The 47th Governor of Kansas, a Republican physician, served from 2018 to 2019 and focused on healthcare and education reform. He's known for his brief but significant tenure in Kansas politics.
Jeff Colyer, a multifaceted individual, is best known for his tenure as the 47th Governor of Kansas, serving from January 31, 2018, to January 14, 2019, and his remarkable career as a surgeon, politician, and humanitarian. Prior to his governorship, Colyer held various political positions, including Lieutenant Governor of Kansas from 2011 to 2018 and member of the Kansas House of Representatives and Senate.
Born on June 3, 1960, in Hays, Kansas, Colyer was raised by his father, James Daniel Colyer, a dentist. He graduated from Thomas More Prep High School in 1978 and later enrolled at Georgetown University, where he earned a Bachelor's degree in Economics in 1981. Colyer then pursued a Master's degree in International Relations from Clare Hall, Cambridge, in 1982, and eventually earned his Doctor of Medicine degree from the University of Kansas in 1986.
Colyer's remarkable career has been marked by his dedication to public service and medicine. As a surgeon, he completed his residency training in general surgery at the Washington Hospital Center, plastic surgery at the University of Missouri-Kansas City, and craniofacial-pediatric plastic surgery at the International Craniofacial Institute in Dallas, Texas. He later established his own plastic-craniofacial surgery practice in Overland Park, Kansas, and Kansas City, Missouri.
In the realm of politics, Colyer served as a White House fellow under Presidents Ronald Reagan and George H. W. Bush, focusing on international affairs. He was first elected to the Kansas House of Representatives in 2007, and later served in the Kansas Senate from 2009 to 2011. His commitment to public service culminated in his role as Lieutenant Governor of Kansas from 2011 to 2018, and eventually, Governor of Kansas.
Colyer's humanitarian work is a testament to his compassion and dedication to making a positive impact. As a volunteer with the International Medical Corps, he has provided medical care in crisis zones such as Kosovo and Sierra Leone, performing both trauma and reconstructive surgery, as well as training local medical professionals.
Throughout his career, Colyer has demonstrated a profound commitment to public service, medicine, and humanitarianism. His leadership and expertise have inspired countless individuals, and his contributions to the field of medicine and politics have left a lasting impact on Kansas and beyond.
"As a doctor, I've seen the best and worst of humanity. As a politician, I've tried to do something about it."
Jeff Colyer's remarkable career serves as a testament to his unwavering dedication to public service, medicine, and humanitarianism. As a surgeon, politician, and humanitarian, Colyer has left an indelible mark on Kansas and the world, inspiring future generations to follow in his footsteps.
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The 70th United States Secretary of State, a former CIA director, and a prominent figure in American foreign policy, known for his conservative views and involvement in international diplomacy.
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A decorated war captain turned journalist and politician, known for his service in the US Marine Corps and later as a US Senator from Kansas.
72 Years Old
A U.S. Senator from Kansas since 2011, serving as the Chairman of the Senate Veterans' Affairs Committee, and known for his work on veterans' issues and healthcare reform.
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First openly LGBTQ+ Native American woman to serve in the U.S. Congress, fighting for healthcare, education, and economic opportunities for marginalized communities.
