Osteopathic Heritage Foundation honors Kansas City University alumna by establishing a half-million-dollar scholarship

KANSAS CITY, Mo., April 1, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- The Osteopathic Heritage Foundation (the Foundation) recently established a $500,000 endowed scholarship in honor of Kansas City University (KCU) alumna Capt. Rebecca deVillers, MC, USN, DO. This transformative philanthropic investment was inspired by deVillers' recent recognition with the Star Spangled Medallion—an honor bestowed by the KCU Alumni Association in recognition of her decades of service and leadership.

Additionally, the Foundation contributed a non-endowed $25,000 to ensure the first award can be made during the 2026–27 academic year.

"The Foundation is grateful to our directors for their dedication to advancing our mission to improve health and quality of life through education, research and service consistent with our osteopathic heritage," said Terri Donlin Huesman, president and CEO of the Foundation. "We are pleased to recognize Dr. deVillers' years of service, leadership and commitment to osteopathic medicine and community health with the Osteopathic Heritage Foundation Endowed Scholarship in Honor of Rebecca E. deVillers, DO."

deVillers designed the scholarship with broad criteria so it can support any KCU osteopathic medical student. By keeping the requirements flexible, she hopes the fund will help students facing different challenges or opportunities—reflecting her gratitude for the role osteopathic medicine has played throughout her career and her desire to extend support to future physicians.

"Being an osteopathic physician has been one of the greatest blessings of my life," deVillers said. "Osteopathic medicine set me on a path that shaped everything that followed."

Additionally, deVillers personally contributed $25,000 to the scholarship, bringing the total amount to $550,000. "My education at KCU opened every door for me," she said. "Supporting students ensures those doors remain open for others. If this gift helps even one student focus more on learning and less on financial stress, then it's worth it."

KCU President and CEO Marc B. Hahn, DO, praised the Foundation and deVillers for their vision and generosity. "Dr. deVillers has devoted her career to caring for others, and service to our country. This scholarship extends that legacy to future osteopathic medical students," Hahn said. "We are honored by the Foundation's recognition of her remarkable service and deeply appreciative of the impact this investment will have on generations of KCU‑trained physicians."

deVillers is a retired board-certified family medicine physician. A 1976 graduate of the KCU College of Osteopathic Medicine, she earned her undergraduate degree from The Ohio State University. She began her career as a naval flight surgeon and retired as a captain in the Medical Corps of the U.S. Navy in 2006. After military service, she continued her medical training at Doctors Hospital, followed by nearly four decades in private practice in central and southeastern Ohio. Before her recent retirement, she served in physician leadership for OhioHealth's southeastern Ohio market. Her service also includes leadership roles on the OhioHealth Doctors Hospital medical staff and on state and county developmental disabilities boards. She has served on the Foundation's Board of Directors since 2012.

About Osteopathic Heritage Foundation
The mission of the Osteopathic Heritage Foundation is to improve the health and quality of life in the community through education, research and service consistent with our osteopathic heritage. The Foundation advances this mission through strategic partnerships, multi-year funding commitments, funding collaborations and significant investments in some of the most pressing health and social issues in the community. Learn more at www.osteopathicheritage.org.

About Kansas City University
Founded in 1916, Kansas City University (KCU) is a fully accredited, private not-for-private health sciences university with Colleges of Osteopathic Medicine, Biosciences and Dental Medicine, and campuses in Kansas City and Joplin, Mo. The College of Osteopathic Medicine is the fourth-largest medical school in the U.S. and the leading producer of physicians in Missouri. It ranks #1 for producing physicians who practice in primary care, rural areas and underserved regions in the state. KCU's Center for Population Health and Equity addresses the variables that affect a population's health and contribute to health disparities, while better preparing students for professional practice. KCU offers doctoral degrees in osteopathic medicine, dental medicine and clinical psychology and a master's degree in biomedical sciences. Concurrent degree offerings include master's degrees in business administration in health care leadership, public health, and bioethics. A new Master of Health Sciences – Anesthesiologist Assistant program launched in January 2026.

Contact:
Haley Reardon
Director of Communications
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417-592-2223 (cell)

SOURCE Kansas City University