Physician Wellness Speaker's Bureau
Speakers & Topics
Kelsey Able, DO
Dr. Able was born in Kansas City, Missouri and was raised in Leawood, Kansas. She attended Kansas State University for undergraduate studies. She then attended Kansas City University for her masters in biomedical sciences and doctorate of osteopathy. She went to the University of Kansas for internal medicine residency and the University of Oklahoma in Oklahoma City for gastroenterology fellowship. She currently serves as the CIG (consultants in gastroenterology) outgoing board president. For multiple years, Dr. Able served as the medical ethics committee chair at North Kansas City Hospital. She is a board member and wellness committee member for the Kansas City Medical Society. When she isn't performing endoscopy and talking to patients about the brain-gut axis, she is spending time attending activities for her two sons, 10 and 7 and enjoying her husband's cooking and traveling.
Presentation Topics
Creating a Culture of Wellness (geared towards leaders or for the hospital leadership team)
Physician Burnout
Brad Garstang, MD
Dr. Gartstang is a family physician in Liberty, Missouri. He has practiced medicine for 23 years and is the President-elect of the Kansas City Medical Society. Dr. Gartstang is a musician and ultrarunner.
Presentation Topics
General physician wellness, including topics on exercise, music, and hobbies.
Stephen Salanski, MD
Stephen Salanski, MD is a retired Family Physician who spent the majority of his 35 practice years as Faculty/Program Director of the Research Family Medicine Residency Program. Steve is active in several community healthcare-related nonprofit organizations. He was the Chair of the KCMS Foundation Board in 2020 and again now in 2023 – overseeing Metro Care and WyJo Care Programs. Steve was President of the KCMS in 2016 and continues to serve on the KCMS Board and Leadership Council. He is the Center for Practical Bioethics Board Chair for 2023-2024 and previously Co-Chaired the CPB Ethics Committee Consortium from 2004 until 2017.
Steve represents KCMS on the Kansas City Health Collaborative Board and is currently Treasurer of that Board. In 2020, he was Chair of the Baptist-Trinity Lutheran Legacy Foundation Board (now Acrux KC) and continues to serve on that Board. Steve also led many community health initiatives in Lee’s Summit as Co-Chair of the Lee’s Summit Health Education Advisory Board for almost 15 years – and now serves on the new Lee’s Summit Wellness Commission.
Presentation Topics
Physician Well-Being, Mental Health
Suicide Prevention - Know the Warning Signs
KC Medical Society Actions for Physician Suicide Awareness Day 2025
