A Calling and a Privilege

Dr. Dale Reinker, DO, FAAOS, FACOFP (COM ’69) retired from an acclaimed medical career in 2011 after spending the better part of more than four decades impacting health care in rural settings as a board-certified family medicine physician and board-certified general surgeon.

When reflecting on his journey as a Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine over the span of 42 years, Dr. Reinker is more apt to define his career as inspired rather than unique. Contributing to his chosen field through compassionate patient care at the bedside and assorted leadership roles in medical and community organizations, the Missouri-born physician’s interest in medicine was borne from a personal experience and solidified with an education that prepared him for the rigors—and fulfillment—of practicing medicine.

“As a high school junior, I was in an accident and went to see a local doctor—a DO—to be treated for a minor laceration,” recalls Dr. Reinker. “It was the first time I had encountered a DO and was intrigued by his knowledge. Now, 50 years after graduating medical school, I realize what a privilege it was to pursue and practice osteopathic medicine.”

The DO and his patient became friends; seeing the teen’s genuine interest in osteopathic medicine, he encouraged Dr. Reinker to explore his options.

After graduating in 1965 from Northeast Missouri State University in Kirksville (now Truman State University) with a Bachelor of Science in zoology and chemistry, the aspiring medical student applied and was accepted to KCU.

Grateful for the education and direction he received at KCU, Dr. Reinker has chosen to commemorate his 50th reunion year by adding a charitable bequest to his estate plan and forming a planned gift to the university. In addition, he made a gift from his IRA to the Scholarship Matching Initiative. Using an IRA is one of the most tax efficient ways to give, and the impact of this gift was doubled through the generosity of others.

“KCU prepared me well for my career,” Dr. Reinker says. “Not just from an educational perspective, either. I learned that dedication and sacrifice and giving back were also part of training to be a physician. It was a remarkable opportunity to become equipped to help others and make a difference in people’s lives.”

Investing in KCU and its direction and future is important to Dr. Reinker, who, as a longtime adjunct clinical professor, incorporated mentoring and guiding osteopathic students into his busy family practice, sharing his enthusiasm for entering the medical profession.

“I always stress to students that caring for people needs to be a primary reason for wanting to become a doctor,” he says. “Not the hope of making lots of money or having some sort of prestige. It really starts with listening and building a relationship with the people who are your patients.”

Lifetime of Leadership

Dr. Reinker’s distinguished curriculum vitae epitomizes the fruits of a goal-setter and the concept of a servant-leader that extends beyond the walls of a hospital. He served as chief of surgery at Coffey County Hospital in Burlington, Kansas, and director of medical education at the hospital and also continued as a clinical instructor for KCU.

In 1983 he was tapped as president of the Kansas Association of Osteopathic Medicine and, in 1984, was named “Surgeon of the Year,” a peer-nominated honor by the membership of the American Academy of Osteopathic Surgeons. In addition, Dr. Reinker was president of the American Academy of Osteopathic Surgeons and the American Association of Osteopathic Specialists.

During his time in Burlington, Dr. Reinker was involved on the hospital board, in his church and the Rotary Club, and was the county health officer and county coroner.

Construction for the massive Wolf Creek Generating Plant outside Burlington began in 1977, not long after Dr. Reinker arrived, and was commissioned in 1985. Adding industrial medicine to his resume and a hard hat to his regular attire of a lab coat, Dr. Reinker was hired to oversee health care for the 10,000 employees building the nuclear power plant.

“Every week I put on the hard hat, pulled on my lab coat and did inspections,” he says. “When I came to Burlington, Coffey County was one of the poorest counties in Kansas. When I left, just as the plant was opening, it was the third wealthiest. It was amazing to be a part of that community’s growth.”

After moving back to his beloved rural Missouri from Kansas in 1985, Dr. Reinker established a popular family practice in his hometown of Troy and joined the medical staff of Lincoln County Memorial Hospital. He was appointed chairman of the department of obstetrics and delivered babies (more than 1,000 during his career) and performed C-sections until 1994, while remaining a clinical instructor for KCU and the University of Missouri-Kansas City and a preceptor in rural medicine for Kirksville College of Osteopathic Medicine.

Over the course of 26 years, Dr. Reinker’s work at Lincoln County Memorial Hospital, now Mercy Hospital of Lincoln County, Missouri, illustrated his fierce commitment to medicine and patient care. He served in many capacities, including chief of staff, chief of surgery, credentials chairman for more than 20 years and a 10-year member of the board of trustees. From 2006 until 2011, when he announced his retirement, Dr. Reinker was chief medical officer for the hospital that served the needs of the people he cherished—his rural neighbors, many of whom included friends, classmates and teachers.

“It was so gratifying to be part of the health and well-being of the community in which I grew up, even if I was on call 24/7 for much of my career,” he says. “And caring for the rural areas was a natural—those people knew I understand their challenges because I grew up on a farm and lived in a small town.”

Community volunteerism and interaction were integral to Dr. Reinker’s professional life. He served in various roles in his church in Troy and was president of the Troy Rotary Club for two separate terms, secretary/treasurer of the Lincoln County Health Foundation and a member of the Lincoln County Resource Board.

“There was nothing I didn’t participate in, it seems—and sometimes I did it twice,” he laughs. “Becoming part of the community and not just living and working there is important.”

Dr. Reinker credits Joan, his wife of 52 years, with ensuring he was able to fulfill his dream of becoming a physician. The couple met while volunteering as reading tutors for low-income children at Della C. Lamb, now Della Lamb Community Center, near KCU. The Reinkers have raised three children: Conni, an oncology specialist with Bayer in St. Louis; Carolyn, an English teacher in Lincoln County; and John Bradley, a nurse anesthetist at St. Joseph Hospital in St. Charles, Missouri.

“Conni and John Bradley were inspired, in part, by my medical career,” he says. “They saw it was hard and demanding work, but very satisfying. Carolyn, who earned two master’s degrees, took a different path that is equally rewarding.”

Even in retirement, Dr. Reinker thrives on being connected to his profession. Currently he serves as secretary/treasurer of the Mercy Health Foundation Lincoln and is the medical advisor and a member of the board of trustees for the Lincoln County Health Department.

A Gift for the Generations

Dr. Reinker’s most recent gifts to KCU underscore his philosophy of alums helping the university to remain strong and attract the best of the best, both in the student population and faculty.

“I know many of my classmates are financial boosters of KCU, realizing that the school gave us the chance to succeed in a wonderful profession, enjoy a good lifestyle with our families and put us in a position to interact in the community in leadership positions,” Dr. Reinker says, adding that Joan joins him in his philanthropic support of the university. “Giving back is a way to ensure a solid foundation for the generations yet to study at and graduate KCU.”

Make an Impact on Future Generations

There are many ways you can join Dr. Reinker and Joan in supporting the university. Contact Jennifer Ingraham at jingraham@kansascity.edu or (816) 654-7282 to get started or for help finding the right gift for you.