Dolores Furtado, District 19
Biography
Dolores Furtado was elected to the Kansas Legislature in 2008. She represents the 19th House District, which includes Northeast Johnson County.
Dolores worked as a professor of microbiology at the University of Kansas Medical Center in Kansas City for 31 years. Throughout her tenure, she taught over 6,000 medical students and served as the vice chairman of the Department of Microbiology, Molecular Genetics and Immunology. She received the University of Kansas Chancellor's Award for Teaching Excellence and, subsequently, the Student Voice Award for Excellence in Education four times. In 2001, Dolores retired as Professor Emerita.
Within the Johnson County community, Dolores served on the Johnson County Commission from 2003-2007. She worked actively on issues of public health and wellness and was instrumental in the passage of Johnson County smoking restrictions. Dolores participates in the League of Women Voters of Johnson County and served as president. She has also served on the Governor's Council on Fitness since 2006 and is also active on the TriCounty Smart Start Advisory Board. In 2007, Dolores received the CleanAirKC Public Service Award, as well as the Distinguished Public Service Award from the United Community Services of Johnson County.
Dolores received an undergraduate degree from Cornell University before obtaining both a Master's and Ph.D. from the University of Michigan. She participated in two postgraduate research fellowships: one at Guy's Hospital Medical School in London and another at Yale University School of Medicine. She has authored numerous articles and abstracts and is a member of the American Association of University Professors.
