Longtime Human Factor Contributor and Educator Announces Retirement
Ed Kraemer, M.D., longtime School of Medicine assistant professor and contributor to Human Factor, announced his upcoming retirement for Summer 2026. Kraemer has been teaching at UMKC for nearly 12 years, incuding serving as a docent and the medical director of the PA program. He’s also served as faculty attending for the Sojourner Free Clinic in past years. Kraemer and his wife have lived in the Kansas City metro since the start of his community and family residency at UMKC in 1987. In addition to his many roles in medicine at UMKC, Kraemer has been contributing to Human Factor since 2019, when he submitted some photos taken on his iPhone 8. “Human Factor has been a great way for me to develop and share my creative side,” said Kraemer. “I have steadily gained confidence as an amateur photographer and an even more amateur poet. I’m amazed by the quality of (Human Factor) and the talent of its contributors.” Kraemer’s retirement date is June 30, 2026. He looks forward to spending more time with his wife Mary, their three grown children, Karl, Kelsey and Tessa (MMS ’22) — and two grandchildren, Leo and Willa. Kraemer also plans to continue participating in community health work, including the Wellness Commission and Livable Streets Committee in Lee’s Summit, the hospital ethics committee at University Health and the Advocacy Commission of the Missouri Academy of Family Physicians. He’ll also have more time for his interests in arts and fitness — continuing to pursue his passions of photography, poetry, yoga, hiking, biking and swimming. He might also add a new form of exercise or two. “I could see (myself) getting hooked on pickleball – and finally overcoming my resistance to resistance training,” said Kraemer. “I know that I will miss teaching and interacting with the outstanding students, faculty and staff at the School of Medicine.”
Kraemer with his wife, Mary Duryea, M.D., and their daughter, Tessa Kraemer, PA-C (MMS ’22), at Tessa's hooding ceremony.
How to Lower and Thereby Exceed Other People's Expectations
ED KRAEMER, M.D. CLINICAL ASSISTANT PROFESSOR OF COMMUNITY AND FAMILY MEDICINE
Health professionals have a reputation for being Type-A overachievers. If that rings true for you, then think of someone you know who is more like the usual person with regard to motivation and achievement. You might want to share this insight with them. So, here we go… 14 ways to lower and thereby exceed other people’s expectations:
- Declare a college major of “Undecided” with minors in “General studies” and “Pre-something”.
- Under-promise (always) and over-deliver (occasionally).
- Show up…but keep a low profile.
- Do some volunteer work. (But not too much.) Remind everyone that, “You get what you pay for.”
- Then, at your real job, negotiate a low salary and never ask for a raise. Again, remind everyone that, “You get what you pay for.”
- Tell people how busy and stressed you are.
- Surround yourself with people, including your spouse, who are smarter and more talented than you. Frequently point out this intelligence/talent gap and thank them for being so smart and talented.
- Occasionally point out some of your flaws and weaknesses. Less occasionally, ask for help to address these. When you don’t get help, occasionally remind people that you did ask!
- Send an occasional work email in the evening, and a rare email in early morning hours or on a weekend. (Guaranteed to impress!)
- Never flag an email as “High Priority.” (That’s way above your paygrade.)
- In your workplace, play the 70s BTO song Takin' Care of Business on a loop. (Theme: “I love to work at nothin’ all day!”) Claim this as, “My work mantra!”
- After achieving “a certain age,” frequently remind people at work that you have in fact achieved “a certain age”…if nothing else! (Then, if they fire you…you can sue them for age discrimination.)
- Advise people not to expect too much by reminding them of the old saying, “A pessimist is never disappointed!”
But the BEST way that I have found to lower and thereby exceed other people’s expectations? Tell everyone you are about to turn 70 and you plan to retire! Trust me…that works!
The Way Out is the Way Through
ED KRAEMER, M.D. CLINICAL ASSISTANT PROFESSOR OF COMMUNITY AND FAMILY MEDICINE
Sometimes We Walk the Path Alone
ED KRAEMER, M.D. CLINICAL ASSISTANT PROFESSOR OF COMMUNITY AND FAMILY MEDICINE
