The UMKC Family Practice Residency is the largest family medicine residency in Missouri. The role of the family physician has seen tremendous change in the last decade. What has not changed is the University of Missouri-Kansas City and Truman Medical Center Lakewood's commitment to provide the family practice resident with all of the knowledge and skills necessary to be a successful family practice physician in a variety of practice environments without compromising personal objectives.

Truman Medical Center Lakewood is one of only a few university hospitals in the United States dedicated entirely to training family practice physicians. Located in a country setting on the eastern edge of Kansas City, Mo., the program is designed to provide residents with a learning experience that allows them to reach their full potential, as well as meet their professional objectives. Here the residents are taught primarily by family physicians with the appropriate support of consultants. Autonomy and independent decision-making are fostered in the residency. The residents care for the patients as the primary caregiver rather than caring for the patients of an attending or another service. The family practice faculty are the attending physicians on both the medicine and obstetrical services. This provides an opportunity for residents to observe and understand the role of the family physician as the leader of the healthcare team.