The Joy of Practicing Medicine Intersects With the Joy of Giving

From the aspirational foundations of his education at Kansas City University (KCU), and subsequent diverse experiences during internships and residencies around the world in the U.S. Army, Dr. Elliott Klain, DO (COM '74), carved a lengthy and successful 45-year career. Establishing himself as the 32nd anesthesiologist in Las Vegas in the early 1980s, he served the growing desert community with a compassionate and empathic spirit and an unwavering devotion to the field of osteopathic medicine.

Not long after completing residency in 1979, giving back to KCU became a priority for Dr. Klain. Decades later, his financial contributions continue to help the university instill in students the same principles and dedication to medicine that formed the building blocks of the eager young physician's career.

"Following residency at Walter Reed Army Medical Center (Ramsey), I wanted to express appreciation for the education I received at KCU and the opportunities unfolding in my life," Dr. Klain says. "Supporting the school and the futures of bright, ambitious students was and is important to me. It gave me great pleasure then and still does today—it's never been a burden."

Growing up in the Detroit suburbs, Dr. Klain first became acquainted with osteopathic medicine through his father.

"He was a CPA and had several clients who were DOs," he says. "They all struck me as humble people and extremely passionate about their work. That appealed to me."

Promote, Sustain and Provide Quality Health Care

Regardless of where he was in the world, Dr. Klain's desire to honor his alma mater and support the next generation of students has never diminished. Recounting the highlights of a burgeoning medical career post-graduation, Dr. Klain acknowledges his KCU training afforded him clarity for his osteopathic journey.

He had a memorable internship at Tripler Army Medical Center in Oahu, Hawaii, a career-affirming residency at Walter Reed Army Medical Center and an exciting three-month rotation during his elective year spent in Liverpool, England, studying with renowned pediatric anesthesiologist pioneer Gordon Jackson Rees at Alder Hey Children's Hospital.

"I knew I wanted to pursue anesthesiology and felt I found my calling," he says. "I never had a vision of seeing 50 patients a day—that wasn't my dream. As an anesthesiologist, I see patients during a very vulnerable moment in their lives. The anesthesiologists I was exposed to early on were very compassionate professionals interested in providing their patients with high-quality health care, and that appealed to my core values. My career happened as a result of what I learned at KCU, the talented physicians who mentored me and what I discovered in the classroom and training."

Dr. Klain recalls how impressive it was to be at Walter Reed Army Medical Center as a senior medical student in the early 1970s. It inspired his decision to enter the Army—where he remained in the reserves for several years after launching his medical career in Las Vegas.

Following completion of his residency at Walter Reed Army Medical Center, Dr. Klain was assigned as chief of anesthesiology and operating room services at Womack Army Hospital, Fort Bragg, Fayetteville, North Carolina. During that time, he and four of his nurse anesthetists and chief of general surgery were tapped as medical support for Delta Force, Joint Special Operations Command of the U.S. Army, and were sent to support the mission to free hostages held in the American Embassy in Tehran, Iran—a mission that ultimately was not successful. Dr. Klain cherishes the letter of commendation from the Army for his service on that historic mission.

During his time in Las Vegas, Dr. Klain witnessed the city's explosive growth, including the health care landscape.

"When I started my career, there were four hospitals, and I was credentialed at all of them," says Dr. Klain, who also served as chief of the Department of Anesthesiology at Desert Springs Medical Center. "My partners and I built up our practice and merged it with what became one of the largest anesthesiologist practices in Las Vegas."

Meaning of Life

Transitioning into retirement in 2017 allowed Dr. Klain time to properly reflect on a career that put him in a front row seat of witnessing history—processing babies that were part of the mass evacuation of children from South Vietnam, known as Operation Babylift, at the end of the Vietnam War in 1975 and caring for wounded servicemen, all during his time at Tripler.

"Service defined the beginning, middle and end of my career," Dr. Klain says. "I have empathy for people. Everyone you meet is fighting a great battle. A little kindness goes a long way—I'm convinced we're all put here to do good."

Continuation of Years of Giving

Service to the community. Excellence and diversity in medical education. Doctors connecting with the communities where they practice. The belief that individuals are part of a greater whole.

These are the causes that Dr. Klain carried with him from KCU into his anesthesiology practice and beyond, and which now illuminate his quest to spur generous giving to the university by his classmates. Last year, Dr. Klain and his wife of 52 years, Elaine, updated their estate plan and augmented their contributions to KCU by documenting a bequest intention.

"Financially giving back to what we value is part of my philosophy," he says. "Elaine and I want to provide opportunities for KCU to enhance the educational experience for its students and help the school continue to be a leader in osteopathic education in Kansas City and the nation."

Distinctly and fondly remembering how KCU shaped his notion of what it meant to be a doctor, Dr. Klain learned osteopathic medicine in its classrooms and from its faculty and staff. It's the art of giving that allows him to reciprocate the commitment KCU made to him and its confidence in him as a future DO.

"This is a way to express my gratitude," he says. "KCU is a remarkable medical school that produces exceptional physicians."

You can make a gift to KCU like Dr. Klain did. Contact Jennifer Ingraham at (816) 654-7282 or jingraham@kansascity.edu to get started.