KCU Names Dr. Gautam Desai Dean of College of Osteopathic Medicine

Posted October 28, 2026

Kansas City University (KCU) has named Dr. Gautam Desai the dean of the College of Osteopathic Medicine.

As dean, Desai will oversee the medical school’s daily operations on the Kansas City campus, focusing on student well-being and academic success, according to a release. He will also support faculty recruitment and development, strengthen clinical partnerships and advance the College’s educational mission.

“I look forward to building on the strengths of our Kansas City campus and expanding the partnerships that help prepare our graduates to meet the evolving health care needs of the communities they serve,” Desai said in the release.

His experience includes serving as a professor of family medicine at KCU, where he directs the University’s Global Health program and honors track in global medicine, addressing communities nationally and globally.

Additionally, he served as the president of the American College of Osteopathic Family Physicians for around a year. He was also the former president of DOCARE International, a nonprofit organization providing healthcare to underserved populations around the world.

“Dr. Desai has demonstrated exceptional leadership, sound judgment and a steadfast commitment to our students, faculty and staff during his tenure at KCU,” Dr. Josh Cox, senior vice president of Clinical Affairs and executive dean of KCU-COM. “His experience, dedication and understanding of our academic mission make him well prepared to lead our Kansas City campus. We look forward to his continued leadership.”