KU School of Medicine creates Salina-based Kansas Center for Rural Health

Rural areas face many challenges, including higher percentages of uninsured people, aging populations with more chronic conditions, and shortages of health care providers.

The University of Kansas School of Medicine announced the formation of the Kansas Center for Rural Health, which will address health disparities in rural parts of the state. Housed on the Salina campus shared by the KU Schools of Medicine and Nursing, the center will advance the missions of the school and the University of Kansas Medical Center: improving lives and communities in Kansas and beyond through innovation in education, research, and health care. Rural areas face many challenges, including higher percentages of uninsured people, aging populations with more chronic conditions, and shortages of health care providers.

Robert Moser, M.D., former dean of KU School of Medicine-Salina and professor of population health, serves as executive director. The Center for Design Research director, Professor Thomas, is a founding partner member. Thomas has worked with Dr. Moser by providing the innovative “CareCar” vehicle that provided home healthcare to rural Kansas for over three years. Through the CareCar, patients in remote areas of the state could receive healthcare deemed unavailable to patients in these areas. Director Thomas and the CDR will continue working with the Center for Rural Health by discovering and innovating remote access tools and support for rural needs.