Putting the Mission into Motion

By Amy Charles

Frederick Stine VI, D.O., MHA, FAAP, KYCOM ’17, better known as Fritz to those close to him, returned to Pikeville to fulfill the Kentucky College of Osteopathic Medicine’s guiding mission of medicine in the mountains. As a pediatrician at Pikeville Medical Center (PMC), co-medical director of the new Mettu Children’s Hospital and adjunct clinical professor of pediatrics at KYCOM, he continues to make an impact at KYCOM years after graduation.

Serving in student government as class president and representing KYCOM at the Council of Osteopathic Student Government Presidents, Stine is proud to continue to be part of the KYCOM Alumni Board, serving as vice president alongside other physicians who care about the future of KYCOM.

“I believe in paying it forward. KYCOM believed in me and gave me a chance, so I really want to help reach out to alumni and remind them this institution is continuing its mission and delivering on its promise to bring medicine to the mountains, and we need their help,” Stine explained. Stine has always been drawn to the idea of using what is around you to make things better for everybody. His goals in the future include helping to grow the children’s hospital and solidifying his role at KYCOM to play a more significant part in students’ lives through education. His relationship with fellow alum and Dean of KYCOM Joe Kingery, D.O., KYCOM ’06, MBA ’18, FACOFP, FAAFP, is helping Stine achieve this goal.

“Dr. Kingery and I have a beautiful relationship that continues to grow and deepen. He started out as my mentor, and now I am more than proud to call him a friend,” said Stine. “We are working together when it comes to clinical education for students, and that is where I hope to grow my connection to KYCOM.”

According to Kingery, Stine is loved by the medical students, and they respond to his energy and eagerness to give back. He believes Stine embodies KYCOM’s mission, returning to practice pediatrics in a rural area.

“Dr. Stine is a great example of an exceptional student who came to the mountains to train, went away for residency, and returned to practice medicine in the mountains,” said Kingery. “His passion for teaching is outstanding, and he is a very valuable partner of KYCOM.”

In addition to his responsibilities with the alumni board and as adjunct faculty for KYCOM, Stine has found many other ways to realize his dream of being more involved with students. He is active with KYCOM’s pediatrics club, was the keynote speaker at the most recent White Coat Ceremony, and was a guest lecturer at the medical school’s CME weekend.

PMC is becoming increasingly active in the education of medical students, and Stine is helping them revolutionize their approach. He has taken on the role of director of pediatrics rotation for the clinical experience at the hospital and is also part of the Friday lecture series for rotating students.

Stine received his Master of Health Administration at Western Kentucky University and completed his residency at East Carolina University Brody School of Medicine, where he was also chief resident. He stayed in the Tar Heel State to practice pediatrics before making his way back to the commonwealth with his wife, Dr. Margaret Nelson, and son, Sev. Nelson, who encouraged Stine to return to Pikeville to put his skills to work helping the children of Appalachia, has her Ph.D. in pharmacology and toxicology. She is also employed at PMC as their first research analyst, working with medical students to create more original research.

“PMC was getting ready to build the children’s hospital, and I really wanted to be a part of that to make sure we are keeping with the promise of the medical school, but also keeping with the promise of the hospital to provide the best possible healthcare to the people of Appalachia,” said Stine. “My wife and I are excited to be back in an area we love and can grow our family.”

In addition to his leadership roles, Stine has received several awards and distinctions, including Student Doctor of the Year, the Dean’s Award and the Dr. John A. Strosnider Leadership Award. Stine also completed a year-long fellowship with North Carolina Medical Society that provided a critical framework for healthcare management based on economics, leadership and development.

The impression KYCOM made in Stine’s life reaches far beyond his medical education. He credits the school with crafting an environment that helped him to develop his inner empathy as a person who cares for and relates to people, which he believes makes him a better doctor.