$500,000 gift commitment will establish KU Medical Center visiting professorship


Dr. Misha Curtis


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KANSAS CITY, Kan. — Misha Curtis, M.D., grew up in old Yugoslavia and knew since early childhood that she would become a physician and specialize in obstetrics and gynecology. Now retired, the Scottsdale, Ariz., physician has made a $500,000 gift commitment to establish an obstetrics/gynecology visiting professorship at the University of Kansas School of Medicine.

Dr. Curtis graduated from Belgrade University School of Medicine in Yugoslavia in 1968. She completed a residency in obstetrics and gynecology at KU Medical Center in 1979 under the late Kermit Krantz, M.D., then department chair.

“The training was very demanding, intense, challenging and excellent,” said Dr. Curtis. “It was supposed to and did prepare us for any and every eventuality that might arise at any time within an independent obstetrical and surgically oriented gynecological practice. The training enabled me to have a long and successful professional life.

“In return, I wanted to leave a legacy for my residency training program, which will be instrumental in further elevating the qualifications of newly graduated residents. That is where the idea of establishing the visiting professorship program for the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology at KU Med Center came from.”

Dr. Curtis said the involvement of residents in short and intense courses conducted by highly reputable and uniquely qualified visiting experts would add an enviable edge to the KU training. “It would render KU graduates even more competitive with the graduates of other residency programs,” she said.

Carl Weiner, M.D., chair of Obstetrics and Gynecology, expressed appreciation for the gift. “Dr. Curtis’ gift is forward looking,” said Weiner. “It recognizes best medical practices can develop almost anywhere in the world. The ability to annually bring a world’s expert onto the KU Medical Center campus for an extended period to both inspire and train residents and medical students further differentiates our program and supports our drive to be among the best in the country. We are indebted to her vision.”

The gift counts toward Far Above: The Campaign for Kansas, a comprehensive fundraising campaign scheduled for a public kickoff on April 28.

The Dr. Misha Curtis Visiting Professorship fund will be managed by KU Endowment, the independent, nonprofit organization serving as the official fundraising and fund-management organization for KU. Founded in 1891, KU Endowment was the first foundation of its kind at a U.S. public university.