Dr. W. Walter Menninger and others celebrate Menninger Clinic 100 anniversary at Topeka Library

Dr. W. Walter Menninger and other former staff will share memories of working at the renowned Menninger Clinic on Monday, November 18 at 6 p.m. at Topeka and Shawnee County Public Library. This round-table discussion is co-hosted by the Shawnee County Historical Society.

Dr. W. Walter Menninger, psychiatrist, educator and author is a third-generation member of a family credited with changing the shape of modern psychiatry. In 1925 his grandfather, father and uncle established the Menninger Clinic in Topeka. Dr. Walter Menninger served as Dean of the Menninger School of Psychiatry, chief of staff of the Menninger Clinic, and president and CEO of Menninger, the position he held until his retirement 2001.

Jon Allen, Dr. Marceil Bauman-Bork, Dr. Ira Stamm and David Parker will join W. Walter Menninger in the roundtable-discussion. Jon Allen retired from his staff psychologist position in 2016 after 40 years at the Menninger Clinic. In addition to conducting diagnostic evaluations and psychotherapy throughout his tenure, he participated in the development of a specialized treatment program for trauma, patient education and university teaching (KU, K-State and Washburn).

Prior to becoming co-founder of the Heritage Mental Health Clinic, psychiatrist Dr. Marceil Bauman-Bork had an 18-year career at the Menninger Clinic. Her roles included lead psychiatrist at the Menninger Outpatient Clinic, director of General Psychiatry Training at the Karl Menninger School of Psychiatry and team leader of the Professionals in Crisis unit.

Ira Stamm, Ph.D., ABPP, came to Topeka in 1972 to complete a two year training program as a post-doctoral fellow in Clinical Psychology at the Menninger Foundation. After completing the two year post-doctoral program, Stramm accepted a position in the Adult Hospital and Outpatient Department at Menninger. He remained at Menninger for 23 years leaving in 1995 to enter private practice first in Overland Park and then and now in Topeka.

David Parker moved to Topeka in 1970 for a post-master's social work program at Menninger. After graduating from this program, Parker joined the staff and remained until his retirement in May 2001. During his tenure at Menninger Parker worked in the adult hospital, the diagnostic service, the drug and alcohol program, the community service office, and the adult outpatient clinic.