Veteran Delta doctor named director of physician relations at ASU osteopathic college

Dr. Steve Pu, who has practiced medicine in the Mississippi Delta for more than 35 years, has been named Director of Physician Relations at New York Institute of Technology College of Osteopathic Medicine at Arkansas State University.

In his role, Pu will work to create new partnerships and grow existing ones with hospital systems, clinics and physicians in support of NYITCOM’s third and fourth year clinical education program. Pu will meet with potential adjunct faculty and build relationships with physicians to support the training of NYITCOM student doctors.

Pu has been involved in medical education since 1984 and has educated students throughout his career. Pu served as Medical Director for the Southeast Missouri Area Health Education Center (AHEC) in Kennett for several years and served on the board of the Missouri AHEC system.

“We are very fortunate to add such a talented and experienced physician to our faculty,” Dr. Amanda Deel, NYITCOM at A-State Assistant Dean for Clinical Education said. “Dr. Pu has always been committed to having students not only to pay it forward, but to also encourage students to return to rural areas to practice upon completion of their medical education. His passion aligns perfectly with NYITCOM’s mission and we are thrilled to welcome him to our team.”

In addition to his role with NYITCOM, Pu will continue to see patients in Kennett and work to improve access to health care in Southeast Missouri.

Pu earned his Doctor of Osteopathy degree from Kansas City University Medicine and Biosciences in 1979. After completing a rotating internship at Jacksonville General Hospital in Jacksonville, Fla., and a General Surgery residency at Oklahoma Osteopathic Hospital in Tulsa, Pu began his practice in Kennett in 1984 in General Surgery.

In 2009, he transitioned out of General Surgery to full time Wound Care in Kennett. He served as Chief Medical Officer of Twin Rivers Regional Medical Center from 1997-2018. Pu was board certified in General Surgery in 1988 and was inducted as a Fellow of the American College of Osteopathic Surgeons in 1996.