KU School of Medicine-Wichita

4 As founding dean, virtually everything that needed to be done to get the school started required Reed's attention — and yet he could do nothing without generating support from a multitude of parties: the University of Kansas administrators in both Lawrence and Kansas City, where the medical school was based; elected ocials at the state and local levels; the medical and business establishments in Wichita and Kansas as a whole. Although there was disappointment among some Wichitans that the city could not have its "own" four-year medical school, Reed played the primary role in making what was then possible — a two-year, community-based, clinically-focused branch — a reality. "He was one of the most skillful persons in the area of human relations that I've ever seen," said Jim Rhatigan, the former WSU administrator for whom that school's student center is named. Peter Cohen, dean of the College of Health Professions from 1998–2013, said Reed's accomplishments were "incredibly dicult. Not so much the technical elements, it's working through the politics of it, the dierent factions of individuals." Valentine noted that "a lot of great physicians made the medical school" — such as Gayle Stephens, M.D., first chair of the Department of Family Practice, and George Farha, M.D., chair of the Department of Surgery. But Reed "was the leader" and was not afraid to get creative. He put a Ph.D. in history who'd been painting houses for a living in charge of "special projects," basically publicity and outreach. "Sometimes he kind of hired, I would say, obeat people," said Valentine. "Like a sex therapist. Here he was starting a new medical school and he hires a sex therapist. That kind of thing wouldn't have been conventional back then." Reed encouraged creativity in the curriculum, too. For instance, there was "Interphase," a break between traditional clinical rotations in which students focused on interpersonal skills and explored topics such as their personal reaction to death. "HE WAS ONE OF THE MOST SKILLFUL PERSONS IN THE AREA OF HUMAN RELATIONS THAT I'VE EVER SEEN." Jim Rhatigan, WSU Administrator The branch oce moves to the fifth floor of Fairmount Towers, a dorm adjacent to the WSU campus. The first class of students, including John Chatelain (W75) and Kathy Grandison (W75), begins clinical training in Wichita. 1973 1974 KU School of Medicine-Wichita Medical Practice Association is established to provide medical education, research and medical care through its members who are full-time faculty at the medical school. 1973

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