORMONT VAIL HEALTH Stormont Vail Health is proud to announce that Brenner Dixon, MD, has joined their medical team and will practice as a general sur - gery physician. Dr. Dixon joined a pre-medicine group in college on a whim and found his passion and calling in life. "I have always enjoyed working with my hands," Dr. Dixon says. "But being able to see immediate relief for patients who have yet to find success in relieving their pain has been my favorite part of working in medicine." Dr. Dixon received his medical degree at the University of Colorado, Denver, in 2008. He completed his general surgery residency at West Virginia University, Morgantown, in 2014, and his minimally invasive surgery fellowship at St. Vincent Hospital, Indianapolis, Indiana, in 2015. "The general surgery field is in a state of major transition," Dr. Dixon says. "With an emphasis on minimally invasive procedures, patients are often pleasantly surprised to find out that their procedure is either outpatient or requires a very short hospital stay." He enjoys spending time with his wife and two young children, playing card games and spending time outdoors hiking, biking and skiing. PATE NAMED TO 2018 LEADERSHIP KANSAS CLASS Brian Pate, Chair of the KU School of Medicine- Wichita Department of Pediatrics, has been named as one of the 40 new members of the 2018 Leadership Kansas Class announced last month by the Kansas Chamber. Each year the program re - ceives nearly 700 nominations, narrowing it to a diverse group of Kansas leaders from across the state. "One of the best surprises about my cur - rent position is realizing how being part of this regional medical school campus and our pediatric healthcare system, which serves as a referral center for two-thirds of the state, puts me in closer touch with parts of Kansas I really did not know or understand when I was in Kansas City," Pate says. "The experience has cultivated in me an even deeper affection and appreciation for Kansas, the state I'm proud to have grown up in. I feel deeply honored to be part of the 2018 Leadership Kansas Class and very excited to meet new people and learn even more about Kansas." Celebrating its 40th year in 2018, the program begins with an orientation session in late April and culminates with graduation in October. According to the Kansas Chamber release distributed earlier this month, during the six months, class members participate in multiple three-day educational training sessions in different communities, interacting with a variety of experts and public leaders. Discussion topics include business, education, agriculture, public policy, societal health, eco - nomic development, government and more. In addition to his leadership responsibilities in the Department of Pediatrics, Pate also is an associate professor and practices at Wesley Children's Hospital. Board certified in General Pediatrics, Pate graduated from the KU School of Medicine-Wichita and did his residency at Children's Mercy Hospital, University of Missouri-Kansas City School of Medicine in Kansas City, Missouri. SBAMH ANNOUNCED DR. JENNIFER PHARRIS AS NEW CMO Susan B. Allen Memorial Hospital announced Jennifer Pharris, DO, as the new Chief Medical Officer. Dr. Pharris currently is a physician in the SBA Medical Group – Family Practice in Augusta, a position she has held since July 2017. "As a primary care provider, one of the things I'm really excited about is population health," Dr. Pharris says. "Essentially, caring for a community and recognizing health and prevention are two aspects of medicine that often times aren't given the appropriate amount of attention they require. We can work to be a healthier community through better choices every day and paying attention to preventive measures. I think that's an important piece I'm bringing into looking at a whole hospital system and community." She is looking forward to the opportunities she will have as the CMO. "The landscape of medicine is currently in a huge period of change," Dr. Pharris says. "We are looking for new and innovative ways to change health care and the delivery of health care. This role gives me an advantageous position to help guide our hospital through that change." Dr. Pharris will embrace her administrative responsibilities on a part-time, as needed basis while continuing to be the anchor provider of the Augusta Family Clinic. While she is per - forming her CMO duties, her patients will have the option to be seen by her nurse practitioner. Dr. Pharris earned her Doctor of Osteopathy degree from Nova Southeastern University College of Osteopathic Medicine in 2008 and completed her residency at Cox Family Medicine in Springfield, Missouri. She is a Diplomate of the American Board of Family Medicine and is certified in Basic Life Support. She has worked in a variety of practices, including a multi-specialty group in Springfield, Missouri; a community health center in Colorado Springs, Colorado; and most recently, a hospital-owned group practice in Johnstown, Colorado. MATT ALL TAKES HELM AT BLUE CROSS AND BLUE SHIELD OF KANSAS, NAMES THREE NEW VICE PRESIDENTS There is new leader- ship at Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Kansas, the state's largest health insurer, as Matt All becomes just the eighth President/CEO in the company's 76- year history. A fifth generation Kansan who was raised in Augusta and now lives in Lawrence, All brings more than 20 years of leadership and NEWS FROM AROUND THE STATE Brian Pate Jennifer Pharris, DO Matt All 3 6❱❱❱❱❱ H O S P I TA L R O U N D S

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