Thomas L. Schmidt, MD
1948 - 2022
The information below is modified from a post that appeared in The Kansas City Star.
Dr. Schmidt graduated from Elmhurst College, Elmhurst, IL, in May 1970. He entered the University of Illinois College of Medicine, Chicago, IL, where he earned his Doctor of Medicine, graduating in 1974.
Dr. Schmidt completed a straight surgical internship and an orthopaedic surgery residency at Akron City Hospital, Akron, OH, from 1974 to 1979. He completed a 1-year pediatric orthopaedic surgery fellowship at the Alfred I. duPont Institute, Wilmington, DE. He became a Diplomate of the American Board of Orthopaedic Surgery in 1981.
In 1980, Dr. Schmidt became Chief and Attending Staff, Section of Orthopaedic Surgery at The Children's Mercy Hospital, Kansas City, MO. He was awarded the position of Dr. Rex and Lillian Diveley Professor, and Chief, Pediatric Orthopaedic Surgery in 1994. Dr. Schmidt was Associate Director of the Orthopaedic Residency Training Program from 1980 to 2002, at the School of Medicine of UMKC, Kansas City.
Dr. Schmidt loved teaching pediatric orthopaedics and took great pleasure in watching his students begin their careers as they scattered across the country. He participated in several professional societies but became especially involved in the Mid-America Orthopaedic Society, where he held numerous board positions and became president of the society from 2002-2003.
Dr. Schmidt had a passion for underwater photography. With some other doctor diving enthusiasts, he started POID—Pediatric Orthopaedics in Depth, meeting once a year for a week of diving and exchanging orthopaedic papers and discussions.
Dr. Schmidt is survived by his wife of 51 years, Kathryn Schmidt (Kepner), daughter Margaret Luther (John), and grandson John Thomas Luther.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be sent to either the MAOA Education and Research Fund, 300 Third Ave. S.E., #405, Rochester, MN 55904 marked as IMO Dr. Thomas Schmidt or to Rolling Hills Presbyterian Church, 9300 Nall Ave., Overland Park, KS 66207.
