Kathryn Slominski Buchta, MD

Kathryn Slominski Buchta MD, 69, of Columbia, MD, passed away on January 24th, 2021 after a long battle with breast cancer.

Kathy was born on February 23, 1951, to Joseph and Susan Slominski in Albuquerque, NM. After graduating from St. Pius X High School in 1968, she enrolled at Creighton University in Omaha, NE and earned her Bachelors of Science degree in 1972, a Master of Science degree in 1974, and graduated from Creighton Medical School in 1978. 

Upon receiving her medical degree from Creighton University, Dr. Buchta joined the United States Navy and a surgical internship at San Diego Naval Hospital ensued.  After completing her internship, Dr. Buchta was assigned to a ship, the USS Samuel Gompers (AD37), as the medical officer in 1979, the first year females were allowed to serve aboard Navy ships.  A year later she accepted a position in the residency program at San Diego Naval Hospital, and four years later she was the first female to complete a Urology Residency there.

Her next billet was as a staff urologist at Puget Sound Naval Hospital in Bremerton, WA, which was a 5 year assignment.  It was there that she took and passed the requirements for Board Certification from the American Urological Association, making her one of the first 20 female board certified urologists in the United States in 1986. Her final Naval assignment was at Naval Regional Medical Center in Portsmouth, VA, as a staff urologist.  During her time in Portsmouth, she managed to serve the hospital as Director of Surgical Services for four years as she continued to work in the urology clinic.  Captain Buchta retired from the United States Navy in 2000.

Dr. Buchta next served as Vice President of Medical Management with Sierra Military Health Services from 2000-2004, helping to administer the TriCare contract. In 2005, she joined HealthNet Federal Services as a Medical Administrator. She worked there until she retired in April, 2020.

In 1975, Kathryn met the love of her life, Robert Buchta. They were married in 1978, and have two sons, Joseph and Jason, both of whom were born in Bremerton, Washington.

In her free time, Dr. Buchta loved spending time with friends and family, shopping, watching birds on the bird feeders in her backyard, and playing piano when she could find time.  She also enjoyed crocheting,  singing in the church choir, playing with dogs, and planning  wonderful parties where she  prepared all the delicious food needed.

She is survived by Bob, her loving husband of 42 years, her two sons (Joseph and Jason), her daughter-in-law (Stephanie), and her grandson (Link)  Kathy was predeceased by her parents, Joseph and Susan Slominski. She will be greatly missed and fondly remembered by all the lives she touched.

Details for a memorial service will follow once larger social gatherings are safe.  Stay safe!

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in her memory to the American Cancer Society.

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