Class notes
Posted: January 17, 2012
1970s
Rocky Vista University announced the appointment of Bruce Dubin, D.O., J.D., ’71, as its acting president. Dr. Dubin previously served as dean and chief academic officer at Rocky Vista University College of Osteopathic Medicine.
William R. Rogers, D.O., ’74, served as program co-chair for the annual joint meeting of the Texas Osteopathic Medical Association & Texas Society of the American College of Osteopathic Family Physicians held in Dallas on June 9-12. Dr. Rogers also completed his term as society treasurer and was elected to the office of vice president. He is a longtime family practice physician from San Marcos, Texas. Dr. Rogers is shown accepting recognition for his service from incoming society president Dr. George Smith.
1980s
Dr. Tooke-Rawlins
The American Osteopathic Foundation’s (AOF) annual Educator of the Year award honors an individual who exemplifies the osteopathic medical profession’s highest standards of excellence in teaching and long-standing contributions to academic advancement. The 2011 recipient is Dixie Tooke-Rawlins, D.O., ’80, dean and executive vice president of the Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine (VCOM). Dr. Tooke-Rawlins is the founding dean of VCOM, which began enrolling medical students in 2003 in Blacksburg, Va. She is also founding dean of a branch campus of VCOM, which opened in Spartanburg, S.C., in August.
Dr. Tooke-Rawlins was presented the award at the House of Delegates national meeting in Chicago in July. “What makes Dean Tooke-Rawlins special is her professionalism, integrity, duty, compassion, altruism, knowledge, and critical thinking. Throughout her professional and educational career she has lived and modeled these words,” said James Lally, D.O., AOF president.
In 1990, Dr. Tooke-Rawlins began an educational career that has advanced the osteopathic medical profession for more than two decades. As a faculty member in family medicine and emergency medicine at ATSU-KCOM, she has made a life-long commitment to educating students and to the advancement of the profession. Dr. Tooke-Rawlins also has served as a residency program director, as a national evaluator for medical school and residency accreditation, and serves on national and state committees, including two governor’s workforce task forces in the Commonwealth of Virginia.
Dr. Tooke-Rawlins was instrumental in establishing the VCOM International Medical Missions program with a model of sustained medical care for those who are less fortunate. Programs in three countries provide extraordinary training opportunities for VCOM students. She has worked diligently to assure that healthcare in the Appalachian region is addressed and has developed many opportunities for students to serve the local underserved population in Southwest Virginia and similar communities.
Dr. Tooke-Rawlins has received many awards honoring her work locally, nationally, and internationally. Significantly, she was the recipient of the Northrup Award, which is selected by medical students nationally in recognition of excellence in teaching. She is well-respected in the medical profession and in her community, having held numerous appointments and having served on many committees as a member of the American Osteopathic Association, American Association of Colleges of Osteopathic Medicine, and the American College of Osteopathic Family Physicians for more than 20 years.
Since 2004, the Negro Leagues Grave Marker Project has been tracking down the final resting places of long forgotten players and honoring their memories by installing headstones. The project, founded by Jeremy Krock, D.O., ’84, an Illinois anesthesiologist, has raised almost $10,000. So far, markers have been placed on the gravesites of 18 players such as Jimmie Crutchfield, “Big Bill” Gatewood, and “Steel Arm” Taylor. Watch the NBC Nightly News video featuring Dr. Krock at www.msnbc.msn.com/ id/43815227.
Keith Olson, D.O., FACOFP, ’84, lead physician at the former Lakeview Medical Clinic, Sauk Centre, Minn., from 1987-2010, was accepted into the Master of Health Administration program at Ohio University.
Dr. Olson is vice president of medical affairs at Owatonna Hospital, part of the Allina Health System. He is also vice chair of the department of family medicine and has clinical responsibilities in emergency medicine and urgent care with the Mayo Clinic Health System in Owatonna.
Scott A. Weber, D.O., ’89, Yankton Medical Clinic, P.C., family and sports medicine physician, was presented with the 2011 Leonard Tow Humanism in Medicine Award by The Arnold P. Gold Foundation. Nominations for the Humanism in Medicine Award are made by faculty members and fourth-year medical students at Sanford School of Medicine – University of South Dakota. With this honor, Dr. Weber is now a member of the Gold Humanism Honor Society, an international society with 92 established medical school chapters.
Dr. Weber has been in practice at Yankton Medical Clinic, P.C. since 2002. He is a clinical assistant professor at Sanford School of Medicine; director of sports medicine at Mount Marty College; and is board certified in family medicine and sports medicine.
1990s
J. Matthew Halverson, D.O., ’92, FAAFP, is a 2011 Super Doc in the Annual Top Docs Issue of Hampton Roads Magazine (Sept.). Dr. Halverson, a Kirksville Osteopathic Alumni Association board member, is a family practice physician affiliated with James River Family Practice LLC, located in Newport News, Va.
2000s
KCOM alumnus Bryan J. Putnam, D.O., ’01, finished a grueling Ironman triathlon in 11 hours, 32 minutes in June in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho. The Ironman consists of a 2.4-mile open water swim, 112-mile bike ride, and 26.2-mile marathon run. He and his wife, Dee, reside in Tuallatin, Ore., with their three daughters.
Amit Gosalia, Au.D., FAAA, ’06, Vancouver, Wash., is a board certified doctor of audiology and was listed in the Hearing Review’s Best of 2011 Hearing Healthcare Professionals. He also received the 2011 Jack Vernon Crystal Award presented by the American Tinnitus Association in August.
Trond U. Hegle, D.M.D., ’08, FRSM, has succeeded the 15th Baron and assumed the title and honors as the 16th Baron of Seggieden (Perthshire, Scotland). Dr. Hegle was recently awarded fellowship in the Royal Society of Medicine (London, U.K.) and is currently pursuing a M.S. degree in endodontics and a Ph.D. degree in healthcare conflict while maintaining private dental practices in Detroit, Mich., and Milwaukee, Wis. Dr. Hegle is engaged to Carli DiGioia, D.M.D. ’08. They reside in Milwaukee.
Gerry Walker, D.H.Ed., ’09, was promoted from assistant professor of nursing to associate professor of nursing at Park University. Dr. Walker teaches at the university’s home campus in Parkville, Mo., a suburb of Kansas City.
2010s
Companion-animal veterinarian Robert P. Gordon D.V.M., M.P.H., ’10, shared research in the article “Scrutiny of livestock antibiotic use pressures veterinary profession,” published in May for the VIN News Service.
Dr. Gordon offered expertise in two articles of this fourpart series on the struggle over the use of antibiotics in the livestock industry, the threat of antibiotic-resistant pathogens, and the veterinary profession’s role in safeguarding animal and public health.
Dr. Gordon is the New Jersey Veterinary Medical Association delegate to the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) House of Delegates and is responsible for pushing the AVMA into open discussion on food-animal antibiotic use.
Read the article featuring Dr. Gordon’s research on iconnect at www.iconnect.atsu.edu.
Shannon Simmons, D.H.Sc., ’10, who teaches exercise science as an assistant professor in human performance at Salem University, co-authored a study on child obesity rates with the federal Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program. Dr. Simmons’ findings will be published in an upcoming issue of the Journal of School Health.
Au.D.s recognized for outstanding service
Two entry-level Doctor of Audiology program (Au.D.) graduates were selected to receive the Outstanding Student in Audiology award for 2011. Brianna Bernal, Au.D., ’11, and John Burkart, Au.D., ’11, were presented the award at the Aug. 4 Au.D. graduation reception dinner.
“I am pleased to recognize Drs. Bernal and Burkart with this award,” said Tabitha Parent-Buck, Au.D., audiology professor and chair. “Throughout the program, Brianna has demonstrated academic and clinical excellence, and John has remained a consistently dedicated student with a drive to learn.”
Ward seeks Arizona Senate seat*
Family physician and Arizona Osteopathic Medical Association (AOMA) President Kelli M. Ward, D.O., M.P.H., ’05, announced in August her candidacy for the Arizona State Senate. Dr. Ward, an ATSU-SHM graduate, will seek the seat currently occupied by Sen. Ron Gould, (R) Lake Havasu City, whose term will expire in 2012.
Although she is new to public office, Dr. Ward said that her candidacy is a decade in the making. “I’ve always enjoyed politics, but after Sept. 11, 2001, I really focused in on it. I realized my kids were going to grow up in a completely different world than the one I grew up in. Now that I have an opportunity, I don’t want to be the person who just sits back and waits for something to happen.”
Dr. Ward serves as director of graduate medical education at Kingman Regional Medical Center and previously served as president of the Arizona Society of the American College of Osteopathic Family Physicians and the national Student Osteopathic Medical Association.
She received her D.O. degree from West Virginia School of Osteopathic Medicine, which serves as the backdrop to her current tenure as AOMA president. Dr. Ward is also active with the Lake Havasu Chamber of Commerce and Rotary Club and is host of “Ask Dr. Kelli” on TV45 in Lake Havasu City. Dr. Ward’s husband, Mike Ward, D.O., ‘95, is a graduate of ATSU-KCOM.
*Reprinted with permission of the Today’s News-Herald, Lake Havasu City, Ariz.