To the editor:

We are writing to express our deepest gratitude to Dr. Barbara Atkinson for her tireless efforts to raise KU Medical Center to the next level as a cutting-edge biomedical research institution, leader in medical education and premier clinical facility. We have a forward-thinking leader who has maintained a positive and optimistic outlook on the future of KUMC and the Kansas University Hospital despite being savagely and unfairly attacked in the media by unnamed sources spewing innuendo and falsehoods about her capacity to lead.

We view Dr. Atkinson as a person with great vision, enthusiasm, dedication, integrity, courage and perseverance. Since becoming executive dean of the School of Medicine and executive vice chancellor of the Medical Center, there have been numerous successes including the recruitment of much-needed clinical and basic science faculty members, implementation of a new medical curriculum, establishment of a transparent and open fiscal policy and decision-making process that is both refreshing and unique, and creation of new research space and programs that have raised the level of our science.

Despite the misleading reports in the media, these are very exciting and positive times at KUMC and much of this is directly attributable to Dr. Atkinson’s skillful leadership. For all Dr. Atkinson has accomplished, we wish to register our resounding vote of confidence in her leadership and future goals.

Paul Cheney, chairman, molecular and integrative physiology,

Dale Abrahamson, chairman, anatomy and cell biology,

and 28 other KUMC faculty members