Dr. Douglas Young

Dr. Douglas Young, a man of compassion and care, passed away at his home in Park Hill, Oklahoma, on July 5, 2024. His legacy is one of dedication to his family, friends, and the thousands of patients he treated throughout more than 50 years in his medical career.

Douglas was born on March 31, 1942, in McPherson, Kansas, to Carl and Roma Young. After graduating from McPherson High School in 1960, he earned a B.S. degree in Pharmacy from the University of Kansas [K.U.], then supported his advanced medical studies working in that field before graduating from the K.U. School of Medicine in 1971.

Following graduation, Doug served as a General Medical Officer and Hospital Administrator for the U.S. Air Force in Sembach, Germany, for the next 3 years. Upon returning to Wichita, he completed his Residency in Internal Medicine at the K.U. School of Medicine in 1978. He then became Clinical Instructor of Medicine for the Medical School and Medical Director of Gerontology at Columbia Wesley Medical Center in Wichita, as well as a Physician at the Wichita Veterans Administration Hospital. Later, he joined the Wichita Clinic, where he practiced in the Internal Medicine Department and served as the Medical Director of Immediate Care until 2000. During his medical career in Wichita, he served as Medical Staff President at Columbia Wesley Medical Center as well as President of Sedgwick County Medical Society, awarded Outstanding Physician in Kansas in 1984, and served as a long-term Board of Director member of Kansas Foundation of Medical Care.

Doug moved to Oklahoma in 2000 where he worked in Wound Care and Internal Medicine Departments at St. Michael’s and Deaconess Hospitals in Oklahoma City. He then joined the Cherokee Nation in Tahlequah, Oklahoma, in 2007, founding and serving as Medical Director for the Cherokee Elder Care Program before joining Cherokee Nation Health Services as Staff Physician in Urgent Care for the next 14 years.

Doug's curiosity, love of learning, and passion for medicine were evident throughout his life. He never sought fame or fortune but made significant contributions, such as the Cherokee Elder Care Program and establishing new courses on drug interactions and elderly care for medical residents at the University of Kansas School of Medicine in Wichita. Similarly, his dedication to helping those in need led to the establishment of Project Access in Wichita, a program connecting uninsured individuals with medical providers. During the last three years of his medical career, he served as the telehealth ‘Covid’ physician for the Cherokee Nation, impacting hundreds of Tribal patients and their families during the COVID epidemic.

Beyond medicine, Doug had a passion for life, art, and the history of Native Americans. He was preceded in death by his parents and sister, Ramona Kay. He is survived by his beloved wife, Sharilyn Young; sister, Carlene Berg (Jim), their three daughters Trina, Autumn, Heather, and their families; stepdaughter, Arriane Alexander; stepson, Tobin Gump (Bobbie), grandson Carson Gump; son, Charley Young (Teresa), their children Suzanna, Mila, Rowen and William; daughter, Jessica Goodpasture (Tim), their daughters Savannah and Josie; and daughter, Megan Young and her son Nicholas. 

Donations in his name can be made to the University of Kansas School of Medicine, Wichita.