Class notes

1960s

The American Osteopathic College of Radiology recognized Paul J. Chase, DO, FAOCR, ’64, for his outstanding contributions to the profession. On April 24 at AOCR’s annual convention in Fort Lauderdale, Fla., Dr. Chase received the Distinguished Service Award, the highest honor bestowed to an AOCR member. A member since 1967, Dr. Chase served on the board of directors (nine years) and was elected as the organization’s 51st president (1994). He practices radiology in Philadelphia, Penn.

Alexander J. Farina, DO, ’64, Pennington, N.J., age 81, enjoys skiing, golfing, hiking, and travelling. Dr. Farina is a part-time physician with Americare Medical Associates in Hamilton, N.J.

Paul M. Williams, DO, ’64, Brookfield, Mo., received an honorary doctor of science in education degree from ATSU by President Craig M. Phelps, DO, ’84, at KCOM’s graduation ceremony May 18 in Kirksville. The degree recognizes his long-standing service to KCOM and the profession. Dr. Williams served as a radiology professor at KCOM for more than 30 years. He continues to serve the profession and students through the Northeast Missouri Osteopathic Charitable Trust.

Dr. Williams is certified by the American Osteopathic Board of Radiology and is a member of the American Osteopathic College of Radiology, the American Osteopathic Association, the American Osteopathic College of Nuclear Medicine, and is a fellow of the American Osteopathic College of Radiology.

Legacy Project

Edward G. Stiles, DO, ’65, Pikeville, Ky., and Stephen D. Blood, DO, ’68, Alexandria, Va., participated in the Legacy Project, a joint venture of the A.T. Still Research Institute, ATSU, and the Museum of Osteopathic MedicineSM, with funding support from the Cranial Academy Foundation, Auxiliary to the American Osteopathic Association, private donations, and ATSU.

Identified by multiple professional sources as making an influential impact on the practice of osteopathic manipulative medicine, Drs. Blood and Stiles were invited to record their research and techniques and share stories of those who influenced their OMM work and style to create a living historical record.

Michael K. Willman, DO, ’65, received an honorary doctor of science in education degree from ATSU by President Craig M. Phelps, DO, ’84, at KCOM’s graduation ceremony May 18 in Kirksville. The degree recognizes his long-standing service to KCOM and the profession.

With a tenure of more than 30 years on KCOM’s faculty, Dr. Willman taught generations of osteopathic physicians. His leadership with the Northeast Missouri Osteopathic Charitable Trust has been instrumental in providing funds that support students and residents training at Northeast Regional Medical Center.

Dr. Willman is retired and lives in Kirksville. His family includes wife Janet; daughter Amy Willman; and sons Michael R. Willman, DO, ’92, and Paul A. Willman, DO, ’95. In honor of the occasion and his personal inspiration to them, his children have provided a special gift to KCOM in his name.

1970s

George Thomas, DO, FACOFP, ’72, Cleveland, Ohio, received the Ohio State Society of the American College of Osteopathic Family Physicians Distinguished Service Award at the Ohio Osteopathic Symposium in May. A past president of the American Osteopathic Association, Ohio Osteopathic Association, and Cleveland Academy of Osteopathic Medicine, Dr. Thomas has been a leader in the local, state, and national osteopathic profession for more than 30 years.

The American Osteopathic College of Radiology recognized Wade Hon Mun Wong, DO, FAOCR, FACR, ’72, for his outstanding contributions to the profession. On April 24at AOCR’s annual convention in Fort Lauderdale, Fla., Dr. Wong received the Dr. Floyd J. Trenery Memorial Medal for his involvement in AOCR Continuing Medical Education activities, including providing didactic lectures and developing continuing medical education programs.

Dr. Wong is a renowned radiologist, researcher, educator, and author. He is retired from a long tenure of teaching radiology at the University of California in San Diego.

Rex O. Lee, DO, ’76, Kirksville, Mo., was awarded the Wilbur T. Hill, DO, FACOFP, Dist., Distinguished Service Award by the Missouri Association of Osteopathic Physicians and Surgeons at an April 27 ceremony in Lake Ozark, Mo. The award recognizes physicians who have given meritorious service to MAOPS and the osteopathic profession.

Dr. Lee served as MAOPS president (2008) and on all MAOPS committees during his 35 years of membership. He also served as president of the Missouri Society of the American College of Family Physicians. Dr. Lee is board certified in family medicine by the American Osteopathic Board of Family Physicians and runs a private practice.

Dr. McWilliams

Thomas E. McWilliams, DO, FACOFP, ’76, associate dean, graduate medical education, SOMA, and wife Patricia DeLoss McWilliams were recognized with the Honored Patron Award for their generous giving to the University at an alumni reunion April 17 following sessions at the Arizona Osteopathic Medical Association conference in Scottsdale, Ariz.

1980s

Michael L. Kuchera, DO, FAAO, ’80, Greenwood, Ind., was elected to the board of governors at the American Academy of Osteopathy’s annual business meeting in Orlando, Fla., on March 21. He will serve a three-year term.

Dr. Kuchera served as chair of osteopathic manipulative medicine, OMM residency director, vice president for international osteopathic research and education, vice president for academic affairs, and dean of KCOM. He directed the OMM Research and Human Performance and Biomechanics Laboratory at Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine and was clinical director of the Center for Chronic Disorders of Aging. Dr. Kuchera recently took the position of inaugural chair of the OMM Department at Marian University College of Osteopathic Medicine in Indianapolis.

Dr. Kuchera represents the United States in the International Federation of Manual/ Musculoskeletal Medicine, for which he serves as secretary general. He was invited to lecture in Europe, Japan, and Australia and is a founding member of the American Osteopathic Association Bureau on International Osteopathic Medical Education and Affairs.

A past AAO president, he received its A.T. Still Medallion of Honor (2007), and currently serves on its Louisa Burns Osteopathic Research Committee, Education Committee, and as chair and BIOMEA liaison for the International Affairs Committee. In 2002, the AOA Council of Research awarded Dr. Kuchera its highest honor for a career in research and research mentorship, the Gutensohn- Denslow Award.

In addition to co-editing and writing numerous articles and chapters in Foundations for Osteopathic Medicine, he coauthored Osteopathic Considerations in Systemic Dysfunction with his father, as well as two other textbooks. These and other educational materials led to his recent induction as a fellow of the National Academy of Osteopathic Medical Educators.

VCOM graduation

Martin S. Levine, DO, MPH, ’80, received an honorary doctorate for his contributions to the profession and at the Boston Marathon by Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine during their commencement ceremony in June. Pictured l-r: Dixie J. Tooke- Rawlins, DO, ’80, VCOM executive vice president and dean; Jan M. Willcox, DO, ’78, vice dean, VCOM Virginia campus; Dr. Levine; and Barbara Walker, DO, VCOM’s AOA board of trustees representative.

Les L. Barrickman, DO, ’82, Honolulu, Hawaii, completed his ninth consecutive elected year as president of the Hawaii Association of Osteopathic Physicians & Surgeons. He also was appointed to his third year as a board member of the Hawaii Board of Medical Examiners by the governor and was voted to serve as vice chair.

Dr. Olson

Keith Olson, DO, MHA, FACOFP, ’84, Owatonna, Minn., was promoted to southeast regional medical director at Allina Health. He is also vice president of medical affairs at Owatonna Hospital, part of Allina Health, and has clinical responsibilities within the Mayo Clinic Health System – Owatonna. In his new position he will provide leadership within six Allina Health medical clinics, which includes 144 primary care and specialty providers.

Dr. Olson also recently completed his master of health administration degree through Ohio University, graduating with high honors.

Dr. Olson is board certified in family medicine, osteopathic manipulative treatment, geriatric medicine, and clinical densitometry. He is a member of the American College of Physician Executives and the American College of Healthcare Executives.

Jerry H. Hutchinson Jr., DO, FACOI, ’85, a Tucson hospitalist with Arizona Inpatient Medicine Associates serving as an acute care inpatient physician at several Tucson area hospitals, was elected board of trustees chair for the Tucson Osteopathic Medical Foundation. Dr. Hutchinson is a board certified physician.

Catherine M. Kimball, DO, PA, ’85, Waterville, Maine, was elected as a trustee at the American Academy of Osteopathy’s annual business meeting in Orlando, Fla., on March 21. She will serve a oneyear term.

Dr. Kimball is board certified in osteopathic manipulative medicine and family practice. She has been in private practice in Waterville for more than 20 years. In addition to her family practice, she sees patients in OMM consultation.

Dr. Kimball served as chief of staff and on the board of trustees for Inland Hospital for many years. She also has been a member of the AAO Board of Governors since 2001 and serves on the Osteopathic Medical Economics Committee.

Bradley G. Hanebrink, DO, ’86, was elected president of the Wyoming Medical Society. He is a board certified anesthesiologist and practices in Sheridan, Wyo. He served as chief of medical staff, Sheridan Memorial Hospital, and currently sits on the board of directors of the Wyoming Professional Assistance Program and Sheridan Memorial Hospital Foundation.

G. Scott Drew, DO, FAOCD, ’87, expanded his dermatology practice with Avita Health System into Galion, Ohio, in May. He will continue his dermatology practice in Marion, Ohio. Dr. Drew is board certified in both dermatology and family medicine. He currently serves as ATSU Board of Trustees chair.

1990s

J.D. Polk, DO, MS, MMM, ’93, was selected as dean of Des Moines University College of Osteopathic Medicine (Des Moines, Iowa), effective Aug. 1. Dr. Polk previously served as acting assisting secretary for health affairs and chief medical officer for the United States Department of Homeland Security.

Kenneth J. Lossing, DO, ’94, San Rafael, Calif., was unanimously chosen as presidentelect at the American Academy of Osteopathy’s annual business meeting in Orlando, Fla., on March 21. He will take office in March 2014 and serve a one-year term.

Dr. Lossing completed his internship and residency programs at Ohio University College of Osteopathic Medicine and is certified in neuromusculoskeletal medicine/ osteopathic manipulative medicine and family practice. Dr. Lossing studied under French osteopath Jean-Pierre Barral, DO, and is known internationally as a lecturer on visceral manipulation.

He is a current member of the AAO board of trustees and serves as its liaison for the Osteopathic Medical Economics and Osteopathic Education Service Committees.

Joyce E. Scott, DO, ’94, and Norma L. Cavazos-Salas, DO, ’94, are both recipients of a $50,000 loan repayment grant funded by the United Health Foundation. Dr. Scott practices in Celina, Tenn., and Dr. Cavazos-Salas practices in Mission, Texas, both underserved communities.

Dr. Steinbaum

Suzanne R. Steinbaum, DO, ’94, was named a New York Super Doctors 2013 and was featured in New York Times Magazine. The title comes from doctors nominating one or more colleagues (excluding themselves) that they’d choose in seeking medical care. Dr. Steinbaum also appeared on the “Dr. Oz Show” in May on the segment “What Female Doctors Know” and spoke on salt in the diet and heart health on “The B. Smith and ‘Thank you Dan Show’” on Sirius XM Satellite Radio.

Steven W. Krause, DO, ’96, joined the Northeast Regional Heart Center at Northeast Regional Medical Center as an interventional cardiologist. Dr. Krause will act as NRHC medical director and provide heart stent services. He has served with the United States Army Medical Corps and is board certified in internal medicine, cardiology, and interventional cardiology.

Katherine “Kate” R. Lichtenberg, DO, MPH, FAAFP, ’97, is physician director of the new Patient-Centered Primary Care initiative at Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield in Missouri. Dr. Lichtenberg leads patient-centered care strategies and works directly with network primary care physicians to assist them in their transition to patient-centered medical home practices. She is board certified by both the American Board of Family Practice and the American Board of Preventive Medicine.

2000s

Melinda E. Ford, DO, ’02, Athens, Ohio, was installed as Ohio State Society of the American College of Osteopathic Family Physicians president May 15 for a oneyear term. Dr. Ford is assistant professor of family medicine at Ohio University Heritage College of Osteopathic Medicine and is affiliated with the University Medical Association in Athens.

Bonnie J. Rettgers, AuD, ’03, Long Beach, Calif., was named Volunteer of the Year for service to the underserved in remote areas of Baja, Calif., by Mexico by Aeromedicos of Santa Barbara, Calif. Dr. Rettgers also enjoys music, camping, and dogs.

Holly Johnson, DPT, ’05, Harlan, Ky., was inducted into UK College of Health Sciences’ Hall of Fame. Dr. Johnson graduated from UK’s physical therapy program (1986) and has more than 25 years’ experience as a PT and clinic director. She also has served as a clinical educator for several PT programs, including the University of Kentucky, Bellarmine University, and Louisiana State University.

Carrie L. Spangler, AuD, ’05, Uniontown, Ohio, received the Twenty Under 40! Award, recognizing her outstanding contributions to her community and profession. Dr. Spangler co-founded Hearing Impaired Teens Interacting Together, an advocacy and social support group in Stark County, Ohio; she and Stark County audiologists developed the SPEAK Program (Stark Project for Educating Audition in Kids), an auditory/oral preschool program to develop spoken language in young hearing-impaired children; serves on the Viking Victory Run committee; is an active member of Quota International of Massillon; is chair of Quota’s Sound Beginnings program; and supervises field experiences for doctoral students in educational audiology from local colleges.

A developer of the Guide to Access Planning program, Dr. Spangler has presented nationally on the topic, received honors from the Ohio School Speech Pathology and Audiology Coalition, was named Volunteer of the Year at the Massillon Quota Club, received the national Cheryl DeConde Johnson Award (2012), and worked with the state legislature to develop and pass a bill implementing universal newborn hearing screening in all birthing hospitals in Ohio.

Dr. Sterkens

Juliëtte Sterkens, AuD, ’06, received the 2014 Humanitarian of the Year Award from the ASHS Alumni Chapter Board. The award recognizes graduates who have demonstrated exceptional dedication, enthusiasm, and leadership through nonprofit organizations or other outstanding volunteer service.

Dr. Sterkens’ advocacy work at the state, national, and international levels has resulted in the installation of hearing loops in more than 200 public places. Hearing loops transfer sounds spoken directly into a nearby PA system’s microphone instead of relying on a hearing aid’s internal microphone, eliminating any background noise and giving individuals a clearer understanding of what is being said.

Muhammad Khan, DPT, ’07, lives in Pakistan and has worked full-time with the Pakistan Cricket Board as a physical therapist since 2007. He also teaches at universities in Karachi, Pakistan, as a visiting faculty to tDPT programs.

Under the leadership of Dawn N. Chambers-Lynch, DPT, ’08, Carolina Women’s Physical Therapy and Wellness opened a treatment facility in Columbia, S.C., the Midland’s first PT practice devoted exclusively to women’s rehabilitation and wellness with an emphasis on providing an enhanced patient experience.

Shannon M. (Coen) Koenig, DMD, ’08, married Dustin Koenig on March 2 in Anthem, Ariz.

Research abstracts by Sean P. Connolly, DMD, ’09, and Joshua Parfitt, D2, were accepted to the Ohio State University Volpe competition in May. The tri-country competition is open to all dental schools, PhD candidates, and periodontal residents. Only 12 abstracts are accepted to compete.

Dr. Connolly is finishing his third year in a periodontal residency program at Fort Gordon, Ga., and will begin work as a periodontist in Fort Polk, La., next year.

2010s

Michael Estrada, DHSc, ’10, PA, ’07, and Jeremy Welsh, DHSc, ’10, are program directors representing Chapman University in California and Lynchburg College in Virginia, respectively. Drs. Estrada and Welsh have worked together since graduation on curriculum design and physician assistant advocacy through leadership. Dr. Welsh also is a member of the ASHS Alumni Chapter Board.

Brian W. Sparks, MS, PA-C, ’10, Bossier City, La., received a Certificate of Added Qualifications in Emergency Medicine from the National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants. Sparks, an employee of The Schumacher Group, the contracting company for the Minden Medical Center emergency department in Minden, La., earned the certification by meeting licensure, education, and experience requirements, and passing an exam in emergency medicine. He is one of only two physician assistants certified in emergency medicine in Louisiana who have earned this distinction.

Dr. Westfall

April L. Westfall, DMD, ’10, S. Lake Tahoe, Calif., visited a remote part of southern Sudan in August to provide oral healthcare to children at an orphanage. This is the 11th trip for Dr. Westfall, who has traveled to Ecuador, Panama, Costa Rica, Mexico, Bolivia, Peru, and the Dominican Republic within the last six years to provide dental services to the underserved. This was her first trip to Africa.

Malik Abdur-Razzaq, DHEd, ’11, served as a peer reviewer for MedEdPORTAL publications, an Association of American Medical Colleges program.

Mathew W. Lively, MHA, ’11, is the author of “Calamity at Chancellorsville,” a full-length examination of Stonewall Jackson’s final days.

Katie L. Westerfield, DO, ’11, was married June 9, 2012, to Walter Broseghini. The couple welcomed their second son, Ezekiel Broseghini, on Jan. 7, 2013. Dr. Westerfield currently serves in the United States Army at Fort Benning, Ga. She received the Army Commendation Medal for outstanding service, scoring above the 95th percentile on the in-training exam, furthering residency education and patient safety by bringing the AWHON fetal monitoring and STABLE course to Martin Army Community Hospital, and starting the national Reach Out and Read program to promote childhood literacy by providing new books and physician-directed testing guidance at well-child visits for kids ages 6 months to 5 years.

Josh Heenan, MS, ’12, is head strength and conditioning coach for Sacred Heart University’s (Fairfield, Conn.) baseball program and is in charge of the fitness division at Moore Physical Therapy in Southport, Conn. Heenan also was accepted at the University of Natural Medicine (Sante Fe, N.M.) where he is studying to specialize in manual manipulation, acupuncture, and softtissue therapy.

Bill Ito, MS, ’12, was part the medical staff team for the International Association of Athletics Federations World Outdoor Track and Field Championships in Moscow, Russia, held Aug. 10-19. IAAF is the governing body of International Track and Field, where elite athletes prepare for the Olympic Games. The medical staff included athletic trainers, massage therapists, chiropractors, and doctors.

Patrick Palmieri, DHSc, ’12, was awarded the 2014 Distinguished Service Award by the ASHS Alumni Chapter Board. The award honors graduates who have attained local, national, or international distinction in their profession or discipline.

Dr. Palmieri was nominated for his work on national and international levels, including helping to effect significant healthcare reforms in Peru; for providing financial support to impoverished girls pursuing higher education and organizations that provide healthcare to the people of the Amazon through the Sara and Patrick Palmieri Foundation; and for serving as an adjunct faculty member of the DHSc program.

A new company start-up by Marla Pomeranz-Rossman, MS, ’12, called More Cowbelt, recently celebrated its first anniversary in Mesa, Ariz. More Cowbelt crafts custom gait belts for healthcare professionals. Part of the proceeds from each belt sold goes to the Macular Degeneration Foundation in a fund honoring the memory of Pomeranz- Rossman’s mother.

Lindsay Dood, DO, ’13, and Abigail Brubaker, DO, ’13, received awards from Frederick “Rick” Watson, DO, ’97, Kirksville Osteopathic Alumni Association president, on behalf of the KOAA for their service as KOAA student exofficio members.

Destination wedding

Mintz family

KCOM alumni connect at the wedding of Dr. Bruce Mintz’s daughter. Pictured l-r: Michael R. Jaff, DO, ’85; Frederick H. Stansbury, DO, ’85; Bruce L. Mintz, DO, FSVM, ’81; Steven M. Levine, DO, ’78; Krystin A. Engelhardt, DO, MPH, ’12; Jody Mintz, DO, ’12; David Levine, DO, ’12; Milton “Mickey” J. Mintz, DO, ’54; and Martin S. Levine, DO, MPH, ’80.

Fall Prevention goes to state

Lindsey and Gov. Brewer

Caroline Lindsey, AuD, ’16, met with Arizona Governor Jan Brewer (right) in September to discuss ATSU’s Still Standing Fall Prevention Outreach, a community health education program conducted by ATSU’s Aging Studies Project to alleviate falls among older adults. Since 2009, students from ASHS’ Physical Therapy, Occupational Therapy, Audiology, and Athletic Training programs have presented the evidencedbased Matter of Balance program to more than 1,500 seniors in Arizona. Approximately 2,800 community service hours are accounted for each year by students and faculty participating in the outreach. ATSU holds a nine-year association with the Governor’s Office on Aging and has been a part of the Arizona Fall Prevention Coalition since its inception.