A Gift Granted in Gratitude

Guided by his heart and lifelong endeavor to improve the human condition, Dr. Robert Juhasz regards philanthropic support to KCU an integral part of his personal charter.

The doctors who treated staff as family at Brentwood Hospital (now South Pointe Hospital and part of the acclaimed Cleveland Clinic Health System in Cleveland, Ohio) made an impression on a young orderly named Robert S. Juhasz.

Drawn to the powerful example of the physicians' authentic professional camaraderie, it was their intentional and innovative patient-centered approach to holistic care that ultimately inspired Juhasz to pursue osteopathic medicine. It reflected not only a career choice, but the aspiring physician's values toward people and life.

When it came time to choose a medical school, Juhasz set his ambitions on Ohio University, now Ohio University-Heritage College of Osteopathic Medicine in Athens.

"Ohio University took its first class of 24 medical students the year prior to my application process," Robert S. Juhasz, DO (COM '81) says. "Although I knew many of the doctors involved with developing the school, I wasn't accepted."

However, he was on the waiting lists of several other well-regarded osteopathic colleges, including Kansas City College of Osteopathic Medicine (KCCOM, now KCU), the College of Osteopathic Medicine and Surgery (now Des Moines University) in Des Moines, Iowa, and at New York Institute of Technology in Long Island. Dr. Juhasz's application had the enthusiastic support of Theodore F. Classen, DO, founder of Brentwood Hospital, and another early mentor, KCU alumna Joye Kent, DO.

It was Wilbur Cole, DO, then the Dean of KCCOM, who called Dr. Juhasz with a life-changing question in August 1977, the Friday before school was scheduled to go into session.

"He asked if I would like to come to Kansas City and begin my studies on Monday," Dr. Juhasz says. "Without hesitation I packed my bags, headed to Missouri and the rest is history."

Guiding principles

Now retired from a celebrated 40-year career as an internal medicine specialist and servant leader, Dr. Juhasz's initial interest was orthopedic surgery. A woodworking enthusiast, he was intrigued by the notion of helping patients suffering from worn joints discover renewed quality of life through the miracle of replacements. After working with Edward Andrews, DO, at Brentwood Hospital, his interest was heightened.

But being granted a National Health Service Corps Scholarship to help defray costs of his last two years of medical school redirected Dr. Juhasz's course.

"I performed two years of service in a health manpower shortage area," he says. "Knowing I would likely practice in a primary care specialty, it was my fortune to have remarkable mentors in Internal Medicine, like Robert G. DeRue, DO, in Cardiology and John Mizenko, DO, a KCU alum, in Gastroenterology."

Other mentors Dr. Juhasz credits with shaping his medical career and patient care philosophy include KCU professor Gaylon Nelson, PhD, "an anatomist who had such a way with helping me visualize the muscles, nerves, arteries, veins, bones and organs through his wonderful drawings" and Dr. "Mickey" Witt, a partner of Mike Johnson, DO (now KCU Associate Dean) and Gerald Williams, DO, both KCU alumni, "proponents for high-quality care before it became a movement and sticklers for avoiding patient errors."

Physicians weren't the only mentors positively impacting Dr. Juhasz—KCU classmates were a source of inspiration, influence and guidance. Karen Nichols, DO, MACOI, FACP, was a student leader who Dr. Juhasz respects and admires to this day.

"Her legacy has only grown by leaps and bounds over the years," he says. "I worked with Karen at the American Osteopathic Association, where she served as the first female AOA president, and now in her role as chair of the ACGME Board of Directors Dr. William Mayo ('COM 81) joined me and Dr. Nichols as a president of the AOA, in 2018, making history, as this was the first time that three DO's from the same osteopathic medical school class rose to this prestigious national leadership position. Likewise, many classmates have worked hard and achieved so much for their patients, their communities, our profession, and our nation."

Pathways to success

Dr. Juhasz, whose father immigrated to the U.S. from Hungary in 1951, was the first member of his extended family to attend college. Pursuing his dream of becoming a physician and receiving an education at KCU led to a rich, fulfilling life of helping people lead healthier lives.

Among his many career highlights, Dr. Juhasz was an Internal Medicine Program Director, allowing him to train internal medicine residents; was part of the inaugural team to implement the electronic medical record (EMR) at the Cleveland Clinic, where he was a staff member from 1998 until retirement; and was interviewed, along with one of his patients, by George W. Bush during the president's 2005 visit to the Cleveland Clinic to advocate for widespread execution of the EMR.

As president of the American Osteopathic Association, Dr. Juhasz had what he calls "the distinct honor of recommending for appointment many of the first DO's to serve at the ACGME and the privilege of shepherding the Single Accreditation System implementation."

Dr. Juhasz cites an afternoon in the White House Rose Garden where he met President Barack Obama at a celebration of the signing of legislation to end the Sustainable Growth Rate methodology for physician payment as another career pinnacle.

Serving alongside his fellow caregivers as president of South Pointe Hospital—formerly Brentwood Hospital, where he began his journey—and serving the many patients that entrusted their care to him and his colleagues was a humbling experience he will always cherish.

When asked to identify a single personal contribution to the advancement of osteopathic medicine, Dr. Juhasz emphasizes patient care.

"Having the ability to improve a patient's life by treating them as an osteopathic physician, caring for them physically, mentally, emotionally, and spiritually, and as president of the AOA, encouraging our profession to 'speak outside the room' and to let all know that 'who we (as DO's) are, what we do, how we teach and what difference we make to those whose care is entrusted to us.'"

Dr. Juhasz is grateful that he could retire late last year, following a rewarding career of helping others, to spend more time with his wife Donna, four children and six grandchildren.

"They deserve to have as much of my time as I can give them," he says.

Continuing his passion for the osteopathic profession, Dr. Juhasz serves as a member of the KCU Board of Trustees and the AOA President's Advisory Council, and is a member of the Executive, Governance, Finance and Monitoring Committees and Chair of the Awards Committee of the ACGME. He also spends time coaching and precepting Internal Medicine residents at the Cleveland Clinic.

Pearls of wisdom

British motivational speaker Simon Sinek helps Dr. Juhasz frame advice he often offers to future doctors of Osteopathic Medicine.

"Always remember your 'why,' Dr. Juhasz says. "Why you were passionate about becoming an osteopathic physician and improving patient care, through practicing osteopathically."

Being a member of the Heritage Society is an important commitment for Dr. Juhasz and his wife, underscoring their appreciation for what KCU, its visionary faculty and supportive environment has afforded them.

"I received an excellent education at KCU, enabling me to accomplish my dreams," he says. "It's important to give back so others can realize the same opportunities of an outstanding medical education at an extraordinary university. Planned giving enables us to serve our families and the organizations that we care deeply about, in perpetuity, through strategically sharing our resources."

Like Dr. Juhasz, you, too, can leave a lasting legacy and help create opportunities for others by including KCU in your estate plan. Contact Jennifer Ingraham at jingraham@kansascity.edu or (816) 654-7282 for details.