Class notes
Posted: May 7, 2012
1950s Wilbur T. Hill, DO, ’51, FACOFP, Liberty, Mo., received the Years of Service Award from the Missouri Society of the American College of Osteopathic Family Physicians in January. Dr. Hill was a founding member of the ACOFP. Robert Pearson, DO, ’57, Woodcliff Lake, N.J., recently published the novel “House Calls” with Thomas Merjanian. “House Calls” tells the story of a child of the Great Depression who aspires to be a physician and a wealthy woman who realizes her parents’ dreams to marry a doctor. Their stories intertwine through 70 years of laughter, joy, disappointments, and triumphs. 1960s Retired Air Force Col. Alfred W. Studwell, DO, ’62, was presented the U.S. Armed Services Air Medal for his U.S. Air Force service during the 1983 Beirut, Lebanon, conflict. Dr. Studwell received the medal on June 5, 2011, one day before his 79th birthday, in a ceremony at Dobbins Air Reserve Base in Marietta, Ga. Dr. Studwell was commander of the U.S. Regional Hospital, Incirlik, Turkey, on Oct. 23, 1983. “We found out that there was an early-morning terrorist attack on the U.S. Marine Corps barracks in Beirut, which was a short flying distance from our base in Turkey,” said Dr. Studwell. “More than 250 active-duty Marines, Navy, and Army personnel were killed. The primary explosion took out the attached military corpsmen and medical personnel, rendering the wounded helpless. “We were warned that there was sniper and mortar fire in the area. I wasn’t so much concerned about the danger for the plane, but rather the dead and injured that were lying bleeding on the runway.” Twenty-four badly injured Marines were brought aboard the aircraft, and being the only physician on board, Dr. Studwell was credited with saving many lives on the emergency flight to trauma hospitals in Germany. He supervised a crew of 10 working on injured Marines. Dr. Studwell now resides with his wife in Stone Mountain, Ga. Of his heroic actions, Dr. Studwell said, “I didn’t do anything special. I was just doing my job.” Albert L. Pick, DO, ’67, JD, shared a photo of himself in his Navy officers’ uniform (taken in 1992 at an officers’ class reunion) and a road sign on a busy street in Greensboro, N.C., that bears his name. Dr. Pick is a general surgeon in Atlanta, Ga., and a life member of the American College of Osteopathic Surgeons. Robert L. Robbins, DO, ’68, leads Saint Francis Medical Center’s group of physician practices in Charleston, Mo. For more than 40 years, Dr. Robbins has been a respected family practitioner in the Charleston community. 1970s J.A. Keuhn, DO, ’76, Trenton, Mo., was named the 2010 Physician of the Year by The Missouri Association of Osteopathic Physicians and Surgeons. This prestigious award is not given every year and has been given to only 25 physicians in Missouri. Dr. Keuhn served in the U.S. Army for two years as a sergeant and radio man during the Vietnam War, after which, he attended KCOM and began a private practice in Trenton. He currently is the emergency room physician for Wright Memorial Hospital in Trenton and serves on the Wright Memorial Hospital Foundation and Advisory boards. He is also medical director for Sunnyview Nursing Home. Dr. Keuhn also extends his service outside of Missouri. Since 1999, he has visited Haiti where he founded a free medical clinic. He returns to Haiti at least four times a year, treating 400-500 patients and performing 50-75 surgeries. In addition to providing medical care, he works with the School of Excellence, which has increased from 35 students to more than 600. The school provides an education, food, clean drinking water, and restroom facilities to its students. On Dec. 3, 2011, the Illinois Osteopathic Medical Society hosted its annual Presidential Banquet in Lombard, Ill., to honor its incoming president, Richard A. Feely, DO, ’78, FAAO, FCA, FAAMA, Flossmoor, Ill. Dr. Feely is a highly accomplished physician with more than 25 years’ experience in the Chicago area specializing in osteopathic medicine, acupuncture, herbal medicine, and family practice. Dr. Feely has served and continues to serve as an adjunct and associate professor in osteopathic medicine at medical schools around the United States, including Midwestern University – Chicago College of Osteopathic Medicine, ATSU, and Western University College of Osteopathic Medicine (Panoma, Calif.). Dr. Feely is widely known for his work in osteopathic manipulation, cranial osteopathy, and acupuncture and is a sought-after lecturer and educator. Dr. Feely is also an author on integrative medical treatments and has edited Clinical Cranial Osteopathy: Selected Readings, as well as other medical and holistic journals. 1980s Stone Phillips, former co-anchor of Dateline NBC, recently interviewed Gunnar Brolinson, DO, ’83, on a study focusing on head impact injuries in youth football. Dr. Brolinson is sports medicine chair of Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine and head team physician for Virginia Tech Hokies football, as well as the U.S. Olympic Ski team. Robert W. Sparks, DO, ’83, was recognized by the Missouri Health Information Technology (MO HIT) Assistance Center for his leadership in the nationwide transition toward electronic health records (EHR). The MO HIT Assistance Center assists clinicians in Missouri on becoming meaningful users of EHR. The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services have awarded Dr. Sparks with one of the first incentive payments made under the Medicare and Medicaid EHR Incentive Programs. Sherri J. Tenpenny, DO, ’84, accepted a position as corporate medical director for Parker Hannifin, a Fortune 200 company with 57,000 employees in 40 countries. Dr. Tenpenny will expand the company’s integrative medicine program globally. Stan P. Coe, DO, ’88, and Elizabeth A. (Appelquest) Coe, DO, ’88, continue to work in the ER and primary care, respectively. Drs. Coe are also involved in theatre and music and enjoy working with a group of at-risk kids who are learning to play the violin. 1990s Joel L. Baker, DO, ’93, was elected president of the Iowa Chapter of the American College of Osteopathic Family Physicians. Dr. Baker practices at Wayne County Hospital in Corydon, Iowa. Radiologist Mark DeSantis, DO, ’93, was granted a U.S. patent on his research work on thermal treatment of cancer using carbon nanotechnology. Ian Fawks, DO, ’97, was recently promoted to lieutenant colonel in the Missouri Army National Guard. Dr. Fawks, Moberly, Mo., was promoted based upon his abilities as a leader, his medical skills, and his contribution to the missions of the Missouri Army National Guard. “Since being a doctor and a soldier, I’ve become a better clinician,” said Dr. Fawks. “This blended experience benefits both my military and civilian careers in a direct fashion.” Dr. Fawks practices in Salisbury, Mo., where he provides care to patients of all ages. He is the medical director at Brunswick Nursing Home and sees patients at the Glasgow and Salisbury nursing homes. He also works in the emergency room at Moberly Regional Medical Center. Dr. Fawks and his wife, Cheri, have been married for 17 years and they have three children, Abby, Maggie, and Joe. James Lewerenz , DO, ’97, FAARM, has expanded his practice and training to holistic, advanced medical care, including stem cell therapy, hyperbaric oxygen, IV nutritional therapy, and bio-identical hormone replacement. He received these skills while studying at University of South Florida, completing a fellowship in regenerative, metabolic medicine. Dr. Lewerenz is a regular guest on KOMC FM radio in Michigan and is director of the Longevity Health Institute at the Beaumont Health and Wellness Center in Madison Heights, Mich. Mihir G. Modi, DO, ’97, FAAFP, was recently named a fellow of the American Academy of Family Physicians. Dr. Modi resides in York, Pa. 2000s
Hoffa
Geoffrey W. Hoffa, PA-C, ’00, doctor of health sciences student at ASHS, was appointed to the International Brotherhood of Teamsters (IBT) – George Washington University (GWU), Teamsters Archives Advisory Board. Together with GWU, IBT has built the Labor History Research Center at the Gelman Library, located at the center of the Washington, D.C., campus. The board exists to govern the project to make labor archives a reality. Duc T. Nguyen, DO, ’00, joined Saint Francis Medical Center as a medical partner and member of Cape Cardiology Group. Dr. Nguyen’s clinical interests include complex peripheral and coronary intervention, catheter-based treatment of structural heart disease, and device therapy such as pacemakers and defibrillators for arrhythmia. Deborah Bade Horn, DO, ’01, MPH, MS, Houston, Texas, was inducted as vice president of the American Society of Bariatric Physicians (ASBP) on Oct. 29, 2011, at the society’s annual meeting in Las Vegas. Formed in 1950, ASBP is the primary source for clinical education and training for the non-surgical medical management of obesity. Dr. Horn has been involved in ASBP’s leadership since 2007. She was also named Bariatrician of the Year in recognition for her work to advance the field of bariatric medicine and ASBP. Dr. Horn is board certified in family, general preventive, and bariatric medicine. She presents regularly on physical activity, obesity, and weightrelated co-morbidities. “I am so grateful to the ASBP, my peers, and my patients for the opportunity to continue to serve and play an active role in the solution to our country’s No. 1 health epidemic,” Dr. Horn said. Tricia Schank Moen, MS, ’02, ATC, together with husband Mike, announce the Aug. 19, 2011, birth of their daughter, Alyssa. Brian Panik, DO, ’02, a board certified physician practicing in Hawaii for more than five years, is leading a health challenge with To Find Health, an online community formed to encourage healthy lifestyles in Hawaii. Learn more at tofindhealth.com. Glen G. Funkey, DPT, ’04, retired from active practice in May 2011 after 51 years as a physical therapist. The ASHS Department of Physical Therapy honored Jennifer Camhi, PT, DPT, OCS, AT, ’05, with a Regional Alumni Award in Chandler, Ariz., on Jan. 12. Dr. Camhi is an internationally renowned speaker in orthopaedic physical therapy for athletes and active adults. “Dr. Camhi demonstrates a commitment to clinical excellence, life-long learning, and the bridge between education and healthcare,” said Ann Lee Burch, PT, EdD, MPH, MS, vice dean, ASHS. As a board-certified orthopaedic clinical specialist, Dr. Camhi works as the performance physical therapist and center coordinator of clinical education at Athletes’ Performance, a company that provides integrated performance training, nutrition, and physical therapy for elite and professional athletes. Krisi Mandara, DO, ’05, joined St. John’s Clinic – General & Trauma Surgery. She received her DO from KCOM and completed her residency with Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine. Her medical training also includes a surgical critical care/trauma surgery fellowship at Indiana University in Indianapolis. Charles W. Bering, AuD, ’06, was appointed audiologist of the Neurology Department at the Emory School of Medicine’s Dizziness & Balance Center in Atlanta, Ga. Dr. Bering enjoys restoring old cars, boats, and motorcycles.
Dr. Bitonte
David A. Bitonte, DO, MBA, MPH, ’06, serves as chair of the Public Health Council Board for the Ohio Department of Health. In April 2011, Dr. Bitonte became a staff physician at Good Samaritan Clinic – FQHC in Alliance, Ohio, and in October was named a life member of the American Osteopathic College of Anesthesiologists at their annual meeting. Amit Gosalia, AuD, ’06, FAAA, has been named to the list of the Best Hearing Care Professionals in 2011 by The Hearing Review. In addition, Dr. Gosalia won the American Academy of Audiology Scholar Award, which recognizes audiologists who have gone above and beyond the minimum requirements in continuing education. He also received the 2011 Jack Vernon Crystal Award presented by the American Tinnitus Association. Dr. Gosalia is an audiologist at the Audiology Clinic Inc. in the Portland, Ore., area. Peter Rhee, DO, ’07, was published in the American Journal of Orthopedics. Dr. Rhee’s article, “We are Physicians First, Orthopedic Surgeons Second,” was printed in the January 2012 edition of the journal. “I wrote it with the intent to instill DO principles to a surgical specialty where we often don’t get a chance to practice what we learned in osteopathic medical school,” said Dr. Rhee. Timothy Oh, DMD, ’08, received the Oral Health Hero Award from The Maine Dental Access Coalition on Jan. 14 at the governor’s mansion in Augusta, Maine. Dr. Oh, director, Caring Hands of Maine Dental Center, was recognized for his efforts in founding this center and bringing dental care to Washington and Hancock counties. Erik P. Gulbrandsen, DO, ’09, chief resident, Southern Illinois University School of Medicine, Department of Family and Community Medicine, received the 2011 H. Winter Griffith Scholarship for Excellence in Practice Improvement and Patient-centered Care. He was honored by the Society of Teachers of Family Medicine and the American Academy of Family Physicians at their annual practice improvement conference in December. Dr. Gulbrandsen’s project focused on measures to improve quality of patient care for those with chronic diseases. Morgan Glenn Yost, DO, ’09, received a 2011 Research Fellowship Award from the American Osteopathic Association (AOA) for his research titled, “Burnout Among Osteopathic Otolaryngology Residents- Identification, Prevention, and Treatment During Formative Training Years.” Grant awardees result from the national partnership between the AOA’s Council on Research and the Osteopathic Heritage Foundation. 2010s Matt Crespin, MPH, ’10, RDH, was promoted to associate director at Children’s Health Alliance of Wisconsin. Crespin has served as oral health project manager for the past five years and will continue overseeing all of the oral health initiatives of the Alliance in addition to the Reach Out and Read Wisconsin program.Crespin also will provide operational support for the organization, which works statewide to improve the health of Wisconsin’s children by engaging community leaders in advocacy, policy change, and the implementation of evidenced-based programs. Crespin also was recently married to Laura Beth Walsh, a kindergarten teacher for Milwaukee Public Schools. The two reside in Milwaukee, Wis. Coty L. Richardson, MS, ’10, recently obtained a position teaching exercise science courses at Northwest Christian University in Eugene, Ore.
Brown family
Mark Brown, DO, ’11, and Melinda Brown, MHA, ’09, Carl Junction, Mo., are parents of Ashdyn Leslie Brown, born Jan. 1, 2012, and siblings Zakory and Maggie. Michael Colby, DPT, ’11, recently joined the team at Rebound Orthopedics. Dr. Colby believes in patient-centered physical therapy that involves patient education and collaborative treatment plans. He will practice physical therapy at Rebound’s Salmon Creek, Wash., office.