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Travis Zimpfer
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COLUMBIA, Mo. – System and -Columbia officials announced today that Richard J. Barohn, vice chancellor for research at the University of Kansas Medical Center, has been named executive vice chancellor for health affairs for MU. The dual appointment, which will report to the UM president and MU chancellor, comes after a national search. In his new role, Barohn will develop and implement a comprehensive strategy that affirms MU Health Care as a nationally recognized leader in patient care and continues the MU School of Medicine’s legacy of education and scholarly excellence.
Barohn was chair of the Department of Neurology for 16 years at the University of Kansas Medical Center and has served as vice chancellor for research and president of the Research Institute since 2014. He also serves at the director of Frontiers: University of Kansas Clinical and Translational Science Institute.
“Dr. Barohn’s commitment to excellence will establish MU Health Care as one of the preeminent health care systems in the Midwest,” UM System President Mun Choi said. “Having partnered with hospitals and community organizations, faculty and staff, Barohn is a nationally recognized leader in patient care.”
Barohn expanded clinical and translational research throughout the Midwest region during his time as vice chancellor for research at KU. He developed infrastructure tools for faculty to assist them in accomplishing research goals. This was in large part through obtaining an NIH Clinical Translational Research Award that provides more than $5 million annually to stimulate research.
Barohn also continues to be involved in many of his own research studies for rare neuromuscular disorders, such as forms of muscular dystrophy and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, also known as Lou Gehrig’s disease. He will be moving one of his multicenter federally funded therapeutic trials to MU.
“Dr. Barohn is a well-respected and established leader in the health care industry,” MU Chancellor Alexander N. Cartwright said. “His expertise will further our research in the School of Medicine that positively impacts the lives of all Missourians, and he will help us position MU Health Care as a global leader in precision health. We are confident that Dr. Barohn will bring to MU the same enthusiasm for growing the health care enterprise and research that he has shown at Kansas, and we are thrilled to have him on our team.”
Barohn earned a medical degree from the -Kansas City in 1980. He completed his residency in neurology at the Wilford Hall U.S. Air Force Medical Center in San Antonio, Texas, as well as a fellowship training in neuromuscular diseases at The Ohio State University.
“This opportunity is a dream of a lifetime; I’m going back to my home state, my home university and working to advance health care and medical education in the state of Missouri,” Barohn said. “I am thrilled that President Choi, Chancellor Cartwright and the curators have confidence in me, and I am looking forward to working with all the MU leaders, including MU Health Care CEO Jonathan Curtright, School of Medicine Dean Steve Zweig and Provost Latha Ramchand. This is an incredibly exciting time to be joining Mizzou, especially with all the recent progress on the NextGen Precision Health Institute. We are poised to become national leaders in this and particularly in precision medicine.”
Barohn received the UMKC School of Medicine Alumni Achievement Award. A retired Lieutenant Colonel of the U.S. Air Force, Barohn was appointed University Distinguished Professor at KU in 2013. In 2018, he was elected to the Association of American Physicians.
Pronunciation Guide: Barohn is pronounced “BARE – en”
What others are saying about Richard Barohn:
The is gaining an exceptional leader in Dr. Richard Barohn. His passion for integrating academic research and clinical practice is unmatched. Rick is a model for interdisciplinary and interprofessional work, actively seeking and valuing the contributions of all. Our partnership and collaboration in bringing an NIH Clinical and Translational Science Award to The University of Kansas Medical Center and the Kansas City region was only one of the many successes he has had building the research portfolio at KUMC. Not only is he an exceptional scholar and mentor to many, but he is equally passionate about the arts and brings an informed and inquisitive mind to everything he does. MU has made an excellent choice in appointing him as your next Executive Vice Chancellor for Health Affairs. We will sorely miss him but know he will excel in this new position.<