ABOUT

Open Kansas is dedicated to ending the opioid crisis in Kansas.

Established in 2022, Open Kansas was created to open intensely collaborative partnerships in the State of Kansas – partners that work together to provide safe pain management practices in the face of a nationwide opioid epidemic. By using an evidence-based approach, we’re bringing together medical professionals, community workers, educational leaders, and patients to promote responsible opioid prescribing, safe medication disposal, effective addiction treatments, and non-opioid pain management alternatives.

TEAM

Arun George, MD

Dr George is a neuroanesthesiologist at The University of Kansas Hospital.

Arun George MD is currently an Assistant Professor in the Department of Anesthesiology at the University of Kansas Health system at Kansas City, KS. He obtained his medical degree from Tribhuvan University, Nepal. Anesthesiology residencies include: Dr. D.Y. Patil Medical College, Pune, India; Allegheny Health Network, Pittsburgh, PA and chief resident in Anesthesiology, Allegheny Health Network, Pittsburgh, PA. Dr. George has also been trained as Neurosurgical Anesthesiology Fellow from Northwestern University, Chicago, IL.

Awards include:
Pennsylvania Medical Society, Top Physicians Under 40 (2020)- PA MED awards this to talented early career physicians, who are performing at a high level.

Professionalism award (2021-22), Allegheny Health Network awards this for exemplary leadership, clinical skills, work ethic and dedication to patient care.

 

Education and Training
  • MBBS, Bachelor of Medicine, Universal College of Medical Sciences, Tribhuvan University, Nepal
  • MBBS, Bachelor of Surgery, Universal College of Medical Sciences, Tribhuvan University, Nepal
  • MD, Doctor of Medicine, Dr. D.Y. Patil Medical College, Pune, India
  • Residency, Anesthesiology, Allegheny General Hospital, Pittsburgh, United States
  • Clinical Fellowship, Neurosurgical Anesthesiology, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL
Professional Affiliations
  • American Society of Anesthesiology (ASA), Member, 2016 – Present
  • Society of Neuroscience in Anesthesiology and Critical Care (SNACC), Training Engagement Committee (TEC), Member, 2016 – Present

Erin Plaza, MD

Dr. Plaza is an assistant professor of anesthesiology at The University of Kansas Medical Center. She received her medical degree from Wayne State University School of Medicine in Detroit, Michigan and completed her anesthesiology residency and neuroanesthesia fellowship at Northwestern Feinberg School of Medicine in Chicago, Illinois.

Dr. Plaza mentors many learners as she leads the neuroanesthesia resident rotation, medical student enrichment weeks and teaches residents outside of the anesthesia department about anesthesia. Additionally, she mentors through collaborating on posters, presentations and other scholarly efforts.

 

Education and Training
  • BS, Biology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI
  • MD, Doctor of Medicine, Wayne State University, Detroit, MI
  • Residency, Anesthesiology, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL
  • Clinical Fellowship, Neuroanesthesia, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL
Licensure, Accreditations & Certifications
  • Anesthesiology, American Board of Anesthesiology
  • Basic and Advanced Cardiac Life Support, American Heart Association
  • Medical License, Kansas State Board of Healing Arts
Professional Affiliations
  • Kansas Society of Anesthesiologists, Kansas Society of Anesthesiologists , President Elect, 2021 – 2021
  • Kansas Society of Anesthesiologists, Kansas Society of Anesthesiologists , President, 2021 – Present
  • Society for Neuroscience in Anesthesiology and Critical Care, Education Committee, Member, 2019 – Present
  • Kansas Society of Anesthesiologists, Kansas Society of Anesthesiologists, Treasurer, 2018 – 2021
  • Kansas City Society of Anesthesiologists, Kansas City Society of Anesthesiologists, Member, 2016 – Present
  • American Society of Anesthesiologists, American Society of Anesthesiologists, Member, 2008 – Present

Sarafina K. Kankam, MD

Dr. Sarafina Kankam is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Anesthesiology, Pain and Perioperative Medicine at The University of Kansas Medical Center and an Anesthesiologist at The University of Kansas Health System.
Dr. Kankam received her medical degree from the University of Kansas School of Medicine and then went on to complete her anesthesiology residency at the University of Missouri Kansas City, University of Massachusetts Baystate, and University of Kansas School of Medicine in Wichita, Kansas. Dr. Kankam completed a fellowship in Interventional Pain Medicine at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences in Little Rock, Arkansas.

 

Education and Training
  • BA, Human Biology, University of Kansas, Lawrence, KS
  • MD, Medicine, University of Kansas School of Medicine, Kansas City, KS
  • Internship, Anesthesiology, University of Missouri Kansas City, Kansas City, MO
  • Residency, Anesthesiology, University of Massachusetts Baystate, Springfield, MA
  • Residency, Anesthesiology, University of Kansas School of Medicine, Wichita, KS
  • Clinical Fellowship, Interventional Pain Medicine
Licensure, Accreditations & Certifications
  • Kansas Medical License, Kansas Board of Healing Arts

John Paul Pozek, MD

Dr. John Paul Pozek is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Anesthesiology, Pain and Perioperative Medicine at The University of Kansas Medical Center.
Dr. Pozek received his medical degree from Ponce School of Medicine in Puerto Rico and then went on to complete his anesthesiology residency at St. Luke’s Roosevelt Hospital Center in New York. Dr. Pozek also completed a fellowship in Regional Anesthesia and Acute Pain Medicine at Thomas Jefferson University Hospital in Philadelphia.

 

Education and Training
  • BA, Biology/Spanish, Saint Louis University, St. Louis, MO
  • MD, MD, Ponce School of Medicine, Ponce, Puerto Rico
  • Internship, Internal Medicine, Surgery, Emergency Medicine, St. Luke’s-Roosevelt Hospital Center, New York, NY
  • Residency, Anesthesiology, St. Luke’s-Roosevelt Hospital Center, New York, NY
  • Post Doctoral Fellowship, Anesthesiology, Thomas Jefferson University Hospital, Philadelphia, PA

Aaron LacKamp, MD

Aaron LacKamp is certified by the American Board of Anesthesiology with subcertification in critical care medicine and neurocritical care.   He completed a fellowship at The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine.   He earned his medical degree from Creighton University School of Medicine and completed his residency at the University of Missouri at Kansas City.

Ask your doctor about proper opioid disposal and this website.

CME credit available for physicians.