University mourns death of staff physician Dr. Patricia Denning

LAWRENCE – University of Kansas Chancellor Bernadette Gray-Little and officials from Watkins Memorial Health Center issued the following statements regarding the death of Dr. Patricia Denning, staff physician at Watkins:

Gray-Little: "On behalf of the entire university community, I offer the deepest condolences to the family of Dr. Denning. Her contributions to the health and well-being of our students will be felt for years to come. Our thoughts and prayers are with her loved ones."

Carol Seager, director of Watkins: "Dr. Denning was a wonderful colleague and a dedicated physician. Her direct and caring response to student and community health issues showed her deep commitment to her patients and the public. My heart is with her husband, Dale, and their three children in this time of loss."

Pavika Saripalli, chief of staff at Watkins: "Dr. Denning was extremely dedicated to the students at KU. She was a valued and respected colleague and a strong, proactive leader who embraced the challenges of the world of student health. She will be deeply missed."

Dr. Denning died Sept. 17. She had worked at Watkins since 1990 and was chief of staff from 2005 through July 2012. She oversaw the community health response to outbreaks of mumps and H1N1. She also helped establish the Student Health Services Travel Clinic, which offers pretravel counseling, immunizations and health advice for those planning to travel out of the U.S.