Dr. Shelly Meents honored by KCOM for excellence in medical education

Awards Providers
• 18 August 2025

The award recognizes Meents’ outstanding commitment to mentoring future physicians through hands-on clinical training. She was selected from hundreds of regional educators based on student nominations and feedback, which praised her compassionate care, exemplary teaching, devotion to her community and dedication to medical education.

“Dr. Meents took time to get to know me and teach me about every patient,” one student wrote. “She knew her patients, their background and their stories. She spent time talking to them and was an excellent educator not only to me, but to her patients as well. Her patients never left with questions.”

Another student shared, “Dr. Meents was my very first preceptor beginning third year. I was nervous and had no idea what to expect. She made me remember why I wanted to become a doctor after two long years in the classroom.”

Dr. Meents has served as a preceptor for KCOM students since 2020. Throughout her career at CMH, Dr. Meents has mentored many students from medical school programs across the state, offering clinical rotations in obstetrics and gynecology at the CMH OB/GYN and Pediatric Clinic. Known for her approachable teaching style and deep dedication to her patients, she has helped shape the careers of countless aspiring physicians.

“I’m truly honored to receive this award,” Dr. Meents said. “Teaching has always been one of the most rewarding parts of my career. Watching students grow in confidence and skill, and knowing I’ve played a small part in their journey, is incredibly fulfilling.”

Dr. Meents has practiced obstetrics and gynecology at Citizens Memorial for more than 20 years.

Founded in 1892, Kirksville College of Osteopathic Medicine is the founding school of osteopathic medicine and part of A.T. Still University.