Leaving a Legacy

Leaving a Legacy

By Lucy Holman ’89, Editor

His tenure has been notable, marked by more than a decade of strategic growth, advancing the promise to bring medicine to the mountains.

In June, Boyd R. Buser, D.O., will retire as vice president for health affairs and dean of the University of Pikeville’s Kentucky College of Osteopathic Medicine (KYCOM). Dana C. Shaffer, D.O., will become dean on July 1, 2018.

“I couldn’t be more pleased,” said Buser. “It is time for another person to take KYCOM to the next level. It was my hope when we hired Dana he would succeed me. He’s highly qualified and more than ready. I think the school will be in good hands.”

KYCOM experienced tremendous growth during Buser’s leadership, opening the Coal Building, a $40 million educational facility that provided for the expansion of the school’s class size. In its 20th year, KYCOM has graduated more than 1,300 osteopathic physicians and is consistently ranked nationally in rural and family medicine.

On the global front, Buser has taught extensively, including representing the osteopathic profession in many World Health Organization initiatives. A member of the Osteopathic International Alliance Board of Directors, he will travel to South Korea, Dubai and China this year.

“International osteopathic medicine goes along with the growth of the profession,” said Buser. “Young people think globally and have a desire to do medical mission work outside the U.S. If we want our doctors to be successful internationally, we’ve got to be active in that arena.”

Following in the footsteps of KYCOM’s founding dean, John Strosnider, D.O., Buser was named president of the American Osteopathic Association (AOA) in 2016. In his inaugural remarks, Buser noted a turning point in health care, a time when the focus on wellness and prevention has never been greater.

“Many are recognizing, including the health policy makers, that it makes more sense to invest in people staying well rather than treating them after they are sick. Osteopathic medicine is suited to lead the way with an emphasis on prevention,” said Buser. “That will be part of the landscape of the future as we look to our curriculum and advances we want to make.”

Buser’s contributions in osteopathic medical education have been significant, including serving as co-chair of a Blue Ribbon Commission for the Advancement of Osteopathic Medical Education. He was also instrumental in developing a single, unified accreditation system for graduate medical education.

“The single accreditation system creates new opportunities for D.O. and M.D. students,” Buser

At his final commencement, Dr. Buser was awarded the University of Pikeville Presidential Medallion for his significant contributions to osteopathic medical education. He was joined on stage with his wife, Pam. explained. “A consistent method of evaluation, it fosters the continuation of osteopathic principles in residency, beyond what we could have done alone.”

As his time at KYCOM ends, perhaps Buser’s legacy is in keeping the promise made when the medical school was founded.

“I’ve devoted my career to expanding access to the type of health care people of this country need and deserve, and that’s osteopathic medicine,” said Buser. “This is the best job I’ve ever had – working in a leadership position at an institution making such a difference in an area of great need. It is tremendously personally and professionally fulfilling to come to work every day knowing you had a role in that.”

At his final commencement, Dr. Buser was awarded the University of Pikeville Presidential Medallion for his significant contributions to osteopathic medical education. He was joined on stage with his wife, Pam.