Access Family Care announces KCU's John Paulson as Interim Chief Medical Officer

Dec. 17—John Paulson, DO, PhD, will serve as interim chief medical officer for Access Family Care in Southwest Missouri, acing as lead expert on medical and public health topics

Paulson graduated from Oklahoma State University Center for Health Science with a doctor of osteopathic medicine degree as well as a PhD in Biomedical Science with an emphasis in pharmacology and physiology.

Prior to medical school, he worked as a forensic scientist for the Federal Bureau of Investigation, New Mexico State Police, and Tulsa Police Department. Following medical school, he completed residency at Cox Family Medicine in Springfield.

He is a Fellow of the American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP). Currently, he serves as the chair of Primary Care at Kansas City University's Farber-McIntire Campus in Joplin. He also is a core faculty member of the Freeman/KCU Family Medicine Residency.

Paulson is a past-president of the Missouri Academy of Family Physicians and the Community Clinic of Southwest Missouri's board of directors in Joplin. He has completed the American Association of Colleges of Osteopathic Medicine (AACOM) Osteopathic Health Policy Fellowship and the AAFP Leading Physician Wellness certificate program.

"I am honored to serve the community in this capacity," Paulson said in a statement. "I believe strongly in the mission that defines Access Family Care — a commitment to improve the health of the medically underserved of greater Southwest Missouri through direct services and collaborative efforts. It aligns well with KCU's mission of improving the well-being of the communities we serve. This partnership will allow for enhanced cooperation and planning so that both organizations can successfully fulfill our missions. I look forward to working with the Access team to provide care for our neighbors in Joplin and the surrounding areas."

Don McBride, Chief Executive Officer of Access Family Care, said in a statement: "Having a physician of Dr. Paulson's caliber is a testament to the quality care we strive to provide every day. Dr. Paulson has demonstrated himself to be an advocate for those in need of better healthcare policy. The strengthening of the relationship between Access, Dr. Paulson, and KCU is a win for all people in Southwest Missouri."

Access Family Care is a Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC) with Clinics in Joplin, Lamar, Carthage, Neosho, Anderson, Cassville, and Aurora. Last year, Access Family Care provided health services to more than 26,000 people across our area. With more than 270 employees, Access Family Care has grown to become one of the larger FQHC's in Missouri.