Wvsom wintermag 2014 bookmarks

a publication of the West Virginia School of Osteopathic Medicine Winter 2014

RESEARCH RESULTS that BENEFIT New frontiers in WVSOM research “Research bug” shapes physician’s future

WVSOM

CAMPUS STORE Order ONLINE: www.wvsom.edu/ aboutWVSOM/campus-store

CONTACT: Cindi Knight 304.647.6299 cknight@osteo.wvsom.edu

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CONTENTS This Issue: Research: Result that Benefit

Sections P. 44

STUDENTS

. Servicemen share history . Coffield elected . Day of Caring . Poster session . Rural Health Student of the Year . Day to Serve . Students volunteer during T.O.O.T. . Treadmill War fundraiser . Faculty/Student Research Showcase . WVSOM at the fair . Treats for troops . Grand Affair

P. 52

P. 6

New frontiers in WVSOM research { featured story }

P. 19

Faculty research

P. 23

Student research

P. 24

Alumni research

P. 28

White Coat

P. 34

Capital Campaign

P. 38

Reflections on giving

. CEC accredited by SSH . Wheeling Hospital to be base site . Hospital Day . Bingo for Cure . AOF recognition . AACOM shares legislative updates . Rasheed delivers bioethics presentation . Students learn about trauma . Healthy Children’s Initiative wins award . Clinic CEO receives health care award . Library receives Dr. Sharp interviews . Adelman to chair AACOM Assembly . Season 3 wraps production . Inter-professional day

P. 60

P. 63

P. 2 Campus Store

P. 42 Dermatology Centers, Inc.

P. 4 WVSOM faculty open positions

P. 42 Greenbrier Valley Medical Center

P. 22 Gillespie’s Flowers & Productions

P. 43 Art Rubin, D.O.

P. 22 The Greenbrier

P. 43 WVVA HealthCare Alliance, PC

P. 27 Lewis Glasser Casey & Rollins, PLLC

P. 69 WVSOM Alumni Association

P. 73

P. 27 AccessHealth

P. 69 First National Bank

. Fall CME

P. 32 Raleigh General Hospital

P. 69 Saint Francis Hospital

P. 33 Bailey & Wyant, PLLC

P. 76 WVSOM Foundation

P. 33 Charleston Radiation

P. 79 Gail Feinberg, D.O., FACOP, M.Ed. and Howard Feinberg, D.O., P.S.C.

P. 41 Charleston Area Medical Center

FACULTY & STAFF

. New hires . News . In memoriam: Marlene Wager, D.O.

Advertising

P. 40 COMWEEK

SCHOOL NEWS

P. 79 Ream Properties

ALUMNI

. WVSOM research and ethics . Alumni profiles . Class Notes . Thank you to contributors

P. 74

WVOMA

FOUNDATION

. Letter from Heather Antolini . Donor profiles

P. 77

G.M.S.

. The transition years - Part II

P. 41 Cathy Dailey, D.O.

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From the President As I write this, the winter holidays are a publication of the West Virginia School of Osteopathic Medicine

approaching. Along with this come all the joy, goodwill, chaos and panic that can

EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

accompany the month of December.

Marilea Butcher

In particular, I want to comment about

MANAGING EDITOR

“goodwill”.

Denise Getson

DESIGN MANAGER Erica Bell

PHOTOGRAPHERS

treatment process.

Every year, the students at the West Virginia School of Osteopathic Medicine go above and beyond to make a positive difference in this world. In addition to

Karen Ayers Pat Bauserman

their rigorous academic demands, they

WRITER

for disease research and treatment,

Tiffany Wright

CONTRIBUTORS

Scott Holstein, Photographer Rich McMahan, Photographer Jennifer Spencer, Design Coordinator

build houses, collect coats, raise funds educate the community, feed the poor

is one component of this training. Our mission statement pledges to advance scientific knowledge through academic, clinical and basic science research; and to promote patient-centered, evidence-based medicine.

While teaching remains the primary

short list of recent efforts.

function and focus of WVSOM faculty,

In the first term of our new academic and passion for giving which has been demonstrated around campus. During a recent canned food drive, approximately 6,000 cans of food were donated to local food banks by WVSOM staff and

The mission of the West Virginia School of Osteopathic Medicine (WVSOM) is to educate students from diverse backgrounds as lifelong learners in osteopathic medicine and complementary health related programs; to advance scientific knowledge through academic, clinical and basic science research; and to promote patient-centered, evidence based medicine. WVSOM is dedicated to serve, first and foremost, the state of West Virginia and the special health care needs of its residents, emphasizing primary care in rural areas.

In producing great doctors, scientific inquiry

and support our troops. That’s just the

year, I’ve been amazed at the energy

OUR MISSION STATEMENT

excellent care at every touch point in the

students. Wow!

the school is committed to providing opportunities for all of our interested faculty and students to push the boundaries of medical knowledge and educational understanding. Lifelong learning is embodied by the pursuit of new knowledge. This issue celebrates that and recognizes a few of the individuals who are conducting outstanding research

I believe it is this commitment to others

in addition to their teaching demands,

which makes WVSOM doctors so great

medical practices and other personal and

at what they do. I hear it over and over

professional obligations.

from graduates, from hospital medical directors and from leaders in our profession: “WVSOM produces good doctors.” Indeed, WVSOM produces great doctors.

As we prepare to close 2013 and embrace a new year, Cheryl and I would like to wish all of you health, happiness and prosperity.

We look forward to seeing many of you in the days ahead.

WVSOM is No. 1 in the nation producing primary care docs who practice in rural areas. This fact speaks to the dedication of the entire institution to serve the needs of underserved patients and communities. But this statistic does not capture the personal touch that so many

Michael Adelman, D.O., D.P.M., J.D.

of our graduates provide – listening, sympathizing and striving to provide WVSOM MAGAZINE

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FEATURED

New frontiers in WVSOM research

health disparities in West Virginia, creating dynamic new partnerships.”

Specifically, the grant money is supporting new researchers, equipment and programs

In August 2012, the National Institutes of

designed to support studies that target

Health (NIH) announced it would provide a

cancer, heart disease, stroke and obesity-

$19.6 million research grant to the West

related diseases.

Virginia Clinical and Translational Science Institute (WVCTSI) to fund research, which would address the health issues most commonly affecting West Virginians.

Additional investments from statewide collaborators totaling $33.5 million brought the total amount of new grant funding to $53 million.

in the community outreach component of the funding efforts. The WVCTSI includes as one of its core subgroups, “CEO,” Community Engagement and Outreach. simple: “research outcomes that improve

West Virginia University Health Sciences

real-life conditions.”

Virginia School of Osteopathic Medicine, along with Indiana University and the University of Kentucky.

“There is a need for health alliances and community health care provider partnerships that can reach deep into our communities,” said Arnold Hassen, Ph.D., director of medical informatics and

Clinical and translational research is

administrative director for WVSOM’s Center

defined as research intended to move

for Rural and Community Health (CRCH).

quickly from the investigation stage to

“The CRCH is working on a variety of

patient treatment — often referred to as

grassroots initiatives designed to generate

bench-to-bedside — reflecting a practical

positive and measurable clinical outcomes

return-on-investment mindset focused on

for the most at-risk members of our

generating positive outcomes in patient

community.”

care.

This translational approach to research

WVSOM’s President, Michael Adelman,

mirrors the overarching vision of the West

D.O., D.P.M., J.D., is a member of the

Virginia School of Osteopathic Medicine,

WVCTSI executive advisory board.

which includes in its mission “to advance

“The monies received from the NIH have

scientific knowledge through academic,

had an immediate effect on statewide medical research,” Adelman said.

communities has demanded innovation

According to its website, the CEO vision is

Center/CAMC Institute and the West

as a state comprised of many small rural

The WVCTSI partnership includes the Schools, the Charleston Area Medical

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The unique landscape of West Virginia

clinical and basic science research; and to promote patient-centered, evidence-based

“The collaborative funding model has

medicine.”

increased opportunities for institutions and

Recently, the American Human

organizations to work together to eliminate

Development Project ranked West Virginia

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Children facing cardio-metabolic issues

EHR and patient care

as the least healthy state in America. In addition, the population of West Virginia is one of the oldest in the country, with the median age being 42 years and 17.7 percent of the population being over 65 years old.

Malcolm Modrzakowski, Ph.D., is associate dean of Affiliated and Sponsored Programs,

National Institute of of the National Institutes of Health under Award Number U54GM104942.

The content is solely the responsibility of the

the department that has oversight of WVSOM’s institutional research.

“Currently, we’re in an environment which is receptive to research and we are committed

to interact who are now working together to achieve positive health outcomes,” Modrzakowski summarized.

It’s a revolutionary idea that just might work.

The following pages showcase just a few of the WVSOM research projects underway at the institution.

Modrzakowski said. “As an example of Community-Based Participatory Research (CBPR), two WVSOM faculty members from different departments are working with

of Health.

groups and organizations who never used

available to faculty and to students,”

necessarily represent National Institutes

“Basically, you have multiple departments,

to making those research opportunities

authors and does not the official views of the

to evaluate and enhance the capabilities of care,” Hassen added.

demanded by this grant.

General Medical Sciences

from WVSOM’s Clinical Evaluation Center electronic health records to improve patient

ground for the medical research initiatives

supported by the

member working with the EHR Coordinator

dire for many of the state’s residents, the local patient populations provides fertile

this publication was

“Another study has the same clinical faculty

While the health outlook no doubt appears abundance of chronic disease among

Research reported in

application.”

area children facing cardio-metabolic issues with a specific goal to improve pediatric care. This WVCTSI-funded project reflects a nice marriage of basic science and clinical WVSOM MAGAZINE

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Salivary biomarkerS of CARDIO metabolic DISEASE Department of Clinical Sciences

Department of Biomedical Sciences

of this project is to improve the health of children in West Virginia by reducing childhood obesity and its complications. The current study focuses on identifying noninvasive biomarkers for monitoring cardiometabolic risk in children.

research funded by

A previous investigation by Dr. Cochran revealed

WVCTSI, a Community Dental Health Grant and A WVSOM INTRAMURAL GRANT

that parents often do not perceive their children as being obese (though they may meet the clinical definition). Consequently, the parents fail to comprehend the health risks their children may face.

Demonstrating elevated serum markers of diabetes and hyperlipidemia may increase parental awareness

Method:

of the present health threat.

Children participating in the

Naturally, many parents are reluctant to subject their

CARDIAC Boot Camp program at

children to a blood draw, especially if the child is

the Robert C. Byrd Clinic were

otherwise well. The researchers’ goal was to identify

recruited for the study. This is an

salivary biomarkers that correlate to cardiometabolic

educational program overseen

risk factors in children. The ability to monitor

by Dr. Cochran, which focuses

cardiometabolic health without requiring blood

on healthy lifestyle choices for

sampling could allow more children to be monitored

children who are overweight,

while elevating parental understanding of health risks

obese or have other cardiovascular

and lifestyle change that may be indicated to improve

risk factors. Saliva samples are

wellness.

collected and levels of several biomarkers measured.

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Observations: Results:

This small pilot study suggests

The average age of participants

salivary biomarkers for monitoring

was 9.2 years; 83 percent were obese; 42 percent were hypertensive. Salivary uric acid was higher in children who were hypertensive and salivary insulin levels were higher in children with acanthosis nigricans, a skin finding that is associated with insulin resistance.

it may be possible to identify

Key references: Cochran, J.D., Neal, W.A., Cottrell, L.A., Ice, C.L. Parental perception of their child’s weight status and

cardiometabolic disease risk in

associated demographic factors.

children. The researchers are

Online Journal of Rural Nursing and

planning a larger follow-up study

Health Care, 12:2, 2012.

to investigate the ability of these

Soukup, M., Biesiada, I., Henderson,

markers to predict the presence of

A., Idowu, B., Rodeback, D., Ridpath,

dyslipidemia, metabolic syndrome or insulin resistance in children.

They are also conducting in vitro studies to investigate the changes

L., Bridges, E.G., Nazar, A.M., Bridges, K.G. Salivary uric acid as a noninvasive biomarker of metabolic syndrome. Diabetol Metab Syndr.

19;4:14, 2012.

in adipose cell metabolism that may contribute to excess uric acid production in obese individuals.

Participating faculty, staff and students: The clinical study included research assistants: Michelle Vanoy-Warner and Maria Soukup; nurses at the Robert C. Byrd Clinic: Hillary Anderson, Jennifer Fogus Hoke, Kenslea Ratliff, Tamera Sharp; WVSOM student Isabella Robel Biesiada and, for related in vitro work, WVSOM students Ibukun Kusimo, Cameron LeMasters, Ryan McCafferty, Brad Sevy; Greenbrier East High School student: Garrett Clemons and former GEHS students: Margaret Hower and Sabrina Vance (via Project SEED grant from the American Chemical Society).

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In their own words: What has motivated this research?

Dr. Cochran: I have been a nurse practitioner in rural Appalachia for 20 years. After noting a tremendous increase in obesity among my patient population, as well as hypertension and glucose intolerance, I started various projects to combat the problem. However, I did

clinical perspective. We’ve also had the opportunity to do some team-teaching in areas such as evidence-based medicine and biostatistics. Our research can be incorporated into learning exercises such as formulating effective clinical questions and using examples from our data to have students understand the usefulness of diagnostic testing.

not have the educational background to conduct research. While working full-time, I began a doctoral program to study childhood obesity and completed my dissertation using secondary data to evaluate parents’ perceptions of their child’s weight status. I found that parents

What next?

usually didn’t recognize their children as

Dr. Cochran: Future plans include

having a weight problem until they were

additional studies on salivary markers

in the obese category. When parents did

of obesity-related conditions. Also, we’re

recognize the weight problem, health risks

beginning secondary data analysis of

caused by obesity were not identified.

geographical mapping of the population

The motivation for parents to change

and overweight and obese children who

behaviors begins with risk awareness.

are patients at the Robert C. Byrd Clinic.

Parents want concrete evidence that the

This will assist in identifying community

extra weight is harming their child but do

interventions, which are in close

not always comply with lab studies since

proximity to the children and

a needle stick is traumatic. Dr. Bridges’

their families. Other disease

work on noninvasive biomarkers was a

processes such as

perfect match for my population and she

uncontrolled diabetes

began accompanying me in the clinical

and asthma will

area to learn more about the challenges

also be mapped.

of addressing childhood obesity. Seeing

Presently, we

pediatric patients that have co-morbid

are working on

conditions firsthand allowed her to visualize

a beginners

the possibilities of studying biochemical

program to

markers in these patients.

stimulate research

How do you incorporate your research into the classroom?

ideas and projects at the clinical level for

Dr. Bridges: Doing translational research

nurses, nurse

with Dr. Cochran has had a profound impact

practitioners and

on my teaching as I am now better able

physicians.

to approach basic science content from a

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Department of Biomedical Sciences

The impact of pelvic somatic dysfunction on women’s reproductive health

Department of OPP

Anecdotal evidence indicates that pelvic somatic

The health of an individual reflects the function of

dysfunction is associated with reproductive diseases

all body systems. The relationship between structure

such as endometriosis, ovarian cysts, and oligo-/

and function is acknowledged with respect to both health

amenorrhea. This association of structure/function

and pathological conditions. It is well known that changes

impacting women’s reproductive health is gaining

in structure can result in dysfunction and disease — this

support from studies illustrating a positive impact of

relationship is a founding tenant of osteopathic medicine. This

OMT in treating infertility. Data presented in a Master of

study investigates how somatic dysfunction, specifically pelvic

Science thesis from the Weiner Schule fűr Osteopathie

somatic dysfunction, may impact the female reproductive

illustrated the efficacy of OMT in treating female infertility

system and therefore, women’s reproductive health.

[3]. In this study of 10 women, OMT was personalized

Potential mechanisms by which pelvic somatic dysfunction

for each patient after a thorough exam; within nine

could negatively impact the reproductive system are by

months of these women being treated seven became

altering lymphatic drainage and blood flow. As reported by

pregnant. A second, more recent, study reported similar

Michael Kuchera, D.O., lymphatic congestion in the pelvis,

findings. Manual therapy was used to treat 10 women

in conjunction with hormonal disruption, is associated

for infertility, six of whom became pregnant [5]. However,

with dysmenorrheal (painful menstruation), premenstrual

in these studies there were no control groups, therapy

syndrome, ovarian cysts, bloating, emotional instability and

was not standardized, and both had a small sample size.

depression [4]. Altered blood flow to the reproductive tract can

Despite these limitations, the data generated supports

also negatively impact reproductive health. For example, blood

the need for rigorous investigation of the impact of OMT

flow to the uterus influences development of the endometrium

on women’s reproductive health.

(uterine lining) which has a direct effect on implantation (reviewed in [1] [2]).

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Method: The relationship of pelvic somatic dysfunction

Key references:

to reproductive disorders will be investigated

[1] Chang, R., Chung, P.H., Rosenwaks, Z. Role of

in order to determine if there are characteristic

acupuncture in the treatment of female infertility. Fertility

pelvic abnormalities that correlate with

and Sterility 78[6], 1149-1153. 2002.

individual diseases — such as an asymmetric

[2] Strowitzki, T., Germeyer, A., Popovici, R., von Wolff, M.

pelvis with unilateral ovarian cysts. Women

The human endometrium as a fertility-determining factor.

being seen at the Alleghany Highlands

Human Reproduction Update 12[5], 617-630. 2006.

Free Clinic or the Greenbrier County Family

[3] Kirchmayr, M. A woman with the problem of infertility

Planning Clinic for issues associated with their

receiving osteopathic treatment has an increased chance

reproductive health are being recruited to the

of becoming pregnant. Master of Science Thesis. Wiener

study. When a woman agrees to participate,

Schule fűr Osteopathie.

she is given an osteopathic structural exam

www.osteopathicresearch.com/paper_pdf/Kirchmayr.pdf

of the pelvis. The findings from this exam are

2007.

correlated with the reason for her clinical

[4] Chapter 51 Lymphatics Approach. Michael L. Kuchera.

visit, findings on physical exam, as well as the

Foundations of Osteopathic Medicine 3rd ed. Anthony G.

eventual diagnosis. The data collected will

Chila. 2011.

determine if there are specific pelvic anomalies

[5] Kramp, M.E. Combined manual therapy techniques

associated with particular clinical presentations

for the treatment of women with infertility: a case series.

affecting women’s reproductive health. Once

JAOA 112[10], 680-684.2012 .

these associations have been identified, specific osteopathic manipulative therapies can be designed for particular disease states of the reproductive system, to offer additional treatments to women.

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Exploration of new pharmacological and nutritional therapies Department of Biomedical Sciences

for prevention of IR-injury

According to Dr. Andrew Taylor Still, an osteopathic physician’s first and last duty in patient care is to “look well to a healthy blood-and-nerve supply.” The ability of the heart to maintain healthy blood and aerobic metabolism is important for maintaining

Research funded by

cellular homeostasis as well as cardiac structure

a WVSOM intramural grant.

and function. Therefore, when a person experiences a myocardial infarction (MI), re-establishing blood flow to the ischemic area is essential in order to

Glossary: 1. Ischemia-Reperfusion Injury: Myocardial ischemic injury results from severe impairment of coronary blood supply and produces a variety of clinical syndromes.

of pro-apoptotic and anti-apoptotic proteins.

preserve cardiac structure and function. Reperfusion therapy, however, can paradoxically activate both apoptotic and necrotic pathways, thereby causing

3. Necrosis occurs when a cell is damaged by an external force, such as ischemia-reperfusion injury. When cells die from necrosis, it’s a rather messy affair. The death causes

myocardial cell death and further damage to the heart. This leads to structural damage, alternations in cardiac function, the development of heart failure and, ultimately, death. Therefore, exploration of new

2. Apoptosis is defined as

inflammation that can generate

pharmacological and nutritional therapies for the

programmed cell death and is

further distress or injury within the

prevention of IR-injury is critical to preventing and

regulated by a complex pathway

body.

reducing post-MI-induced injury.

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Description: Project 1: Paclitaxel and Rapamycin are two agents incorporated in drug-eluting stents, which are used in patients who have experienced an MI. Drug-eluting stents are used to prevent the recurrence of stenosis or narrowing of the blood vessel following reperfusion of the blocked artery.

This project has demonstrated that both of these drugs affect IR-induced apoptosis in an HL-1 cardiac myocytes cell model, which questions the benefit of paclitaxel and rapamycin drug-eluting stents. In order to address this question, the research team will examine the effect of these agents on an in vivo model of IR injury using a mouse model.

Project 2: One consequence of IR injury in the heart is oxidative stress with the resultant depletion of NAD+ levels. Dr. Griffith has previously demonstrated that niacin (Vitamin B3), a precursor for NAD+, reduces IR-induced apoptosis. The question of how NAD+ depletion contributes

and Cay10591 reduce IR-induced caspase-3 activity, a

to IR-injury is unknown but may involve SIRT1, a type III, NAD-dependent

biomarker of cellular apoptosis.

histone deacetylase (HDAC) and one of its downstream targets, the

Other targets being explored in the laboratory include

transcription factor NFκB. Therefore, the research team plans to explore the role of SIRT1 and NFκB in IR injury.

NFκB, a master controller of inflammatory cytokine and chemokine production. Recently, it was shown

Resveratrol, a compound found in red wine, is proven to have anti-aging,

that SIRT1 activity in adipose tissue controls NFκB

anti-oxidant, and more importantly, cardio-protective effects. It has been

activity, as demonstrated by siRNA knockout animals

shown to work via several downstream targets including SIRT1. However,

and transgenic knockout animals. Therefore, since

the involvement of SIRT1 in the cardioprotective effect of resveratrol is

inflammation plays a major role in IR injury and

still not understood. Therefore, Dr. Griffith’s team will explore the effect of

progression to heart failure, Dr. Griffith proposes to

both resveratrol and the selective SIRT1 activators, DCHC and Cay10591,

explore the connection between SIRT1 activity, NFκB

on IR injury in HL-1 cells. Initial studies demonstrate that both DCHC

transcriptional activity and IR injury in cardiac myocytes.

Method: The laboratory uses a variety of molecular, histological and biochemical approaches to study IR injury. To begin, an in vitro cell line referred to as HL-1 cardiac myocytes is used to study the effects of different agents on IR-injury. Flow cytometry is utilized, which quantifies apoptotic and necrotic cell populations. Finally, an in vivo mouse model of IR-injury is used. Researchers occlude the left descending coronary artery (LAD) of a mouse heart and then measure the infarct size and collagen deposition through a series of histological stains. Echocardiography measures cardiac parameters. The goal is to find a pharmacological or nutrition agent, which reduces IR-injury in both an in vivo and in vitro model.

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In their own words:

What motivates you to pursue research?

Dr. Griffith: Research has been a focus of mine since graduate school. While in graduate school, I worked on a variety of research projects. I studied the transcription factors Rx and Six6, which are involved in optic nerve development. I worked on characterizing the active site of superoxide dismutase, an enzyme thought to play a role in Lou Gehrig’s disease. I worked on characterizing the regulation of the enzyme Glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD). I spent the next several years of my career identifying RNA-binding proteins involved in mRNA splicing.

After starting my career at WVSOM, I worked on identifying new and novel inhibitors of breast cancer including Gossypol, MNB, bee venom and copperhead snake venom. After a few years of working on my own research, I joined Dr. Judith Maloney’s research project. My long-term research goal is to prevent or reduce IR-injury caused by a myocardial infarction.

Participating faculty, staff and students: Since launching these investigations, the research team has included Dr. Judith Maloney, a collaborator and mentor; research assistants: Bethany Hampton, Millie Mattox; and WVSOM students. Each year, two or three WVSOM students assist with the ongoing projects and present their research at the annual American Osteopathic Association Research Conference. Participating students for the current academic year are Aasia Ferdous, Michael Fucci and Ryan Kahl.

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Assessing health care needs of rural communities and the effectiveness of community health workers

WVSOM Center for Rural and Community Health

Dr. Wayne Miller and the staff of the WVSOM Center for Rural and Community Health (CRCH) conduct research on the health care needs of rural communities and the effectiveness of programs that attempt to improve the health status and health care

Research funded by

services of rural West Virginia. In the past two years,

the

Claude W. Benedum Foundation, a Community

Dr. Miller and the CRCH staff have developed and

Transformation Grant from the Centers for

implemented a community health worker training

Disease Control and Prevention, the West

program that has spread throughout the state of West

Virginia Bureau for Public Health and WVSOM.

Virginia. Assessment of the program’s impact on local communities and community health is ongoing.

For decades, many underdeveloped countries have embraced a community health worker concept.

With the Affordable Care Act and health care reform initiatives underway, the potential for community health workers to alleviate the increasing work burden placed on the health care system is more evident in the U.S. and, particularly, in West Virginia.

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The community health worker (CHW) model has two primary facets:

Level 2, “Health Promotion,” prepares the

1. CHWs can be quickly trained to deliver

evaluate their nutrition and physical activity

basic health services in underserved

behaviors, and helping them with personal

communities.

home safety and emergency preparedness.

2. CHWs are trusted by community members

CHERP training is provided free to any

because CHWs live among the people they

interested adult, 18 or older, who can read

serve.

and write at the eighth grade level. Training

Therefore, they can reach into communities more deeply than some health care providers or allied health professionals.

Training programs for CHWs range from a few hours of narrowly-focused instruction to

CHERP to assist community members to be responsible for their health by helping them establish their medical home, helping them

is provided in locations across West Virginia.

CHERP Level 1 training involves 18 hours of class time, plus the appropriate study time to pass an exam with a minimum 80 percent score.

an associate’s degree program at a junior college or certificate from a university.

Depending on the extent of training, CHWs can perform such duties as helping patients complete medical forms and health histories, helping patients understand the meaning of lab tests, helping community members access health care and social services, helping with patient screenings such as blood pressure screenings, providing informal counseling, conducting community-based health promotion activities, helping to monitor patient compliance to prescribed treatments, acting as case managers for patients, helping people develop healthier lifestyles and more.

Dr. Miller and Haylee Heinsberg, a community health educator at the CRCH, worked together to design a CHW training program called CHERP (Community Health Education Resource Person). The CHERP program trains community health workers at

Method: The CHERP training model is being used in two research studies and is proposed to be used in several additional studies. The first study is a development and implementation study where the CHERP program is being developed and evaluated as a pilot program. In this study, community members are trained as CHERPs in Levels 1 and 2 then work either as volunteers or use their CHERP training within their current work environment.

Other measures taken in this first study evaluate factors like how often CHERPs are called upon for their services, what types of services are most frequently requested of the CHERPs, are the CHERPs able to handle the tasks/issues presented to them, and how health care providers and allied health professionals are using the CHERPs to improve health care services within a defined area.

more than one level. Although the training

The second study is a statewide effort where CHERPs are being

levels are sequential, a person receives a

trained in four delineated regions within West Virginia. Each

certificate of completion at each level, and

region determines how to optimally utilize the CHERPs in their

can end the training at whatever level he/

geographic area. These CHERPs are being placed in departments

she feels comfortable. Level 1 is called

of public health, doctors’ offices and clinics. The measurements

“Wellness” and prepares the CHERP with

for this study include factors such as changes in health behaviors

communication skills, an understanding of

and improvements in health and well-being of the community

ethics and confidentiality, knowledge about

members served by each of the four regions.

basic nutrition and physical activity and the ability to guide community members on the right track to accessing health care and developing a healthier lifestyle.

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Results: Both of these studies are still ongoing and the data is not yet analyzed. However, anecdotal feedback reported to the Center for Rural and Community Health has been encouraging. In one case, a CHERP was assigned as a case manager to a teen with metabolic syndrome. The teen was not complying with his medical treatment. Within a few months of working with the CHERP, he became compliant and his health status measurably improved. Another CHERP took her training home and within a few weeks had her diabetic partner embracing a healthier lifestyle. A third community health worker reported assisting a family member to enter treatment for an eating disorder. The family did not recognize the disorder until the new CHERP

Participating faculty, staff and students: Dr. Miller’s research is supported by Community Health Educator Haylee B. Heinsberg; Administrative Assistant Joyce R. Martin; and Community Health Educator Terri Pyne.

completed training. Finally, a nurse at a West Virginia health department used her CHERP training in her employment.

Tools the CHERP program taught her were put into action in the health department practice for tracking patient immunization schedules. She reported the department is now experiencing fewer errors in their immunization program and the department received Gold Star recognition for the first time after new training had been applied.

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FACULTY RESEARCH pharmacology and nutrition. Current research includes work on identifying and characterizing new drugs for breast cancer.

In addition to focusing attention on classical organic chemical structures, Dr. Griffith’s laboratory has characterized the effects of the European honeybee venom and northern copperhead venom in inhibiting breast cancer cell growth. Additionally, he

Hugh Clements-Jewery, Ph.D. Dr. Clements-Jewery investigates the role of biochemicals found within the ischemic or infarcting myocardium in triggering a lethal arrhythmia called ventricular fibrillation. Myocardial ischemia occurs when a coronary artery or one of its major branches becomes blocked. This leads to accumulation of biochemicals and metabolites within the myocardium which would otherwise

is interested in the cardio-protective effects of numerous pharmacological drugs and vitamins. Currently, Griffith is studying the effects of paclitaxel, rapamycin, and vitamin B3 in preventing or decreasing ischemiareperfusion injury following a Myocardial Infarction. Aside from these traditional approaches, another interest in medicine is characterizing the self-perception of people

Raeann Carrier, Ph.D. Dr. Carrier’s research interests focus on educational outcomes. Carrier offers a summer pharmacology camp for high school students to evaluate whether early exposure to science, health, medicine, and pharmacy influences later schooling and career paths.

in rural Appalachia in regards to overall health, obesity, hypertension, and various other parameters.

be removed by the blood flow, and depletion of various substances that are usually supplied by the blood (e.g. oxygen). If ischemia is prolonged for several minutes, the tissue starts to die and cannot be saved even if blood flow is restored. This process is called infarction. A major feature of myocardial

Jandy Hanna, Ph.D.

ischemia and infarction is the occurrence of arrhythmias. Clements-Jewery is

Vertical climbing is thought to have

interested in the most lethal of these arrhythmias: ventricular fibrillation (VF), which is the major cause of sudden cardiac death.

played a major role in the evolution

Kristie Bridges, Ph.D. The overarching goal of Dr. Bridges’ work is to develop non-invasive methods for identifying patients at the greatest risk of developing type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease and to monitor the response to behavioral and dietary interventions. Current studies are aimed at identifying and validating salivary biomarkers of pre-diabetes and metabolic syndrome. The development of these non-invasive tools would increase access

Brian N. Griffith, Ph.D. Research interests encompass multiple aspects of biochemistry, oncology,

to screening and treatment programs in rural areas and would help to reduce the incidence of obesity-related disorders.

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of locomotor specializations within primates, particularly in the evolution of hindlimb musculature important for bipedal locomotion by humans. Little is known, however, about how muscles use energy during climbing in primates. This research will collect data on the threedimensional biomechanics of climbing and relate these mechanics to hindlimb morphology and to the energy costs of climbing in primates. The results of this study will provide the first quantitative data on power production by the hindlimb, how power production differs with variation in hindlimb morphology, and how power production relates to the 19

energetic costs of climbing in non-human

growing skeleton informs analyses of past

primates. Such data will be primarily

populations, in order to better understand

important for understanding primate

the ontogeny of weight bearing on the

adaptations to climbing, and ultimately

skeleton.

commonly used to study the genetic basis of behavior as well as other aspects of nervous system function and muscle biology. Regulation

the evolution of specialized locomotion

of motility is a complex biological

like bipedalism. Non-human primates,

phenomenon, requiring precise

however, are good representative model

coordination between sensory, motor,

organisms for understanding how

and contractile systems. In order to make

muscles function during complex vertical

characterizing locomotory phenotypes

movements, and can be used to develop a

more precise, standardized, and easier,

specific model for comparison with human

Dr. Krajacic integrated non-invasive

data from the literature.

video microscopy, MATLAB-based image analysis algorithms, and fluid mechanics principles into a Biomechanical Profiling

Carolyn Komar, Ph.D. One focus of Dr. Komar’s research is to understand how the metabolic status of women affects reproductive health.

She is investigating how endogenous products of metabolism, as well as exogenous compounds, impact ovarian gene expression, steroidogenesis, etc.

Rebecca Kelso, Ph.D. Dr. Kelso’s research interests focus on the growth and development of the juvenile skeleton under varying nutritional and health conditions. She approaches this research by examining both past human populations and living groups, the latter through clinical studies. Kelso’s doctoral work focuses on archaeological human remains, though she is concurrently carrying out a study of the effects of obesity on the

Another area of research is the structure/ function relationship of the reproductive tract to the ovarian cycle. In a current

Platform (BMP) to quantify C. elegans locomotion (Krajacic et al, Genetics, 2012). Utilizing the BMP, he plans to identify genes, molecular mechanisms and other factors that underlie and affect the biomechanics of C. elegans locomotion and identify potential novel drug targets and therapeutics for neuromuscular disorders. In addition, Krajacic is interested in studying the effects of exercise on C. elegans muscle.

project with Deborah Schmidt, D.O., the team is investigating how pelvic somatic dysfunction may influence reproductive health in premenopausal women. The information gained from these studies will enable health care providers to better identify what goes awry leading to female sub-/infertility, and better understand pathologies affecting fertility such as polycystic ovary disease.

morphology of the lower limb. Specifically, her clinical research focuses on the skeletal effects of childhood obesity on

Joyce Morris-Wiman, Ph.D.

lower limb joint morphology. This research

Dr. Morris-Wiman’s current research

provides the opportunity to work with

interests are in jaw muscle repair and the

clinicians and academics to document

etiology of Temporomandibular Disorders

ontogenetic changes in the knee joint with

(TMD) and in central changes associated

increased weight. On a practical scale,

with the persistent pain of TMD. When

understanding the long-term mechanical

compared with tibialis anterior, masseter

effects of increased load bearing on lower

takes three times as long to repair after

limb joints during primary growth have implications for treatment. In addition to having clinical inferences, research into the effects of childhood obesity on the 20

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a minor injury and often the repair is associated with fibrosis and chronic inflammation. The hypothesis being tested is that muscle pain associated

with TMD is related to damage produced by

toggled on and off, and a PopUp mode

chronic bruxism often associated with TMD

that summarizes key points and allows

and the inability of the masseter to repair.

students to quiz themselves. Future goals

To provide support for this hypothesis, in

include developing features to advance

collaboration with Charles G. Widmer at

the sophistication of the animations and to

the University of Florida, Morris-Wiman

promote their distribution. Projects include

acquired funding (NIH R21) to compare

developing a website for distribution of the

the inflammatory milieu between tibialis

animated lessons, composing animations

anterior and masseter after an injury and

in HTML format, and developing a method

compare the behavior of muscle fibers

to automatically play the SWF files on

isolated from masseter and tibialis anterior

Windows and MAC operating systems.

in culture after exposure to cytokines. To

Peter Ward, Ph.D.

study persistent muscle pain, she has developed a mouse model of moderate

Dr. Ward’s current research investigates

jaw muscle pain based on repetitive

how first-year medical students

acidic saline injection that closely mimics

structure their learning in response to

TMD. Most recently, she has been using

the demands of medical school during

this model to investigate the initiation

their first year of professional education.

and maintenance of jaw muscle pain; in

While different study approaches are

particular, studying the role of reactive

employed by different individuals with

microglia and astrocytes in the trigeminal

varying degrees of success, the major

sensory complex in pain maintenance and

factor affecting student success is

factors that might influence pain duration.

their “engagement” with the material.

The research team is developing a behavior model in the mice to assess jaw pain after repetitive acidic saline injection based on changes in chewing behavior.

Deep and meaningful learning occurs

Andrew Thompson, Ph.D. Dr. Thompson’s research interests are twofold. The first topic involves the application of quantitative methods (e.g., population genetics and biological distance) to the study of migration and biological relatedness in past populations using phenotypic traits of the dentition. This research has focused on how population movement impacted biological variation among late prehistoric (~AD 1000-1400) groups that inhabited the Midwest region in North America. The second topic being pursued by Dr. Thompson is educational research, specifically the intersection

Jack Thatcher, Ph.D.

between curricular design, student learning

Dr. Thatcher’s professional pursuit is to

context of medical education. Thompson

develop animated lessons explaining

is exploring how using Bloom’s taxonomy

molecular, cellular and embryonic

to categorize exam questions can provide

processes. The long term goal is to

information on variation in student

distribute these for use by higher

performance.

when students actively manipulate information and present it in a new format. Ward examines how students utilize the various methods of learning to create their overall study strategies and how these support engagement with the material. The goal of the research is to identify approaches to study that result in long-term recall of complex material that can be used in clinical environments. In addition, he investigates the variations associated with anatomical structures to better characterize their morphology and function.

and assessment, particularly in the

education institutions. The animations are composed with Adobe Flash™. They include explanatory text that can be WVSOM MAGAZINE

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here experiences are timeless...

300 West Main Street White Sulphur Springs, West Virginia 24986 888-976-5696 · greenbrier.com

22

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nd memories last forever.

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Student Research PROJECTS 2013:

Research performed at CAMC

Christine Moore, OMS II WVSOM

Corbin Ballam, OMS II Bethany Mensink, OMS II Investigation of the role of TGFβ in satellite activation and differentiation in vitro

& Astrocyte ALDH1L1 and GFAP Expression in the Brainstem of Young and Aged Mice

Cameron Meyer, OMS II Timothy Bikman, OMS II Appalachian Misconceptions about the Relationship Between Health and Health Behaviors

AAsia Ferdous, OMS II Michael Fucci, OMS II

Relationship between Maternal Tobacco Usage, Cotinine Levels and Birth Outcomes

Andrea Ard, OMS II FROST Study: Fluid Resuscitation Optimization in Surgical Trauma patients

Tanner Harrah, OMS II Component Separation with Porcine Acellular Dermal Reinforcement Versus Traditional Bridged Mesh Repair: A Retrospective Cohort Study

Brent Pressman, OMS II

Research performed at Boston Children’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School

Zachary Grimes, OMS II Using GM1 to deliver Bioactive Molecules in the treatment of Type II diabetes

Major adverse cardiac events following distal embolic filter use in saphenous vein graft revascularization

Nf-kB, Hero or Villain?

TRAVis Weinsheim, OMS II Cameron LeMasters, OMS II Ibukunoluwa Kusimo, OMS II The effect of TNF-alpha on xanthine dehydrogenase cleavage in adipocytes

“On road” versus “Off road” ATV accidents: Comparison of Injury Severity and Relative Incidence

& Xanthine Dehydrogenase is Highly Expressed in White Adipose Tissue

Henry Makepeace, OMS II Insulin does not reduce susceptibility to ischemia-induced ventricular fibrillation in isolated rat hearts

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ALUMNI RESEARCH:

said. “Anesthesiology offered the opportunity to care for some of the sickest patients in the hospital in whom many of these basic

STEVEN BEAUDRY, D.O.

pathophysiologic mechanisms were at work.”

Anesthesiology is a diverse field that impacts almost every patient

“Research bug” shapes physician’s future

in the hospital, from those having simple outpatient surgery to the critically ill in an Intensive Care Unit. Now a resident at Johns Hopkins Hospital in Baltimore, he has developed a particular appreciation for the challenges of obstetrical anesthesia.

“We provide analgesia and anesthesia for women on the labor

Steven Beaudry, D.O., Class of 2010, was always interested in basic

ward and those having surgical procedures in the operating room,”

science research, from high school through college. But it was as a

Beaudry said. “It is an incredibly satisfying but often intense

medical student at WVSOM that his interest solidified.

experience, especially considering that your anesthetic technique impacts both the mother and child.”

“I spent the summer between my first and second year working with Dr. Judy Maloney and Dr. John Schriefer on their myocardial

Once he completes his residency, he will pursue a one-year clinical

ischemia/reperfusion injury research,” he said. He credits this

fellowship in obstetrical anesthesia at New York-Presbyterian/Weill

experience with giving him the “research bug.”

Cornell Medical Center in New York City, starting next year.

He applied to the Howard Hughes Medical Institute/National

The “research bug” he caught while at WVSOM is still with him.

Institutes of Health Research Scholars Program (The Cloister) as a way to further explore his research interests. Although he was not

“I hope to continue a career in academic anesthesiology exploring

accepted the first time around, with encouragement and support

basic mechanisms of obstetrical vascular disease, including

from WVSOM faculty, he reapplied following his third-year clinical

pre-eclampsia/pregnancy-induced hypertension, and maternal

clerkships and was accepted.

hemorrhage,” he said.

The Cloister was a program designed for medical, dental and

He credits the many excellent mentors in his life who have

veterinary students interested in academic medical careers to spend

shaped his journey thus far, expressing both appreciation and

one-to-two years conducting basic, clinical or translational research in a laboratory at the main NIH campus in Bethesda, Md. (The

encouragement for others who may desire a similar path.

Cloister program was discontinued in 2011, but the NIH and HHMI

“I have benefited from exceptional mentorship throughout my

continue to offer similar research training programs to medical

training, from my college and medical school professors, to my

students interested in academic careers.)

NIH mentors and attending physicians at Hopkins,” Beaudry said.

“I began at the Cloister in Bethesda in August 2007 and spent two

“Mentorship is the key to encouraging physicians-in-training to pursue careers in clinical and basic science research. It is my hope

years with the program,” Beaudry said. “My interest in studying

that WVSOM continues to develop programs to

ischemia/reperfusion injury and oxidative stress pathways led me

identify and equip these individuals in

to work in the laboratory of Rick M. Fairhurst, M.D., Ph.D., studying

their pursuits.”

malaria, a parasitic disease of red blood cells.”

His project involved elucidating mechanisms by which hemoglobin variants and other red blood cell disorders lead to protection against clinically severe malaria and death. This involved culturing malaria parasites in variant red blood cells from around the world, and using biochemical and cytological assays to understand how oxidative stress played into the clinical presentation of the disease.

“When I returned to my clinical rotations at WVSOM in 2009, I was drawn to the field of anesthesiology for its strong foundation in chemistry, physiology and its hands-on procedural nature,” Beaudry

He not only enjoyed the research experience, he was captivated by it.

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ALUMNI RESEARCH: CYNTHIA MAYER, D.O. Drug research improves lives

patients who have developed resistance to existing drugs,” Mayer said. “The field has expanded to the development of simpler regimens that improve patient

Cynthia A. Mayer, D.O., graduated from WVSOM in 1986. After completing a rotating internship and residency in internal medicine

adherence by requiring fewer pills and

at Sun Coast Osteopathic Hospital in Largo, Fla., she followed up with

less frequent dosing.”

a fellowship in infectious and tropical diseases at the University of

Although she deals with heart-wrenching

South Florida College of Medicine in Tampa.

situations on a daily basis, Mayer’s commitment

In 1993, she started her private practice in infectious disease.

to research has not waned.

“I have been fortunate to enjoy private practice and, at the same

“Doing research has allowed me to stay on the

time, participate in academics and teaching as a clinical associate professor of medicine at the University of Florida, while conducting

cutting edge of HIV care and given me the opportunity, as a physician, to offer my patients the most advanced

research at St. Joseph’s Comprehensive Research Institute,” Mayer

care available for the disease,” she said.

said.

Recently, her interest has expanded to the treatment of

Her work as a researcher focuses on anti-infectives, especially for viral

Hepatitis C and HIV/Hepatitis C co-infection. She’s actively

diseases such as HIV and Hepatitis C.

involved in clinical trials with new compounds to treat those affected with the disease.

During her career, she has been the principal investigator or coinvestigator on more than 95 drug studies for a veritable Who’s Who of pharmaceutical giants. The names are familiar: Gilead, Merck, Pfizer, GlaxoSmithKline, Abbott Laboratories, just to name a few.

In 2007, she took the position as medical director of the Comprehensive Research Institute. Her first protocol as PI was on the “NICE Study:” Protocol No. M99-047. The Norvir/Indinavir Combination Evaluation Study: A Randomized, Controlled, Open-Label Comparison of continuing Indinavir Q8H vs. Switching to Norvir/

“I see Hepatitis C as a new epidemic, much like HIV was 25 years ago,” she continued.

“In addition, many patients with HIV now suffer morbidity and mortality from chronic liver disease. Hopefully, the clinical trials for Hepatitis C will now help those patients, as well.”

Mayer serves on the teaching faculty at Sun Coast Hospital

Indinavir 400mg/400mg BID. Indinavir is a protease inhibitor used to inhibit the replication of the HIV virus in combination with other antiretroviral agents (ARV). Norvir (AKA Ritonavir) acts in a similar fashion and can be used to increase blood levels of other protease inhibitors. Taken together, Norvir will “boost” the level of Indinavir and increase its effect.

in Largo, Fla., and maintains attending physician status at the University of South Florida College of Medicine. She is an adjunct clinical associate professor of internal medicine/

“I have taken care of patients with HIV from the beginning of the

infectious disease at LECOM

epidemic,” Mayer said. “I have experienced the evolution of treatment

Bradenton College of Osteopathic

from early drug development with cumbersome, complex, toxic

Medicine and a clinical associate

regimens to highly-effective, safe, simple and tolerable medications

professor of internal medicine

that improve the patients’ quality and quantity of life.”

for the University of Des

She has a long-standing interest in clinical trials that investigate safer, more tolerable compounds.

Moines Osteopathic Medical Center in Des Moines, Iowa.

“There is a need for new drugs and drug classes that can treat

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ALUMNI RESEARCH: JOHN GLOVER, D.O. KAREN SNIDER, D.O. JOA publishes counterstrain tender points research of 2 alumni Two WVSOM graduates who conducted tender points research among osteopathic medical students have had their work published in “The Journal of the American Osteopathic Association.”

Alumni Karen T. Snider, D.O., and John C. Glover, D.O.,

The researchers, who

along with Paul R. Rennie, D.O., Heather P. Ferrill, D.O.,

conducted the survey between

William F. Morris, D.O. and Jane C. Johnson, MA conducted

2009 and 2011, took the

research on “Frequency of Counterstrain Tender Points in

results to the Education Council of Osteopathic Principles

Osteopathic Medical Students.” Counterstrain is one type of osteopathic manipulative treatment technique taught to

(ECOP), an AACOM committee, which helped decide which tender

osteopathic medical students, but the researchers found that

points would be taught across all osteopathic medical schools.

teaching all 300 was not feasible at most colleges because of time limitations.

Snider said in order for students to better retain information about counterstrain tender points they must be able to treat something

The research objective was to identify high-yield tender

that they can actually feel.

points in osteopathic medical students for teaching and to

“Students are more likely to have a positive learning experience when they actually treat something that’s real,” she said.

assess correlations between tender points and demographic information, weight and history of pain or trauma. First- and second-year students at five schools (Touro University of California, Touro University of Nevada, ATSU of Kirksville, ATSU of Soma and the University of New England) were surveyed regarding the presence and absence of tender points found by

“If the students have those tender points then they can feel what those tender points are like and they can learn the body’s response to treating that tender point.”

themselves and fellow students.

The result wasn’t necessarily a change in the curriculum, but a revision.

“We didn’t change their curriculum at all, we just surveyed the students as they were learning to decide which tender points were the ones that students could positively find on each other,” Snider said. “If they can find them as positive it means two things — one, they’re really easy to find and two, they’re very prevalent in students.”

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WHITE COAT

WVSOM graduate, Arizona Senator, offers advice at Convocation First-year medical students at WVSOM did not just receive their white coats during the annual Convocation and White Coat Ceremony that took place Aug. 24 — they also received advice from an esteemed graduate whose role is not only as an osteopathic physician but also a state senator.

Kelli Ward, M.P.H., D.O., a West Virginia native, 1996 WVSOM graduate and Arizona State Senator, delivered the ceremony’s keynote speech.

“You’re going to get a great foundation in osteopathic medical education here at WVSOM, but what I want to talk to you about is the rest of your life. Your real life so to speak,” she told the new students.

Her speech was designed to get the medical students thinking about their individual priorities as well as her thoughts on what made an osteopathic physician’s life balanced.

“You’re entering into a time intensive, frustrating, thrilling and unimaginable period of time in your life,” she told the audience.

“You have to ask yourself; what are your priorities?”

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Ward explained that throughout her life she has learned that a fulfilling career in osteopathic medicine while maintaining positive personal relationships can be achieved by four principles:

1.

2.

3.

4.

Surround yourself with quality people Invest now for the future

Realize you lose certain privileges

when you become a doctor, but deal with it

Never outsource the future or the important things in your life

She emphasized how incoming students should not just sit back and let things pass them by, but invest in what’s important, be a voice for the osteopathic profession and for the community.

“You’re in osteopathic medical school,” she said. “You’re going to be learning hands-on medicine, so don’t take a hands-off approach to your real life.”

While at WVSOM, Ward served as the national president of the Student Osteopathic Medical Association. With her mother, Lorraine Byrd, D.O., Class of 1990, she opened Lakeview Family

“You’re going to be learning hands-on medicine, so don’t take a hands-off approach to your real life.”

Healthcare in Lake Havasu City, Ariz.

She has served as the Director of Medical Education at Kingman Regional Medical Center since 2007.

Ward works in the emergency departments at each facility and serves the people of Arizona’s 5th Legislative

Scan code to see a short video featuring first-year students commenting on their coating experiences.

District as a State Senator. She is the only female Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine serving in an elected office at the state level in the U.S.

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Although the Class of 2017 has a long way to go in their journey to becoming physicians, the white coat ceremony represents their commitment

TO A LIFE OF SERVING PATIENTS.

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In addition to Convocation, WVSOM hosted an

ALUMNI WEEKEND for graduates to earn continuing medical education

training and reunite with former classmates. Events

included a family barbecue, campus tours, golfing and reunion dinners. Classes celebrating anniversaries included the classes of 1978, 1983, 1988, 1993, 1998 and 2003.

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Lewis A. Whaley – D.O., F.A.C.R.O. Michael B. Harmon – M.D., F.A.C.R.O. Prem Raja – M.D. 3100 MacCorkle Ave SE, Charleston, WV 25304 304.345.0667

Brian A. Plants – M.D. Lloyd J. Farinash – M.D.

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CLINICAL EVALUATION CENTER DONORS

Grand Conference Hall �������������������������������������������������������� John Manchin II, D.O.

CAPITAL CAMPAIGN

Emergency Simulation Lab ����������������������������������������������������� Charles Davis, D.O. Robot/Birthing Center �������������������� Manuel Ballas, D.O. and Kara O’Karma, D.O. Reception Area ������������������������������������������������������������� Dr. and Mrs. Badshah Wazir

We welcome everyone

Large Classroom ���������������������������������������������������������������������� Lewis Whaley, D.O.

who has a love for WVSOM and a vision of its future impact to be a part of the construction of these two important facilities. Gifts of every amount are valued, and there are many prestigious naming opportunities for organizations and individuals who desire to leave a lasting legacy in health care education or to honor the memory of a loved one.

Medium Classroom ����������������������������������������������� Drs. Cheryl & Michael Adelman

Task Trainer Room ������������������������������������������������������������� Michael Nicholas, D.O. ACLS Room I ��������������������������������������������������������������������������� Robert Hunter, D.O. ACLS Room 2 ����������������������������������� James Deering, D.O. and Jodi Flanders, D.O. ACLS Room 3 and 4 ��������������� Letetia Villalobos, D.O. and Rafael Villalobos, D.O. Nurse’s Treatment Area ��������������������������������������������������������������� A.S. Ghiathi, D.O. Office Suite ������������������������������������������������������������������������������ Thomas White, D.O. Standardized Patient Control Room ������������������������� Dr. and Mrs. Lorenzo Pence Small Conference Room 1 ���������������� Heather Antolini and Michael Antolini, D.O. Small Conference Room 2 ��������������������������������������������� Lydia Weisser, D.O., MBA Small Conference Room 3 ���������������������������������������������������������������� Class of 1982 Small Conference Room 4 ���������������������������������������������������� R. Alan Spencer, D.O. Small Conference Room 5 ���������������������������������������������������������� Jim Nemitz, Ph.D. Small Conference Room 6 ������������������� Hal Armistead, D.O. and Amy Roush, D.O. Small Conference Room 7 ���������������������������������������������������������������� Class of 1990 Small Conference Room 8 �������������������������������������������������� Randy Blackburn, D.O. Robot Control Room ������������������������������������������������������������������������� Class of 1983 Robot Viewing Room ������������������������������������������������������������������� John Lackey, D.O.

MORE THAN

1.5

Office 1 ��������������� Chris Flanagan, D.O., Sophia Sibold, D.O., Shannon Sorah, D.O.

MILLION HAS BEEN PLEDGED TO

HELP ENSURE WVSOM’S FUTURE SUCCESS.

38

Office 2 ����������������������������������������������������������������������������������� Alan Finkelstein, D.O. Office 3 ��������������������������������������������������������������������������������� Carmen Damiani, D.O. Office 4 ������������������������������������������������������������������������������������� Naomi Wriston, D.O. Office 5 ������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������ David Allen, D.O. Office 6 ����������������������������������������������������������������������������������� Dr. & Mrs. O.J. Bailes Office 7 ����������������������������������������������������������������������������������������� Cathy Dailey, D.O.

SPACES HAVE BEEN RESERVED IN THE CEC AND FIRST DEPOSITS RECEIVED FOR THAT PROJECT

Office 8 ���������������������������������������������������������������������������������������� Eloise Hayes, D.O. Office 9 �������������������������������������������������������������������� Drs. James and Nancy Tierney Office 10 �������������������������������������������������������������������������������������� Gary Swann, D.O. Office 11 ������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������� Class of 2003 Staff Lounge ���������������������������������������������������������������������������� Dr. & Mrs. Art Rubin TBD �������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������� Samuel Deem, D.O. TBD ������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������� David Harrison, D.O.

Spaces remain: Clinical Evaluation Center 34

Robot Labs (10) ������������������������������������������������������������������������ $35,000 Standardized Patient Labs (11) ��������������������������������������������� $25,000 ACLS Labs (2) ��������������������������������������������������������������������������� $15,000

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GIFT info

To discuss a gift opportunity, please contact: President Michael Adelman, D.O., D.P.M., J.D. 304.647.6200 madelman@osteo.wvsom.edu

Jim Nemitz, Ph.D. 304.647.6368 jnemitz@osteo.wvsom.edu

Marilea Butcher 304.647.6367 mbutcher@osteo.wvsom.edu

Shannon Warren 304.647.6382 swarren@osteo.wvsom.edu

Heather Antolini 304.647.6374 hantolini@osteo.wvsom.edu

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Student Center The new Student Center will be the focal point of the campus.

Graced with a soaring clock tower,

9

the center will feature both open and covered decks on the first and second floors along with a rooftop

SPACES HAVE BEEN RESERVED INCLUDING THE MAGNIFICENT CLOCK TOWER, WHICH RECEIVED A COMMITMENT FROM WVSOM’S ALUMNI ASSOCIATION.

terrace. It will house a café and a 1,000-seat meeting hall, plus a media center that can be divided into smaller rooms. There will be

Spaces remain:

open space, as well as smaller, quiet areas, with natural light designed to provide students with

Large Conference Hall/Stage....................... .$500,000

an enhanced study environment.

Dining Lounge/Food Court............................ .$125,000 Campus Store................................................. .$100,000 Small Pre-Function Room............................. .$20,000 SGA Conference Room.................................. .$20,000 Student Government Office.......................... .$20,000

STUDENT CENTER DONORS

We THANK every individual who has made a commitment to the Capital Campaign.

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Clock Tower ���������������������������������������������������������������������������������� WVSOM Alumni Association, Inc. Open Student Study Lounge ��������������������������������������������������������������������������������� Lori Tucker, D.O. Quiet Student Study Lounge ������������������������������������������������������������������ Dr. & Mrs. Badshah Wazir Large Prefunction ������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������ Dino Beckett, D.O. Entry Lobby ������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������ David and Martha Rader Student Copy Center ����������������������������������������������������������������������������������������� Brian DeFade, D.O. President’s Reception Parlor ��������������������������� Andrew Thymius, D.O. and Tiffany Thymius, D.O. Student Recreation Lounge ����������������������������������������� Patrick Pagur, D.O. and Billie Wright, D.O. Terrace ����������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������� Michael Nicholas, D.O.

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STUDENT CENTER FIRST FLOOR: DONORS

SECOND FLOOR:

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Reflections on giving After a year of planning and preparation, work has now begun on the expansion of WVSOM’s Clinical Evaluation Center. To celebrate the occasion, WVSOM reached out to donors who have made a commitment to the CEC to better understand 1) why they give and 2) their vision for WVSOM as we move into the future.

“We were pleased to have the opportunity to dedicate a room in honor of my wife Jean’s parents who were both doctors of osteopathic medicine and influenced me greatly: Charles R. Holliday, D.O., and Lillie O. Holliday, D.O. It is my great honor and privilege to have been involved in the founding of this school. It has already advanced beyond my dreams in every way.” ~ O.J. Bailes, D.O., Founder

“It is important for WVSOM graduates

“The naming opportunity not

to appreciate how the delivery of

only presents an opportunity

medical education has changed and

to support WVSOM, but also

improved over the years.

allows me to honor the legacy

The Clinical Evaluation Center — with its use of simulators, standardized patients and instruction in the use of the electronic medical record — is a great example of that change just in the past few years.

My position as an assistant dean makes me constantly aware of these medical education advances and their importance in training future D.O.s.” ~ Arthur Rubin, D.O., Class of 1979

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of Marvin Penwell, D.O., who positively influenced many young physicians — including myself — as to the true value of an osteopathic education.” ~ Lewis Whaley, D.O.

“I am a graduate of the first class at WVSOM and my wife is a graduate of MSUCOM (Michigan State University “WVSOM gave me a chance and

College of Osteopathic Medicine).

now I want to give back. The school

We’re very pro-osteopathic medical

has always taught a hands-on,

education. In addition, my oldest

“I believe we should give back to

holistic approach to patient care.

daughter graduated from WVSOM

those who have helped us through our

That instruction still impacts my

last year and my son is currently

careers. WVSOM was the beginning

patients’ care today. In addition,

a student. We’re very invested

of a great career for me and I wanted

the naming opportunity was a

in the continued success of the

to be able to help with the building

way for me to recognize one of my

school. In particular, we appreciate

of additional rooms. I was born and

mentors, Don H. Donahoe, M.D. At

the strong bonds that are formed

raised in Greenbrier County and that

Logan General Hospital, he would

among students during their medical

is where my roots are.”

take third- or fourth-year students

education at WVSOM. I experienced

for clinical training and truly make

it myself and I’ve seen these close

a difference in their development

connections replicated in the next

as doctors. He was committed to

generation. In fact, one of my close

medical education. It’s my hope

friends from WVSOM was another

that this will be one way to honor

graduate from my class, David Allen.

his legacy.”

My daughter and David’s daughter

~ Rob Hunter, D.O., Class of 1997

~ Thomas White, D.O., Class of 1996

were in the same class at WVSOM more than 30 years later. Neither David nor I knew that the other had a child enrolled at WVSOM until our daughters met and began studying together. WVSOM really is a family.” ~ James Deering, D.O., Class of 1978

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You’re invited

COMWEEK The Interfaith Amigos

Thursday, February 20, 2014

7 - 9:00 p.m.

Lewis Theatre, Lewisburg, WV

Osteopathic medicine founder Andrew Taylor Still based his philosophy of healing on four principles: The body is a unit; the person is a unit of body, mind and spirit.

The body is capable of self-regulation, self-healing and health maintenance.

Structure and function are reciprocally interrelated.

Rational treatment is based upon the above three principles.

In this year’s Celebrate Osteopathic Medicine Week, the WVSOM community will have an opportunity to dig more deeply into the “spirit” aspect of osteopathic medicine and its relationship to health and healing.

The Interfaith Amigos are Imam Jamal Rahman, Pastor Don Mackenzie and Rabbi Ted Falcon. Known for their unique blend of spiritual wisdom and humor, they bring universal insights to conversations about spirituality and contemporary challenges.

EVENT INCLUDES A BOOK SIGNING FOR THE BOOK “Getting to the Heart of Interfaith: The Eye-Opening, Hope-Filled Friendship of a Pastor, a Rabbi & an Imam,” AVAILABLE FROM MOST ONLINE BOOKSELLERS.

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In loving memory of Randy Dailey and for all victims of violent crime.

Please perform a random act of kindness.

Cathy Dailey, D.O. Gloria and Randy Dailey

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41

THOMAS M. KARRS, M.D., F.A.A.D. Board Certified Dermatologist

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Johnathan Pierson, MPAS, PA-C

Tonia Daniels, FNP-BC

Sherry Duvall, FNP-BC, DCNP James Beaver, PA-C

Jill Thomas-Boyce, M.D. David Runyon, PA-C

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Congratulations Art Rubin, D.O. PRESIDENT

West Virginia Osteopathic Medical Association

2013 – 2015

WVVA HealthCare Alliance, PC

David P. Allen, D.O.

1102 Main Street, Rainelle, WV 25962 ~ 304.438.8561

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43

STUDENTS

Coffield elected

S.M. “Maggie” Coffield,

Servicemen share history

military advisor. Fogle and Mason discussed their service experiences and travels. Mason

On Sept. 11, 2013 — Patriots’ Day — Navy

was an active duty Navy helicopter pilot for 17

Cmdr. James Mason, OMS I, received his first

years.

Reserve Oath of Office from Army NG Maj. Rick Fogle, D.O., assistant professor of geriatrics at WVSOM.

“I was talking with Dr. Fogle about some of my EMS experiences and, all of a sudden, he

While Mason is part of the newest class to

about a Wilderness EMS class that became a

arrive on WVSOM’s campus, he and Dr. Fogle

little extreme,” Mason said.

Fogle rose from his desk and walked over to

“Back in the mid-90s, I was a student

where his WVSOM diploma hung on the wall.

paramedic at Carnegie Mellon University and I

He dramatically pointed to the first letters of his

enrolled in a Wilderness EMS course. We were

name. Albert. Richard. Fogle. “ARF.”

out in the Pennsylvania woods and got hit by this bizarre April Fools’ Day blizzard, which dropped temperatures and more than 20 inches of snow,” Mason recalled.

What was supposed to be a two-day course in wilderness survival turned into four days of endurance as the students waited for roads to clear so they could evacuate.

One of their instructors and soon-to-be rescuers was a colorful paramedic and physician’s assistant known simply as “ARF” due to the

OMS IV, has been elected to a national position with the 2013-2014 Governing Council of the Medical Student Component of the American Society for Anesthesiologists.

got this funny look in his eyes when we talked

already share an interesting history.

“I’m an alternate,” she explained. “I’m elected to ensure representation at the annual meeting in the event another official cannot attend or has to step down.”

She’s investigating the interest level for an anesthesiology group on campus for other

“I got chills,” Mason admitted. “I already

WVSOM students who wish to

knew I’d made the right decision in coming to

pursue the medical specialty.

WVSOM, but that moment clinched it.”

“I didn’t realize anesthesia

Fogle chuckled at the memory. “Back when

was what I wanted to do until

James first met me, I had a full head of hair and

late in my third year,” said

a black mustache,” he said. “It’s no wonder he

Coffield. “I think an interest

didn’t recognize me at first.”

group on campus would have

Fogle worked as a paramedic then as a physician’s assistant before pursuing his medical degree.

helped and possibly put me in a better position for rotations and residency. I’d like to give that opportunity to students in

labels on his rescue gear. On the fourth day,

“My sons are fifth generation Army,” he said

his return from a scouting trip on the outbound

proudly. “That history of service means a lot to

roads was a cause for celebration.

me.”

“I never forgot that experience,” Mason said.

For one new WVSOM student, that tradition of

to pursue a fellowship in

service — and a moment of serendipity — has

pediatric anesthesia.

Fast forward to August 2013. When Mason

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arrived at WVSOM, he went to meet with his

Following a residency in anesthesiology, Coffield hopes

made an indelible impression.

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STUDENTS

Students lend helping hand during Day of Caring

The annual United Way Day of Caring brought out more than 125 medical students who provided community service to the area. The volunteers went to seven sites to help clean, paint, organize and maintain yards for organizations and businesses as well as help with a Habitat for Humanity project and Literary Festival.

The event, which takes place during WVSOM’s orientation,

OMED 2013

provides an immediate opportunity for first-year students to interact with second-year students. The event wastes no time in getting medical students involved in their community, which the school encourages.

“I think that doing this event in the beginning of the year allows for early contact between community members and new students, which will hopefully help to build stronger bonds between the school and Greenbrier County,” said Katie Dempster, T.O.U.C.H. coordinator.

The work that was completed for the Habitat for Humanity will eventually help two families in need — the Douglas and Chapman families. The houses are about 50 percent complete and the Habitat for Humanity organization hopes to have these families settled into their new homes by Christmas.

Habitat for Humanity has been providing people like Rachael

Third-year student wins second place at poster session

Chapman with an affordable place to call home for nearly 40 years. Rachael is a single mother helping her own mother to care for her younger siblings in White Sulphur Springs.

Rachael enjoys meeting the volunteers who give their time to

Ryan Kahl, OMS III, earned second place in the Research Abstracts

help build her home.

and Poster Session during the annual AOA Osteopathic Medical Conference and Exposition (OMED) that took place Sept. 30-Oct. 4

“This is a really rewarding process to work with everyone

in Las Vegas.

building my own home — Habitat, the volunteers, everybody

Kahl’s poster was “A Multidisciplinary Approach to Characterizing

has been really supportive,” she said.

Cardiac Function in Aging BALB/c Mice.” His research was

Dempster said lending a helping hand to the community is

conducted with the help of Mildred Mattox, B.S., Bethany Hampton,

invaluable.

B.S., Michelle Vanoy-Warner, B.S., and faculty mentors Judy

“I think this is a wonderful mutually beneficial event where

Maloney, Ph.D., and Brian Griffith, Ph.D.

students are able to learn more about the community and

A total of 11 WVSOM students (including two third-year students)

appreciate the people who live here and the local residents

showcased their research projects during the conference. Judges

have a chance to get to know the students,” she said. “I

for the poster session are volunteers from colleges of osteopathic

know that United Way has had a hugely positive response

medicine. The competition is a way for students to hone their

and several of the organizations have asked when we will be

presentation skills while answering judges’ questions about

doing the next one.”

scientific research.

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STUDENTS

Students organize scavenger hunt during Day to Serve First- and second-year WVSOM students

“I know students had a wonderful

organized a community Health and Wellness

time serving their communities

Scavenger Hunt on Sept. 21 in recognition of the

and supporting this initiative,”

Governor’s Day to Serve event across the state.

said Joe Brandt, vice president of

Groups of children and their parents roamed the

WVSOM’s Student Government

WVSOM campus visiting stations hosted by school clubs and organizations. At each station, children

Rural Health Student of the Year

learned about health behaviors and wellness

a great way to get people out in the communities and help improve the

choices and were offered giveaways along with

state.”

their next clue.

A month prior, at the West Virginia

On Oct. 22, the 2013 Outstanding Rural

Students continued to serve their community until

State Fair, Dr. Andrea Nazar and

Health Student of the Year award was

the end of September with a green and glow trash

presented to Michael Bledsoe, OMS III,

pick up and adopt-a-highway, where individuals

during the Rural Health Conference at

vowed to collect trash near their homes and

Stonewall Resort. The award recognizes an

along roadways. Between the three activities, the

extraordinary student who has initiated and

WVSOM community dedicated more than 350

performed within the field of rural health.

hours for Day to Serve.

Efforts may include clinical, infrastructure development, research, promotional or volunteer activities.

Bledsoe participates in WVSOM’s Rural Health Initiative program and is currently performing his clinical rotations in the South Central Region of the Statewide Campus system. According to RHI Program Coordinator, Janet Hinton, who nominated him for the award, “Michael was instrumental in planning an RHI activity cosponsored by the Wilderness Medicine Club involving a search and rescue scenario.”

During the month of July 2013, Bledsoe conducted a clinical rotation at the National Boy Scout Jamboree that took place at the Bechtel Boy Scout Reserve in Mount Hope, W.Va. Feedback from attending physicians at the event credited Bledsoe for “exhibiting professionalism and clinical knowledge much superior to many students of his age and training.” He established himself as a valuable member of the medical team working at the Jamboree, providing medical care and osteopathic manipulations to visiting Boy Scouts and event staff.

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Association. “The Day to Serve was

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WVSOM student Katie Druetzler were part of the governor’s televised press event.

STUDENTS

Record number participate in Faculty/Student Research Showcase Students delivered 13 research poster and/or oral

presentations during the Dr. Judith Westerik, Professor Emerita, Faculty/Student Research Showcase held on campus Sept. 19.

The event was organized by WVSOM’s Office of Affiliated and

Students volunteer during T.O.O.T.

Sponsored Programs.

“This is the most participants we’ve had for this event. It may be because it’s getting competitive for students to get post-

WVSOM students volunteered their time during the annual

graduate training spots and evidence of research experience

Taste of Our Town festival in Lewisburg in October to offer

may be seen as a plus when applying to postgraduate training

community members free blood pressure checks. The

programs,” said Brian Griffith, Ph.D., associate professor of

Student Association of American College of Osteopathic

biomedical sciences and the event’s moderator. “More students

Family Physicians (ACOFP) provided the service. Students also

are interested in research because they know it will help them

provided a face painting area for children.

be successful.”

A total of 16 WVSOM students presented research projects along with one high school student. More than 145 people

Treadmill War raises money for breast cancer research

turned out to listen to the talks, which provided students with the opportunity to explain their research and answer questions.

This year’s event did not limit research opportunities to

Throughout the month of October, the American College of

the WVSOM campus. Research was also conducted during

Osteopathic Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOOG) hosted

externships at Charleston Area Medical Center and the

a Treadmill War to benefit the Susan G. Komen Foundation.

Children’s Hospital at Harvard Medical School in Boston, Mass.

A total of $305 was raised during the event with 2,692.11

Malcolm Modrzakowski, Ph.D., associate dean for affiliated

miles logged.

and sponsored programs, said he is pleased with the growing

Small prizes were given to a team as well as an individual

number of students interested in research opportunities.

runner. The Class of 2016 was the team winner, receiving a free group snack. Christine Moore, OMS II, was the individual

“I hope student interest in conducting research will continue to

winner, receiving a $25 gift card to the WVSOM campus

grow. We’ll do our best to provide on-campus summer research

store. All student participants received one T.O.U.C.H. hour.

experiences, or help identify appropriate off-campus research or training experiences, for all interested students,” he said.

Cameron Meyer and Timothy Bikman, both second-year medical

Final team standings were as follows:

students, were the People’s Choice winners for their poster

Class of 2016 — 985.01 miles

“Appalachian Misconceptions about the Relationships Between Health and Health Behaviors.” Faculty mentors for the research

Class of 2017 — 895.92 miles

project were Wayne Miller, Ph.D., and Brian Griffith, Ph.D.

Staff — 811.18 miles

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STUDENTS

WVSOM at the fair

For the 2013 West Virginia State Fair, it was double the pleasure — double the fun! The West Virginia School of Osteopathic Medicine had not just one, but two locations for fairgoers this year.

Many fairgoers visit the WVSOM Health Screenings booth under the grandstand annually for their free blood pressure check, along with an opportunity to receive a total lipid profile with glucose. This year was no different. More than 2,000 blood pressure readings were provided to visitors by students and volunteer health care workers. Several well-known faces visited the booth this year, including West Virginia Gov. Earl Ray Tomblin and U.S. Sen. Joe Manchin (W. Va.). It’s rumored that even Elvis had his pulse checked!

New this year, WVSOM had a tent location in the outdoor marketplace. The Center for Rural and Community Health hosted interactive health displays and students from the Rural Health Initiative answered fairgoer questions about diabetes management. In addition, cast members from the WV Public Broadcasting show “Abracadabra” were on hand to perform magic, play the “Make a Healthy Choice” game or entertain children with the “Vanishing Joey” trick.

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STUDENTS

Fong

Richmond

Enter second-year student Farrah Fong. She’d seen the “Treats for Troops” boxes and felt inspired to fill them. She developed the idea for a treat swap based on an online site she’d visited called the “Great Food Blogger Cookie Swap.”

“I love food and spend my spare time looking through food blogs and gathering recipes for future kitchen experiments,” Fong said. “In order to participate in the cookie swap, each blogger would make a small donation to ‘Cookies for Kids’ Cancer,’ which raises funds for pediatric cancer research.

Then the participants would bake cookies for three other participants and receive one dozen cookies from three different bloggers.”

Fong adapted the concept for WVSOM, requesting that participants bake homemade treats in batches of three dozen. Participants would receive some of the treats, as would the service members in C Company 1-1, the Children’s

Treats for troops

Home Society and the Family Refuge Center.

Just in time for Veterans’ Day, WVSOM staff and students

“The holidays are a time for giving and we wanted to give a

baked assorted treats to send to troops overseas.

little something to everyone,” she said.

Former U.S. Army Sgt. E-5, Charity Richmond, works in

Belinda Evans, student program advisor in the Office of

WVSOM’s Office of the General Counsel. She has friends in

Student Affairs, said when Fong first approached her with the

C Company 1-1 Task Force Gunfighters stationed in Zabul

idea, her excitement was infectious.

Province, Afghanistan, and knew how homesick they were

“When she told me that some of the treats were going to our

feeling as the holidays approached. She remembered that

troops it humbled me. I have a nephew and son-in-law who

feeling from her own time in the service.

benefit from organizations such as ours so I know firsthand

“When you’re far from home, the care packages you

how much it means to them to receive something homemade.

receive are so appreciated,” she said. “It’s important to

They appreciate all packages that are sent to them but the

know that people back home miss you. Of course, those

‘homemade’ items give them a sense of home, that warm and

tastes and smells can also make you even more homesick

fuzzy feeling. I think we tend to forget how much ‘home’ is

for loved ones.”

missed by our servicemen and women,” Evans said.

The “Treats for Troops” boxes were placed around campus

The cost to participate in the treat extravaganza was $2. Fong

and a communication distributed asked for donations to

collected more than 1,000 treats for distribution and the

send overseas — particularly home-baked comfort foods

funds she raised were donated to local no-kill animal shelters.

that couldn’t be obtained in the remote outposts.

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STUDENTS

A ffair

G

SCHOLARSHIP

R

A ND

For anyone who has ever dreamed of being James

Bond, “M,” or even a Bond-girl bombshell, this year’s Grand Affair event offered a ticket to adventure.

On Nov. 2, more than 500 guests filled the bunker at The Greenbrier Resort in a Casino Royale themed event filled with glamour.

This year’s event raised more than $60,000 for WVSOM student scholarships through event sponsorships, a silent auction and — new this year —

the raffle of a private jet getaway for six people. Exactly 100 raffle tickets were sold for $250 each and a shot at the extravagant prize, which included $1,000 in spending money.

Heather Antolini, director of Institutional Advancement, thinks the exclusive prize added excitement for students, WVSOM staff, community members and those valued friends of the school who contribute as sponsors.

“The Grand Affair definitely rose to the next level this year, thanks to the generous donation of the private jet flight package provided by our anonymous donors. The raffle added a whole new dimension of anticipation and excitement to the event, not to mention the significant dollars it raised for the scholarship fund,” Antolini said. “Our wheels are already turning to create something equally spectacular for next year.”

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STUDENTS

Brandon Basehore, OMS II, is president of WVSOM’s Student Government Association, which organizes the annual gala.

“Our goal this year was to raise enough money to fund multiple student scholarships and we’ve accomplished that,” Basehore said. “There was a tremendous team effort behind the scenes to pull everything together,” he added, crediting the SGA planning committee and, in particular, the efforts of second-year students Joseph Brandt and Cameron Meyer.

In addition to these individuals, the Grand Affair planning committee included second-year students Jason Hoffman, Stephanie Lam, Michael Lawless, Bethany Mensink and first-year students Jonathan Bond and Chase Ferrell.

“It was a grand event in every sense of the word,” said James W. Nemitz, Ph.D., WVSOM’s vice president for Administration and External Affairs.

“The Grand Affair moved to a different area of the resort this year. The students really stepped up to the challenge and made the event work within the new space. With assistance from The Greenbrier Resort staff and Gillespie’s Flowers & Productions, the bunker was transformed into a gorgeous setting for our guests.”

SAVE THE DATE It’s not too late to save the date for next year’s event. Make plans now to attend the 2014 Grand Affair — back in the Colonial Ballroom — on Saturday, Nov. 8, 2014.

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SCHOOL NEWS

CEC accredited by SSH

In the previous issue of WVSOM Magazine, it was reported that

“Designation as an accredited simulation center signifies to

the CEC had hosted The Society for Simulation in Healthcare

prospective students, potential inter-professional partners and

(SSH) for an accreditation site visit on June 20.

health care educators that the programs offered through the CEC

Two months later, the good news was received. WVSOM’s Clinical Evaluation Center had received accreditation in the area of teaching/education. It is the only center in the state accredited by the SSH.

meet an international standard of excellence and quality,” said Stephanie Schuler, executive director of the CEC. “As we compete for grants and conduct research projects, it sets us apart as a center that has a proven record of producing quality programs.

This designation signifies added value that ultimately provides our students with educational opportunities that are consistently at or beyond the national standard.”

The SSH represents a rapidly growing group of educators, research scientists and advocates who utilize simulation methodologies for education, testing and research. Simulation programs with a minimum two-year track record of excellence in assessment, research or teaching may apply for accreditation.

The accreditation status is good for five years, after which, an institution may reapply. Accreditation may be earned in the areas of assessment, research, systems integration and teaching/ education.

Wheeling Hospital to be base site WVSOM’s Statewide Campus System is excited to welcome

Wheeling Hospital as a base site for third-year clinical rotations.

Beginning with the 2014-2015 academic year, Wheeling Hospital will be the medical “home” for eight WVSOM students beginning their clinical training.

“Wheeling Hospital offers a great training site for the northern part of the state,” said Ralph Wood, D.O., assistant dean for the statewide campus northern region. “The expertise and professionalism of the Wheeling Hospital physicians and staff will offer valuable learning opportunities for our students.”

Wheeling joins other top-notch facilities operating as base sites in the region: Mon General Hospital, Ohio Valley Medical Center and Weirton Medical Center.

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On Nov. 2, more than 500 WVSOM medical students and 60

SCHOOL NEWS

MSOPTI hosts students, faculty and residents

Three receive AOF recognition

On Sept. 29, the American Osteopathic Foundation Honors

vendors gathered at The Greenbrier Resort for the 31st Annual

event held in Las Vegas recognized three members of the

WVSOM Hospital Day event. Visiting hospitals and institutions

WVSOM community:

provided information on rotation sites for students and graduate

Steven S. Agafonoff, OMS II – Welch Scholars Grant

medical education training opportunities in a wide variety of medical specialties.

Eugene Belenitsky, spouse of Fatima Masumova, OMS IV – Donna Jones Moritsugu Memorial Award

“One of the great takeaways from Hospital Day was hearing the feedback about WVSOM students who have entered many of these

Sarita Lantz Bennett, D.O., Class of ‘98 – Ready Relief Box

training programs,” said Victoria Shuman, D.O., associate dean

Recipient

of Graduate Medical Education. “It’s gratifying to hear institutions compliment the professionalism of WVSOM students and the

The annual honors event recognizes and awards outstanding osteopathic medical students and physicians

higher caliber of their performance.”

based on merit.

The Welch Scholars Grant is presented to secondyear osteopathic medical students who have exhibited outstanding academic achievement, participation in extracurricular activities and a strong commitment toward osteopathic medicine.

The Donna Jones Moritsugu Memorial Award is presented to a professional’s partner who has provided immeasurable support of his or her mate, family and the osteopathic profession. This individual’s moral support helps make everything possible for the osteopathic

Bingo for the Cure raises funds for breast cancer research

medical student.

In June 2012, the AOF announced it would begin providing a unique opportunity for osteopathic physicians who participate in international medical mission trips.

Six lucky winners got the chance to call out “BINGO!” during the second annual Bingo for the Cure event that took place at

Working with Heart to Heart International, the AOF

WVSOM’s Alumni Center on Sept. 11. The event helps raise

purchased Ready Relief Boxes, a type of portable

funds for breast cancer research and the Susan G. Komen Race

pharmacy in a box. At a cost of $500 per box, the recipient

for the Cure. WVSOM’s own Dr. Lorenzo Pence and his wife,

receives $7,500 (awp) worth of essential medicines,

Tina, have participated in the race for the past three years as

instruments and supplies needed by groups that treat

a way to commemorate and celebrate her remission from this

the world’s poor and underserved. The Ready Relief Box

deadly disease.

has a sturdy, suitcase-like design to withstand the rigors of international travel. The contents can treat up to 400

Through ticket sales, donations and a $500 gift from the

people.

Classified Staff employees, the event raised a total of $1,500.

Heart to Heart International is a global humanitarian

Bingo winners received fully-packed gift baskets. Basket

organization that inspires, empowers and mobilizes the

themes included West Virginia handmade items, spa/

individual to serve the needs of poor populations around

pampering and grilling/tailgating. Basket winners were Angie

the world. Since 1992, Heart to Heart has provided more

Hill, Donette Mizia, Holly Hardesty, Donna Varney, Marilea

than $500 million in assistance to medical mission trips.

Butcher and Charity Richmond.

Heart to Heart International is committed to improving

A variety of door prizes were also distributed including Dr.

global health through initiatives that connect people and

Pence’s parking space and Vera Bradley and Coach bags. Door

resources to a world in need.

prize winners were Shirley Parker, Gail McClung, Dr. Robert Foster, Karla Pauley and Michelle Vallandingham.

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SCHOOL NEWS

Finally, the discussion turned to the HEA Reauthorization Act of 2013 and advocacy to reduce the interest rate on professional student loans and to cover the interest debt on those loans until after a student has attained his or her degree.

If Congress fails to pass an on-time reauthorization bill, an automatic one-year extension will occur. After that, Congress must pass legislation to extend the Act until reauthorization is approved. During the 2003 reauthorization process, Congress passed 13 additional extensions until eventually passing the legislation in 2008.

AACOM shares legislative updates

Rasheed delivers bioethics presentation

On Nov. 12, the government relations team from the

American Association of Colleges of Osteopathic Medicine (AACOM) visited campus to share legislative updates with students and staff. Pamela Murphy, director of Government Relations (GR); Mary-Lynn Bender, assistant director of

In October, second-year student,

GR; and Judith Mun, policy and public affairs specialist,

Shoaib Rasheed, delivered a

delivered a comprehensive overview of issues of interest to

presentation titled “Inculcating

osteopathic medical students and educators.

Virtues and Remaining Faithful

Murphy began with a brief overview of the recent

to the Law: Examining Efforts

government shut down and the deal that was put into place

to Promote Organ Donation among Muslims through an

to temporarily reactivate essential programs and services.

Islamic Bioethical Lens” at the annual conference of the

She outlined issues related to the Medicare Sustainable

American Society of Bioethics and Humanities in Atlanta.

Growth Rate (SGR). The SGR is a method the Centers for

The research was funded through the Program of Medicine

Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) use in an attempt

and Religion at the University of Chicago and based on

to control costs. The goal is to ensure the expense per

Rasheed’s undergraduate thesis at the University of

beneficiary does not exceed the growth in Gross Domestic

Michigan regarding organ donation among Muslims.

Product. In order to eliminate short-term and annual

“Numerous surveys reveal that Muslims — from diverse

suspensions or adjustments of the target SGR, AACOM is

backgrounds and living in different countries — hold

working on Capitol Hill to permanently repeal the SGR so

negative attitudes regarding organ donation and are

physician payment rates are no longer subject to annual

less likely than other groups to donate,” Rasheed said.

cuts.

“In this presentation, we outlined traditional Islamic

Another hot topic was the issue of Graduate Medical

teachings in the area of virtues and law, which might

Education (GME) and the need to lift current caps on

influence an understanding of this issue. In particular, we

residency slots in order for GME to meet the country’s

sought to identify ways in which local religious leaders

need for physicians and to address the increase in medical

could be agents of change and foster new behaviors and

school graduates. AACOM’s recommendation is to increase

understandings which could increase organ donation

residency slots by 3,000 annually over the next five years to

among Islamic communities.”

a total of 15,000 new slots, with a minimum of 40 percent of

Collaborators in the research included Aasim I. Padela,

these to be primary care slots. Murphy reported that a broad-

M.D., M.Sc.; and Elizabeth Sartell, M.S., of the University

based study of the GME issue is currently being conducted

of Chicago. Rasheed’s travel expenses for the conference

by the Institute of Medicine to be published in the spring of

were paid for, in part, through the ASBH Early Career

2014.

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Scholar Fund.

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SCHOOL NEWS

Students learn about trauma

On Nov. 1, 19 residents from MSOPTI programs participated in a Postdoctoral Skills Lab. Included were a suturing lab, a chest tube placement lab and an outdoor skills experience, which focused on medical knowledge during a simulated trauma and inter-professional communication skills among emergency rescue workers and physicians.

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SCHOOL NEWS

Healthy Children’s Initiative wins award

West Virginia School of Osteopathic Medicine (WVSOM) President Michael Adelman, D.O., D.P.M., J.D., and the WVSOM Healthy Children’s Initiative received the 2013 Governor’s Award for Excellence in Rural Health presented Oct. 22 during the West Virginia Rural Health Conference Annual Awards and Recognition Luncheon.

The Governor’s Award for Excellence is presented to an individual or organization in recognition of exceptionally meritorious contributions to the improvement of health for the people in rural West Virginia. It honors creative work of particular effectiveness in applying knowledge or innovative organizational work to the betterment of community health. Individuals or organizations nominated for the award have made significant and well-recognized contributions to the improvement of rural health in West Virginia.

WVSOM’s Healthy Children’s Initiative currently provides four ways for children in the state to receive targeted content about health and nutrition:

1 TELEVISION

The Abracadabra television show airs on WV Public Broadcasting.

The show features magic, 2 ventriloquism, humor and original music to demonstrate important ONLINE lessons about health, nutrition, The show’s website, exercise and science. www.abracadabra.org, offers children aged 4-10 games and activities designed around health and nutrition. Additional content is available for parents 3 and teachers.

LIVE EVENTS

the program’s outreach.

“Everyone knows that saying some magic words will not make childhood obesity disappear,” Adelman said. “But the components of the Healthy Children’s Initiative combined together — the television show, our online content, publications for parents, teachers and young children, along with school outreach and making healthy choices.”

4 PUBLICATIONS

Activity books and other materials introduce young children to the transformative power that comes from making healthy choices.

credited an integrated strategy, which contributes to the success of

live events — can empower young people to take an active role in

Cast member events in rural elementary schools and community centers entertain children and offer one-on-one engagement.

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In acceptance remarks taped from the set of Abracadabra, Adelman

Adelman believes children want to be healthy. “Young people want to have the energy and stamina to play and be strong,” he said. “The WVSOM Healthy Children’s Initiative puts the knowledge into their hands to make good decisions so they can start early and grow in fitness their entire lives.”

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SCHOOL NEWS

Library receives Roland P. Sharp interviews

The Pocahontas Communications Cooperative has delivered to the West Virginia School of Osteopathic Medicine a collection of audio-taped interviews that were used in the development of “Roland Sharp — Country Doctor, Memories of a Life Well Lived.”

Mary Essig, director of WVSOM’s James R. Stookey Library, took receipt of the materials on Aug. 22.

“Gibbs Kinderman of the Pocahontas Communications Cooperative contacted WVU libraries, WVSOM and the West Virginia state archives (Division of Culture and History) to inquire about relocating the materials,” Essig said. “The files were used for the audio autobiography of Dr. Sharp, which aired on Allegheny Mountain Radio in 2007.”

Clinic CEO receives health care award

The radio program was later published in book form.

Dr. Sharp, WVSOM’s founding president, received a master’s

During the 28th annual conference in August, the West

degree from WVU and taught there briefly before relocating to the

Virginia Primary Care Association (WVPCA) presented the

Kirksville School of Osteopathic Medicine to teach while pursuing

2013 Excellence in Health Care Award to Steven Swart, CEO/

his medical degree.

CFO of the Robert C. Byrd Clinic in Lewisburg. The Excellence

“The state archives deferred to us,” Essig said, “and we were

in Health Care Award exemplifies excellence in advocacy

eager to have the audio interviews of Dr. Sharp for safekeeping.”

for access to primary care services. The award recognizes individuals who have provided strategic leadership to a

The audio files consist of five Digital Audio Tapes (DAT), 13

health center in the fields of governance, management and/

cassettes, 24 MiniDiscs and 45 CDs. The materials will be

or project coordination.

catalogued and made available to the WVSOM community and to historians interested in the memories of WVSOM’s founding

In addition to his executive director role, Swart also serves

president or a first-hand account of rural medical practice in

as the chief financial officer and compliance officer for

West Virginia throughout the 20th century.

the clinic. Under his guidance, the clinic received National Committee for Quality Assurance (NCQA) Patient-Centered Medical Home (PCMH) recognition in 2011, implemented a

Adelman to chair AACOM Assembly

new electronic health record (EHR) system, added behavioral health services and an onsite pharmacy, helped to create an extensive online patient portal and implemented a patient

During the annual OMED conference held Sept. 30 - Oct. 4 in

assistance program for uninsured patients.

Las Vegas, WVSOM’s President, Michael Adelman, D.O., was

He was nominated for the award by the Robert C. Byrd

elected to chair the Assembly of Presidents.

Clinic Board of Directors, associates and the West Virginia

Currently, the assembly includes 25 regular members who

School of Osteopathic Medicine leadership team for his

lead colleges of osteopathic medicine around the nation. The

commitment to providing high quality, accessible and

Assembly of Presidents advises the Board of Deans to help

sustainable health care in Greenbrier County.

determine the policies, affairs and activities of the American

Swart credits the excellence of the RCBC staff and

Association of Colleges of Osteopathic Medicine.

physicians for this recognition. “We’re not only talking about

Adelman will serve a two-year term of office. His official duties

quality medical care, we’re delivering it,” he said.

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SCHOOL NEWS

Season 3 wraps production “Abracadabra,” the children’s television show hosted by

WVSOM President Michael Adelman, D.O., D.P.M, J.D., has completed production of its third season.

The season’s storylines continue the show’s focus on health and nutrition with segments on getting enough sleep, how to grow your own vegetables, portion control, fun ideas for physical play and the importance of hobbies. The third season will also feature a “Joey Noir” black and white episode that brings young viewers into one of Joey’s dreams.

“Each year, the show gets better, the writing gets tighter and the production values improve,” Adelman said. “Even though we have great episodes from Season One and Season Two in rotation on West Virginia Public Broadcasting, I’m eager for fans to see the great new content we’ve developed for them.”

Special guests this season included West Virginia’s First Lady Joanne Tomblin, president of Southern West Virginia Community and Technical College, and Gayle C. Manchin, president of the WV Board of Education. Gregory A. Burton, president and CEO of new sponsor Brickstreet Insurance visited the set to assist with a magic trick.

In October, Adelman traveled to Atlanta with members of the cast and crew to attend the annual conference of the National Educational Telecommunications Association (NETA). NETA is a professional association that serves public television licensees and educational entities in all 50 states, the U.S. Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico.

“Public television executives around the country are looking for quality children’s programming, which will simultaneously entertain and enrich young audiences. The childhood obesity epidemic is nationwide and it is critical to address these health topics with audiences in diverse ways,” Adelman said.

“The response to WVSOM’s Healthy Children’s Initiative in West Virginia has been overwhelmingly positive. We hope other regions of the country may see the benefit of introducing this content to their viewers.”

The episodes, which finished recording in November, will now enter the post-production stage of development. The new shows are expected to begin airing in early summer 2014.

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Inter-professional day brings future physicians, pharmacists together

appearance, or other external factors.”

Jacob Smith is a third-year medical student currently conducting clinical rotations in the South West Region of WVSOM’s Statewide Campus System.

On Nov. 8, WVSOM and the University of Charleston School of

“These inter-professional events represent a great opportunity

Pharmacy (UCSOP) collaborated on an inter-professional day

to begin establishing understanding among different groups

of training held at the Clinical Evaluation Center on WVSOM’s

of health care providers before we get into actual practice,” he

Lewisburg campus.

said.

Activities included the presentation of cases by students,

UC Pharmacy student Kevin Dilley agreed.

a discussion on pain management and ethics, as well as interactions with robotic patient simulators and standardized

“The medical students and the pharmacy students each bring a

patients: individuals from the community who have been trained

different frame of reference and different types of knowledge to

to accurately portray the role of a patient suffering from specific

a problem,” he said. “This training offers a good way to become

medical conditions.

comfortable working together as a team.”

In one exercise, students participated in an Inter-Professional

Today’s rapidly changing health care marketplace is increasingly

Case Conference titled “Chronic Non-Malignant Pain

focused on team-based care — health care that is developed,

Pharmacotherapy,” led by David G. Bowyer, R.Ph., UCSOP

coordinated and delivered by a team of providers that may

interim chair Pharmacy Practice and director of Experiential

include physicians, pharmacists, social workers, physician

Education.

assistants and nurse practitioners.

Bowyer reviewed the case details with students and then

“The goal is to deliver improved patient outcomes,” said Gail

sub-groups of medical students and pharmacy students

Feinberg, D.O., and regional assistant dean of WVSOM’s South

collaborated on a care plan for the hypothetical patient.

West Region. “Sometimes errors get made when a patient is

The patient presentation details were the same for each group’s patient, but the photos of the patients were different — for

transitioning from one care provider to another. This type of training helps everyone to have a better understanding of where they fit within the overall health care experience of the patient.

example: old or young, well-dressed or poorly-dressed. One

When everyone is on the same page, there are fewer errors and

objective of the exercise was to help students identify where

better patient care.”

they may be bringing hidden biases to their assessment of the patient. Was the patient displaying “drug-seeking behavior” or

After a long day of intense training, the medical students and

genuinely in pain? And if pain management was needed, what

pharmacy students boarded transportation to take them back to

were the optimal treatments?

Charleston or Huntington. Quiet conversations revealed similar themes — it’s a new age in health care. How can health care

“It’s the same presentation for all the groups,” Bowyer told the students, “but a different patient. One challenge is to determine if care providers are creating their assessments and treatment

to better coordinate care for the patient? The collaborations taking place before the students even attain their degrees may

plans solely on the facts of the case. Differences in care

represent an important first step.

plans may reveal hidden biases based on the patient’s age,

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FACULTY & STAFF

NEW FACULTY HIRED

Leah Jones, D.O.

Dina Schaper, D.O.

Dennis Burke, D.O.

Steven Halm, D.O.

Assistant professor of internal medicine

Assistant professor of family medicine

Assistant professor of osteopathic principles and practices

Clinical Evaluation Center medical director and associate professor

Dr. Jones is a recent graduate

Dr. Schaper is a graduate

of WVSOM and prior to her

of the Pikeville College of

Dr. Burke is a graduate of the

Dr. Halm received a degree

education at WVSOM, she

Osteopathic Medicine. She

New York College of Osteopathic

from Philadelphia College of

received a Bachelor of Science

completed her residency at

Medicine where he completed

Osteopathic Medicine and is

degree in chemical engineering

St. John’s Episcopal Hospital

a fellowship in the department

board certified in pediatrics

from Virginia Tech in

in Far Rockaway, N.Y. She has

of Osteopathic Manipulative

and internal medicine. Dr. Halm

Blacksburg, Va. She completed

spent much of her career as

Medicine. He received his

received his undergraduate

her internal medicine residency

a physician in Texas, primarily

undergraduate degree at the

degree from Allegheny College

at West Virginia University.

in family practice and urgent

State University of New York.

in Pennsylvania and completed

care, and serving military

Dr. Burke is board certified in

his postgraduate training at

members and their families at

neuromusculoskeletal medicine

Penn State University – Milton

Fort Hood. Prior to her career

and osteopathic manipulative

S. Hershey Medical Center and

as a physician, she received

medicine by AOBNMM. Dr.

Penn State Children’s Hospital.

her Master of Arts degree

Burke is also a table trainer

in education, a Bachelor of

faculty of the Osteopathic

Arts degree in education/

Cranial Academy.

secondary English education, and a Bachelor of Arts degree in journalism, all from the University of Kentucky.

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FACULTY NEWS

Faculty member reviews textbook Dennis A. Burke, D.O., assistant professor in WVSOM’s Department of Osteopathic Principles and Practice, recently completed work as an invited reviewer for Foundations of Osteopathic Medicine 3rd Edition (Lippincott Williams & Wilkins 2011). The purpose of the review was to identify potential changes

Carolyn “Bridgett” Morrison, D.O.

and improvements for the next edition of the textbook.

Assistant professor of clinical sciences

Management” and the second was “Approaches to Osteopathic Medical

Dr. Morrison has also accepted the additional responsibilities of assistant residency program director for the family medicine residency located at Greenbrier Valley Medical Center. She is a graduate of WVSOM and completed her family medicine residency at Greenbrier Valley Medical Center. Her undergraduate degree was completed at Bluefield State

His review was of two parts. The first was “Approach to Osteopathic Patient Research.”

“In the former, approaches are described for various patient presentations and complaints,” Burke said. “The emphasis is not only on the pertinent pathophysiological mechanisms involved, but also on the relevant osteopathic models for treatment considerations. This aspect is new to this edition and is a real strength of the textbook. Osteopathic treatment approaches are considered within the context of five models — the biomechanical model, the respiratory-circulatory model, the neurological model, the metabolic-energy model, and the behavioral model. This will serve the osteopathic student well in learning how to think like an experienced osteopathic physician.”

The second section he reviewed outlines the history of osteopathic research and the inherent difficulties with osteopathic manipulation research, such as accounting for the placebo response with sham manipulation.

College. Dr. Morrison is board

“The section features research challenges facing the osteopathic profession

certified in family practice and

and calls on colleges of osteopathic medicine to engage in research that

has served as an adjunct faculty

highlights what makes the profession unique — osteopathic philosophy and

member for a number of years

treatment,” Burke concluded.

teaching Advanced Care Life Support and Clinical Skills.

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FACULTY & STAFF

IN MEMORIAM

MEMORIES She was a wonderful doctor and a

Marlene Wager, D.O.

“Dr. Wager was a longtime member of the WVSOM faculty and a true friend to our school,” said President Michael Adelman. “Her genuine enjoyment of teaching and her passion for osteopathic medicine are gifts she has passed to those she taught and to the many who have worked alongside her.”

wonderful person. ~ B. Bragg

I will miss that smile… ~ C. Knight

My dad loved this woman. She took care of him for years. They even had heart surgery at the same time, compared scars. When she retired, she

Marlene A. Wager, D.O., died Oct. 23, 2013, at Greenbrier Manor in Lewisburg,

wrote a letter to the next doctor giving

W.Va., after a short illness.

dad’s history and how she wanted him treated! I’ll always be grateful. She The reception took place at the Roland

treated dad with such special care.

P. Sharp Alumni Center. Friends gathered

~ B. Mustain

to share stories about the esteemed physician who was always a staunch supporter of WVSOM medical students.

During the event, Wager, who was unable to attend, received the “10-Finger OPP Award.” This award recognizes individuals with outstanding osteopathic manipulative skills who use their hands She was born on March 22, 1940, in Kewanee, Ill. In 1972, she received her D.O. degree at Kirksville College of Osteopathic Medicine. Dr. Wager was

to treat the patient’s body as a whole. A plaque as well as video messages from Dr. Wager following the reception.

In 2005, Dr. Wager created the MOSS

Virginia School of Osteopathic Medicine

Scholarship Fund to recognize out-of-

from 1992 to 2007.

state students who have expressed a

faculty members, administrators, staff and Lewisburg community members gathered to recognize and honor her for dedicated service as an

and teacher. I am a better physician because she taught me how to be. She will be greatly missed by so many, but her legacy lives on in the lives of those she taught to be healers — mind, body and spirit. ~ S. Humphrey, D.O.

colleagues and patients was delivered to

professor of Clinical Sciences at West

Prior to her passing, on Sept. 25, WVSOM

She was an amazing doctor, woman

commitment to family medicine. If you would like to honor Dr. Wager with a contribution to the MOSS Scholarship Fund, please contact the WVSOM

Dr. Wager was the medical director during the time I worked at Greenbrier Manor. She was wonderful to work with. Dr. Wager inspired everyone she met and cared for each resident and employee as though they were family.

She will be greatly missed. ~ A. Edwards

Foundation (hantolini@osteo.wvsom.edu).

Man, could she crack a back! Thanks,

osteopathic physician and an unwavering

Marlene!

commitment to serving her

~ J. O’Connor

patients.

“Dr. Wager was sought after for

Marlene Wager was my first clinical

her OMT technique,” recalled

mentor at the nursing home in

one former patient. “She

Kirksville. She was a fabulous educator.

traveled to nursing homes to

U.S. Marine exterior, teddy bear interior.

care for those in need of this

She really helped me develop my early

treatment. Being a geriatrician

clinical skills. May her spirit as a healer

was very special to her.”

continue to guide us. ~ K. Burnell Schaetzel-Hill, D.O.

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WVSOM research and ethics

ALUMNI

From Alumni Association Board President It is imperative that WVSOM and all researchers utilize the guidelines and principles of ethics purported by the American Osteopathic Association and The interests and professional

the international medical community.

experiences of all WVSOM alumni,

The AOA Code of Ethics addresses this

students, faculty and staff are, indeed,

in Sections 18 and 19:

diverse. For some, medical research is a stimulating mission of professional

Section 18 — A physician shall not intentionally misrepresent himself/

outreach that explores beyond the

herself or his/her research work in any

boundaries of our current knowledge and seeks to discover the mysteries of

way.

medical science not yet understood.

Section 19 — When participating in

Such scientists move the profession

research, a physician shall follow

of osteopathic medicine forward to

the current laws, regulations and

bring new cures, new medicines, new

standards of the United States or, if

ideas and new approaches to serve the

the research is conducted outside the

medical needs of mankind.

United States, the laws, regulations and standards applicable to research

However, it is imperative that medical research be conducted with adherence to a standard of ethics. There is no

in the nation where the research is conducted. This standard shall apply for physician involvement in research at

room for fraud and manipulation of scientific data to influence the outcome for personal gain. Such is the debate

any level and degree of responsibility, including, but not limited to, research, design, funding, participation

surrounding the controversy of the

either as examining and/or treating

MMR vaccination and its possible

provider, supervision of other staff in

link to autism. The Lancet originally

*

Dr. Holstein is a board certified family physician residing with his wife, Jean, in Inverness, Fla. He is in private practice and participates in short-term medical missions nationally and internationally.

their research, analysis of data and

published the research presented by lead researcher, Dr. Andrew Wakefield, who allegedly misrepresented or

publication of results in any form for any purpose.

altered the medical histories of all 12

The WVSOM Alumni Association

1. CNN Health; (2011, Jan. 5).

of the patients whose cases formed the

supports this institution in its

2. Harris, G. (2010, Feb. 2).

bases of the 1998 study linking autism

commitment to research for

and the MMR. [1] The Lancet formally

educational advancement and

Journal retracts 1998 paper

retracted Wakefield’s 1998 paper. [2]

academic excellence as a leader in

Dr. Wakefield was struck from the

osteopathic education. We applaud

medical register and is barred from

WVSOM for maintaining the highest of

3. Meikle, J.; Boseley, S.

practicing medicine in the UK. [3]

ethical standards in all of its academic

(2010, May 24). MMR row

endeavors.

doctor Andrew Wakefield

Whether or not Dr. Wakefield is guilty

linking autism to vaccines.

The New York Times.

struck off register. The

of any fraudulent act(s) involving this research study, it clearly illustrates the necessity of established guidelines as a tool for ethical and unbiased research.

Robert B. Holstein, D.O., ’79

Guardian (London).

President, WVSOM Alumni Association

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ALUMNI

ALUMNI PROFILE

Lifelong learner pursues 14th degree

WVSOM’S MISSION STATEMENT BEGINS “THE MISSION OF THE WEST VIRGINIA SCHOOL OF OSTEOPATHIC MEDICINE (WVSOM) IS TO EDUCATE STUDENTS FROM DIVERSE BACKGROUNDS AS LIFELONG LEARNERS …”

What, exactly, does a lifelong learner look like?

aligned with the compassion and commitment for

Generally speaking, a lifelong learner would be

“Very early, I had the goal to be a doctor,” he said.

anyone who works continuously throughout his or her lifetime to gain knowledge and increase expertise in a specific subject area. The learning experience could be through formal education or through

which Sharp was known.

“My dad, who served in the Army during World War II, became a quadriplegic when I was about 10 years old. For 26 years, I helped my mother take care of him.” He is grateful of the fact that, in all that time,

informal life experiences.

his dad never had a bed sore.

Specifically speaking, a lifelong learner would be

He had a vision of practicing medicine, but it did not

someone exactly like Harry W. Young Jr., D.O., MS,

happen right away.

MA, MBA, etc.

Prior to attending WVSOM, Young completed the

As interesting as Young’s numerous degrees are, it is

following degrees:

also of interest that, 64 years ago, he was delivered

•A ssociate of Science Degree in electrical

to this world by WVSOM’s first president, Roland P. Sharp, D.O., in Mullens, W.Va. “Dr. Sharp actually slept at our house waiting for me

engineering, WVU •A ssociate of Science Degree in mining

to be delivered,” Young said, a statement perfectly

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engineering, WVU

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WINTER 2014

ALUMNI

•B achelor of Science Degree in mining

“My primary aircraft was the Lockheed C-130.

engineering, Bluefield State College

Assigned to operations, wherever my craft

•A S and BS degrees in computer science, Bluefield State College

and fellow airmen went, I went,” he recalled, serving tours of duty which took him to Iraq and Afghanistan.

•B S in business administration, WVU

After two hip replacements, he was finally grounded

• BS in electrical engineering, WVU-Tech

and he retired from the military as a colonel in

• Master of Business Administration, WVU

2011.

• Master of Science in engineering, WVU

He finished his medical career at CAMC where

He is a registered professional engineer and was

privileged in internal medicine, preventive medicine,

he was credentialed in all four hospital ERs and

an associate professor of electrical engineering

aerospace medicine and occupational medicine. In

technology at Bluefield State College.

2012, he was recognized by the American Board of

He enrolled at WVSOM briefly in the early ’80s, but

Cardiology as a “Grand Master,” a designation that

had to leave to care for his father who was ailing.

recognizes physicians for a lifetime of achievement,

After his father passed away, he returned to campus

excellence in cardiac care and high ethical and

to continue his studies, graduating in 1991.

humanitarian principles.

After graduation, he joined the U.S. Air Force

Retired from his medical practice, he continues

and received a NASA stipend to study aerospace

to teach Advanced Traumatic Life Support (ATLS)

medicine. Subsequently, he completed a Master

for CAMC and St. Mary’s Hospital. He’s also an

of Science degree in aerospace and preventive

Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) instructor.

medicine from Wright State University. He followed

And he hasn’t stopped learning.

that with an internal medicine residency at the

“I’ve been an elder and a pastor in a local church

Charleston Area Medical Center.

that I’ve attended for more than 50 years,” he said.

He is also a private and instrument instructor pilot.

Feeling called to a life of service of another kind,

“I was on flight status much of my time in the

Young enrolled at Appalachian Bible College in Mt.

military,” he explained, spending more than 20

Hope, W.Va. He has completed a certificate in Bible

years with the USAF.

Theology and Pastoral Services, an Associate of Arts

He completed the “Top Knife Fighter Surgeon’s

degree, and a Bachelor of Arts degree. He is near to

Course” two times, first in F-16s and then in

completing a Master of Arts in theology and pastoral

F-15s. “Top Knife” is an Air Force training program

services, which would bring him to a total of 14

designed for flight surgeons who are assigned to

degrees.

squadrons of high performance aircraft. Participants

Will he continue for his doctorate in theology?

learn how fighter bases function and how flight

“You know, you have to have a goal,” he said,

surgeons contribute to fighter operations.

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ALUMNI PROFILE Arvon said WVSOM was instrumental in helping him find the means, and technology, necessary for succeeding.

“The school ordered devices for me to be able to hear small group situations and I wore a headset for lectures. They made recordings of all the lectures and most professors had them typed out,” he said. “I would not have been able to get through without that assistance, because at the time our classrooms were in the auditorium in the main building and the acoustics were very bad.”

He is thankful that his hearing disability allowed him to pursue medicine, even though he had different careers beforehand. Arvon was a teacher prior to enrolling as a nontraditional student at WVSOM. After graduation, Arvon practiced family medicine for eight years and while he enjoyed every minute of it, his hearing issues started to get in the way.

“It was becoming increasingly difficult to use the stethoscope,” he said. “One-on-one and in a relatively quiet room I would do fine. But if there was a baby in the room or a grandmother, I was too distracted by the noises.”

Alumnus’ hearing difficulty doesn’t get in the way of listening to patients

Rather than hang up his white coat, Arvon decided to look into another type of medicine to practice. He began with radiology. Sitting in a dark room and looking at the wall, as he imagined his workdays would be, did not appeal to him.

Hearing.

He later spoke with a fellow church member who suggested

It’s one of the five human senses and vital when it comes to

he take another job — in phlebology, which is the branch of

the communication between physicians and their patients.

medicine that deals with veins and their diseases.

For Matt Arvon, D.O., hearing has slowly been getting worse

“It was a difficult decision to make the switch, but it was

since he was an undergraduate student in college, but

like this just dropped out of the sky for me,” Arvon said. “It

having difficulty hearing never stopped him from wanting to

wasn’t just different, it was definitely one-on-one and very

become a physician.

focused. The stethoscope is not an issue anymore; I don’t

“I didn’t realize until I got to college that I couldn’t hear,” the 1997 graduate said. “In high school and even secondary

even carry it. I have an ultrasound machine that I use all day, so it’s very well tailored to my particular situation.”

school it’s ‘read chapter 14 and come in and take the quiz

Arvon is in his sixth year working at the West Virginia Vein

tomorrow.’ In college they tell you about chapter 14 and then

& Skin Centers serving patients in the Beckley area. The

you take the quiz. If you don’t hear what they’re saying it can

Boone County native may not be able to hear everything that

be difficult.”

is said in a crowded clinic or hospital setting, but when he’s with his patients he is definitely listening.

He finally decided to visit a doctor and began using hearing aids when he was 19.

Going through medical school — in a profession that relies so much on listening to the needs of patients — was not as difficult for a hearing-impaired student as you might think.

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ALUMNI PROFILE “I remember NOT being told to duck when we entered the mine head, which was a cement overhead casement that nearly took our heads off upon descent,” he said.

After a ¾ mile ride the students met with miners, who often worked all day in the mines. The students experienced first-hand the dangers that miners faced every second. They crawled on irregular surfaces of black muck and there was no standing, but surprisingly the air was fresh.

“This was the real thing,” Verona said. “It was very exciting and we were glad to be students there.”

Alumnus recalls mine visits during med school

Verona never forgets what he learned in the coal mines and he still is able to adapt

In 1987, Matthew Verona, D.O., was going through the

that knowledge, in some way, to his current career in

motions of his first year in medical school at WVSOM.

emergency medicine.

He recalls how every Wednesday, four students were

“I’ve treated miners for fractures of all kinds like

required to leave the campus to go deep under the

compartment syndromes for crush injuries and I’ve

ground into a “low coal” seam that was only 4 feet high.

given thrombolytics for acute stroke,” he said. “I

“We traveled together to Rainelle to what I recall was

once saw a miner with a head injury who had blood

the Sunshine Mine Co.,” the 1991 graduate said. “We all got one hour of safety briefing and we would get fully

behind the ear drum. His head CAT scan was seen as normal, but he of course had a skull fracture. An astute

dressed with oxygen generators on our waist.”

emergency physician will never allow a test to tell him

The students visited the only active coal mine that

we know by a good examination that an emergency

or her that an emergency condition does not exist when

provided a real underground experience. WVSOM

certainly does exist.”

wanted medical students to experience what low coal was like and to better understand the livelihood of West Virginians they would later treat — much like the Rural Health Initiative program does for students today.

“I’m pretty sure we were the only people in the country to get such an experience,” Verona said.

Living and working in West Virginia as an emergency physician is a rewarding experience, Verona admits. earning 25 years ago to better understand patients’ lifestyles provided the foundation.

“We owe this to our patients — to understand,” he said.

“They are my neighbors and really great people.”

Each week the four students would load into a steel bucket on rails. Verona remembered the cramped and uncomfortable ride deep into the darkness.

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ALUMNI NEWS

Greco sworn in as ACOI president

On Oct. 12, Rick A. Greco, D.O., F.A.C.O.I., WVSOM Class of 1986, was sworn in as the 71st president of the American College of Osteopathic Internists (ACOI) during its national conference in Palm Springs, Calif.

Greco is a board-certified general internist in Wheeling, W.Va. After graduating from WVSOM, he completed his internal medicine residency training at Ohio Valley Medical Center in Wheeling, and now serves as its program director. Dr. Greco practices as a hospitalist and currently is regional medical director for Hospitalist Management Group.

Previously, he has served on the Ethics Committee,

Dr. Greco with Lorenzo Pence, D.O.

Resident Recruitment Committee, Governance Committee and Information Technology Committee. He was program chairman of the ACOI annual convention in 2011. Greco was awarded the degree of fellow in 2003.

In a recent message to the ACOI membership, Greco shared his thoughts on the season of giving and goodwill: “While I am personally thankful for many things, the bond we share through our profession reminds me to be thankful for the many teachers and mentors that have contributed to my education over the years; especially those who have shared their

Greco surrounded by some of his medical residents.

enthusiasm for the practice of medicine and the great impact our charitable service can have on our fellow man. How I hope our residents and students still hear these positive voices over the negative banter that can poison the doctor’s lounge these days… Ours is a profession that allows us the challenge of life-long learning in a dynamic, science-driven field. In return, we can experience the personal satisfaction of imparting the benefits of that science to the individuals who need it most, our patients. I greatly appreciate those patients

Greco with WVSOM classmates Rich Girardi, D.O., and Ed Corkran, D.O.

who have allowed me the opportunity to witness the many aspects of the human experience through their lives as I care for them.”

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Future Alumni Tower

We express deep appreciation to everyone who has contributed to the Alumni Tower Campaign.

YOU are the LIVING alumni tower and your values and commitment serve as a beacon to others.

To learn how you can participate, contact alumni@osteo.wvsom.edu or 304.647.6257

Comprehensive, community-based care Proud to support the West Virginia School of Osteopathic Medicine and scholarships for West Virginia’s future physicians

Proud to be a historical part of the community since 1888

333 Laidley Street, Charleston, WV 25322

(304) 347-6500 ~ www.stfrancishospital.com

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ALUMNI

CLASS NOTES Gail Dudley, D.O., was recertified in OMM/NMM by taking boards in March and just took the hospice and palliative care boards at OMED.

Samuel Deem, D.O., was inducted as a fellow of the American College of Osteopathic Surgeons at a ceremony Nov. 15 during the ACA of the ACOS in Las Vegas.

John Glover, D.O., along with Karen Snider, D.O., Class of 1998, were two of the authors of “Frequency of Counterstrain Tender Points in Osteopathic Medical Students.” Dr. Glover and Dr. Snider also published “Atlas of Common Counterstrain Tender Points”

Hamad Husainy, D.O., became medical director of Emergency

electronic textbook.

Services at S. Elizabeth Hospital in Enumclaw, Wash. Dr. Husainy

Bruce Stelmack, D.O., started work in July for Kaiser-Northwest Permanente in Portland, Ore., as inpatient liaison for Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation for patients with acquired brain injuries.

Clyde Rorrer Jr., D.O., joined the Holzer Health System. Dr. Rorrer will be providing emergency services at the Gallipolis Medical Center.

also started his own company, Advanced TeleCare Solutions, which is involved in providing innovative approaches to providing care in schools, nursing homes, work places and prisons.

Dawn Ruminski, D.O., aside from being in the Army and having deployed to Afghanistan, now competes with her daughter in a beauty pageant system that collects non-perishable food items for local food banks — Miss Heart of the USA. Dr. Ruminski is the South Florida Miss Heart of the USA Supreme Beauty. To compete, one has to bring non-perishable items to the pageant as part of the

Tye B. Young, D.O., has a new practice with the Erlanger Health

entry fee.

System: UT Erlanger East Primary Care, on the Erlanger East Campus in Chattanooga, Tenn. Dr. Young will see adult patients, focusing on preventative medicine in younger patients and comprehensive care for individuals who are chronically ill.

Eric Snider, D.O., was one of the authors of “Influence of Manual

Beth Mossing, D.O., started a three-year fellowship in maternal fetal medicine at the University of Cincinnati in July.

Therapy on Functional Mobility After Joint Injury in a Rat Model.”

Perry Agbuya, D.O., joined Novant Health Rowan Pediatrics in Daniel Reed, D.O., was named a Phoenix Magazine 2013 “Top Doc” in radiation oncology for the third time.

Shannon Sorah, D.O., was named chair of the Anesthesia Department and medical director of the operating room at Methodist Medical Center in Oak Ridge, Tenn.

Salisbury, N.C. Dr. Agbuya recently relocated from Virginia to North Carolina to open the practice.

Louis Edwards, D.O., was featured in the “Up Close and Personal” section of Golden Life Magazine in Florence, S.C. The article highlighted Dr. Edwards’ medical career.

Mark Hagen, D.O., joined OhioHealth’s Columbus medical team to accept new patients of all ages for preventative and primary care.

Dr. Hagen will see patients at Family Medicine North in Columbus,

Britt Zimmerman, D.O., joined Atlantic Urology, part of the NHRMC

Ohio.

Physician Group, in Wilmington, N.C.

Nunzio Pagano, D.O., is now chief resident of internal medicine at 70

WVU, which started in July.

Angela Rivers, D.O., and Phillip Saunders, D.O.,

2013 from the Virginia Tech-Carilion Clinic Internal Medicine Residency

married in Del Mar, Calif., on Oct. 19, 2013.

ALUMNI

Matthew Cauchi, D.O., received the Intern of the Year Award for 2012Program. Dr. Cauchi was also awarded the Arnold P. Gold Foundation Humanism and Excellence in Teaching Award for Outstanding Resident Role Models, a national achievement award, presented to residents and

Births

voted on by medical students from affiliated medical schools. The award established Dr. Cauchi as a lifetime member of the Gold Humanism Honor Society.

Matt Mishoe, D.O., was selected Intern of the Year out of 12 interns.

Scott Lewis, D.O., and Sarah Bozeman, D.O., had their

Also, during his first year, Dr. Mishoe put together a presentation that

third baby, Avah Linley Lewis, on July 29, 2013. Avah weighed

was accepted for the Annual Meeting of Gastroenterologists.

5 pounds, 13 ounces, and joins big brothers Owen and Evan.

Angela Rivers, D.O., was appointed assistant chief resident of internal

Jessica Close, D.O., and her husband, Aaron, celebrate the

medicine at Plaza Medical Center in Fort Worth, Texas.

birth of their third daughter, Stella Suzanne, on Jul. 11, 2013.

Jennifer Rose, D.O., was the 2012-2013 CAMC Family Medicine CoIntern of the Year.

Phillip Saunders, D.O., was named Intern of the Year among all the

Colton Copley, D.O., and his wife, Bethany, welcomed their

residency programs at Plaza Medical Center in Fort Worth, Texas.

third daughter, Korie Reagan Copley, on Sept. 4, 2013.

Annaliese Shumate, D.O., and Derrick Shumate, D.O., welcomed their first child, Luke Alan, on Aug. 8, 2013.

Caytlin Deering, D.O., was named Intern of the Month at Advocate Hospital in Chicago.

Deaths Marriages

John Mark Snyder, D.O., passed away July 27, 2013. Dr. Snyder practiced medicine in Madison, W.Va., for 25 years. He is survived by his wife Gail, son Travis and daughter Lauren.

Sara Prupas, D.O., and Kevin Silver, D.O., married on Oct. 26,

WELCOME

2013, at the Thorncrown Chapel in Eureka Springs, Ark.

New Life Members July 17, 2013 to Nov. 1, 2013 Michael Gould, D.O. ��������������������������������������������������Class of 2003

Beth Mossing, D.O., married Garth Moore on Sept. 7, 2013.

Jeremy Stapleton, D.O. ……………… �����������������������������Class of 2004 Christopher Parrish, D.O. �������������������������������������������Class of 2006

Jennifer Dick, D.O., married Scott Green on Oct. 26, 2013, in Savannah, Ga. They plan to reside in Columbus, Ohio, where Dr. Dick will practice pediatric primary care.

Nunzio Pagano, D.O., married Sunita Doktorski on Nov. 17, 2013.

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ALUMNI

Thank you to everyone

who has contributed to the Alumni Tower Campaign $1,000 AND UP

$50 - $100

Tommy Hughes, D.O., ‘92

Manny Ballas, D.O., ‘93

Hugh McLaughlin, D.O., ‘81

Jason Buckland, D.O., ‘04

Ronald Smith, D.O., ‘82

Dwight Bundy, D.O., ‘84 Cindy Butler, D.O., ‘90

$101 - $500

David Butler, D.O., ‘05

John Cavell, D.O., ‘81

Shawn Clark, D.O., ‘02

Jonathan Cook, D.O., ‘93

Cathy Dailey, D.O., ‘89

John Dombrosky, D.O., ’79 (in memory of)

Linda Eakle, D.O., ‘79

Rick A. Greco, D.O., ‘86

Michelle Endicott, D.O., ‘01

Robert Holstein, D.O., ‘79

Mitch Fuscardo, D.O., ‘85

Curran Jones, D.O., ‘01

Jesamine Fuscardo, D.O., ‘11

John Manchin II, D.O., ‘78

Amanda Goins, D.O., ‘05

Katherine Naymick, D.O., ‘89

Carl Hoyng, D.O., ‘84

Stephen Naymick, D.O., ‘88

Clay Lee, D.O., ‘97

David Oliver, D.O., ‘94

Susan Painter, D.O., ‘84

Abdul Orra, D.O., ‘82

Mick Paroda, D.O., ‘87

George Dimitriou, M.D., and

Faith Payne, D.O., ‘07

Maria Tranto, D.O., ‘00 Noel Weigel, D.O., ‘89

Millie Petersen, D.O., ‘83 Dallas Petrey, D.O., ‘81 Bonnie Portier, D.O., ‘91 Roi Reed, D.O., ‘91 Eric Snider, D.O., ‘99

HOW to give

To learn how you can participate, contact alumni@osteo.wvsom.edu or 304-647-6257

Karen Snider, D.O., ‘98 Jonathan Stanley, D.O., ‘07 Mark Waddell, D.O., ‘90 Ralph Wood, D.O., ‘82 Terry York, D.O., ‘88

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WVOMA

News from WVOMA

asthma, skin infections, wilderness medicine, preventing medical errors, and OMT for pregnancy and newborns. Practical presentations

As you may know, the WVOMA Fall CME conference and annual meeting are held the first full weekend of November every year at The Greenbrier Resort. Our 2013 conference set a record for attendance,

included risk management, ICD-10 coding, Medicare, and legal and tax tools.

and we are already making plans to make the 2014 event even

Social events included a reception in honor of our past presidents,

better.

held this year on the patio of the Greenbrier Suite and featuring music by “The Ramp Remnants,” as well as the annual Grand Affair

During the annual meeting, Dr. Ralph Wood, WVOMA president,

hosted by WVSOM.

presented a special recognition award and honorary lifetime membership to Dr. Rick Greco, a past president of WVOMA and

Our membership works together to plan quality CME programs. We

current president of ACOI, who has served as CME program chair and

continually monitor the legislature for any bills that may have an

has been instrumental in keeping the conference in West Virginia

impact on the practice of medicine, and we monitor the insurance

going strong.

industry for changes in coding or billing, especially involving OMT.

Special guest Dr. John Becher, AOA Board of Trustees, installed our

The WVOMA encourages you to join and help build our Osteopathic

2014 leadership team. Dr. Wood passed the gavel to Dr. Art Rubin as

Society. Membership information is available at www.wvoma.org

our new president and welcomed Dr. Clark Milton as our president–

along with contact information for officers and committee members.

elect. Dr. Rubin plans to serve the society for two terms with Dr. Milton

Our goal is to have ALL D.O.s in West Virginia belong to our community

taking the reins afterwards.

of physicians. Together we are stronger.

The WVOMA offered a total of 21 1-A CME hours, with courses

Plans are underway for the 2014 Fall Conference to take place Nov.

addressing issues like prescription drug abuse and treatment;

7-9 at The Greenbrier Resort. Please save the date and join us.

obesity, cardio renal failure, substance abuse effects on newborns,

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FOUNDATION

WVSOM Foundation

AS WE COME TO THE CLOSE OF THE CALENDAR YEAR, WE ENTER INTO THE SEASON OF

As we remember all these things that we are

THANKFULNESS AND GIVING .

opportunities we have to give back or “pay it

IT IS A TIME TO REFLECT ON WHAT WE ARE THANKFUL FOR AND HOW WE SHOULD SHOW OUR APPRECIATION FOR THE MANY GOOD THINGS WE HAVE RECEIVED THROUGHOUT THE YEAR. I personally have been blessed by the love and support of family, friends and co-workers through many challenges and transitions this year. I am especially grateful to each of them for their on-going care and encouragement. I am continually enriched by the joy of watching my four children and five grandchildren grow and succeed, enjoying treasured time with my parents, and by sharing a beautiful life with my loving husband, Butch. I am also thankful for my position here at WVSOM and all of the incredible people that make it a pleasure to get up and come to work every day.

thankful for, we should also recognize the many forward” and be a blessing to others. Each of us has something to give that would benefit someone else.

Whether it is our time or our resources, we all have something to share. From the coins we place in the red bucket near the ringing bell to the hours spent stocking shelves in the food pantry, every gift counts no matter how large or small.

Many of the activities and programs at WVSOM rely heavily on the generous gifts of others to help us grow and expand our school as we continue to provide excellence in medical education. Our 5 for 5 and Capital Campaigns will ensure that we maintain the best facilities and latest equipment and technologies so that our students stay on the cutting edge of modern medicine. A growing number of scholarships assist those with financial need, recognize exemplary performance and honor the memory of others who have graciously given back to WVSOM. Our students are always seeking mentors

We, as an institution, have a number of good things

and speakers to take the time to share their wisdom,

to celebrate this year, as well. WVSOM is No. 1

experience and expertise.

in primary care physicians who practice in rural Appalachia; we are No. 3 for graduates who enter primary care specialties; our school was recognized again this year as one of the best colleges to work for; and for the 15th year in a row we were ranked

by U.S.News & World Report as one of the nation’s top medical schools. Our students and residents participated this year in the first ever D.O. Wilderness Medicine Rotation on staff at the 2013 National Boy Scout Jamboree. We had the best Grand Affair

If you find yourself in a position to give this season, please consider giving to WVSOM. Whether you give of your time or your financial resources, you can make a difference in the lives of our students and stay connected and engaged with your WVSOM family. If you would like more information about the many ways to give to WVSOM, please contact me at the WVSOM Foundation office at 304-647-6374 or hantolini@osteo.wvsom.edu.

event ever, raising in excess of $60,000 for student

For all these gifts, great and small, we are thankful

scholarships, thanks to generous anonymous donors

for them all.

who provided us with a private jet experience, which was raffled that night. In addition, our 5 for 5 and Capital Campaigns have continued to grow, and

I wish you all many blessings to share this holiday season!

we are especially grateful to the many donors who contributed to make those projects successful.

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FOUNDATION

DONOR PROFILE In particular, he remembers a period of family practice training he conducted with Ray Greco, M.D., in Weirton, W.Va. “He shared a book with me. It was called ‘The ARC’ …

Actual Reason for Coming. Reading that book was a hallmark moment for me,” Blackburn said. “It emphasized the importance of listening to your patient, really paying attention to get past a specific ailment or symptom to what was truly taking place in that patient’s life. A patient might tell you he’s there for a heart problem or an oncology problem but that’s not the only thing impacting that patient’s health. You have to look for the deeper meaning for why a person is in your office. It taught me a foundation that I practice more and more each day.”

As much as he enjoyed his family medicine rotation, he decided to pursue anesthesiology and a career that led him to treat patients suffering from end-stage cancer pain.

“When someone contacts a specialist for pain, particularly

Commitment to holistic care spurs gift

if the patient is suffering from pancreatic cancer, you know that patient is in the 11th hour,” he said. “Every single one of

Every contribution, large or small, makes a positive difference to WVSOM. It is through the generosity of faculty, staff,

my patients was dying in front of my eyes.”

Blackburn had been practicing anesthesiology for a

students and former students that institutions of higher

decade but became dissatisfied. He decided to change his

education — no matter how many degrees they bestow —

circumstances. He credits his patients, the ones facing their

advance their vision into the future.

mortality, for steering him to a second residency in radiation oncology.

One of WVSOM’s valued contributors is Randy Blackburn, D.O., M.B.A., of WVSOM’s Class of 1984.

“I had this feeling that I needed to be doing something

When President Michael Adelman launched WVSOM’s first-

different. My patients were telling me I needed to be in

ever Capital Campaign, Blackburn was one of the first to step

oncology. So I started calling each radiation program in the

forward and commit, purchasing a small conference room.

U.S. and I found a spot in a residency program that had suddenly become available.”

“My dad was a physician and I always wanted to attend medical school,” Blackburn said. “When I arrived, I did not

He remembers vividly the conversation with the University of

know a whole lot about osteopathy but I knew I liked the

Iowa Hospitals and Clinics.

philosophy of taking care of the whole person, not just the

“It was April 1997 and I’m calling hospitals trying to find a

disease.”

residency slot,” he remembered. “This voice on the other

When he arrived on campus he found a faculty and staff

end of the line tells me that one of their residents has just

committed to the highest ideals of medicine.

transferred. She’d decided to attend Loyola in Chicago. The spot was mine if I wanted it. Two months later, I was in Iowa

“The people here were a part of you, your education and your

City.”

life,” he recalled. “You could stop any faculty member on the sidewalk and have a frank discussion with them. You were

From the beginning, it felt like a perfect fit. He found a mentor

part of a family and that helped me to stay balanced during

in David Hussey, M.D., a former president of the Radiological

the ups and downs of medical school.”

Society of North America, who Blackburn described as the

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FOUNDATION

“most D.O.-like M.D. I’ve ever met.”

give back to WVSOM through the Capital Campaign. He was

“He focused on the basics,” Blackburn said. “He cared how

following his heart.

we talked to our patients. I was so happy to be there and he

“I want to give in ways that feel connected to me and to

shaped who I am as a radiation oncologist today. I take time

my history and to my values,” Blackburn said. “The Clinical

with my patients. I get to know them. I tell my patients ‘the only

Evaluation Center is a state-of-the-art facility for physician

time you will get into trouble with me is if you don’t call me

training. The next generation of WVSOM doctors need that

when you should.’”

technological training to enhance the holistic patient care

Then he hands each patient a business card with his personal cell phone number.

foundation that the school provides. It’s not just one or the other. These students need both skill sets to go out and provide the best care to patients.”

“It took me two residencies, but now I’m where I need to be,” he said.

Thanks to Dr. Randy Blackburn and others like him, they’ll receive it.

Blackburn, a clinical professor in the Department of Radiation Oncology at East Carolina University, is medical director of Radiation Oncology at Onslow Memorial Hospital (OMH) in Jacksonville, N.C. He is also a board member for the North Carolina coastal affiliate of the Susan G. Komen Foundation.

“I serve on the board because it’s a way to give back, to promote oncology prevention and treatment,” he said. “I do it because of my patients.”

And that philosophy of giving back is why he was eager to

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G.M.S.

GREENBRIER MILITARY SCHOOL

The Transition Years ~ PART II WITH JOANN AND HERB PEARIS

To look backward for a while is to refresh the eye, to restore it and to render it the more fit for its prime function of looking forward.

[Continued from Summer 2013 issue]

A few individuals made the transition from GMS to the employee roster of the new medical school after Drs. Apgar, Bailes, Newell and Wallington completed the purchase of the campus and surrounding properties for $400,000 cash, “lock, stock and barrel.” The sale included the current WVSOM campus and 15-20 houses. Essentially, with the cadets’ 1972 graduation, the school closed, the doors were locked and the keys were handed over to the osteopathic physicians.

D.O., was hired. At that time, I asked Dr. Sharp if I could transfer to the dean’s office.”

Ready to go back to work in the fall of 1974, JoAnn Pearis applied for a job at the new medical college.

“For the first two years, I assisted the medical school faculty (basic science, clinical and visiting),” she said. “When the first class of students started their clinical rotations in 1976, the first Academic Dean, Harry P. Kornhiser,

He agreed. For the next 27 years, JoAnn worked in the dean’s office as an executive secretary and administrative assistant.

“She trained all the deans,” husband, Herb, added with a laugh.

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JoAnn remembers the early years of the school with fondness.

“The main building was being renovated so you never knew where the class would be meeting,” she recalled. “We’d come in to find walls had been knocked down and the class was meeting in another corner of the building.”

The sounds of jackhammers resonated — tearing down solid concrete and brick walls throughout the building.

She remembers scrounging among leftover GMS furniture for desks and chairs, even an

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old mimeograph machine so the faculty could have equipment in their offices.

“I finally found the GMS mimeograph

and the maintenance department got it into working order,” she said.

“Faculty members would come in on the weekends to help me run off their tests on that mimeograph.”

“Dr. and Mrs. Sharp had an apartment at the end of the top floor and a telephone was in their entry way,” she remembered. “The only other phone was in my office at the back end. There was no intercom system. At first I thought I should walk down that long hall and inform a faculty member every time he or she received a call. It wasn’t long before I started stepping out in the hall and yelling for them.”

It was cold in the building and times were rough, but fun was had as well. And connections were forged that remain strong to this day.

“Cheryl Baker came to work at the school a few weeks after I was hired. To this day, she is one of my closest friends. It was the beginning of a community,” JoAnn said.

knew all the students, their spouses and even their children. In fact, for a brief period, the school kept a daycare center for the students’ children, since many of the students’ spouses held jobs to help make ends meet and there were few childcare options available in the area.

“The basic science faculty members who came here to teach were tremendous professors and physicians,” JoAnn said. “They cared about people, too. It set a standard.”

She believes the founders often paid the early faculty members out of their own pockets.

“One task I did not like was the weeklong curriculum development (held in the summer during the first two years) where physicians in all specialties from all over the U.S. were here and I had to take minutes for the week.”

During this period, the school was working hard to get state support so tuition could be reduced and there would be money for needed improvements.

“There was camaraderie in building the new school and an attitude of ‘get it done,’” JoAnn said. This was important when the school faced political challenges from within the state and had to justify its existence.

Despite pervasive worry about the future of the school, classes continued. Where there was a gap in faculty expertise, visiting faculty members would come to Lewisburg from all over the country, teach a “block” in their area of expertise, and then return to their home institution.

“I remember when we did not have a pharmacologist on the staff,” JoAnn recalled. “We learned of a pharmacology professor teaching at the Medical College of Virginia over in Richmond.

I met the Greyhound bus when John Chambers arrived in Lewisburg to teach his first pharmacology block here. He eventually joined the school and became a beloved professor.”

Staff members

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There were many changes in faculty, staff and administration during the early years, as the school fought for survival and stability, but it arrived.

“Dr. Olen Jones first came to the school on a temporary assignment, then returned later for a long tenure. And Dr. James Stookey came from Missouri to serve as academic dean. The school began to settle down,” she said.

With a dedicated faculty and staff, and status and stability within the state educational system coming together, WVSOM was primed to move ahead. A plan was in place to convert the GMS auditorium (already partitioned to provide needed classroom space) into high-tech classrooms/lecture halls to meet the needs of increasing enrollment and maximize advances in technology.

The plan had one major drawback. There was not a place large enough to gather all students and faculty at one time.

Meanwhile, the GMS alumni secured funding to build a museum and established a plan to provide maintenance and care of the military school’s memorabilia through future years. The Roland P. Sharp Alumni Center was expanded, the GMS museum constructed and both organizations were enhanced.

“I was 19 years old when I started working for John Moore at GMS,” she said. “Then I returned to campus and worked 29 years at the Greenbrier College of Osteopathic Medicine, which then became WVSOM.” She admits that leaving was hard.

“Dr. Stookey and I had a pact,” she said. “If I decided to retire, he would retire. If he decided to retire, I would retire.”

Neither one of them wanted to “break in” another working partnership. In 2002, approaching 65 years of age, and learning that Dr. Stookey had given his notice, JoAnn finally decided to retire. She and Dr. Stookey departed within a month of each other.

“They are very different institutions, but both schools created an intimacy among the people living and working there. It’s unusual,” he concludes, “and a tribute to the unique individuals who shaped the character of this place.”

“I miss the people,” she said. “To this day, I miss working with the great people who shaped this institution.”

For one local couple who spent formative years living, learning and thriving at 400 North Lee Street, the two schools represent a legacy of excellence that continues to shape GMS and WVSOM family members who honor the history that precedes them.

Herb, who has held GMS Alumni Association responsibilities for 24 years, tries to sum up the connection between GMS and WVSOM.

G.M.S.

The GMS/WVSOM campus in Lewisburg was JoAnn’s professional home for 40 years.

PROUD SPONSORS of WVSOM scholarships

Gail Feinberg, D.O., FACOP, M.Ed. Statewide Campus Regional Assistant Dean, South West Region and

Howard Feinberg, D.O., P.S.C.

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West Virginia School of OSTEOPATHIC MEDICINE

400 North Lee Street Lewisburg, WV 24901

Did you know that WVSOM is:

No. 1

No. 3

in the nation graduating

in the nation for percentage

primary care physicians who

of medical school graduates

colleges to work for in the country

practice in rural Appalachia

entering primary care specialties

(Chronicle of Higher Education)

(Academic Medicine,

(U.S.News & World Report)

2013

recognition

recognized as one of the best

April 2012)

2014 IMPORTANT DATES

Jan. 31 – Feb. 2

Feb. 17-21

Mar. 1

Mar. 8

May 31

June 11-14

Mid-Winter CME

Rural Practice Day

COM Week “Mind, Body & Spirit”

Graduation

Follies

Summer CME