By Trish Svoboda

Today, Secretary Janet Stanek of the Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) announced Dereck Totten, M.D., MPH, FAAFP, as the new Chief Medical Officer.

Dr. Totten has been practicing full-scope family medicine since 2016, including obstetrics, at Citizens Health in Colby, KS. He also serves as the medical director for the Rural Health Clinic. Dr. Totten previously served as the Thomas County Health Officer, contributing to the development of the maternal-fetal education program for the region. He has also been a board member of the Kansas Academy of Family Physicians and is currently a member of the Kansas Board of Healing Arts Committee. He participated in updating the Kansas Crisis Standards of Care as part of a panel.

Dr. Totten earned his medical degree from the University of Kansas School of Medicine, completing his studies at both the Kansas City, KS, and Wichita, KS campuses. He furthered his education by obtaining a Master of Public Health from the University of Kansas in Wichita, KS. His residency was completed at the Smoky Hill Family Medicine program in Salina, KS. In recognition of his contributions, the American Academy of Family Physicians awarded him the Degree of Fellow in 2023.