Richard J. Cenedella, Ph.D., professor and past chair of the ATSU-KCOM Biochemistry Department, has been named the Kirksville Osteopathic Alumni Association's (KOAA) Living Tribute Award recipient for 2006.

For Dr. Cenedella, building a lasting legacy at ATSU- KCOM began on day one. Tasked with rebuilding the biochemistry department from scratch, Dr. Cenedella has spent his time from then until now constructing a legacy of teaching and research. Though Dr. Cenedella is an accomplished and decorated researcher, his first priority was and always has been teaching. His most cherished award is the “Golden P” Professor of the Year Award, which he received in 1998. “Teaching is more challenging than research because of the interaction with other people,” he said. “It forces you to change yourself, whereas with research you can just do another experiment.” Dr. Cenedella recently stepped down as biochemistry chair after a 30-year legacy as the department's leader.

Elliott Lee Hix Sr., Ph.D., Kirksville, passed away July 16. Dr. Hix joined the faculty in 1953. He served as a professor of pharmacology and department chair from 1962 to 1975, was named director of the neurobiology laboratory in 1978, and served as archivist for the A.T. Still Memorial Library from 1978 until his retirement in 1990.

Dr. Hix was honored numerous times for his contributions to academia and research, including being named the Kirksville Osteopathic Alumni Association's Living Tribute Award recipient for 2001.

Catherine Kenney Carlton, D.O., '38, passed away August 22. Dr. Carlton had a distinguished record of providing outstanding osteopathic health care to her patients and was a true servant to the osteopathic profession, her alma mater, and her community.

She retired after 64 years as an osteopathic physician in the same location as her patients, also osteopathic physicians. She joined her parents, Charles Kenney, D.O., '09, and Helen Larmoyeux Kenney, D.O., '10, in practice following graduation, and was one of the original staff members of the Fort Worth Osteopathic Medical Center. She also served on the staff and was head of the manipulative medicine and distinctive osteopathic principles department at the University of North Texas Health Science Center. She was a Thomas L. Northup Memorial Lecturer, fellow and member of the American Academy of Osteopathy, and member and past president of the Kirksville Osteopathic Alumni Association (KOAA). She was particularly proud that at least 19 members of her immediate family were in the osteopathic profession. In 2000, she was named the KOAA Alumnus of the Year.

For the seventh consecutive year, women representing the National Osteopathic Women Physicians Association (NOWPA) competed in the Chicagoland Danskin Triathlon. In addition to promoting physical wellness, the Danskin Triathlon Series honors those who have survived breast cancer and supports breast cancer research. The race, which included over 3,600 participants, consisted of a 0.5 mile swim, 12.4 mile bike, and 3.1 mile run.

KCOM Class of 2008 participants included Hattie Alexander, Jennifer Bayuk, Robyn Heins, Erica Jacobson, Erin Labesky, Emily Musselman, Agne Naujokas, Lexie Siporin, Kylie Smith, Alexsandra Trifunovic, and Jennifer Vessa. Alexis Raftopoulos, Vita Randazzo, and Angela Ware represented the Class of 2007. Biomedical Sciences student Kimberly Graham, Admissions Staff Member Lynda Konecny, and Dr. Rene McGovern also joined the KCOM team. Labesky and Raftopoulos coordinated aspects of the groups participation.

Jeffrey A. Suzewits, D.O., M.P.H., '88, has been appointed associate dean for clinical educational affairs and associate professor of family & community medicine. He leads the educational programs for third- and fourth-year students, the OPTIK program, and manages Gutensohn Clinical Associates.

Matthew Fishel, MS III, has been elected region 8 trustee for the American Medical Student Association (AMSA). Fishel has been involved with AMSA for four years, holding national office for three of them.

Michael Goodwin, assistant professor, physician assistant studies, ATSU-ASHS, has been chosen to serve on a national professional working group by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration to conduct a survey regarding commercial motor vehicle (CMV) examinations. There has been no research to date that directly examines the role and performance of medical examiners who determine the physical qualifications of CMV drivers in the United States.

Nehad I. El-Sawi, Ph.D., has been appointed associate dean for curriculum and faculty enrichment at the Mesa campus. Most recently, Dr. El-Sawi was senior associate dean for academic affairs & curriculum governance and professor and chair of the microbiology department at Kansas City University of Medicine and Biosciences, Kansas, Mo., as well as the alumni faculty scholar at Harvard Macy Institute, Boston, Mass.

Tabitha Parent Buck, Au.D., chair of the audiology department of the Arizona School of Health Sciences (ASHS), has been selected this year's recipient of The Joel Wernick Award. The Award recognizes outstanding accomplishments and contributions to the field of audiology, and is selected and presented by The Academy of Doctors of Audiology.

Dr. Buck is pictured with Randy Danielsen, Ph.D., PA- C, Dean, ASHS.

Robert Ligorsky, D.O., assistant regional dean for ATSU-KCOM, received an award from the Maricopa County Special Health Care District Board of Directors. The award recognized him for his academic excellence, discipline, dedication, attention to quality, technology, patient safety, and medical ethics which contribute to the betterment of Arizona and Maricopa County.