Born in Kansas City, MO, Dr. Dennis Moore was a graduate of the Tulane University School of Medicine. He completed his internship at St. Francis Hospital and an Internal Medicine residency at the V.A. and affiliated hospitals, Wichita, KS. He served in the United States Public Health Service and was stationed at the U.S. Coast Guard Hospital in Galveston, TX. He completed a Fellowship in Hematology at the University of Texas’ M.D. Anderson Hospital and Tumor Institute, Houston, TX.
Dr. Moore moved back to Wichita in 1969 with his family, where he was the first oncologist in the state. He authored many scientific publications, and presented his work at both national and international conferences. He is one of the early founders of Hospice of Wichita. While volunteering with the American Red Cross early in 1972, he was responsible for procuring funding for two plateletpheresis machines, the first in a four-state area. He performed the first peritoneal dialysis in the state. He treated children with cancer from all over the state for nearly 15 years, eventually becoming the pediatric hematologist and oncologist for Wichita. He was awarded the Emerald Heart Award by the Via Christi Foundation for Service to the Health Care of Children.
He was active in clinical cancer research, and was a member of the Southwest Oncology Group from 1973 until his retirement. He was a longtime participant in the Cancer Center of Kansas Wichita CCOP program and held an appointment as Clinical Professor of Medicine at the University of Kansas School of Medicine. He was active in the Leukemia Society of America beginning as early as 1969 (now renamed Leukemia and Lymphoma Society), serving as its President three separate times. Besides initiating the annual Dameshek Symposium for Leukemia and Allied Diseases for the State (the longest running state symposium of the Society), he had been its National Vice President, serving on the National Board of Trustees of the Leukemia Society of America for 30 years; on its Executive Committee for 24 years; and, as Chairman of its National Patient Services Committee for 24 years. He was the recipient of many honors, awards, and recognitions from the Leukemia Society of America. He was honored by the national organization for being one of 50 individuals in the United States contributing most to the Mission of the Society, since its inception. He was also honored by the Association of Fundraising Professionals, Greater Wichita Chapter, with their Outstanding Philanthropist Award in 1992 for his outstanding contributions to philanthropy in our Wichita community.
An Eagle Scout himself, Dr. Moore continued to work with the Boy Scouts of America (BSA), serving several times at National Jamborees in various unit positions with the BSA, as District Chairman, and finally as District Commissioner. In addition to many others, he was awarded Woodbadge Beads and the Silver Beaver.
He will be remembered fondly as a member of the Cancer Center of Kansas family and will forever remain a special part of CCK’s legacy.
