Four Westminster Alumni Graduate from Kirksville College Of Osteopathic Medicine

Four new doctors have entered the workforce ready to unleash the power in purpose. Kyle Klahs ’14 ΔΤΔ, Matt Roehrs ’13 ΔΤΔ, Jacob Burch ’14 ΔΤΔ, and Taylor Allen ’14 ΔΤΔ all graduated from A.T. Still University’s Kirksville College of Osteopathic Medicine on May 19, 2018.

The fraternity brothers and medical school classmates were joined at their graduation ceremony by a familiar face. “Dr. Amspoker attended both our white coat ceremony at the beginning of medical school and returned to support us for our graduation ceremony four years later,” says Klahs. “That’s how amazing Westminster faculty is.”

Klahs graduated summa cum laude from Westminster, and Roehrs, Burch, Allen, he were among 169 new physicians to graduate ATSU-KCOM this spring. Klahs was selected for the ATSU Scholar Program during his junior year at Westminster and joined the U.S. Army Health Professions Scholarship Program after graduation. He was commissioned as a second lieutenant in the Army during his medical studies, and he and his wife, Rachel, and their son, Anton, live in El Paso, Texas, where Klahs will soon being his orthopedic surgery residency at William Beaumont Army Medical Center/Texas Tech University of Health Sciences, treating Army soldiers and their families.

Below, Klahs shares with us how Westminster fueled his success and his advice for Westminster students planning to follow a similar path.

On Westminster’s faculty:

“The professors at Westminster were absolutely instrumental in my success. Dr. Holliday, Dr. McNett, Dr. Unger and Dr. Amspoker in the Biology Dept and Dr. Jaeger in the Psychology Dept. They provided the opportunity to independently learn and the encouragement to obtain those seemingly impossible goals.”

On unlocking his potential:

“The biggest way Westminster shaped me was that I truly learned how to be responsible for outcomes. Being a small school with so much involvement, I was pushed to my limits and became a master of multitasking and prioritizing, both of which are critical skills in medical school. 

I was a member of Delta Tau Delta Fraternity, Peer Health Educators. I was a tutor, a Lab Teaching Assistant, and Seminar Mentor three times.  I was a member of Westminster’s Honors Program, Alpha Chi Honor Society, Order of Omega Greek Honor Society, Tri-Beta Biology Honor Society, and Psi Chi Psychology Honor Society.  I served on the executive board of four campus organizations, Swim Club, Westmo for Hope, Art Club, and Pre-Healthcare Professional Association.”

On advice for students interested in a career in medicine:

My biggest advice for pre-med students is that it is imperative to find mentors. Navigating the process is tough—if not impossible—on your own. There are so many people who have struggled and ultimately been successful before them who would love to help the next generation.

Learn about pre-medical studies and biology at Westminster College.