New Primary Care Chair Named: Dr. Kathryn Potter to Lead SHSU-COM’s Department

The Sam Houston State University College of Osteopathic Medicine (SHSU-COM) has appointed Kathryn Potter, MD, FAAFP, as chair of primary care. She joined the faculty in May and has quickly become a trusted leader on campus, known for her student-centered approach and her commitment to preparing future physicians.

A board-certified family physician, Potter brings extensive clinical, teaching and academic leadership experience to the role. Her background includes work in Federally Qualified Health Centers, inpatient care, hospice leadership and long-term acute care settings. She has held key academic appointments at COMP-Northwest and the Idaho College of Osteopathic Medicine, where she directed multiple courses, developed simulation and standardized patient curricula, advised students across all four years of training and received multiple teaching awards recognizing her excellence and humanism in medicine.

Since arriving at SHSU-COM, she has enhanced curriculum development, contributed to departmental service and expanded hands-on learning opportunities for student doctors. Earlier this fall, she partnered with the clinical skills team to create and host a medical-themed “escape room” in the SHSU-COM Simulation Hospital. The experience challenged student doctors to apply their clinical knowledge in a dynamic, team-focused environment.

Potter steps into a role previously guided with distinction by former chair Brent Sanderlin, DO, whose leadership helped build a strong foundation for primary care at SHSU-COM.

Dean Thomas J. Mohr, DO, noted that the college interviewed several exceptional candidates for the position and said “Dr. Potter stood out as the right leader for this next chapter. She brings deep experience, a clear passion for teaching and a forward-looking vision for how our primary care program can continue to grow. With the groundwork laid by Dr. Sanderlin, we are confident she will carry the department forward in meaningful ways for our students and the communities we serve.”

In the role, Potter will guide the department’s educational strategy, support clinical training and faculty development and work to prepare student doctors for service-oriented careers in rural and underserved areas of Texas.