LECOM Link Spring 2025 by Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine

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LECOM Erie

SGA Elects New Officers

LECOM Erie’s new Student Government Association officers are ready to get to work In back, from left, are Elman Madrio, Webmaster; Collin Standish, Secretary; Ethan Zelenke, Treasurer; and Christian Ciecierski, 1st Vice President. In front, from left, are Cinnamon Kiser, Mental Health Task Force; Trinity Nguyen, 2nd Vice President; and Sarah Wang, President.

Podiatry Students Participate in Hands-On Biopsy Workshop

Guest speaker Javan Bass, DPM, FACFAS, presented an exclusive, hands-on biopsy and pathology workshop with podiatric medicine students at LECOM Erie Students learned how to perform different types of biopsies using pigs’ feet

LECOM Celebrates Match Day

OnMarch21, students, faculty, andfamily membersacrossallLECOMCampuses gatheredtocelebratematchday, a monumentaldayinthejourneyofourfuture healthcareprofessionals. Congratulationsto allLECOMatErie, SetonHill, Elmira, and Bradentonstudentswhomatched!

Annual SGA Volunteer Pinning Ceremony Takes Place

LECOM Erie’s SGA held its annual volunteer pinning ceremony, recognizing the class of 2027’s nearly 4,000 hours of service. The three students with the most hours served were Connor Peoples (279 hours), Andrew Toader (177 hours), and Lindsey Cain (170 25 hours)

Family Medicine Residency Program Hosts

Collaborative Educational Event

LECOM’s Family Medicine Residency Program hosted a collaborative educational event March 12 with residents from Meadville Medical Center’s Family Medicine Residency Program

LECOM Erie

LECOM Students Received $360K in Scholarships from Pro Sports Teams

Annual Clinic Hosts All-Star ‘Cast’

The LECOM Erie Surgery and Orthopedics clubs recently welcomed Dr. Anthony Ferretti, Dr. Alec Grossman, and Dr. Stepan Shumyak from the Orthopedic Surgery Department at LECOM Medical Center to lead the Annual Casting Clinic After a lecture on the basics of casting and splinting earlier in the day, students experienced a hands-on application of all they had learned

LECOM Dental Students Know How to ‘Bee’ of Service

LECOM Dental Students competed in the Erie Corporate Spelling Bee to Benefit Hooked on Books. Hooked on Books has donated over 600,000 books in its nearly 35 years of existence

Representatives from the Buffalo Bills, Buffalo Sabres, Cleveland Browns, Cleveland Cavaliers, and Cleveland Guardians collectively presented $360,000 in scholarships to 69 LECOM students at the LECOM Erie campus April 5.

Radiology Club Plays Bingo with Senior Living Center Residents

Erie students in the Radiology Club recently visited LECOM Senior Living Center residents for a lively game of Bingo! Thank you, Colton Smith, Calvin Chu, Adam Kelly, Maggie Means, and Cinnamon Kiser

LECOM at Jacksonville University

LECOM at Jacksonville University Breaks Ground

LECOM at Jacksonville University broke ground March 26, becoming the region’s first medical school. The facility represents a major leap forward in healthcare education and demonstrates a promising future for medical training in Northeast Florida. The inaugural class will begin in 2026.

LECOM Seton Hill

Ahmed

Nahian, OMS-III, Receives

Scholarship

AAhmed Nahian, OMS-III at LECOM at Seton Hill, was recently awarded the competitive American Society of Addiction Medicine (ASAM) 2025 Travel Scholarship for medical students, which will allow him to attend the ASAM 56th Annual Conference.

LECOM Seton Hill Specialty Club Sponsors Get-Together for First-Year

Students

Seton Hill’s Student Government Association plans events each month to bring students together, boost wellness, and strengthen friendships. Everyone was all smiles for doughnuts and coffee, hosted by the Specialty Club.

LECOM at

Seton Hill

Hosts ACOS Suture Workshop

LECOM at Seton Hill’s OMS-I and OMS-II students recently gathered for a suturing workshop that included a lecture from Jennifer Cummings, D O , on key wound management concepts, such as irrigation and pain control Attendees practiced simple interrupted sutures with instrument ties Some also learned additional suture techniques and one-handed knot tying

Seton Hill Celebrates Accepted Students Day

Fall 2025 incoming students kicked off their journey with a day filled with engaging activities, ensuring they felt both welcomed and wellprepared for the exciting academic chapter ahead!

After connecting with a Financial Aid Counselor and hearing from the Student Government Association, students dove into the world of the Problem-Based Learning Pathway Students then enjoyed a delicious lunch and a campus tour and were fitted for White Coats!

LECOM Elmira

LECOM at Elmira Students Step Up for Heart Walk

LECOM at Elmira students were full of heart at the 2025 American Heart Association Heart Walk in Binghamton From CPR demos alongside mascots from the Rumble Ponies, Mirabito, and more students showed up in full force to promote heart health awareness, making learning CPR fun, interactive, and unforgettable!

At this year’s Casino Night, several LECOM at Elmira students took the mic to reflect on their journeys through medical school and the incredible impact donations have made along the way. The support raised through Casino Night doesn’t just fund education it fuels dreams, eases burdens, and reminds our students that their community believes in them. From royal flushes to flashy fits, the night was full of fun, laughter and unforgettable memories.

Dr. Gus Lambroussis Provides BLS Training

Dr. Gus Lambroussis, Assistant Director of Osteopathic Principles and Practices at LECOM Elmira, equips students with essential life-saving skills through comprehensive Basic Life Support (BLS) Training

Dr. Richard Terry Discusses how LECOM’s Curriculum Minimizes Student Debt

During Dr. Richard Terry’s Medical Mini-Series, he explained that while many students start medical school already burdened by debt, LECOM at Elmira’s innovative curriculum helps keep overall indebtedness at about $100,000 less than other schools, proving that a quality education doesn’t have to come with an overwhelming financial burden

LECOM Elmira Hosts Casino Night

LECOM Bradenton

Dr. Roger G. Biringer Gets Published

CongratulationstoDr.RogerG. Biringer,ProfessorofBiochemistry atLECOMBradenton,forhisnew publication,“IndirectRegulationof Na+,K+-ATPasebyNeurotransmitters: ParticipationofNeurotransmittersintheSodium TheoryforMigraine”inthejournalMedical ResearchArchives(Volume13,Issue2,2025) publishedbytheEuropeanSocietyofMedicine.

Students and Staff Published in Cureus Journal of Medical Science

LECOMBradenton studentsStephanMiser, KyleO’Connor,Carter Bedinghaus,andGabrielle Tomeo,alongwithDrs Lee,Badawy,andMillner, recentlypublished"Change PrestinandOtolin-1inDenta CureusJournalofMedicalS

StudentDanielAraujoand Drs.Barboza,Panariello, andManibopublisheda casereport,"Recurrent PyogenicGranuloma ProgressingtoCalcifying FibroblasticGranulomain AdolescentMaleAthlete”

Bayfront Hospital Receives Daisy Award in Compassionate Policy

Dr BarnettofLECOM’s SchoolofHealth ServicesAdministration, leadsPinellasMatters Underhisleadership, BayfrontHospitalearnedtheInternational HealthImpactDaisyAward Theprogram screenspatientsforsubstanceuse,offers medicationsforopioidusedisorder(MOUD), andconnectsthemwithpeerrecovery specialistsforcontinuedsupport.

2025 Research Day ‘Student Choice’ Poster Award Winners

LexiGarber,OMS-III,JohnGrossi,OMS-III,and DrSethGardnerpublished“Bell’sPalsy: Description,Diagnosis,andCurrent Management.”

Enroll in a LECOM Dual Master’s Program

The LECOM School of Health Services Administration offers four accredited master’s programs for medical, pharmacy, dental, and podiatry students in their final two years: Master’s in Public Health (MPH) Master of Science in Biomedical Ethics (MSBE)

Master’s in Health Services Administration (MHSA)

Master of Science in Medical Cannabinoid Therapeutics

Courses are fully online, with a 50% tuition discount for eligible LECOM students

LECOM Bradenton

Amanda Penn Presents Research at AMSA Conference

Madeline Spettel presents at AACOM Annual Meeting

Jacob Ball Presents at ACOS Annual Meeting

Second-yearstudentdoctorJacobBall deliveredthepresentation“ClinicalPredictorsof IncreasedPost-OperativeHospitalUtilizationin LiverTransplantRecipients”attheAnnual ClinicalAssemblyoftheAmericanCollegeof OsteopathicSurgeonsinOrlando

Congratulationsto LECOMBradentonstude doctorAmandaPenn, OMS3,forpresentinghe poster,“Food-based approachfororal cancerpreventionandtreatment:Lessons learnedfrominvivoandclinicalstudies” duringtheAmericanMedicalStudent Association(AMSA)FuturePhysiciansfor Changeconferencein,Washington,DC Madeline Spettel,OMS3, presented “ImpactofAccess toMentalHealth Supportfor StudentLeadersinOsteopathicMedicine” duringapostercompetitionoftheAmerican AssociationofCollegesofOsteopathic Medicine(AACOM)annualconference, “EducatingLeaders2025”inArlington,Texas. Madelineledthismulti-institutionalresearch undertheguidanceofAnupamBishayee, PhD,ProfessorofPharmacologyand DirectorofResearch,LECOMBradenton

2025 Research Day FacultyEvaluated Poster Award

Winners

Nawfal Saleem & Jonathan Tran, Class of 2027

Research Mentor: Dr Eduardo Rodriguez Zarate

Poster: COM25-540 Pre-Transplant Steroid Use in Liver Transplant Recipients

Jacob Foster Presents at the American Academy of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery Annual Conference

CongratulationstoLECOM Bradentonstudentdoctor JacobFoster,OMS4,forthe presentationofhisposter, “TheFrontalFlap:An Alternativetothe ParamedianForeheadFlap forNasalReconstruction”attheAmerican AcademyofOtolaryngology-HeadandNeck SurgeryannualconferenceinMiami.

Victoria Young, Class of 2026

Research Mentor: Dr Rebecca Steiner

Poster: COM25-545 Investigation of Breast Implant Illness Outcomes after Explant Surgery: A Retrospective Cohort Study

Hannah Jenkins, Class of 2027

Research Mentor: Dr Marcia Ballantyne

Poster: COM25-601 The Role of Placental Tissue-Derived Allografts in Optimizing Mohs Micrographic Surgery

Per Poster

LECOM Health

LECOM Health hosted its 3 annual Culture of Caring event May 12

Attendees heard from #1 New York Times bestselling author and senior health policy advisor to Robert F Kennedy Jr and the Trump administration Calley Means, and PGA Tour Champion Michael Thompson, following updates from LECOM Provost Silvia Ferretti, D.O., LECOM Institute for Successful Living President James Lin, D.O., and LECOM Health Regional President Danielle Hansen, D.O.

LECOM Health Celebrates with Heart

LECOM Health Interventional Cardiologist Matthew C Becker, M D , served as this year’s Erie Heart Ball Chair The event, benefiting the American Heart Association, took place in the historic Warner Theatre with support from LECOM Health as the "Live Fierce, Be Well" sponsor.

Three ‘Doctors of the Year’ Honored for Doctors’ Day

While we celebrate our providers every day, this year we paid special acknowledgement to three outstanding physicians for Doctors’ Day: Micalyn Baney, D O (Medical Associates of Erie), James Lin, D O (LECOM Medical Center and Behavioral Health Pavilion), and Bryan Colligan, D.O. (Corry Memorial Hospital). We thank these doctors and all others for caring for one another, for our patients, and for our community.

LECOM Health

LECOM Health Partners with Jefferson Educational Society for Lecture Series

James Lin, D.O., Anthony Colonna, D.P.M., Joshua Tuck, D.O., and Lori Dulabon, D.O., are the most recent lecturers for the Jefferson Educational Society. Conversations have been engaging.

Dixon and DiTonto Travel to Harrisburg for JES Civic Leadership Academy

As part of the 2025 Jefferson Civic Leadership Academy, Melissa J Dixon, Director of Communications and Marketing for LECOM Health, and Nathan DiTonto, Admissions Representative at LECOM Erie, met with policy experts, lobbyists, and elected officials from every branch of government in Pennsylvania’s Capitol building in June to begin research on Erie County’s population decline

Dr. Seth Carter Receives ACOFP 2025 New Osteopathic Family Physician of the Year Award

Congratulations to Seth H. Carter, D.O., MSMEd, for being named the ACOFP New Osteopathic Family Physician of the Year Award recipient! The New Osteopathic Family Physician of the Year Award honors physicians who have made significant contributions to family medicine between two and five years after completion of a family medicine residency program and demonstrated exemplary leadership qualities that would honor the memory of Michael F Avallone, D O , FACOFP dist , after whom the award is named

LECOM Health Eye Care Center Expands to Second Erie Location

836-0543

864-4078

LECOM Medical Center

Kelsey Huddleson Appointed Cardiac Catheterization Laboratory Supervisor

Congratulations to LMC’s Employees of the Month

Nominate a LMCBHP Employee

February

Mariam Al-Haraz LPN, Unit 5

March

Tracy Roth RN, ACE unit

April

Brean Brown Environmental Services

May

Laurie Mahoney Medical Education Coordinator

Kelsey Huddleson, RT, was recently appointed Cardiac Catheterization Laboratory Supervisor. A Gannon University graduate in radiologic science, she brings nine years of experience in diagnostic and invasive radiologic technology, has been American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT) certified since 2016, and also has experience as a peripheral clinical specialist. Kelsey oversees daily operations, collaborates with cardiologists and staff, and manages preand post-patient care.

LECOM Medical Center Opens

On April 9, LECOM Medical Center held its ribbon-cutting ceremony with guided tours afterward. The 34,000square-foot addition marks a significant step forward in expanding access to top-of-the-line healthcare in the Erie community.

LECOM Medical Center

LECOM Medical Center Celebrates Hospital Week

LECOM Medical Center celebrated employee milestones (5, 10, 15, 20, 25 years of service) with a special luncheon and activities throughout the week as part of National Hospital Week

LMC Recognizes National Osteopathic Medicine Week

LECOM Medical Center celebrated NOM Week 2025 with donuts for all staff. This year’s theme, “Honoring our Past, Building our Future,” recognized the 150th anniversary of osteopathic medicine.

LECOM Medical Center Granted Accreditations

LECOM Medical Center’s Percutaneous Coronary Intervention (PCI) program and Clinical Lab have been granted accreditation.

Jared Boxes Bring the Gift of Play for Young Patients

Kiwanis Kids in the Fort LeBoeuf School District donated Jared Boxes to LECOM Medical Center on May 15. This student organization collected items to complete 30 boxes that were graciously donated to the pediatric patient population of LECOM Medical Center. Each box contains small gifts, toys, crayons, coloring books and fun activities selected for a specific age and goal.

Brian Schwarz Highlighted for Nurses’ Week

The Erie TimesNews Nurses’ Week supplement highlighted Brian Schwarz, RN, ADN, clinical supervisor of the new cardiac catheterization lab at LECOM Medical Center, on page 16

LECOM Behavioral Health

Achievement Center of LECOM Health a ‘Best Place to Work’

The Achievement Center of LECOM Health was selected as the 'Best Place to Work' by The Nonprofit Partnership ACLH will be recognized for the honor at the Nonprofit Excellence Awards Luncheon held June 24 at the Erie SeaWolves Stadium Club.

Ellen Kehl Named 2025 Women Making History Nominee

Ellen Kehl, Director of Marketing and Development for the Achievement Center of LECOM Health, was named a 2025 Women Making History Nominee. Guided by her belief that showing genuine human nature is key in building meaningful relationships, Ellen exemplifies leadership rooted in authenticity and compassion. Ellen is part of a group of 14 nominees who were honored at the 32nd Women Making History event at the Mercyhurst University Performing Arts Center.

LECOM Behavioral Health Honors John DiMattio with Breakthrough Award

LECOM Behavioral Health hosted the 3rd Annual Breakthrough Awards on June 18 at the Yehl Ballroom at Gannon University Erie County Director of Human Services John DiMattio was the recipient of this year's Breakthrough Hero Award for his 40 years of service in the field

LECOM staff, community members and political figures were on hand to celebrate and recognize John for his excellent leadership.

View the video presentation

Achievement Center of LECOM Health Walks for Autism

It was cold, wet, and windy, but Team Achieve still showed out! The Achievement Center of LECOM Health team, wearing shirts designed by Noah, was well represented at the Walk for Autism on April 26 at Lake Erie Speedway.

Medical Associates of Erie

Congratulations to the MAE Employees of the Quarter

Dena Al Mosawi Front desk staff

Southeast Family Practice Employee of the Quarter, Q4 2024

Cristy Miller Patient Care Coordinator

Shoreline Primary Care Employee of the Quarter, Q1 2025

Nominate an MAE Employee

Bunny Bowl Raises $25K for LECOM Student Scholarship Fund

Nearly 100 people rolled out for the 2 Annual Bowl-a-Thon with strikes, smiles and spares to raise roughly $25,000 for the LECOM Student Scholarship Fund. nd

Dr. Baney and Team Receive Praise

Micalyn Baney, D.O., and her team of rotating students received praise from the family of Irene Janice Kondzielski in a recent obituary.

Physician Offices Receive 5 Stars

“It’s so refreshing to go to a Doctor’s office and be treated by the staff with genuine friendliness and caring and willing to answer all your questions with concerns you might have Dr Melaragno’s staff is exceptional and so helpful I’m so glad I chose this Doctor and his staff to guide me through my health in the future!” - Lorel

“Dr Lynch and all of his staff were friendly and made me feel very comfortable ” - Dawn

“The nurse, resident, and doctor were very respectful and friendly The receptionist scheduling the appointments was also very helpful Dr Baker reviews my health and keeps informed regarding my family and work.” - Wendy

“Dr Ricci is wonderful to have as a Doctor They really care and so do the staff; would highly recommend them.” - Robin

“[Kippy] is the friendliest and kindest soul you’ll ever meet She has always made sure my health is in the right for as long as i can remember ” - Maddox

“I've been with Dr. Bojewski for years and he's been the best Dr I've had in 22 years Cares about your needs and spends the time with you to make sure you're good to go Even when Dr Bojewski isn't around Dr. Esper is there to help in anyway he can. Overall the entire staff is excellent. Highly recommend Shoreline Primary Care!” - Joshua

LECOM Senior Services

LECOM Health Makes History Offering Erie’s First Treatment for Dementia

LECOM Health is making history in Erie by being the region’s first healthcare provider to offer amyloid-targeting therapies (ATT). “Amyloid-targeting therapies represent a groundbreaking advancement in the fight against mild Alzheimer’s disease dementia, offering renewed hope to affected individuals and their families, ” said James Lin, D.O., President of the LECOM Institute for Successful Living.

LECOM Adult Day Center Now Accepting Clients Institute for Successful Living Celebrates Employee Appreciation Day

The new LECOM Adult Day Center offers daytime care for older adults with physical and cognitive challenges, providing a communitybased alternative to long-term care Open weekdays 7 a.m. to 6 p.m., the program was designed to accommodate busy caregivers.

You’re Invited: Wings of Hope Butterfly Release

This year’s Wings of Hope Butterfly Release is scheduled for Aug 2, at LECOM’s Parkside Regency at South Shore. Music begins at noon, with service following at 1 p.m.

Purchase a Butterfly

On March 7, LECOM Institute for Successful Living celebrated Employee Appreciation Day with breakfast at each facility to thank staff for their hard work and dedication

Congratulations to Thumbs Up Winners

Congratulations to LECOM Institute for Successful Living’s Thumbs Up Winners.

Nominate an Employee Jan Feb Ma Ap

Corry Memorial Hospital

CMH Recognizes Dietary Staff During Food Service Week

DietarystaffatCorryMemorialHospital celebratedFoodServiceWeekwithpuzzles, games,andadrawingforafreemealgift certificate.

“Thecaringstaffprovideagreatvarietyof deliciousfoodstoourhospitalpatients,staff, Parksideresidents,aswellasoutside customersinourcafeteriaeveryday We celebratethemandthepridetheytakeintheir work!”

Kayla Hawley Makes History as First Female Fire Chief of Union City Volunteer Fire Department

HistoryisbeingmadeasUnionCityVolunteer FireDepartmentwelcomestheirfirstfemalefire chief.KaylaHawleybecameinvolvedinthe volunteerfiredepartment’sjuniorprogram whenshewasfourteenyearsold Nowshe’s beginninganewjourneyaschief Kaylaisaper diemcertifiedoccupationaltherapyassistant (COPA)atCMH.

Tim McGahen Named Administrator/CFO

TimothyMcGahen,LECOMHealthCorry MemorialHospital’sChiefFinancialOfficer, hasbeennamedthehospital'snew AdministratorinadditiontoCFO

CMH Recognizes DAISY and BEE Award Winners During Hospital Week

Congratulations to Ellen Eiss, RN, for winning this year's DAISY Award for Extraordinary Nurses, and to Angie Mitchell for winning this year's BEE Award for Beyond Exceptional Expectations!

CMHCelebratesNOMWeek

CMHcelebratedNationalOsteopathic Medicine(NOM)Weekwithcakeandpunch forstaff

Corry Memorial Hospital

Nurses Highlighted in Erie TimesNews

The Erie Times-News Nurses’ Week supplement highlighted Tracy Long, RN, of Corry Memorial Hospital (pages 16 and 17), and Abagail Proctor, LPN, of Union City Rural Health Clinic (page 17).

Congratulations to Cathy NicholsCMH’s Employee of the Quarter

Cathy Nichols was selected as Employee of the Quarter for Q1 2025 She works in Emergency Registration, and has worked for the hospital since 1992

Nominate a CMH Employee!

Register for CMH Golf Classic 9/10

CMH Celebrates Hospital Week

CMH staff enjoyed a silly tie day, silly sock day, Hawaiian day, outdoor games, scavenger hunt, and more for Hospital Week.

LECOM Health Represented at CorryFest 2025

Staff and residents at CMH and Parkside at Corry shared information regarding services and providers during CorryFest 2025. Guests were invited to enter a drawing for a 65-inch Samsung TV.