Class notes
Posted: September 23, 20201960s
Raymond C. DeCesare, DO, ’69, Mt. Bethel, Pennsylvania, was presented with Northampton County Medical Society’s senatorial and congressional plaques for 50 years of exceptional care.
1970s
Alan Allmon, DO, ’72, was named 2020 Osteopathic Family Physician of the Year by the Missouri Society of the American College of Osteopathic Family Physicians. The award is given annually to an osteopathic family physician who exemplifies the principles of osteopathic family medicine via outstanding accomplishments and service for the betterment of the osteopathic profession.
Dr. Allmon served as a general medical officer in the 101st Airborne Division before practicing family medicine for 37 years. Since retiring in 2012, he works part time as a wound care physician at Bothwell Hospital in Sedalia, Missouri.
William A. Delp, DO, ’75, Gainesville, Georgia, was promoted to associate professor of osteopathic manipulative medicine at the Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine Georgia location. He loves teaching and working with students.
Jan Willcox, DO, ’78, Blacksburg, Virginia, received the 2020 American College of Osteopathic Family Physicians Outstanding Female Leader Award. Dr. Willcox is dean of Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine’s Virginia campus.
1980s
Gary L. Roth, DO, MBA, FACOS, FCCM, FACS, ’81, Lansing, Michigan, joined the Michigan Health & Hospital Association in 2015 and continues to serve as chief medical officer. With a 30-year career as a cardiovascular and thoracic surgeon and intensivist, he received the 2018 Ballinger Distinguished Osteopathic Award from the American College of Osteopathic Surgeons.
John C. Licciardone, DO, ’82, was awarded the academic distinction of Regents Professor by the University of North Texas (UNT) System Board of Regents for his work and his contributions to the Texas College of Osteopathic Medicine (TCOM). He is the first professor in TCOM’s nearly 50-year history to receive this honor.
Dr. Licciardone, who has been with UNT Health Science Center for 32 years, is an innovator in pain research. He is the executive director of the Osteopathic Research Center, and he spearheaded the formation of the PRECISION Pain Research Registry at UNT Health Science Center.
Bruce Lirones, DO, ’82, Rapid City, Michigan, retired on Jan. 31 after 37 years of practice. Daniel Freeland, DO, ’89, Lakeway, Texas, was appointed to the Pediatric Acute-Onset Neuropsychiatric Syndrome Advisory Council by the governor of Texas. He is the owner and medical director for Bee Caves Family Practice.
Joseph W. Novinger, DO, ’89, was elected board president of the Kirksville Osteopathic Alumni Association.
Richard Unger, DO, ’89, joined Stewart Memorial Community Hospital in Lake City, Iowa, as a board-certified general surgeon.
1990s
Stefan G. Chevalier, DO, PC, ’90, proudly announces the birth of his grandson, Asher Wilson Chevalier, who was born May 11, 2019. Dr. Chevalier’s daughter, Katarina, and Asher are doing well.
Additionally, Dr. Chevalier was elected chief of the Department of Surgery at Orange Regional Medical Center in Middletown, New York.
Kimberly Perry, DO, ’91, was appointed senior vice president and chief medical officer for Kindred Healthcare in Louisville, Kentucky. In addition, Dr. Perry was featured in Louisville Business First’s “20 People to Know in Health Care.”
J.D. Polk, DO, MS, MMM, CPE, FACOEP, FAsMA, ’93, chief health and medical officer for NASA, was featured in American Osteopathic Association’s publication, The DO, for his work in helping launch the first human journey to Mars.
James Lewerenz, DO, ’97, founder of Longevity Health Institute in Rochester, Michigan, and Lewerenz Medical Center located in Madison Heights, Michigan, was named a Top Doc by Hour Detroit magazine for 2019. Top Docs are nominated and voted upon exclusively by MDs and DOs in southeastern Michigan. He is a board-certified family medicine physician and is on staff at Beaumont Hospital, Botsford Hospital, and St. John Hospital. He is also an assistant clinical professor at Michigan State University.
Bryan L. Bacon, DO, ’99, Pinehurst, North Carolina, retired from U.S. Army Special Operations Command and opened a private practice.
2000s
Jeff Davis, DO, ’00, Memphis, Missouri, was awarded Physician of the Year by the Missouri Association of Osteopathic Physicians and Surgeons in May 2020. Board certified in family medicine, Dr. Davis is chief medical officer of Scotland County Hospital, sees patients at Memphis Medical Services, and is Scotland County coroner.
Lara Salyer, DO, ’00, Monroe, Wisconsin, was a 2020 American Academy of Osteopathy Convocation keynote speaker. She also provided four interactive workshops.
Carole E. Freiberger-O’Keefe, DO, ’02, a critical care physician with Saint Luke’s Hospital in Kansas City, Missouri, was presented with the 2019 Rising Star Award by the Kansas City Medical Society (KCMS). Dr. Freiberger-O’Keefe is an intensivist in the cardiovascular ICU and is a clinical assistant professor in the Department of Anesthesiology at the University of Missouri-Kansas City. The Rising Star Award recognizes a KCMS member physician who has made significant contributions to medicine, their practice, or the medical society early in their career.
Kari Bernard, MS, PA-C, ’04, faculty and site director at Anchorage campus, University of Washington MEDEX Northwest Physician Assistant Training Program, was selected as a 2019-20 American Academy of Physician Assistants-Physician Assistant Education Association research fellow.
Alex Hellinger, DPT, ’04, was named to the Marquis Who’s Who list for top executives. Dr. Hellinger is executive director of Northwell Hospital in New York.
Stylianos Dokianakis, AuD, ’05, Saugatuck, Michigan, was appointed to the Michigan Board of Audiology. Dr. Dokianakis is the owner of Holland Doctors of Audiology.
David Tannehill, DO, ’05, Fenton, Missouri, was reappointed to the State Board of Registration for the Healing Arts. Dr. Tannehill is the clinical director of critical care medicine for Mercy Clinic in St. Louis. He is also an adjunct assistant professor of medicine at Saint Louis University.
David Cleaver, DO, ’06, Kirksville, Missouri, was nominated as the 2021 board president for the American Osteopathic College of Dermatology. Dr. Cleaver was nominated by his peers based on his outstanding contributions to dermatology and medical education.
Annette D. Schnabel, DPT, MBA, FACHE, ’06, Farmington, Missouri, was named president of Parkland Health Center, effective May 11. She most previously served as president and CEO of Perry Memorial Hospital, a critical access hospital serving Bureau County, Illinois, and its surrounding communities.
Carrie Meyer, AuD, ’07, joined Amplifon Hearing Health Care in Minneapolis as director of clinical programs. Prior to her new role, Dr. Meyer was lead audiologist at Ridgeview Medical Center for 10 years.
Adam Pomfret, PT, DPT, ’08, was named a board-certified orthopedic clinical specialist by the American Board of Physical Therapy Specialties of the American Physical Therapy Association. He has been with Union Hospital Therapy in Terra Haute, Indiana, for 19 years.
David Lemons, DO, ’09, joined Hannibal Regional Medical Group as a cardiologist.
Charmaine Ng, DMD, ’09, San Francisco, California, was named a “Woman to Watch” by Incisal Edge magazine’s Lucy Hobbs Project. Dr. Lucy Hobbs was the first American woman to earn a degree in dentistry, and the project celebrates achievements of women in dentistry. Additionally, Dr. Ng joined Alameda Health System as chief chair of dentistry, focusing on the underserved population in the East Bay area.
Kristin Wade, DMD, ’09, Payson, Arizona, received the Academy of General Dentistry’s Fellowship Award. Dr. Wade practices at Payson Premier Dental.
2010s
Erick Schuermann, DO, MHA, ’10, an anesthesiologist, joined St. Bernards Medical Center in Jonesboro, Arkansas. A graduate of ATSU-KCOM, he completed his anesthesiology residency at Northeast Regional Medical Center along with a rotating internship in Kirksville. Dr. Schuermann previously worked with NEA Baptist and Kirksville Anesthesia Associates as a staff anesthesiologist.
Patrick Brandon, PT, DPT, Cert. MDT, ’11, El Paso, Texas, was named clinic director of Border Therapy Services and Alliance Physical Therapy Partners’ new outpatient rehabilitation clinic.
Mark Brown, DO, ’11, an emergency physician at Freeman Health System in Joplin, Missouri, was awarded fellowship of the American College of Emergency Physicians (ACEP) at the President’s Awards Reception of the ACEP conference in Denver in OctoberDr. Brown resides in Carl Junction, Missouri, with his wife, Melinda Brown, MHA, ’09, and Zakory, Maggie, and Ashdyn Brown.
Cassidy Leonard-Scott, DO, FAAP, ’11, returned to her hometown of Hannibal, Missouri, and joined Hannibal Regional Medical Group as a board-certified pediatrician. Dr. Leonard-Scott is a graduate of ATSU-KCOM.
Joshua Prickett, DO, ’11, Aiken, South Carolina, joined Aiken Regional Medical Center as a staff neurosurgeon. A graduate of ATSU-SOMA, Dr. Prickett completed residency training at Virginia Tech Carilion School of Medicine and a one-year fellowship at Swedish Medical Center in Seattle.
Nadia J. Bijaoui, DHEd, ’12, was named in Marquis Who’s Who. Dr. Bijaoui is a system designer who specializes in the interactions of the body, mind, and brain within a psychoanalytic perspective. She is also the director of Bio Health Education Corp., which she founded in 2005.
Matthew Corn, DPT, ’12, a board-certified geriatric physical therapist, joined the Board of Trustees of Village on the Isle, a continuing care retirement community in Venice, Florida.
Garrett Fleming, DO, ’12, a board-certified general surgeon, joined Watertown Regional Medical Center and the General Surgery Clinic in Watertown, Wisconsin. A graduate of ATSU-KCOM, he has a special interest in breast and hernia surgery.
Javair Gillett, MS, ’12, head strength and conditioning coach for NBA’s Houston Rockets, was appointed by SportsEdTV as a senior contributor to its free online sports education platform. Prior to joining Houston, Gillett spent 10 years as head strength and conditioning coach for MLB’s Detroit Tigers. A graduate of the Human Movement program, he was voted by his peers to receive the Strength Coach of the Year award by the National Basketball Strength and Conditioning Association.
Kathryn Pardue, AuD, ’13, joined Elmhurst Clinic in Elmhurst, Illinois.
Alex Bunce, DO, ’14, joined Kettering Physician Network Primary Care in Centerville, Ohio. A graduate of ATSU-KCOM, Dr. Bunce is a member of the American Osteopathic Association and the American College of Osteopathic Family Physicians.
Thomas Colletti, DHSc, MPAS, PA-C, DFAAPA, ’14, Lynchburg, Virginia, was promoted to administrative director of the Doctor of Medical Science program at the University of Lynchburg. In October 2019, he presented a poster at the 12th annual Conference of the International Academy of Physician Associate Educators in Winterthur, Switzerland.
Heather Curtis, DO, ’14, joined Hannibal Regional Medical Group as an otolaryngologist. A graduate of ATSU-KCOM, she completed her residency at Northeast Regional Medical Center in Kirksville, Missouri.
Richard A. Erdman, DHEd, ’14, Grand Forks, North Dakota, retired from public school education in February and became the health promotion coordinator at Grand Forks Air Force Base.
James Barner, DO, ’15, a graduate of ATSU-KCOM, joined the anesthesiology team at CHI St. Alexius in Bismarck, North Dakota.
Deshala Castille, DO, ’15, Emporia, Kansas, joined Stormont Vail Health as an obstetrics and gynecology physician. Dr. Castille is an ATSU-KCOM graduate.
Matthew Checketts, DO, ’15, Creston, Iowa, joined Greater Regional Health’s Medical Clinic as a primary care internal medicine physician. He graduated from ATSU-SOMA and completed his residency at Florida Atlantic University Charles B. Schmidt College of Medicine.
Felipe Eichenberger, MS, ’15, Denver, Colorado, was recognized as an Outstanding Graduate by the Northwestern Foundation & Alumni Association. He earned his master’s degree in kinesiology and exercise science at ATSU, and in 2017, he became the head strength and conditioning coach for the Denver Nuggets.
Malinda M. Hansen, DO, ’15, was named the 2019 Resident of the Year by the American Academy of Osteopathy. An alumna of ATSU-SOMA, she completed a combined family medicine and osteopathic neuromusculoskeletal medicine residency at the University of North Texas Health Science Center in Fort Worth, Texas.
Jason Howard, DO, ’15, joined the Essentia Health-St. Joseph’s Medical Center in Brainerd, Minnesota. He is an anesthesiologist and graduate of ATSU-KCOM.
Leslie A. Marshall, DO, MS, ’15, a board-certified dermatologist and graduate of ATSU-KCOM, joined the multidisciplinary Ozarks Medical Center (OMC) Medical Group in West Plains, Missouri. She brings over 11 years of clinical experience to the newly established OMC dermatology clinic.
Morgan West, DO, ’15, a graduate of ATSU-SOMA, is practicing OB-GYN at Adelante Healthcare in Goodyear, Arizona. She provides comprehensive care to her patients by bringing in different philosophies and approaches to common ailments. She is skilled in gynecologic surgery should it be necessary, but individualizes her treatment plans, taking logical and conservative steps toward whole health. Her focus is education, allowing her patients the opportunity to better understand themselves.
Aurora Bell, DO, ’16, joined Scotland County Hospital in Memphis, Missouri, and sees patients at Memphis Medical Services and Lancaster Medical Services. The Hannibal, Missouri, native graduated from ATSU-KCOM and completed a family medicine residency with Southern Illinois University at Blessing Hospital in Quincy, Illinois.
Kelsey Davis-Humes, DO, ’16, joined Scotland County Hospital in Memphis, Missouri, and sees patients at Memphis Medical Services and Wyaconda Medical Services. The Kahoka, Missouri, native graduated from ATSU-KCOM and completed a family medicine residency with Southern Illinois University at Blessing Hospital in Quincy, Illinois.
Nicholas Deeter, DO, ’16, Belle Plaine, Minnesota, joined Ridgeview Belle Plaine Clinic and Ridgeview Le Sueur Clinic. Dr. Deeter is a graduate of ATSU-KCOM and is board certified in family medicine.
Angela Harrell, DHSc, MHA, ’16, was named dean of the School of Health Sciences at the University of Saint Francis in Fort Wayne, Indiana.
William Hatch, DO, ’16, DHEd, ’14, an internal medicine physician, joined the Sound medical hospitalist group, which partners with Covenant Health Plainview in Plainview, Texas, to provide in-patient physician services exclusively with the hospital. Dr. Hatch is a graduate of ATSU-SOMA and ATSU-CGHS.
Donna L. Lamb, DHSc, MBA, ’16, Washington, D.C., is the new National Resident Matching Program (NRMP) president and CEO. Dr. Lamb comes to NRMP from the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME) where she served as the executive director of the Review Committees for Plastic Surgery, General Surgery, and Thoracic Surgery. She served on numerous ACGME committees, including the Single Accreditation System Education Council and the Accreditation Data System Workgroup and was the inaugural cochair of the Risk Champions Group.
Lindsay Schroeder, DO, ’16, Altoona, Wisconsin, joined Prevea Health as a family medicine physician. Dr. Schroeder is originally from Eau Claire and is a graduate of ATSU-SOMA.
Kate Krafft Thomson, DMD, ’16, MPH, ’11, received ATSU-ASDOH’s Public Health Dentistry Award. The award honors an ATSU-ASDOH graduate who applies public health principles to effectively improve the oral health status or health literacy of a local, regional, or national population.
Abhinav Mahajan, DPT, ’17, a licensed physical therapist in Modesto, California, was awarded national board certification by the American Association of Bariatric Counselors.
Corey Richardson, DHSc, MBA, ’17, was featured in the Hickory Daily Record for his work in advocating for people struggling with substance use disorders and mental health concerns. Dr. Richardson, who once struggled with his own addiction, is currently CEO and clinical director of Integrated Care of Greater Hickory in North Carolina. In addition, he participated in a panel discussion with North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper regarding the opioid crisis and the need for more access to treatment facilities.
Delaney Lundeen, MS, RD, PA-C, ’18, was chosen as 2020 Mentor of the Year by the Minnesota Academy of Physician Assistants. Lundeen practices at Voyage Healthcare in Robbinsdale, Minnesota.
Micaul McClafferty, MS, PA-C, ’18, a physician assistant in family practice with SCL Health Medical Group in Butte, Montana, was recognized by the Montana Standard’s annual 20 Under 40 publication.
Michael L. McDuffie, MD, DHSc, ’18, was named CEO of Metropolitan Community Health Services in Washington, North Carolina. Dr. McDuffie most recently served as executive director of Metropolitan Community Health Services, a federally qualified health center, for five years.
Kirsten Thompson, DO, ’18, joined the Montana Family Medicine Residency class of 2021 at RiverStone Health. An ATSU-KCOM graduate, she completed an osteopathic internship in Michigan.
Ash M. Walker, DHSc, ’18, Lumberton, North Carolina, was appointed assistant professor and coordinator of the new Sports Performance, Health, and Fitness degree program at St. Andrews University.
Jennifer Wilbers, DHA, ’18; Lihua Dishman, DBA, MBA, associate professor, health administration, ATSU-CGHS; and John Fick, EdD, FACHE, associate professor, health administration, ATSU-CGHS, authored “Do inpatient acute care hospitals with lower 30-day readmission rates have more satisfied patients?” The abstract was published in the November-December 2019 issue of Journal of Healthcare Management.
Kendell Coburn, DO, ’19, a graduate of ATSU-KCOM, joined the Billings Clinic in Billings, Montana, as an internal medicine resident.
Gina Hansen, DMD, MPH, ’19, Park Falls, Wisconsin, joined the staff at the Park Falls Dental Center, operated by Family Health Center of Marshfield Inc. in conjunction with Marshfield Clinic. She is an ATSU-MOSDOH graduate.
Jason Lucas, DO, MHA, ’19, Farmington, New Mexico, assumed the role of chief of staff at San Juan Regional Medical Center. Dr. Lucas has practiced with Orthopedic Associates in Farmington since 2004. He earned his master of health administration degree from ATSU-CGHS.
Doug Maury, DAT, ’19, joined Northwestern College in Orange City, Iowa, as coordinator of clinical education for the new Master of Science in Athletic Training program.
Matthew Tilton, DO, ’19, an ATSU-KCOM graduate, entered his first year of residency at the University of Kansas School of Medicine – Wichita Family Medicine Residency Program at Smoky Hill – Salina.
2020s
Brittany Hout, DHSc, ’20, and Eric Matthews, PhD, associate professor, health sciences, ATSU-CGHS, coauthored “Global surgery: The perspective of public health students” in the Global Journal of Health Science.
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