Trailblazing Surgeon and Emporia State Alumna Honored with 2025 Distinguished Alumni Award
Emporia, KS (10/13/2025) — Dr. Marilee McBoyle-Wiesner's pioneering career in surgery began with a childhood experience that would guide her life's purpose. At age 7, growing up on a farm in Dickinson County, Kansas, she underwent a tonsillectomy performed by a woman - uncommon at the time.
"This was in 1959, and she also had daughters at home," McBoyle-Wiesner said. "She made a great impression on me."
That moment inspired her path. She found the perfect place to begin that journey at Emporia State University.
"I just thank the Lord because ESU was the right school for me," she said. "It was big enough that I could do everything and then some, but I wasn't sitting in chemistry classes of 300 or 400."
Active in band, vocal ensemble and a pre-med group, she also found mentorship from faculty who supported her through medical school admissions. "It was a celebration when I got into medical school," she said.
In 1977, she became the first woman accepted into the surgery residency at the University of Kansas School of Medicine-Wichita (KUSM-Wichita), later becoming Kansas' first female board-certified general surgeon. She would go on to serve as a medical director, clinical professor and surgical educator, earning national recognition for her work.
KUSM-Wichita named its surgical skills lab in her honor - a tribute to her influence.
Now retired in Wichita, she still supports future physicians through the Marilee McBoyle Pre-Medical Scholarship and has served on the ESU Alumni Association Board of Directors.
NOTE TO MEDIA: Dr. McBoyle-Wiesner grew up in Abilene.
About Emporia State University
Emporia State University offers a range of academic programs through its institute and seven schools: Applied Health Sciences, Business & Technology, Humanities & Social Sciences, Interdisciplinary Studies, Library and Information Management & Library and Archives, Science & Mathematics and Visual and Performing Arts, along with The Teachers College.
ESU stands out for its innovative education practices. It ensures accessible education by offering in-state tuition rates to full-time undergraduate students from all lower-48 United States. Additionally, full-time undergraduates benefit from flat-rate tuition - students enrolled in 12 or more credit hours with at least one credit hour on campus pay a flat rate.
For more information on how to build your future at Emporia State University, please visit www.emporia.edu.
Media Attachments
Dr. Marilee McBoyle-Wiesner is one of five graduates of Emporia State University named the 2025 Distinguished Alumni.
Emporia State University
Gwendolynne Larson, ESU director of media relations, (620) 341-5528, glarson1@emporia.eduShare this Story
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