Karen PLetz of the University of Health Sciences is pleased with the cohesion among the participants of the Life Sciences assembly. .
ADVANTAGE, KANSAS CITY
For all of the problems discussed - particularly in finding research money and investment capital - the session was marked by a genuine collegiality and a generalized sense of confidence in the future.
If Kansas City has an advantage, it may be in something as simple as that, in attitude. Originally from this area, Bill Truog made his reputation in Seattle but came home willingly. "The atmosphere actually is a little more positive here," he noted. "There is less cynicism here."
Richard Hellman also spoke to thaineffable something that makes Kansas City work. "There are some serious vulnerabilities in the major centers," he observed. He believes that many an aspiring scientist in cities like Boston could in time be lured away by Kansas City's "more stable environment" with its "good community values."
Another advantage to Kansas City, as the Stowers Institute has made clear, is the citizens' generosity. "One of the things we have in this community," said Andrea Hall of MRI, "is a philanthropic, a very giving spirit."
"We need to be able to couple individual strengths," said Rand O'Donnell, "and be able to realize that collective strength is greater than the sum of parts." As he noted in speaking of a Paul Henson memorial at Children's Mercy, Kansas City has the "ability to be the center of world for various industries."
And the way to become a recognized center in the life science industry comes, O'Donnell argued, by "focusing on nothing less than excellence."