MarshallMedicine
For alumni & friends of
Making a Difference in
Neurologists Scot Hines and George Banks and pediatrician Chelsea Banks, graduates of Marshall’s School of Medicine, found their way to Alaska.
the Marshall University Joan C. Edwards School of Medicine
ON THE COVER: The call of the wild and a passion for rural medicine have led three School of Medicine alumni to the far reaches of Alaska. In this issue of MarshallMedicine, find out why Drs. Scot Hines, George Banks and Chelsea Banks credit their Marshall education for preparing them to thrive where few dare to go.
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SHAPING TOMORROW’S PHYSICIAN-SCIENTISTS
By Megan Archer
Marshall’s MD/PhD program provides a unique path for those who dare to blend the art of healing with the pursuit of scientific discovery.
FROM WEST VIRGINIA TO THE LAST FRONTIER
By Jean Hardiman
Three School of Medicine alumni are making a difference in the rugged and sometimes dangerous Alaskan climate and landscape.
LEADING THE CHARGE
By Katherine Pyles
Driven by a commitment to multisector collaboration, the Division of Addiction Sciences is at the forefront of addiction medicine.
ADVOCATES FOR ACCESS
By Katherine Pyles
Graduates of the Physician Assistant program are bridging gaps in health care access throughout the region.
MUSIC & MEDICINE
By Lacie Pierson
Meet several School of Medicine alumni who are finding life-work harmony through musical expression.
STANDING OUT IN OUR FIELD
A record crowd of more than 500 brought their “Boots and Bling” to the medical school’s annual scholarship fundraiser.
Medicine and music go hand in hand for alumni like Mathew Lemberger, MD (’19).
vice president & dean
David Gozal, MD, MBA, PhD (Hon)
executive editor
Linda S. Holmes
chief marketing officer
Sheanna M. Spence
publisher Jack Houvouras
managing editor
Katherine Pyles
assistant editor
Michele McKnight
graphic designer
Katie Sigler
contributing photographers
Ryan Fischer, Rick Haye, Rick Lee, Sholten Singer
contributing writers
Megan Archer, Jenny Drastura, Jean Hardiman, Linda Holmes, Amanda Larch Hinchman, Michele McKnight, Lacie Pierson, Katherine Pyles, Sheanna Spence
magazine planning committee
Linda Holmes, Amanda Kinder, Michele McKnight, Amy Smith, Sheanna Spence
SCHOOL OF MEDICINE ALUMNI ASSOCIATION 2024-2025 BOARD OF DIRECTORS
PRESIDENT
Andrea M. Lauffer, MD (’10)
PRESIDENT-ELECT
C. Andrew Gilliland, MD (’07)
SECRETARY/TREASURER
Nancy B. Norton, MD (’99)
IMMEDIATE PAST PRESIDENT
Adam M. Franks, MD (’99)
MEMBERS AT LARGE
Matthew Q. Christiansen, MD (’13)
Marie D. Frazier, MD (’01)
Robert A. Hess, MD (’84)
Susanna A. Kapourales, MD (’11)
Andrea L. Kellar, MD (’07)
Dana S. Lycans, MD (’13)
Andrew S. Martin, MD (’15)
Gary J. Petty, MD (’92)
Elizabeth A. Saunders, MD (’07)
Friday G. Simpson, MD (’91)
Lucia I. Soltis, MD (’08)
EX-OFFICIO MEMBERS
David Gozal, MD, MBA, PhD (Hon), Dean, School of Medicine
Linda S. Holmes, Associate Dean, Development & Alumni Affairs
Amanda A. Kinder, Assistant Director, Development & Alumni Engagement
Amy M. Smith, Associate Dean, Student Affairs
Sheanna M. Spence, Chief Marketing Officer
Calyb A. King, MS-IV President
Alec M. Phelps, MS-III President
Matthew E. Bane, MS-II President
Kassandra E. Looschen-Pribanich, MS-I President
MarshallMedicine is distributed annually by: Marshall University
Joan C. Edwards School of Medicine 1600 Medical Center Drive Huntington, WV 25701
Comments or suggestions should be addressed to: holmes@marshall.edu
© 2025 by Marshall University Joan C. Edwards School of Medicine
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MarshallMedicine 2024/2025
HOW TO REACH US
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Joan C. Edwards School of Medicine Alumni Association 1600 Medical Center Drive Huntington, WV 25701
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SHARE YOUR STORIES
If you have a story idea for the next issue of MarshallMedicine, please email holmes@marshall.edu.
The School of Medicine is on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn and X. Follow us to keep up on what’s happening.
Medicine is a vast, interconnected and far-reaching field that partners physicians with physician assistants, nurse practitioners, pharmacists and many other health professionals to deliver comprehensive care and preserve health and wellness. In parallel, biomedical and translational researchers relentlessly work behind the scenes to identify mechanisms that govern biology, while developing innovative technologies and therapies. As we usher in a new season of progress and opportunity at the Marshall University Joan C. Edwards School of Medicine, we wanted our magazine to reflect the comprehensive fabric of modern health care, and so I proudly introduce to you, MarshallMedicine
Under the MarshallMedicine masthead, we will more inclusively chronicle the achievements within our school and medical community. This latest issue of the magazine also serves as a tribute to the extraordinary alumni and donors who shape the legacy of Marshall’s School of Medicine across the nation and around the world.
During the past year, we have dedicated our efforts to assembling a leadership team poised to guide us forward, including Dr. Paulette Wehner (’89) as vice dean for education and Dr. Adam Franks (’99) as vice dean for rural health. We also bid a fond farewell to our beloved Cindy Warren, assistant dean for admissions and student affairs, who retired after nearly 50 years of invaluable service.
Looking ahead, we are excited to further expand our Centers of Wellness, including Addiction Medicine and Behavioral Health; Gerontology and Healthy Aging; Obesity and Diabetes; and Primary Care and Rural Health. We are also further cultivating dual MA/MS-MD degree programs in innovative fields such as health informatics, health care cybersecurity, social media medical journalism and biomedical engineering to prepare the next generations of physicians for the intricacies of the future.
I invite each of you to remain connected and engaged with your School of Medicine. Whether through mentoring, collaborative projects, giving, or simply sharing your achievements, your involvement strengthens the bonds that make Marshall a family.
Thank you for your support and dedication. Together, we are making an impact that will endure for generations.
Warm regards,
David Gozal, MD, MBA, PhD (Hon) Vice President of Health Affairs
Dean, Joan C. Edwards School of Medicine
Greetings from the Joan C. Edwards School of Medicine! Captured throughout this magazine are the exciting things happening at our alma mater and the fascinating stories of our fellow alumni across the United States.
With many new initiatives underway under the leadership of our dean, Dr. David Gozal, coupled with the recent creation of Marshall Health Network — an academic health system formed in collaboration with our primary hospital partners — our School of Medicine is poised for tremendous growth and innovation in the months and years ahead.
Staying connected to your School of Medicine family through homecoming, your reunion weekend, visits to Huntington and our alumni Facebook group are wonderful ways to maintain the bonds that unite us all as alumni.
I encourage you to consider a contribution to the School of Medicine — no matter the size. Every gift makes a difference and helps us continue to innovate in education, research and patient care, ensuring that Marshall remains a leader in health care education.
A heartfelt thank you goes to all who supported this year’s White Coat Ceremony and our Standing Out in Our Field fundraiser. Your generosity and participation make events like these meaningful for our students and faculty, and we are grateful for your continued involvement.
We’d also love to hear from you! Share your personal and professional updates with Linda Holmes so we can celebrate your milestones and accomplishments together.
Thank you for being part of this exciting time at Marshall. We look forward to connecting with you in person or online soon!
We Are...Marshall!
Andrea M. Lauffer, MD (’10) President
Joan C. Edwards School of Medicine Alumni Association
Linda Holmes, Dr. David Gozal, Dr. Andrea Lauffer
Marshall residency and fellowship programs host record number of trainees
Three residencies dedicated to rural health now underway
After more than 100 incoming resident physicians and fellows officially began their post-graduate medical training in 2024, the Joan C. Edwards School of Medicine now hosts 300 trainees across 28 programs — the largest number in its 47-year history.
Among the new trainees are four rural psychiatry residents participating in a new four-year residency program, which received initial accreditation in 2024 from Accreditation Council for Graduate Medicine Education (ACGME). This program is the first separately accredited and designated rural program in West Virginia and third separately accredited rural program in the nation. Sponsored by the Marshall Community Health Consortium, the new program will have a full complement of 16 total residents once fully implemented and will participate in the nationwide matching program for medical student applicants to begin in July 2025.
Under the guidance of Suzanne Holroyd, MD, professor and chair of psychiatry and behavioral medicine, and Brady Kullen, DO, assistant professor, residents will spend at least two years at Rivers Health in Point Pleasant, West Virginia, providing mental health services
through telehealth and in-person care and treatment beginning in 2025.
Likewise, Marshall’s newest rural residency — a collaborative, rural internal medicine residency program between the School of Medicine and Holzer Health System in Gallipolis, Ohio — received initial accreditation from ACGME as the first rural internal medicine program in West Virginia and third in the U.S. to receive this designation. ACGME has approved the three-year training program for four trainees per year, with
a full complement of 12 residents once the program is fully implemented. The program will participate in the nationwide matching program for medical students set to start training in July 2025.
Meanwhile, Marshall’s collaborative rural surgery residency program in collaboration with Logan Regional Medical Center in Logan, West Virginia, remains the first and only officially designated, separately accredited rural residency training program in the nation. Its first three residents began in July 2023.
School of Medicine CME awarded reaccreditation
The Joan C. Edwards School of Medicine has been awarded full reaccreditation for the next four years by the Accreditation Council on Continuous Medical Education (ACCME). Accreditation in the ACCME System seeks to assure the medical community and
the public that the School of Medicine delivers education that is relevant to clinicians’ needs, evidence-based, evaluated for its effectiveness and independent of commercial influence.
Dr. Mohammed Ranavaya, associate dean for continuing medical educa-
tion (CME) and the Office of Continuing Medical Education worked diligently toward this goal for the past two years. Accreditation is valid through Nov. 30, 2028, with the next reaccreditation process slated to begin in late 2027.
Leadership
Professor Paulette S. Wehner, MD (’89), was named vice dean for education at the Joan C. Edwards School of Medicine. In this newly created role, Dr. Wehner oversees education and curriculum at the graduate, professional and post-graduate levels. This includes the areas of medical education, health sciences graduate programs and graduate medical education, as well as admissions,
Research
student advising and student life. She also continues in her role as Designated Institutional Official, ensuring the school’s compliance with Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education requirements.
Professor Adam M. Franks, MD (’99), was named vice dean for rural health and chair of the
department of family and community health at the Joan C. Edwards School of Medicine. As vice dean for rural health, Dr. Franks concentrates on expanding access to quality health care in underserved areas throughout West Virginia and central Appalachia. He is also spearheading collaborations to enhance primary care services and advance medical education programs focused on rural health.
School of Medicine launches latest clinical trial cohort for non-opioid treatment of neonatal opioid withdrawal
A new clinical trial at the Joan C. Edwards School of Medicine and Marshall Health Network aims to evaluate the safety and efficacy of oral lofexidine, a non-opioid investigational medication, in newborns who suffer
from neonatal opioid withdrawal syndrome (NOWS) or neonatal abstinence syndrome (NAS) due to prenatal exposure to opioids. Hoops Family Children’s Hospital, a member of Marshall Health Network, is the first hospital in the
country to offer this non-opioid investigational treatment option for NOWS. For more information about the trial, please visit https://clinicaltrials.gov/study/ NCT06047834.
Marshall University awarded $21 million NIH grant for WV-INBRE to advance biomedical research across West Virginia
The Joan C. Edwards School of Medicine received a five-year, $21 million grant from the National Institutes of Health (NIH) to continue the West Virginia IDeA Network of Biomedical Research Excellence (WV-INBRE), now entering its 24th year. Since its inception, WV-INBRE has secured more than $92 million in funding for West
Virginia, significantly strengthening the state’s biomedical research infrastructure and capacity. Marshall University serves as the lead institution, collaborating with West Virginia University and 14 other colleges and universities across the state to implement this initiative. With this new funding, Marshall University and its WV-INBRE partners will
focus on cellular and molecular biology, with particular attention to chronic diseases such as cancer, cardiovascular disease, diabetes, obesity-related illnesses and addiction. A new initiative with the Puerto Rico INBRE will promote student exchanges and research collaborations in searching for new therapeutics from natural products.
Paulette S. Wehner, MD
Adam M. Franks, MD
Honoring 50 Years of Service
Cindy Warren, assistant dean for admissions and student affairs, retired after nearly 50 years in the Office of Admissions. She joined the School of Medicine in May 1977 and worked to admit the very first class — and every class since. Cindy demonstrated an unwavering dedication, exceptional skill and a deep commitment to our students, alumni and school. Her leadership helped shape our then-fledgling medical school into a vibrant ecosystem for education, research and innovation. Cindy has left a lasting legacy on the lives of our more than 2,200 alumni … who still remember vividly the day Cindy called with news of their acceptance to medical school.
Scan the QR code to join others in making a gift in Cindy’s honor to celebrate her contributions to the School of Medicine.
Retiring Faculty
Elsa I. Mangiarua, PhD
Nancy B. Norton, MD (’99)
John A. Parker Jr., MD
Stephen M. Petrany, MD
Maria T. Tirona, MD
years
A farewell celebration is planned in Cindy’s honor during the School of Medicine’s Homecoming festivities, Sept. 12-13, 2025. More details will be forthcoming.
Professor, Biomedical Sciences
Associate Professor, Pathology
Assistant Dean for Assessment & Evaluation
Professor, Family & Community Health
Professor, Family & Community Health
Vice Dean for Addiction Sciences & Recovery
Professor, Oncology
Program Director, Hematology-Oncology Fellowship
Jan. 17, 1991 – March 12, 2024
July 1, 2003 – Aug. 29, 2024
Aug. 17, 2005 – July 14, 2024
Dec. 31, 1988 – Sept. 30, 2024
Nov. 19, 2001 – Nov. 1, 2024
Scan the QR code to read about Dr. Maria Tria Tirona’s impact on the School of Medicine’s oncology program.
The School of Medicine recognizes the valuable contributions and
of service for the following faculty members who have retired since Jan. 1, 2024.
Cindy Warren
Accolades 2024 DISTINGUISHED ALUMNA: PAMELA CYRUS, MD (’89)
Created in 2011, the Distinguished Alumni Award is presented to a School of Medicine alumnus/a in recognition of their contributions through demonstrated continued interest and support of the medical school and its students and/or excelling in their given specialty in the areas of medical science and education. The award is given at the annual homecoming banquet. By Lacie Pierson
Growing up in Milton, West Virginia, Dr. Pamela Cyrus (’89) developed an interest in science during high school and found herself daydreaming of being everything from a marine biologist to her ultimate path: a doctor.
Today, Dr. Cyrus lives in Connecticut and is vice president and head of the Chief Medical Office, Partnering & Issue Management for Bayer, the Germany-based pharmaceutical company. The job naturally takes her around the world, most frequently visiting the Bayer headquarters in Berlin. “I’ve traveled to all seven continents,” Dr. Cyrus said, noting she visited Antarctica, the last continent on her checklist, during a vacation last year.
However, Dr. Cyrus initially didn’t have to go far from home to build her medical foundations.
She attended Marshall after she graduated from Milton High School in 1980. Before her classes began, she completed a summer internship in the Chemistry Department at Marshall. That gave her the direction to pursue her bachelor’s degree in chemistry.
“I was interested in being at a university that was big enough to have all the subjects I wanted to do, but not overwhelmingly large,” Dr. Cyrus said. “Marshall seemed like a much better fit than other choices within the state.”
Alzheimer’s disease, and you had to take it four times a day,” Dr. Cyrus said. “Most people can’t remember to take their medicine four times a day, much less a patient with dementia.”
A large part of her motivation to pursue geriatric neurology was to conduct research to find better ways to treat and care for people living with dementia.
She credits Marshall with giving her clinical, ethical and practical patient care foundations, particularly due to its handson approach that was thanks, in part, to the school’s partnership with the VA Medical Center in Huntington.
“Even as a medical student, as an intern, you got to do a lot more, in the way of procedures, than you would be able to do elsewhere,” Dr. Cyrus said. “When I went up to Boston University, I appreciated that I probably had more handson experience than some of my colleagues who had come up in the Boston system.”
Throughout college, Dr. Cyrus worked at the now-closed Morris Memorial Nursing Home in Milton, where she developed an interest in geriatric care, but came to realize she specifically was interested in neurology after caring for patients with dementia.
Cyrus was torn between geriatric internal medicine and neurology, but a family practice physician at the Joan C. Edwards School of Medicine told her about a geriatric neurology program at Boston University.
After she finished her internship in internal medicine with Marshall, she would go on to Boston University and complete a residency in neurology followed by a geriatric neurology fellowship during a time when there were few medical options for people diagnosed with dementia.
“At that time, when you were treating a patient with dementia, there was only one drug approved for symptomatic relief of
After her fellowship, Dr. Cyrus gave an emphatic “no” to recruiters who called her with opportunities without a research component. In 1996, a recruiter called her with a job offer for Bayer.
“I was a little uncertain about getting involved in the pharmaceutical industry and totally leaving patient care,” she said. “I was intrigued by the fact they were looking for a geriatric neurologist because most people didn’t even know such a thing existed back then.”
On the advice of one of her supervisors, Dr. Cyrus took the job.
The rest is history, including authoring clinical sections for 10 new drug applications across six Federal and Drug Administration divisions and FDA advisory meetings. Before taking her current global role in 2014, Dr. Cyrus was the head of medical affairs for the Bayer U.S. affiliate, which was the highest medical position within the company in the United States.
Throughout her work and her worldwide travels, Dr. Cyrus said her experience at Marshall guided her curiosity and put her on the path to where she is today.
“My medical school experience at Marshall made me exceedingly well-rounded,” she said. “It made me really appreciate patients and caring for patients, and I carried that through my residency and fellowship and even now because part of my job is to look out for the ethics and patient safety in everything I do.”
Pamela A. Cyrus, MD
2024 HONORARY ALUMNA: MONICA A. VALENTOVIC, P h D
Since 1987, this special honor has been presented annually at the investiture ceremony to an individual who is not a graduate of the School of Medicine but has most exemplified distinguished service to our school and/or the medical community we serve.
Dr. Monica Valentovic is a scholar of pharmacology and toxicology, making significant contributions to the understanding of drug metabolism, pharmacokinetics and toxicity of xenobiotics throughout her career. As a 40-year faculty member of the Joan C. Edwards School of Medicine, the evidence of her expertise can also be seen through the careers of the hundreds of students in biomedical research she has guided and mentored over the years.
Dr. Valentovic earned her bachelor’s degree from Michigan Technological University. She obtained a Master of Science in Pharmacology from the University of Toledo, followed by her Doctor of Philosophy in Pharmacology at the University of Kentucky. Dr. Valentovic brought her background in pharmacology and toxicology to Marshall University when she joined the School of Medicine faculty in 1984 and earned status as a full professor in 1994.
Dr. Valentovic’s laboratory focuses on oxidative stress, mitochondrial dysfunction and HPLC analysis, particularly in the assessment of cellular markers of toxicity. It is equipped with state-of-the-art instrumentation for mitochondrial function and drug analysis. Her research has been funded by the American Heart Association, National Institutes of Health (NIH) and NASA. She has been the principal investigator or co-investigator of more than $3 million in grant funding.
Her research has investigated protein modifications associated with acetaminophen hepatotoxicity, reduction of cancer chemotherapy adverse effects by natural products, the beneficial effects of natural products as anticancer agents and mechanisms of radiocontrast and environmental chemical nephrotoxicity. Her clinical research has reported on the head injuries associated with ATV accidents in children. More recently, Dr. Valentovic’s collaborative efforts with Marshall’s Department of OB/GYN has examined metals and environmental chemicals in placental blood of newborns.
Her scholarly endeavors are reflected in her extensive publication record, which boasts more
than 116 research papers, more than 190 abstracts and eight book chapters. Her work delves into the intricate mechanisms of drug pharmacokinetics, toxicity and metabolism, offering invaluable insights into the effects of pharmaceutical agents and environmental toxins on the liver and kidney.
Beyond her research pursuits, Dr. Valentovic has been actively involved in shaping the scientific community. Her contributions extend to serving and chairing numerous NIH study sections and leadership roles, including chair of the Division of Toxicology for the American Society of Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics.
In recognition of her outstanding achievements, Dr. Valentovic was honored with the prestigious Marshall University Distinguished Artists and Scholars Award in Science and Technology in 2013, a testament to her exemplary research endeavors. She is also a member of Alpha Omega Alpha and Phi Kappa Phi.
As she continues to inspire future generations of scientists, Dr. Monica Valentovic remains committed to advancing the frontiers of pharmacology and toxicology, leaving an indelible mark on the field through her pioneering research and dedicated leadership.
Monica A. Valentovic, PhD
2024 FACULTY CHOICE AWARD: KELSEY MATUSIC, MD (’24)
This honor is presented annually by the SOM Alumni Association to the most outstanding fourth-year medical student as selected by the faculty.
Kelsey A. Matusic, MD, is from Hurricane, West Virginia. She earned a bachelor’s degree in biology from the University of Charleston in Charleston, West Virginia, and then headed to Marshall. Throughout medical school Dr. Matusic demonstrated strong leadership skills. All four years, she served on the school’s curriculum committee and fostered communication between students and faculty. She also served as president of the prestigious Gold Humanism Honor Society, co-chaired
the Marshall Medical Outreach Program and was a strong advocate for pediatric care as a member of the Pediatric Interest Group. Along with her leadership accolades, she excelled academically, earning membership in the Alpha Omega Alpha Honorary Society and serving as a tutor and peer mentor to other medical students.
Dr. Matusic is currently completing a child neurology residency at the Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center in Ohio.
2024 SCHOOL OF MEDICINE ALUMNUS OF DISTINCTION: LARRY D. DIAL JR., MD (’99)
Created by the Marshall University Alumni Association in 2012, this award is given to a School of Medicine graduate who best represents the mission of the school and brings pride to the medical school through their personal and professional life. The award is presented during the Marshall University Alumni Association annual awards banquet.
Larry D. Dial Jr., MD, is a two-time Marshall University graduate who has dedicated the past 22 years to improving health care in West Virginia. A Barboursville, West Virginia, native, Dr. Dial graduated from Marshall University with a Bachelor of Science in Chemistry in December 1994. He earned his medical degree from the Joan C. Edwards School of Medicine in 1999, where he also completed his internal medicine residency in 2002.
Dr. Dial then joined the medical faculty of the School of Medicine, where he holds the rank of associate professor of medicine. Since then, he has held various positions at Marshall Health and the medical school, including chief medical officer, vice dean of clinical affairs and chair of internal medicine. In 2020, he was named chief clinical officer for the former Mountain Health Network. Then, following the formation of the newly integrated academic health system, Marshall
Health Network, Dr. Dial was named chief physician executive for Marshall Health Network and vice dean of clinical affairs for the Joan C. Edwards School of Medicine in fall 2023. As chief physician executive, Dr. Dial oversees the clinical practices of Marshall Health and serves as liaison between the School of Medicine and the physicians of Marshall Health Network.
In addition to his administrative roles, Dr. Dial is a beloved primary care physician who continues to see patients at Marshall Internal Medicine. He and his wife, Sarah, live on a farm in Barboursville and have three children: Dr. Mason Dial, a 2022 graduate of the School of Medicine and current internal medicine resident; Kinslee Dial, a nursing student at Marshall; and Kaylyn Dial Faulkner, who works at the Cabell Huntington Hospital Child Care Center with Ridge Kids Academy.
Larry D. Dial Jr., MD
Kelsey A. Matusic, MD
ALUMNI SPOTLIGHT: Bobby L. Miller, MD (’97)
By Amanda Larch Hinchman
MarshallMedicine caught up with Dr. Bobby L. Miller, a ’97 graduate of the Joan C. Edwards School of Medicine and the school’s former vice dean for medical education, for a special alumni spotlight. In July 2024, Dr. Miller was named senior assistant dean for education projects and the executive director for medical educational continuous quality improvement for the University of South Carolina School of Medicine in Columbia.
Q: Not only did you work on Marshall’s pediatrics faculty and serve in various leadership positions at the medical school, but you’re also an alumnus, having earned both your undergraduate and medical degrees from Marshall. What brought you to the university some 34 years ago?
A: I grew up in Ashland, Kentucky, 30 minutes down the road from Huntington. We didn’t have a lot of resources, and Marshall was close and convenient. I actually started at Marshall as an undergrad thinking I would teach high school biology and chemistry, and one of the biology professors said, “Maybe you should talk to someone at the medical school.” That’s how I ended up going to the medical school at Marshall.
Q: In addition to serving in leadership roles such as vice dean for medical education (2013-2024), interim dean (2022-2023), medical director of the NICU (2016-2022) and director of the pediatrics residency program (2006-2011), you’ve generously contributed time and talent to the School of Medicine over the years. You’ve also supported the medical school financially. Can you tell us more about the Dr. Bobby L. and Eric K. Hardin Miller Scholarship you established in 2020?
A: My husband and I are both from Kentucky. I’m from Boyd County; he’s from Greenup County. We decided to endow a scholarship that would help, specifically, students from those two counties — because it is so close and students who are from that area are more likely to go back to that area and practice, and many people in the Tri-State area need medical care.
Q: Talk about your new role and what brought you there.
A: I serve on the LCME, the Liaison Committee for Medical Education, which is the accrediting body for medical schools. Medical schools in this country have to be accredited by the LCME or their students cannot take their licensing exams. The new dean
of the University of South Carolina School of Medicine was looking for someone with some experience in the accreditation world, and my friend at the LCME reached out to me and said you should call and talk to him. That was back in November 2023, and everything just seemed to fall into place. It seemed like after so many years at Marshall, it was time for me to make a change.
Q: How did your time and experience at Marshall help prepare you for your new role?
A: The medical education program is also accredited by the LCME, so I had gone through the accreditation process with Marshall as the vice dean of medical education. We also, in my time at Marshall, had a four-year partnership with St George’s, University of London, so our medical school had to be accredited by the General Medical Council of the United Kingdom. Understanding the accreditation process has prepared me to come here and help this school grow. One of the reasons the new dean at the USC reached out to the LCME is because a couple of folks who were highly involved in the accreditation process at the USC Columbia campus retired. So, he needed someone with that experience. That’s really what I’m here to do.
Q: Why do you believe it’s so important to give back?
A: Marshall has been very good to me. When I was a resident at Marshall in the pediatrics department, there were only four residents a year. When I went to fellowship, I was worried that I wouldn’t be as well prepared as the other fellows in my training class; but it turned out I was actually more prepared. Because Marshall was such a small environment and you got so much oneon-one time with the attendings, you were very well prepared and very comfortable with procedures. The sense of family at Marshall, specifically at the School of Medicine, is very strong. I always felt very supported by the Marshall family.
SHAPING Tomorrow’s Physician-Scientists
Marshall’s MD/PhD program provides a unique path to those who dare to blend the art of healing with the pursuit of scientific discovery.
By Megan Archer
While completing Marshall University’s MD/PhD program, Dr. Jeremiah Matson conducted critical research on the Ebola virus in the BioSafety Level 4 (BSL-4) laboratory at NIH’s Rocky Mountain Laboratories in Montana.
Physicians and scientists have long been at the forefront of groundbreaking discoveries that shape modern health care. But a unique path awaits those who dare to embody both roles, combining medical expertise with the drive to explore new frontiers in scientific research. At Marshall University, the MD/PhD program is designed to foster a new generation of physicianscientists — individuals uniquely trained to ask the right questions, investigate complex medical problems and push the boundaries of both clinical practice and biomedical research. In a world in which the boundaries between clinical practice and scientific discovery are increasingly blurred, Marshall University’s MD/PhD program is equipping a new
generation of physician-scientists to lead the way.
Jeremiah Matson, MD, PhD (’22), a graduate of the program and now a fellow in the Division of Infectious Diseases at the University of Utah, said his journey, like that of many physician-scientists, was marked by a series of significant moments that solidified his path.
I think physician-scientists are uniquely positioned to shape the future of health care. We have broader training in both medicine and science, which allows us to conduct highyield investigations that are directly informed by clinical experiences.
— Jeremiah Matson, MD, PhD
“I came to the realization that I really enjoy seeking new medical knowledge.” Dr. Matson said.
“When you start preparing for medical school, you realize there is a lot of unfinished science, and there are many questions to ask and answers to be found.”
This desire to explore the unknown is a defining trait of physician-scientists. While medical students often focus on learning established protocols, MD/PhD students are
MD/PhD program director Richard D. Egleton, PhD, (right) works with students like Cora Miracle, PhD, (left) to bridge the gap between biomedical research and clinical practice.
encouraged to challenge existing paradigms, ask unanswered questions and push the frontiers of medicine and science alike.
Dr. Matson said one of his most powerful experiences in the program came during the COVID-19 pandemic. As he was completing the final year of his PhD, he found himself working in a lab that had already established itself as a leader in coronavirus research.
Dr. Matson explained: “It was an intense experience — working on the cutting edge of the outbreak from a scientific standpoint and then returning to medical school at the end of 2020 to care for patients with the very disease I had been studying.”
That direct application of laboratory experience to clinical care was when Dr. Matson clearly saw the intersection of science and medicine, he said. He noted that, while the program is extremely rewarding, one of its strengths — the flexibility to pursue atypical research opportunities — challenged him both academically and personally.
“I spent my four years of PhD training at the National Institutes of Health (NIH), which hadn’t been done before at Marshall,” Dr. Matson said. “But the program was incredibly supportive. I also got married just before starting, and we had four kids while I was completing my degree. Balancing personal life with the demands of medicine and science was a huge challenge, but one that prepared me well for the rest of my career.”
According to Richard D. Egleton, PhD, professor and assistant dean of biomedical research education and director of the MD/PhD program at the Joan C. Edwards School of Medicine, such flexibility is key to the program’s success.
“When I assumed leadership of the program in 2016, one of my goals was to ensure a support structure that equips our students for success,” Dr. Egleton said. “We consistently communicate with our students to make sure they’re getting out of the program what they need. The impact of Marshall University’s MD/PhD program extends beyond the individual. Our students tend to promote research among their peers in medical school; they become mentors and provide unique insights into the research process that help foster a more inquisitive mindset in other students.”
continues his training in a physician-scientist residency and fellowship program, Dr. Matson is focused on emerging viruses like Ebola, building on the work he began at Marshall. His long-term goal is to lead an independent research program focused on emerging viruses, contributing to both the scientific understanding of these pathogens and the development of new treatments.
“I think physician-scientists are uniquely positioned to shape the future of health care,” Dr. Matson said. “We have broader training in both medicine and science, which allows us to conduct high-yield investigations that are directly informed by clinical experiences.”
Marshall University’s MD/PhD program is also deeply rooted in the needs of local West Virginia communitities, Dr. Egleton said, emphasizing that many of the students’ research projects focus on diseases and conditions that are particularly relevant to the region. These include neonatal abstinence syndrome, obesity and foodborne pathogens.
“Our students are looking at disorders that are important to our patient population,” Dr. Egleton said. “They’re not just asking clinical questions; they’re applying research methodologies to find solutions that could improve outcomes for our community. When they are doing research, they are always thinking about the clinical side; and when they are on the clinical side, they are thinking of the research.”
We consistently communicate with our students to make sure they’re getting out of the program what they need. The impact of Marshall University’s MD/PhD program extends beyond the individual. Our students tend to promote research among their peers in medical school; they become mentors and provide unique insights into the research process that help foster a more inquisitive mindset in other students.
— Richard D.
Egleton,
PhD, professor and assistant dean of biomedical research and director of the MD/PhD program
Dr. Matson said as he looks ahead, he recognizes the evolving role of physician-scientists in an increasingly complex health care landscape.
“The treatments and diagnostics we use are becoming more complex, and physicianscientists will play a critical role in translating these advancements into practical applications for patient care,” he said. “Our job is to help make the complexities of science palatable for both clinicians and patients.”
Dr. Matson’s career trajectory is a testament to this. As he
For students considering the MD/PhD path, Dr. Egleton offered this advice: “Our interview process is incredibly rigorous, and loving science isn’t enough. Applicants need to understand why becoming an MD/PhD is right for them and articulate their ‘why’ clearly. It’s not just about passion — it’s about grasping the sacrifices, the competitiveness and having the research skills to succeed.”
When physicians graduate from Marshall University’s Joan C. Edwards School of Medicine (JCESOM), it is exciting to watch them chase their dreams and change lives in different areas of the country.
Three of them have journeyed to Alaska, where they not only are treating patients who live in the beautifully rugged — if not occasionally dangerous — Alaskan climate and landscape, but are also enjoying, to the hilt, all that Alaska has to offer.
Neurologists Scot Hines, MD, George Banks, MD, and Dr. Banks’ wife, pediatrician Chelsea Banks (née Gilliam), MD, all graduates of the JCESOM, found their way to Alaska. Each will tell you that they feel
like they hit the jackpot, both in their choice of medical school and in the lives and careers they’ve landed up north.
“Living in Alaska is a blast,” said Dr. George Banks (’16). “We live across the street from the Chugach Mountains and can hike and ski from our house. Like many Alaskans, I love outdoor activities like Nordic and backcountry skiing, chasing the northern lights, photographing wildlife, snow machines, fishing for salmon and halibut, hiking and trail running, mountain biking, pack rafting and kayaking and berry picking — all of which are accessible as day trips.”
As a resident physician at the University of Washington, Dr. George Banks did a rotation in Alaska, and Dr. Chelsea Banks (’18) joined him for part of it. They had been a couple since their undergraduate years at McGill University.
“We went to Anchorage in the winter and loved it,” Dr. Chelsea Banks said. “We saw cross-country skiing, the Iditarod sled dog race, numerous moose and plenty of
FROM WEST VIRGINIA to the LAST FRONTIER
School of Medicine graduates are making a difference in Alaska.
By Jean Hardiman
George Banks, MD, at his 2016 graduation from the School of Medicine
snow in just a short visit. I said, ‘We have to live here.’”
Dr. George Banks completed a fellowship in neuromuscular medicine at Oregon Health & Science University, and Dr. Chelsea Banks completed her pediatric residency at Oregon Health & Science University before they moved north.
Today they live in Anchorage, with twin boys Cooper and Luka. Dr. George Banks’ parents have also joined them in Alaska.
Dr. Hines graduated from Marshall’s medical school in 1985. In the years that followed, he and his then-wife, neurosurgeon Dr. Susanne Fix, traveled several times to Alaska.
“I had a lot of experiences in Alaska and really liked it; so when the opportunity arose for a practice in Alaska, we grabbed it and never regretted it,” Dr. Hines said.
“It’s a lot like West
Virginia — very outdoors-oriented — and the community is very supportive, like Huntington.”
Today, Dr. Hines and Dr. George Banks work at Alaska Native Medical Center. Dr. Hines also has a private practice with Dr. Fix, where he treats neurologic diseases such as epilepsy, headaches, Parkinson’s disease, Alzheimer’s and stroke, while Dr. Fix is a neurosurgeon who primarily performs spine and brain surgeries.
Dr. George Banks is also a neurologist for the Alaska Native Tribal Health Consortium (ANTHC), and both he and Dr. Hines serve as clinical instructors for the University of Washington for medical students and occasional residents who come to Alaska on rotation.
“I have a unique job,” Dr. George Banks said. “I essentially only see Alaska Native patients, as well as other American Indians who have moved to Alaska.”
Drs. Chelsea and George Banks embrace the
Alaskan landscape and lifestyle, enjoying hiking and skiing just steps from their home.
His clinic and hospital are both funded in part by the Indian Health Service and could be described as a central hub for all Alaska Native patients. About 11 regional hospitals and clinics across Alaska refer Native patients to his clinics, where he treats them in the outpatient setting or through inpatient consultations for conditions like strokes. He also travels to regional village clinics.
“Most of my field clinics are directly accessible by Alaska Airlines flights, but a couple villages require bush planes or ferries,” Dr. George Banks said. “I cover the entire state of Alaska. I work in the northernmost neurology clinic in the world, in Utqiagvik, once or twice per year.”
Dr. Hines used to work in this clinic as well. The largest village Dr. George Banks flies to is Bethel, with a population
of 6,276; the smallest is Klawock, a village of only 700.
“During my field clinics, I have seen all sorts of fun wildlife — polar bears, wolves, reindeer, muskox, whales — and incredible scenery like the northern lights, the Arctic Ocean and the islands of southeast Alaska,” Dr. George Banks said. “Many of my patients live a predominantly subsistence life. While most of my patients speak English, some of the elders only speak their Native language, most commonly Yup’ik.”
Dr. Chelsea Banks is a general pediatrician at the Alaska Center for Pediatrics, a private clinic in Anchorage.
“My job is much like that of other general pediatricians around the country, but it does differ in a few ways,” Dr. Chelsea Banks said. “We do take occasional consults and patients from rural areas around the state — sometimes having to navigate the reality of very limited resources. How can you get the right care for someone who lives in a village only accessible by flight? What if none of the treatments you wanted to order are available in town?”
Some families also wrestle with issues such as having few available pediatric subspecialists around. And respiratory infection season is “a force to be reckoned with,” Dr. Chelsea Banks said.
However, all three said that their time at Marshall prepared them well.
“To start with, the Department of Neurology was awesome,” Dr. George Banks said. “I am a neurologist because of Dr. Justin Nolte (’07) and Dr. Paul Ferguson (’07). I know that department has expanded significantly since I was there as a student and now has a residency program, but I always remember how fun it was to work as a medical student directly with attending physicians. I really enjoyed my class of medical students and the personalities in my class, and I specifically will always be grateful to
Dr. Scot Hines’ Marshall roots trace back to his father, who moved to Huntington to lead what was then Marshall Community College.
Dr. Scot Hines (front row, left) earned his undergraduate degree in chemistry from Marshall, where he also competed on the cross country and track and field teams.
Wildlife sightings from moose to reindeer to polar bears are all in a day’s work for Marshall alumni in Alaska.
Marshall for accepting my wife two years later. To her credit, she is my smarter self.”
The class size made Dr. George Banks feel comfortable asking questions, he added.
“We had great mentors,” he said. “And the rural mission of Marshall, with outreach opportunities such as Marshall Medical Outreach, could not be better suited for Alaska. About half of my patients do not live on the road system.”
“I love that Marshall is a small school that invests in its students,” Dr. Chelsea Banks said. “You can really get to know people there and know that they want to help you. Marshall set the framework for enjoying work where we are and pushing us to be the best generalists we can be.”
Dr. Hines was in one of the earliest classes at Marshall’s medical school, graduating with just 36 students.
“Back then, it was one of the smallest medical schools in the country but was, no doubt, the best,” he said. “I went to Indiana — the second-largest — for my residency, and I was very comfortable with what I knew and what I could handle because I had done everything over and over and over again. Meanwhile, my contemporaries had watched over the shoulders of other people doing things.”
Dr. Hines said a key difference was that medical students were treated as “an important part of the team” at the JCESOM.
“We weren’t in the way or watching from the wings,” he recalled. “We had responsibilities, and what we were doing was important, in terms of patient management. They counted on us. So, we didn’t need encouragement to study — because what we were doing was vital.”
Dr. Hines has praised his Marshall experience so much that his daughter, Katie Steele, applied and is now a member of the School of Medicine Class of 2026. Steele’s husband anticipates graduating from the Marshall University Physician Assistant program in 2026 as well.
Dr. Hines and the Bankses have fond memories of Marshall and Huntington — but they all feel Alaska is where they are meant to be. It has its perils, of course.
“I’ve been churched a couple times by grizzly bears,” Dr. Hines said, adding that both occasions ended without serious incident. “But the scenery, wildlife, skiing, hiking, running,
fishing — it’s all remarkable there.”
“We love living in Alaska,” Dr. Chelsea Banks said. “We have the best cross-country skiing you can imagine. There are endless mountains for backcountry skiing or backcountry adventures in general, if that’s your jam.”
Living on “America’s Last Frontier” means that encounters with wildlife and natural wonders are part of everyday life.
“We keep a tally of our moose and bear counts because we see them often,” Dr. Chelsea Banks said. “Sometimes we cross paths with Dall sheep, beluga whales and lynx. We’ve seen the aurora borealis more times than we can count. In fact, just last night we had a spectacular show above our house. Our
freezer is full of salmon. We just enjoyed wild blueberries and cranberries in the tundra foliage with our babies.”
“As my colleague always says: ‘You don’t choose Alaska. It chooses you,’” Dr. George Banks said.
It’s hard to argue with that.
Scan the QR code to read more about Dr. Scot Hines.
When he’s not working, Dr. Scot Hines can often be found fishing for salmon and halibut.
The School of Medicine is at the forefront of addiction medicine, combining comprehensive treatment, innovative research and specialized training to address the complex issue of substance use disorder.
By Katherine Pyles
LEADING the CHARGE
Terri Gogus, MSW, LGSW, and other members of the Division of Addiction Sciences take a holistic approach to addiction treatment and recovery.
For communities grappling with the devastating effects of addiction, the Joan C. Edwards School of Medicine represents a beacon of hope, driven by its commitment to multidisciplinary, multisector collaboration.
“I think the biggest thing we do differently here is we really do collaborate across sectors — at the political level, at the local level and with the various treatment programs in the area,” said Lyn O’Connell, PhD, assistant professor of family and community health and associate director of the Division of Addiction Sciences at the School of Medicine and Marshall Health. “And the reason that is essential is because substance use does not occur in a silo — it impacts the entire community.”
In the Division of Addiction Sciences, medical students, residents and fellows work closely with local officials and programs to combat the addiction crisis impacting Appalachia.
“We’re developing innovative models for addressing substance use systemically,” Dr. O’Connell said. “You can’t just treat one part of the problem — you
need to treat the entire individual, the entire family, the entire community.”
The 70-plus members of the Division of Addiction Sciences, which is funded largely through federal and state grants and reimbursement for direct services, provide care and treatment at hospitals, homeless shelters, harm reduction programs and other locations in Huntington and surrounding areas. Key initiatives include PROACT (Provider Response Organization for Addiction Care & Treatment), a single-accessible service hub for individuals in recovery, and Project Hope for Women & Children, a comprehensive residential treatment facility for women with substance use disorder and their children.
Much of the division’s clinical research is centered on opioid use during pregnancy — a leading issue in West Virginia, which has the nation’s highest rate of neonatal abstinence syndrome (NAS). Under the direction of Todd Davies, PhD, associate professor of family and community health and associate director of research, students are studying the predictors of NAS in infants, how NAS affects
the developing brain, drug interactions and drug metabolism and the role of genetics in addiction. A new clinical trial aims to evaluate the safety and efficacy of oral lofexidine, a non-opioid medication,
Division of Addiction Sciences Associate Director Lyn O’Connell, PhD, partners with organizations like Project Hope for Women & Children to address substance use disorder systemically.
Led by Todd Davies, PhD, (third from left) Marshall’s research is shaping the future of addiction medicine.
in newborns who suffer from neonatal opioid withdrawal syndrome (NOWS).
The division uses a research model that is “truly unique to Marshall,” Dr. Davies said, in which highly trained clinicians and scientists are involved in every aspect of the process.
“Because we’re dealing with a population that is vulnerable and a disease that is complicated, we’ve created a unique model for how we conduct translational research,” he said. “Substance use disorder is comprehensive — there’s a significant behavioral health portion, it requires significant medical intervention and social intervention — and we’ve developed a system that encompasses all of that.”
The division’s epigenetics research — looking at epigenetic biomarkers as risk factors to determine whether a patient will require earlier, more extensive intervention — is setting Marshall’s work apart on a global scale.
“We are making advancements in addiction here that, in the next few years, will change the way substance use disorder is treated and how success in recovery is measured,” Dr. Davies said.
For family physicians seeking specialized training and board certification in addiction medicine, the division offers a
MEASURABLE IMPACT
• Since 2018, Project Hope has worked with more than 250 families in all 55 West Virginia counties.
• PROACT serves nearly 600 people monthly, and more than 60% of clients have been with PROACT for more than a year. PROACT has served more than 4,200 individuals since it opened in late 2018.
• With an innovative employment model that equips individuals in recovery not just for existing jobs but also for new opportunities through start-ups, CORE (Creating Opportunities for Recovery Employment) has helped more than 650 people re-enter the workforce. In 2021, CORE launched an online substance misuse toolkit for employers in collaboration with the West Virginia Chamber of Commerce. More than 3,000 viewers have used this resource to create drug-responsible workplaces across West Virginia.
one-year addiction medicine fellowship. Fellows develop expertise in “the full range of conditions related to addictive behavior,” said James B. Becker, MD (’93), fellowship program director.
“The Huntington community has embraced a comprehensive approach to addressing addiction, which provides an excellent environment for training fellows,” said Dr. Becker, who also serves as professor and vice dean for government relations and health care policy at the School of Medicine. “It allows trainees to gain in-depth experience and develop the skills they need to be successful anywhere.”
Dr. Becker, who has practiced addiction medicine for more than 25 years, said family medicine physicians are uniquely positioned to identify and address the early signs of addiction.
“The earlier you recognize a problem developing, the sooner you can get a patient into effective treatment,” he said. “If you wait until major concerns or serious consequences arise, you’ve waited too long. Family doctors serve as the first line of defense, alongside family and friends, in identifying and addressing addiction early.”
The fellowship provides hands-on experience in all addiction sciences programs at the School of Medicine. On a policy level, fellows take an active role in the Mayor’s Office of Drug Control Policy and the Governor’s Council on Substance Abuse and Treatment.
To further strengthen multisector collaboration, the Division of Addiction Sciences hosts weekly didactic sessions that keep clinicians, local partners and recovery advocates informed of emerging challenges and trends.
“People share what they’re seeing in the community, what they’re seeing in the clinics and what they’re seeing on the academic side of things,” Dr. O’Connell said. “If there’s an emerging drug or a new problem, we’re hearing that from the city or from law enforcement and we’re able to adjust more rapidly and respond more effectively. Information-sharing is key.”
Addiction medicine fellow Holly Nauert, DO, works closely with Zach Hansen, MD, medical director of the Division of Addiction Sciences (left), and James Becker, MD, fellowship program director (right).
Advocates for ACCESS
Marshall University’s Physician
Assistant program has nurtured a cadre of skilled healers, many of whom are practicing across West Virginia and the Tri-State. Armed with stethoscopes and compassion, these alumni fan out across the region, bridging gaps in health care access.
By Katherine Pyles
Physician assistants Nick Dailey (’23) and Mary Grace (Workman) Smiley (’23) are bridging gaps in health care access throughout the region.
When prospective students interview for Marshall University’s Physician Assistant (PA) program, they’re asked the question, “Why Marshall?” Their answers, shaped by diverse backgrounds and experiences, tend to vary.
“Many of them talk about the small class size and the open-door policy of our faculty, and of course they’re familiar with the strong reputation of the university and the School of Medicine,” said Ben Spurlock, MS, PA-C, interim director and principal faculty/assistant professor. “But for most students, it’s our mission that they really gravitate toward. The opportunity to provide care in rural underserved areas — that’s what resonates with them.”
Graduates of Marshall’s PA program earn a Master of Medical Science and are equipped to evaluate, diagnose and manage patients, in both primary and specialty care, across all stages of life. They are prepared to practice in every medical setting, from hospitals and surgery centers to outpatient clinics and nursing homes.
“It’s a dynamic field that thrives on diversity,” Spurlock said. “But, if there’s a commonality among all our graduates, it’s a desire to help people.”
That certainly rings true for alumni practicing in underserved areas of West Virginia and neighboring regions. Stepping into these critical roles, they’re not only bridging gaps in health care access but also fostering stronger, healthier communities in areas that need them most.
Mary Grace (Workman) Smiley (’23), MMS, PA-C, is a physician assistant in hospitalist medicine at Holzer Health System in Gallipolis, Ohio, across the Ohio River from her hometown of Point Pleasant, West Virginia. She said practicing in the area where she grew up has opened her eyes to just how much her community needs accessible and compassionate health care.
“It has been both eye-opening and heartbreaking,” said Smiley, who was a member of the PA program’s inaugural class. “But being able to come back and serve people within this community has meant a lot to me. The biggest compliment is when a patient thanks me just for listening, or when a patient tells me, ‘You’re the first person who ever took me seriously.’”
Smiley was an undergraduate biology student at Marshall when she began to consider the physician assistant path.
“I hadn’t heard of physician assistants until college,” she said.
By prioritizing a team-based approach, the PA program enhances access to care in rural and underserved areas.
“I thought my only options were to be a nurse or doctor, and I didn’t really want to be either. But I was interested in medicine as a whole — the science behind it and the patient interaction aspect of it. I wanted to do the investigative work it takes to diagnose a patient, interpret lab results and imaging and come up with a plan.”
Smiley found her ideal fit in the PA role.
“PAs work collaboratively with physicians, and I like that,” she said. “I like being able to bounce questions and ideas off the physician I’m working with.”
Smiley’s connection to Marshall runs deep, with much of her family also having graduated from the university. When she learned Marshall was preparing to launch a PA program, the decision to apply came easy.
“There was definitely an excitement to it,” he said. “We were the first. The program pulled out all the stops to make sure our education was one that would set us up for success.”
He said the program’s affiliation with the School of Medicine offered “a rich exposure to the greater health care system,” through hands-on experience and intraprofessional projects that continue to benefit his career today.
It’s a dynamic field that thrives on diversity. But, if there’s a commonality among all our graduates, it’s a desire to help people.
Her answer to the “Why Marshall?” question during her admissions interview was simply, “Why not?”
— Ben Spurlock, MS, PA-C, interim director and principal faculty/assistant professor
“It wasn’t a very professional answer,” she said, laughing. “But it was a true answer — I loved my undergraduate experience, and I had my heart set on Marshall.”
The PA field would become a family affair, it turns out. Smiley met her husband, Matt Smiley (’24), while they were both PA students; Matt currently practices in cardiology at Rivers Health in Point Pleasant.
When Nick Dailey (’23), MS, MMS, LAT, ATC, PA-C, first learned Marshall was launching a PA program, he was working as head athletic trainer at Cabell Midland High School — a dream job for the sports-oriented Ona, West Virginia, native. But it wasn’t until Dailey had married and moved away from the area that he began to seriously consider a career switch.
“I had toyed with it on and off,” he said. “But I finally decided to go all in. I poured everything into getting into the PA program at Marshall.”
Like Smiley, Dailey was a member of the program’s inaugural class.
For Dailey, who now practices in internal medicine and family medicine at CAMC Greenbrier Valley Medical Center in Lewisburg, staying in West Virginia was always the plan.
“There’s been a sharp and steady decrease in primary care providers over the years, especially in rural parts of the state,” he said. “We just don’t have enough supply to meet the demand. But advanced practice providers are bridging some of that gap, and I’m proud to be a part of that.”
He said the rewards of his work are evident every day, whether it’s helping a patient manage their cholesterol or blood pressure or providing hope in a situation that previously seemed hopeless.
Ben Spurlock, MS, PA-C
“The day-to-day reward is when you see a patient who truly receives what you have to offer them,” he said. “I’ve also, unfortunately, discovered a few instances of cancer and have been the first one to break that news. But being there in that moment for patients and helping them get on the path to treatment is something I don’t take for granted.”
Spurlock will serve in the interim role until a new director is named, said Smiley, Dailey and the many other PA graduates who’ve chosen to stay in the region exemplify what it means to serve the community you love while meeting its most critical needs.
“They are great examples of the kinds of students whose dreams we are fortunate enough to help facilitate,” he said.
Music& Medicine
School of Medicine alumni find life-work harmony through musical expression.
By Lacie Pierson
In the world of medicine, science reigns supreme. Some physicians also tap into the power of music. Several School of Medicine alumni are not only dedicated doctors but also accomplished musicians. These physician-musicians share stories of how their two passions intertwine, offering a deeper understanding of the therapeutic power of sound.
Before he was a doctor, Lee Mendenhall, MD (’20), was a grandson to a grandfather living with Alzheimer’s disease. Growing up in Wheeling, West Virginia, Dr. Mendenhall would often visit his grandfather to play piano to soothe the symptoms of the disease on a bad day.
“When I would sit down and play the piano, he would change from being really ramped up to sitting with me for hours — not saying a peep, not getting angry, just sitting there relaxed,” said Dr. Mendenhall, now a practicing psychiatrist in Denver, Colorado. ” That would translate to the rest of the day.”
Dr. Mendenhall’s experience shows what studies since his childhood have indicated: there is strong evidence that music-based interventions may be helpful in everything from anxiety and depression to Parkinson’s disease and a variety of other conditions, according to the National Institutes of Health.
Dr. Mendenhall is among several Joan C. Edwards School of Medicine alumni for whom music is a vital tool in their professional and personal lives.
“Music can heal as well as show our state of mind,” said Dr. Mendenhall, who plays viola and piano. “Music is something that has touched all of us, so it seems silly almost for it to not
Music can heal as well as show our state of mind. Music is something that has touched al of us, so it seems silly almost for it to not come up in the treatment room.
come up in the treatment room.”
For years, Dr. Mendenhall has participated in small music ensembles that visit adult care facilities, playing for residents to help ease their suffering.
“Music is a powerful form of healing,” he said. “I am lucky to share that with people.”
Jon Petersen, MD (’96), a native of Charleston, West Virginia, also came into music early in life, at the encouragement of his mother and father and inspired by his grandfather, who was a physician and a concert pianist. His grandfather housed the concert grand piano that famous pianists visiting Charleston used for their concerts.
Dr. Petersen loved music and piano competitions but was enticed to pursue medicine from the stories he heard from his grandfather.
After college, Dr. Petersen did not feel ready for the rigors of medical school. His sense of adventure led him to commission as an officer in the U.S. Air Force. While stationed in South Korea, he met a doctor who invited him to his clinic and inspired him to pursue his original dream of becoming a doctor.
Dr. Petersen was, at the time, in his 30s, married, with children — but with support from the School of Medicine staff and his family, he took the leap into medical school.
Dr. Lee Mendenhall (left) with fellow MUSOM grad Marji McCoy (’20)
— Lee Mendenhall, MD (’20)
Dr. Lee Mendenhall (right), Class of 2020, and Dr. Caitlin Thomas
“Marshall gave me my chance, and I’ll always appreciate that,” Dr. Petersen said.
After graduating medical school, Dr. Petersen completed his family medicine residency at Eglin Air Force Base and became chief of medical staff for the Air Force Special Operations Command. He then completed his preventive medicine residency and master’s degree in public health at Johns Hopkins University.
During his residency at Johns Hopkins, Dr. Petersen began teaching music to his children: Katie, Ellen, Matt and Julianne. During a trip to the Gettysburg Battlefield, they stumbled upon a bluegrass festival and saw many families enjoying that style of music together. The rest is history for the family — now commonly known as The Petersens.
The Petersens have more than 838,000 subscribers to their YouTube channel with more than 250 million views. They have an even larger following across social media, where they post videos of their harmonies from their home base in Branson, Missouri.
With his children now grown and out of college, Dr. Petersen is still involved with the aviation community as an aviation medical examiner and flight instructor. He recently served as the chief medical officer for Bass Pro Shops. Dr. Petersen said music has been an important tool in binding his family, his faith and his medical practice.
Members of the West Virginia Symphony Orchestra played a small concert at her elementary school when Dr. Soltis was in the fourth grade, and it was obvious to her playing the violin was something she needed to do. By the time she graduated from South Charleston High School, she knew she also wanted to be a doctor.
“I was already telling people I was going to major in science and music when I got to college, and that I was also going to become a doctor,” Dr. Soltis said. “They looked at me like I was crazy.”
Dr. Soltis got a different look from the head of the biology department at Saint Vincent College in Latrobe, Pennsylvania, where she earned her undergraduate degree. She was already a music major, but she had to get his permission to double-major in biology.
I always had a feeling that music is just something you do.
— Lucia Soltis, MD (’08)
“He sat me down in his office and asked if I knew what I was doing, and I told him I was going to medical school,” she said. “He had received a flyer from a medical school that stated it was looking for music experience on applicant transcripts. He thought it was great that I was doing both.”
Dr. Soltis has played the viola with the Marshall University Symphony Orchestra for more than 10 years, and in 2016 she was selected to play with the World Doctors Orchestra,
Marshall gave me my change, and I’ll always appreciate that.
— Jon Petersen, MD (’96)
Lucia Soltis, MD (’08), accompanied her mother to flute practice growing up in South Charleston, West Virginia.
“I always had a feeling that music is just something you do,’” said Dr. Soltis, a family medicine doctor based in Huntington.
Dr. Lucia Soltis, Class of 2008
Dr. Jon Petersen, Class of 1996
which played its concert in San Francisco that year.
The World Doctors Orchestra “combines the joy of great music with global medical responsibility,” performing concerts around the world and collecting donations for medical charities in the places it performs.
While confident in her abilities as a doctor and musician for most of her life, Dr. Soltis said it was at that 2016 concert where she felt like she really found “her people.” She encourages other people to pursue their passions, saying that it will lead them to their own
sense of acceptance.
“It really is cliché, but believe in yourself,” Dr. Soltis said. “If you are interested in something, then follow through. Pursue it. It doesn’t matter how weird or crazy it seems to others.”
Mathew “Mats” Lemberger, MD (’19), didn’t know his destiny when he picked up a guitar in his Long Island, New York, home when he was 12.
Dr. Lemberger, who began practicing and teaching at Dartmouth University in September 2024 after completing the child and adolescent psychiatry fellowship program at the Joan C. Edwards School of Medicine, also didn’t know he wanted to be a doctor growing up, saying he looked to follow his North Star.
“The common thread for me was a desire to live a life where I would wake up every day and my purpose would be to reduce human suffering in a very direct way,” he said.
After earning a bachelor’s degree in English literature from Dartmouth, Dr. Lemberger spent the next year teaching English at an agricultural school in Greece. When he returned to the United States, he took an EMT training course that inspired him to pursue a career in medicine.
The common thread for me was a desire to live a life where I would wake up every day and my purpose would be to reduce human suffering in a very direct way.
— Mathew “Mats” Lemberger, MD (’19)
Dr.
Mathew Lemberger, Class of 2019
While he completed his fellowship in Huntington, Dr. Lemberger began recording an album, “Blue Notes from the Underground,” which he released earlier this year under the name Psych Flu. He describes the album as a tribute to ballads in the old-time American music tradition.
It was his experience in the Mountain State and Appalachia that helped Dr. Lemberger cultivate his medical roots and he said, and gave him the tools to reduce human suffering the way he always knew he wanted to.
“I’ll always look at Huntington in particular and Appalachia more broadly as a second home,” he said. “I just think of the sense of community, the genuine concern for your neighbor and the appreciation for life. … Ultimately, I believe I’m going to be a better doctor as a result of my journey at Marshall.”
Scan the QR code to read the rest of Dr. Lemberger’s story.
Go Boldly
CLASS OF 2024 GRADUATION & INVESTITURE
On April 26, 2024, the School of Medicine held its 44th Annual Doctoral Investiture and Medical School Commencement. During the ceremony, Marshall University President Brad D. Smith and School of Medicine Dean David Gozal, MD, MBA, PhD (Hon), conferred 58 Doctor of Medicine (MD) degrees, two Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) degrees in biomedical research and one combined MD/PhD degree.
Match Day
RESIDENCY MATCHES FOR THE DOCTOR OF MEDICINE CLASS OF 2024
The Class of 2024 had a 100% match rate. Two Marshall students matched in military residency programs and one student matched in Marshall’s new rural psychiatry residency program. Thirty students will remain in West Virginia to complete their residency training.
CALIFORNIA
Graham L. Sutherland Chula Vista Family Medicine at Scripps Mercy Hospital
FLORIDA
Taylor C. Boggess Jacksonville Pathology-Anatomic & Clinical at University of Florida
Chase F. Gillispie Tampa Anesthesiology at University of South Florida
Matthew W. Werhoff Orange Park Emergency Medicine at HCA Florida Orange Park Hospital
GEORGIA
Austin L. Loop Augusta Transitional Year at Geisinger Health System, Bloomsburg, Pennsylvania, followed by Radiology-Diagnostic at Medical College of Georgia
KENTUCKY
Heba Boustany Louisville Internal Medicine at University of Louisville
Caroline B. Briggs Lexington Obstetrics-Gynecology at University of Kentucky Medical Center
Morgan B. Elmore Lexington Pediatrics/Psychiatry/Child Psychiatry at University of Kentucky Medical Center
MARYLAND
Liam R. Skiffington Bethesda Transitional Year at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center
MASSACHUSETTS
Jessica G. Tall Boston Pediatrics-Preliminary at Westchester Medical Center, Valhalla, New York, followed by Child Neurology at Boston Children’s Hospital
NORTH CAROLINA
Jeremy T. Eckels Winston-Salem Emergency Medicine at Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center
Andrew J. McAward Winston-Salem Emergency Medicine at Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center
Justin C. Merritt Winston-Salem Medicine-Preliminary at Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center followed by Radiology-Diagnostic at Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center
Zachary B. Mitchell Durham Transitional Year at HCA Healthcare/TriStar, Nashville, Tennessee, followed by RadiologyDiagnostic at Duke University Medical Center
Zachary C. Wright Winston-Salem Internal Medicine at Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center
OHIO
Tristan J. Burgess Dayton Emergency Medicine at Wright State University
Kelsey A. Matusic Cincinnati Child Neurology at Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center
Shelby B. Wellman Dayton Family Medicine at Wright State University
PENNSYLVANIA
Brett T. Johnson Danville Emergency Medicine at Geisinger Health System
Karagan A. Mulhall Monroeville Family Medicine at Forbes Family Medicine
Mary M. Perdoncin Philadelphia Medicine-Preliminary at University of Louisville, Louisville, Kentucky, followed by Radiology-Diagnostic at Albert Einstein Medical Center
Dylan L. Smith Hershey Orthopaedic Surgery at Penn State Hershey Medical Center
Joshua R. Wyner Pittsburgh Internal Medicine at Allegheny General Hospital
SOUTH CAROLINA
Kassandra A. Flores Greenville Orthopaedic Surgery at Prisma Health/University of South Carolina
TENNESSEE
Madison N. Wall Chattanooga Pediatrics at University of Tennessee
TEXAS
Dominic J. Raymond San Antonio Transitional Year-Operational Medicine at Brooke Army Medical Center
VIRGINIA
Alec D. Konrad Richmond Medicine-Preliminary at Marshall University followed by Radiation Oncology at Virginia Commonwealth University Health System
Michael Douglas Roanoke Neurology at Carilion Clayton Smith Clinic/Virginia Tech
WASHINGTON, D.C.
Juan C. Hernandez-Pelcastre Obstetrics-Gynecology at George Washington University
WEST VIRGINIA
Karim A. Abdelgaber Huntington General Surgery at Marshall University
Gloria Adubofour Huntington Internal Medicine at Marshall University
Tyler D. Bayliss Charleston General Surgery at Charleston Area Medical Center
Mackenzie J. Bergeron Huntington Neurology at Marshall University
Seth R. Bergeron Huntington Family Medicine at Marshall University
Caleb Andrew Huntington Internal Medicine at Sturgeon Clark Marshall University
Sydney R. Dangott Charleston General Surgery at Charleston Area Medical Center
Shealyn B. Falbo Charleston Neurology at Charleston Area Medical Center
Andrew S. Ferguson Huntington Internal Medicine at Marshall University
Lady Grace Ferguson Huntington Medicine-Pediatrics at Marshall University
Taylor M. Fleshman Huntington Medicine-Preliminary at Marshall University
John C. Goellner Morgantown Pediatrics at West Virginia University
Lauren E. Hanna Huntington Obstetrics-Gynecology at Marshall University
Gavin Douglas Morgantown Anesthesiology at West Virginia Paul Hayes University
Jentre H. Hyde Huntington General Surgery at Marshall University
Dylan D. Jayasuriya Huntington Neurology at Marshall University
Joshua Matthew Huntington General Surgery-Preliminary at Douglas Keefer Marshall University
Willie M. Kimler Huntington General Surgery at Marshall University
Thaddeus D. Martin Point Pleasant Rural Psychiatry at Marshall Community Health Consortium
Thomas R. McIntosh Huntington Internal Medicine at Marshall University
Mariah N. Morris Huntington Psychiatry at Marshall University
S. Blass Morrone Huntington Family Medicine at Marshall University
Makala B. Murphy Huntington Family Medicine at Marshall University
Levi A. Nolan Charleston Emergency Medicine at Charleston Area Medical Center
Danielle F. Roth Morgantown Transitional Year at West Virginia University followed by Dermatology at West Virginia University
Shelley R. St. Clair Huntington Neurology at Marshall University
Nicholas V. Tate Morgantown Emergency Medicine at West Virginia University
Kathryn Mary Huntington Medicine-Preliminary at Marshall Elizabeth Taylor University
Jessica D. Wellman Huntington Psychiatry at Marshall University
Hania M. Woomer Morgantown Internal Medicine at West Virginia University
2024 BIOMEDICAL RESEARCH GRADUATES
Doctor of Philosophy
Ashley J. Cox
PhD, Biomedical Research
Mentor: Monica Valentovic, PhD
Dissertation: The E-liquid Flavorings
Cinnamaldehyde, Vanillin, and Ethyl Vanillin
Induce Cellular Stress Responses in Human Proximal Tubule (HK-2) Epithelial Cells
Cecilia G. Sierra-Bakhshi
PhD, Biomedical Research
Mentor: Lydia Bogomolnaya, PhD
Dissertation: Pathogenesis of Gram-negative Bacterial Infections in Non-Diabetic and Diabetic Mouse Models
Doctor of Medicine and Doctor of Philosophy in Biomedical Research
Taylor C. Boggess
Mentor: Christopher Risher, PhD
Dissertation: Investigation of the Effects of Prenatal Drug Exposure on Astrocyte-Mediated Synaptogenic Signaling
2023-2024 PHILANTHROPY REPORT
On behalf of the entire Joan C. Edwards School of Medicine family, we extend our heartfelt gratitude for your generosity and unwavering support. Your contributions play a crucial role in our mission to educate future physicians and health care providers who will make a significant impact on the world.
The faculty, staff and students are deeply grateful that you have chosen to include the School of Medicine in your personal philanthropy. We hope you will continue to do so in the future. Your generosity has enabled us to provide essential resources, foster cuttingedge medical care and advance groundbreaking research.
Thanks to you, we are creating limitless possibilities for the future of the School of Medicine. We want you to know how much we appreciate your personal philanthropy and the profound difference it makes. You are not just a donor; you are a cherished member of our School of Medicine family.
Please take a moment to recognize the following donors who made gifts to support the School of Medicine from July 1, 2023, through June 30, 2024.
Associate Dean, Development & Alumni Affairs
Amanda A. Kinder
Assistant Director, Development & Alumni Engagement
We make a living by what we get, but we make a life by what we give. — Winston Churchill
PINNACLE SOCIETY
Gifts of $50,000 or more
BUSINESSES
Marshall Health Network
The Health Plan
FOUNDATION
Joan C. Edwards Charitable Foundation
FOUNDERS’ CIRCLE
Gifts of $10,000 - $49,999
INDIVIDUALS
Drs. Laurel A.* & David M. Fedor
Mrs. Phyllis S. Harrah
Drs. W. Michael & Diane W. Hensley
Dr. Robert A.* & Mrs. Jannell P. Hess
Dr. Eric W. Janssen*
Drs. Douglas C.* & Lynn H. McCorkle
Dr. Nicolas Phan
Dr. C. Douglas Phillips*
Mr. James J. & Mrs. Shirley W. Schneider
Dr. Chandra S. Sekar
Drs. Satbir D.* & Shalu K. Singh
Dr. Larry W.* & Mrs. Bridget R. Watson
Dr. Myra L.* & Mr. Stephen M. Wilkerson
Dr. Jeffrey W. Whightsel*
Dr. Gary R. Youmans*
BUSINESSES
AT&T
Elizur
Cabell Huntington Hospital
Grand Chapter of West Virginia Order of the Eastern Star
Hammers Industries, Inc.
Marshall University Research Corporation
Mountain State Wellness, Inc.
Nucor Steel West Virginia LLC
OVP Health
Radiology, Inc.
St. Mary’s Medical Center
Valley Health
FOUNDATIONS
Huntington Clinical Foundation
Huntington Foundation, Inc.
OVP Foundation for Healthier Communities
Touma Foundation, Inc.
West Virginia Medical Foundation
TRUSTS
Arthur & Joan Weisberg Charitable Lead Trust
James R. Bloss Trust
The Board of Trustees of Prichard School
Duling Trust
Virginia Wagoner Trust
Clyde M. & Pansy W. Slater Trust
DEAN’S ASSOCIATES
Gifts of $1,000 - $9,999
INDIVIDUALS
Mrs. Robin S. Adkins
Dr. M. Jason* & Mrs. Julie K. Akers
Dr. Paul D.* & Mrs. Pamela R. Akers
Mrs. Doris B. Andrews
Dr. John J.* & Mrs. Jessica Anton
Mr. Michael E. & Mrs. Linda Bane
Dr. Lou G. Bartram*
Dr. James B. Becker*
Dr. Indira Bhavsar-Burke*
Dr. Jerry G.* & Mrs. Cindy C. Blackwell
Dr. James D. & Mrs. Constance M. Bobbit
Mr. Timothy S. & Mrs. Ginger R. Boles
Dr. Patrick C. Bonasso*
Dr. Rudolf Burcl*
Dr. Kimberly A. Burgess*
Dr. Bruce S. & Mrs. Janice E. Chertow
Dr. Felix H. & Mrs. Cara L. Cheung
Dr. Peter A. & Mrs. Clare M. Chirico
Dr. Carolyn A. Cline*
Dr. Michael D.* & Mrs. Kari A. Cooper
Mr. Philip E. Cline#
Dr. Daniel D. & Mrs. Diana H. Cowell
Dr. Robert J.* & Mrs. Suzanne J. Cure
Dr. Karen N.* & Mr. John W. Dansby
Dr. Sanford M. Dawsey
Dr. Jennifer B. Day* & Mr. Jim G. Bracewell
Dr. David A. & Mrs. Sharon N. Denning
Drs. Krista L. Denning* & James M. Denvir
Dr. Aaron M. Dom*
Mrs. Nancy W. Echols
Dr. Morgan C. Eckerd*
Dr. Michael O. Fidler
Mr. Chad S. & Mrs. Molly B. Fisher
Dr. Susan L. Flesher*
Dr. Michael A. & Mrs. Bethany A. Fortunato
Dr. Adam M.* & Mrs. Emily B. Franks
Dr. Frank E. Fumich*
Mrs. Verna K. Gibson
Dr. C. Andy* & Mrs. Hayley S. Gilliland
Dr. Laura M. Given*
Dr. W. Doug* & Mrs. Mary L. Given
Dr. Christopher S. Goode*
Dr. Rose A.* & Mr. Barry A. Goodwin
Dr. David Gozal
Dr. Robert B. Gray*
Dr. Todd L. Green
Drs. Jennifer L. Bennett Grube* & Richard D. Grube
Dr. Darlene Y. Gruetter*
Dr. Shane M. Gue*
Dr. Greta V. Guyer*
Dr. Lee C.* & Mrs. Jane A. Haikal
Mr. Gregory S. & Mrs. Teresa L. Deppner Hardin
Dr. Mary Beth Harler*
Dr. R. Mark* & Mrs. Monica J.W. Hatfield
Mr. Nathaniel T. Henderson
Dr. Tracy L.* & Mrs. Mary E. Hendershot
Dr. Bradley D.* & Mrs. Lisa D. Henry
Drs. Cyrus C. Heydarian* & Rosemarie A. Santos*
Dr. Mahmood & Mrs. Christine A. Heydarian
Mr. J. Fred & Mrs. Carol A. Hill
Dr. John A.* & Mrs. Renae P. Hoffman
Dr. Thomas J. & Mrs. Martha W. Holbrook Jr.
Dr. Jeffrey S.* & Mrs. Jennifer S. Holmes
Mr. B. Keith & Mrs. Tamara D. Huffman
Drs. Joel T.* & Terry E. Hummer*
Dr. Erik B. Hurst*
Dr. Andrew R. Hutchens III*
Dr. Eric W.* & Mrs. Kristin L. Irwin
Drs. William R.* & Jamie L. Jeffrey*
Dr. James C. Jensen
Drs. Eric C.* & Sharmilla M. Jones*
Dr. Stephen M.* & Mrs. Taryn D. Jones Jr.
Dr. John R. Karickhoff
Dr. Andrea L.* & Mr. James R. Kellar
Dr. Jack L.* & Mrs. M. Beth Kinder Jr.
Dr. Devin A.* & Mrs. Betsy M. King
Mr. Daniel J. & Mrs. Angela W. Konrad
Dr. Bruce J.* & Mrs. Ann M. Kowalski
Dr. Amber L. Kuhl*
Dr. Joseph A.* & Mrs. Melissa A. Lambert II
Drs. Andrea M. Lauffer* & Caleb R. Huff*
Mr. John N. & Mrs. M. Jane Law
Drs. Sean Loudin* & Jenna B. Dolan*
Dr. Robert G. & Mrs. Mildred C. Lynn
Dr. David L. Martin Jr.*
Dr. Molly J.* & Mr. Bill W. Mathews
Mr. Michael J. & Mrs. Diane M. McCarthy
Dr. Beth M. McCloud*
Mr. Joseph K. & Mrs. Karen P. McDonie
Dr. J. Jeffrey* & Mrs. Lori L. McElroy
Dr. James M.* & Mrs. Sherri B. Mears
Dr. Bobby L.* & Mr. Eric K. Hardin Miller
Dr. Scott E.* & Mrs. Patricia K. Miller
Dr. Manuel E.* & Mrs. Cami M. Molina
Dr. Scott E.* & Mrs. Rebecca A. Moore
Dr. Mallory N. Morris*
Dr. Maurice A. & Mrs. Diane W. Mufson
Dr. Jeffery M. & Mrs. Sherry G. Nakano
Mr. Charles R. & Mrs. Victoria E. Neighborgall
Dr. Richard M. & Mrs. Elaine M. Niles
Drs. Nancy B.* & Michael L. Norton
Dr. Ali R. & Mrs. Corinna A. Oliashirazi
Drs. James F. O’Neal* & Emily C. De Los Reyes
Drs. James R.* & Alison S. Patterson
Mr. Kenneth E. & Mrs. Sara L. Peller
Sen. Robert H. & Mrs. Jennifer T. Plymale
Dr. Henry R.* & Mrs. Carol L. Preston
Drs. Nitin Puri & Komal Puri
Dr. Jerome Puryear Jr.*
Dr. Leela V. Raju*
Mr. David A. Ramella
Drs. Gary O. Rankin and Monica A. Valentovic
Mr. Patrick J. & Mrs. Terri L. Reger
Mr. Marshall T. Reynolds
Dr. Charlotte A. Rhee*
Dr. Ezra B.* & Mrs. Manda E. Riber
Dr. Amy C. Richardson
Dr. John D.* & Mrs. Lisa K. Roth
Dr. Stuart M.* & Mrs. Anne W. Roth
Dr. Richard E.* & Mrs. Susan L. Ryncarz
Mr. Marc P. & Mrs. Sharon Y. Seidler
Dr. Darshana T. & Mrs. Tushar K. Shah
Dr. Deborah R. Shatzkes
Drs. Jay A.* & Meagan W. Shepherd*
Dr. Mark F.* & Mrs. Janet L. Sheridan
Dr. Jay P. Singh*
Dr. Teresa M. Sitler
Dr. Donna J. Slayton* & Mr. Gregory S. White
Dr. Stephen C.* & Mrs. Judy A. Smith
Drs. Jeffrey T.* & Dorothy A. Przydzial Smok*
Dr. Mary E. Smyrnioudis*
Dr. Bryan D. Springer*
Dr. Ron D. Stollings*
Dr. Patrick A.* & Mrs. Cynthia E. Stone
Drs. Gary D.* & Debra I. Stoner*
Mrs. Wanda G. Tolley
Drs. Joseph B. & Omayma T. Touma
Mrs. Linda M. Turner
Dr. Alice A. Walz*
Dr. Shane A.* & Mrs. Lisa K. Wells
Dr. Donnah S. Wolodkin Whitaker* & Mr. William S. Whitaker
Dr. William N.* & Mrs. Laurie B. White II
Dr. Patricia L.* & Mr. David A. Wilson
Dr. Marc A.* & Mrs. Michelle A. Workman
BUSINESSES
Boone Memorial Hospital
Capital Area Research LLC on behalf of Dr. Venkatesh Nadar
Champion Industries, Inc.
Crews & Nibert DDS, Inc.
Dutch Miller of Charleston
Edward Tucker Architects, Inc.
Encompass Health
E. P. Leach & Sons Inc.
Family Health Associates
Farrell, White & Legg PLLC
Freedom Financial
Hammers Industries
Holzer Health System
Humana Inc.
King’s Daughters Medical Center
Logan Regional Medical Center/Scion Health
MagMutual Insurance Company
Marathon Petroleum Marine
Marshall Health
Marshall JCESOM Office of Diversity & Inclusion
Marshall Family Medicine
Marshall Ob/Gyn
Marshall School of Pharmacy
Marshall Psychiatry
Mountain State Medical Associates, PLLC
MUAA Mid-Ohio Valley Thundering Bison Club
Neighborgall Construction Company
Peoples Bank
River Park Hospital
Shuman McCuskey Slicer PLLC
Snider Construction LLC
State Electric Supply Company
The Ohio Valley Bank, Inc.
Thomas Health
Thundercloud, Inc.
Vyuha Inc. on behalf of Dr. Jack M. Trainor II*
WV Health Right, Inc.
WVU Medicine – Peak Health
West Virginia OrthoNeuro
West Virginia Orthopaedic Society
Many Thanks
FOUNDATION
Northwestern Mutual Life Foundation, Inc., on behalf of Tom Wilmink
TRUST
RKM Family Trust
DOCTORS’ MEMORIAL SOCIETY Gifts of $500 - $999
INDIVIDUALS
Dr. Fred D.* & Mrs. Rosemary F. Adams
Anonymous
Dr. Bonnie L. Beaver
Drs. Daniel A. & Gayle A. Brazeau
Mrs. Norma J. Bromley
Mr. Charles M. & Mrs. Stephanie V. Bryant
Dr. Jessica K. Buerck*
Mr. Teri Campbell
Dr. R. Todd* & Mrs. M. Jane Chambers
Dr. Amy L.* & Col. James W. Conley
Dr. Cheryl L. Cook*
Mr. Kyle C. & Mrs. Jo Ann Cook#
Dr. Jerry A.* & Mrs. Kelli L. Dague
Dr. Jennifer B. Day*
Dr. Audrey M. Dean*
Drs. William N. & Sarah N. Denman
Dr. Harry H.* & Mrs. Tina M. Dinsmore
Dr. Henry K. Driscoll
Dr. Eric S.* & Mrs. Penelope J. Eanes
Dr. Joseph E. Evans*
Dr. David L. Elridge*
Mr. Jeffrey A. Fenerty
Mr. Brian A. & Mrs. Kathy Gallagher
Dr. Scott R. & Mrs. Mary M. Gibbs
Dr. Gary G.# & Mrs. B. Ruth Gilbert
Dr. Christine L. Gilkerson*
Dr. Mary M.* & Mr. M. Alan Griffith
Ms. Lynn T. Gunnoe
Dr. David E. Haden
Judge Sean K. & Mrs. Beth L. Hammers
Dr. Marc Hettlinger*
Dr. Dorothy E. Hicks
Dr. James T.* & Mrs. Kimberly W. Holbrook
Dr. John L. & Mrs. Patricia S. Holbrook
Mrs. Linda S. Holmes & Dr. J. William Haught
Dr. Laura W. Hysell*
Dr. Ramon C. & Mrs. Catherine Jereza
Dr. C. Matt Justice*
Dr. Samuel A. Kaplan*
Mr. Stephen E. & Mrs. Perri L. Kawash
Dr. Thomas W. & Mrs. Barbara Kiernan
Mr. Gary M. Kogel
Mr. Brandon D. & Mrs. Cherese M. Lee
Dr. George J. & Mrs. Paula C. Linsenmeyer III
Dr. Andrew S. Martin*
Mr. Benjamin A. & Mrs. Jan A. McGinnis
Ms. Mindy Miesner
Dr. Mario R. Morenas*
Drs. Michael V. & Joann A. O’Keefe
Dr. Diana M. Krutzler-Berry
Mrs. Leah A. Payne
Dr. L. Matthew Pittman*
Dr. Donald A. Primerano & Mrs. Marie E. Manilla
Ms. Peggy A. Pugh
Drs. Yaacov R. Pushkin* & Elaine L. Flanders*
Dr. Nimra H. Rana
Dr. Bruce A. & Mrs. Ann D. Ratcliff
Ms. Kathleen R. Reedy
Ms. Mary Glenn Rice
Mrs. Joyce L. Riley
Dr. Elizabeth A.* & LTC Walter G. Roberson
Drs. Allison L.* & James G. Ross
Dr. Juan R. & Mrs. Monica Sanabria
Mr. William R. & Mrs. Linda L. Sandiford
Dr. Brian A.* & Mrs. Melanie S. Sauls
Mr. James T. Schneider
Dr. Mitsuko K.* & Mr. William K. Shannon
Dr. William S.* & Mrs. Deborah A. Sheils Jr.
Mr. Randall R. & Mrs. Caryn Short
Dr. Friday G. Simpson*
Dr. Brenda C. Smith*
Dr. Elizabeth L. Spangler*
Mr. Benjamin A. Spurlock
Dr. Sheryl L. Stephens*
Dr. Matthew D. Stover
Dr. Mark A. Studeny*
Dr. Staci K. Stalcup*
Dr. Debra J. Stultz*
Dr. Thomas B.* & Mrs. Julia A. Styer
Dr. Susan A. Terry*
Dr. Helen R. Thornton*
Dr. Meaghan A. Tranovich*
Dr. Lee A. Van Horn*
Ms. Isabel R. Walden
Mrs. Lynn M. Welker
Mrs. Janet Williamson
Dr. W. Matthew* & Mrs. Susan B. Zban
BUSINESSES
HD Supply Facilities Maintenance
Huntington Quarterly Publishing
JHarris Enterprises, Inc.
Marshall University Marathon Association, Inc.
Peoples Bank
Marshall Pediatrics
FOUNDATION
Foundation for the Tri-State on behalf of Dr. Barbara P. Guyer
NEW CENTURY CLUB
Gifts of $100 - $499
INDIVIDUALS
Mr. William & Mrs. P. Kimberly Allen
Ms. Mona J. Alongi
Dr. Robert C.* & Mrs. Tania B. Anton
Dr. Sirous R. & Mrs. Martha M. Arya
Mr. Scott A. Atkins
Dr. Jayne A. Barr*
Dr. G. Monty* & Mrs. Kathy L. Baylor
Dr. Mitchell L. & Mrs. Constance M. Berk
Ms. Payal M. Bharti
Mr. Daniel P. & Mrs. Lois A. Bickerton
Drs. Michael C. Binder* & Elise M. Henning*
Drs. Paul A. Blair & Janet A. Kurucz
Dr. R. Dan Bledsoe*
Drs. Joshua A.* & Whitney A. Boggs*
Mr. Barry S. & Mrs. Lesa D. Bostic
Dr. Shane A. Bowen*
Dr. Matthew W. Boyer*
Dr. Camilla A. Brammer
Dr. Jay R. Bronder*
Mr. Martin S. & Mrs. Kimberly A. Brooks
Mr. William C. Brown
Dr. Hoyt J. & Mrs. Amy M. Burdick
Dr. Shelvy L. Campell-Monroe
Dr. Timothy D.* & Mrs. Laura A. Canterbury
Dr. Michael & Mrs. Connie Canty
Dr. Ignacio* & Mrs. Ann P. Cardenas
Dr. Christopher W. Carey*
Dr. Phillip L. Casingal*
Mr. Franklin S. & Mrs. Denise M. Chambers
Dr. Simon K.* & Mrs. Melanie A. Chang
Mr. Joseph L. & Mrs. Susan L. Chapman
Mr. Kevin R. & Mrs. Laura L. Christopher
Mr. Randy A. & Mrs. Diann L. Clark
Dr. Rick J.* & Mrs. Jennifer Ransbottom Compton
Dr. Charles W.* & Mrs. Tina Clements II
Dr. Carol H. Cooper*
Dr. John L. Coyner*
Mrs. Jill E. Griffiths Crabtree
Mr. J. Mark & Mrs. Isabel A. Cross
Dr. Sam R.* & Mrs. Julie E. Davis
Ms. Celeste A. Deitzler
Dr. Beverly C. Delidow
Mr. Michael & Dr. Julie A. DeTemple
Dr. Larry D.* & Mrs. Sarah B. Dial Jr.
Mr. Brian Doughty
Dr. Joseph W. Dransfeld*
Dr. Robert F. & Mrs. Lisa M. Dundervill III
Dr. Brian S. Dunlap*
Ms. Toni M. Ebra
Mr. Luther S. & Mrs. Betsy A. Ehret Jr.
Drs. Mehiar O. El-Hamdani & Nesreen BenHamed
Dr. James W.* & Mrs. D. Elaine Endicott
Dr. Mobeen Farooq*
Dr. Daniel R. Felbaum*
Mrs. Roberta J. Ferguson
Mr. Brian A. & Mrs. Tami K. Fletcher
Dr. David C.* & Mrs. Tonya I. Fore
Dr. Marie J.* & Mr. Christopher R. Frazier
Drs. Adrian S.* & Amy L. Garmestani*
Dr. Indira D. Gautam*
Mr. John P. Gay
Dr. Jeffry T.* & Mrs. Mary G. Gee
Mr. Robert L. & Mrs. Vivian E. Ghiz
Dr. Charles E. & Mrs. Jean Giangarra
Dr. Michael W.* & Mrs. Judith A. Gibbs
Dr. Jerry A. & Mrs. Leigh S. Gilbert
Mr. David M. Giles
Dr. Deborah A.* & Mr. James M. Gillispie
Dr. Shea M. Goodrich*
Dr. F. Mark Goodwin*
Dr. M. Jeanne Gorham*
Dr. Nancy B.* & Mr. Paul N. Graham
Dr. Paul J.* & Mrs. Amy J. Grandinetti
Dr. K. Edward & Mrs. Bety L. Gorse
Dr. Nikita Gupta
Dr. Garrie J.* & Mrs. Teresa A. Haas
The Honorable David J. & Mrs. Nadia H. Hardy
Dr. Glenn A. Harper*
Dr. Jeffrey K. Harris*
Dr. Curtis W.* & Mrs. Lisa G. Harrison Jr.
Mr. Keith G. & Mrs. Linda G. Harrison Jr.
Mr. Dan K. Hastings
Dr. Rebecca M. Hayes*
Dr. Christopher E.* & Mrs. Denise B. Hayner
Dr. Wanda M. Hembree*
Mr. Stephen W. & Dr. Frances S. Hensley
Dr. David A. Hermon
Dr. Jonathan A. Hess*
Ms. Rebecca S. Heuerman
Dr. Scot D. Hines*
Mr. Joseph R. & Mrs. Denise F. Hogsett
Mr. Charles R. & Mrs. Janet S. Holbrook
Mrs. Doris S. Holmes
Dr. David J.* & Mrs. Melissa M. Hunt
Dr. S. Nichelle Jadhav*
Dr. Shannon N. James*
Dr. Mary B.* & Mr. Gregory L. Jenkins
Dr. Nathan M. Jesse*
Mr. James L. & Mrs. Selena M. Johe
Ms. Paris N. Johnson
Dr. Christine L. Jones*
Ms. Donna Jones
Mr. Edwin L. & Mrs. Carol A. Jones
Dr. Joseph L.* & Mrs. Lori G. Joyce
Dr. C. Matthew Justice*
Dr. F. Beth* & Mr. John P. Kemp
Mrs. Marian S. Kennell & Family
Dr. Jacob T. Kilgore*
Dr. Janelle M. King*
Dr. Joseph M. King*
Dr. Matthew E.* & Mrs. Cynthia J. Krantz
Mrs. Debbi Kroeckel-Kiekover
Dr. M. Ann Kuhn* & Mr. A. Dennis Coronado
Mr. Robert S. & Ms. Vicki L. Lambert
Dr. Paula K.* & Mr. S. Greg Larsen
Dr. Larry D. & Mrs. Patricia Lawson
Mrs. Mary E. Leaberry
Dr. Brad A.* & Mrs. Jessica N. Leath
Mrs. Kay F. Lee
Dr. Joan B. Lehman*
Mr. Bob & Mrs. Cindy Lewis
Mr. James E. & Mrs. Elizabeth O. Lord
Ms. Jendonnae Lycan
Dr. Joan A. Lynch*
Dr. Ashok K. Malhotra
Dr. Shabbir M. Matcheswalla*
Mrs. Marjorie R. Matthews
Dr. Aaron M.* & Mrs. Eden H. McGuffin
Dr. Kenneth F.* & Mrs. Beth A. McNeil
Dr. Nimish K. Mehta*
Dr. Ben F. & Mrs. Beverly A. Miller
Dr. Jeff T.* & Mrs. Laura B. Mullins
Dr. Timothy R. Murphy
Dr. Jay T.* & Mrs. Catina M. Naegele
Dr. Robert C. & Mrs. Deborah B. Nerhood
Mrs. Thelma A. Niday
Mrs. Charlotte H. Norris
Mr. Corey J. & Dr. Lyn M. O’Connell
Dr. Matthew C. O’Neal*
Dr. Gretchen E.* & Mr. Stephen A. Oley
Dr. John A. & Mrs. Elizabeth S. Parker
Mr. Alexander N. Parlock
Dr. William E. Passodelis*
Ms. Elisa K. Payne
Colonel Larry C. & Ms. Glenyce S. Payne
Dr. Stephen & Mrs. Nancy Ann Petrany
Dr. Gary J.* & Mrs. Christa A. Petty
Ms. Natalie Phillips
Mrs. Barbara A. Pierson
Drs. Danny R.* & Nicole M. Pizzino Jr.
Mrs. A. Beverly Pofahl#
Dr. John E. Prescott
Dr. Gary W.* & Mrs. Tamara L. Procop
Mr. C. Fred Ranson & Miss Molly M. Robertson
Robin Adkins’ Marshall University Friends
Drs. D. Russ* & Kathleen M. Richardson*
Dr. Hobart K. Richey*
Ms. Joyce A. Riley
Dr. Douglas F.* & Mrs. Martha Y. Ritchie
Mrs. Mary C. Robinson
Mr. J. Len & Mrs. Karen Rogers
Mr. Rhys Rogers
Ms. Nancy H. Royden
Dr. Daniel W. Russell*
Mrs. Artie T. June Sale
Dr. Elizabeth A. Saunders*
Dr. Nancy S. Scher & Mr. Ernst Billig
Dr. Brittany V.* & Mr. Jacob I. Seminara
Dr. Samir M. Shah*
Dr. Melinda J. Sharon*
Dr. Tina M.* & Mr. E. Kent Sias
Dr. Bernie M. Simons*
Mr. Cory K. Sims
Dr. Geoffrey L. Singer*
Dr. Abigail E. Smith*
Mr. Paul & Mrs. Bunny Smith
Mr. Joshua D. & Mrs. Sheanna M. Spence
Mr. Steve & Mrs. Linda Spurlock
Mrs. Mickey A. St. Clair
Dr. Sharon L. Steinman*
Mrs. Alishia A. Stombock
Mrs. Patricia A. Stultz
Dr. Marc A. & Mrs. Susan B. Subik
Dr. Majd G. Sweiss*
Mrs. Elizabeth R. Tate
Mr. Allen R. & Mrs. Vicki J. Taylor
Dr. Steven A. Taylor*
Drs. Jeffrey N.* & Rebecca L. Thaxton
Mr. James D. & Mrs. Jennifer K. Thompson
Mr. Jack C. & Mrs. Patricia W. Trainor
Dr. Robert E.* & Mrs. Terry L. Turner
Dr. Ray M. Van Metre*
Drs. Paul V.* & Brittany L. Viscuse*
Dr. M. Teresa Vives-Aceves*
Dr. Krista T. Wagoner*
Dr. Kate M. Waldeck
Mr. Matthew D. Waldie
Mr. Emory & Mrs. Sheri S. Taylor Wallace Jr.
Dr. William E. & Mrs. Beverly L. Walker
Mr. D. Monte Ward
Drs. Price S.* & Erin H. Ward*
Ms. Cynthia A. Warren
Dr. Callie H. Seaman Watanabe*
Mrs. Wanda L. Webb
Dr. Samuel D. Wellman*
Mrs. Jennifer A. Wheeler
Dr. Christopher J.* & Mrs. Kim M. Whitten
Mr. Kenneth B. & Mrs. Donetta K. Wilcox
Dr. Ian N. Wilhelm*
Mr. Keith & Mrs. Stacy William
Dr. Kevin J.* & Mrs. Joan J. Willis
Dr. David R. & Mrs. Martha C. Woodward
Dr. Michelle M. Worthy*
Mr. Andrew M. Yanok
Dr. Elaine M. Young*
Dr. Hongwei Yu & Mrs. Jan Z. Yu
Dr. Mark S. Zalaznik*
Dr. Steve M. & Mrs. Catherine J. Zekan
BUSINESSES
B & E Menswear
Charleston Area Medical Center
Hess Stewart & Campbell
Marshall Pathology
Marshall University JCE School of Medicine
Class of 2024
Rivers Health
SK Kingdom Investments WV LLC
BENEFACTORS
Gifts of $1 - $99
INDIVIDUALS
Mrs. Carolyn J. Bagby
Dr. Marsha L. Bailey*
Mr. Rickie D. & Mrs. Jennifer R. Bledsoe
Dr. E. Fritz* & Mrs. Jamie L. Braunlich
Mr. Robert S. Buckovan
Ms. Penny Byrnside
Mr. Michael G. & Mrs. Ruth E. Caplinger
Dr. Stebbins B. & Mrs. Mary C. Chandor
Ms. Lanie M. Christman
Ms. Mary Cook
Mrs. Laura B. Cummings
Mr. W.K. & Mrs. Naomi E. Cunningham
Dr. Sloane Drayson-Knigge
Ms. Yolanda Duncan
Mr. Timothy T. & Mrs. Maureen E. Effingham
Ms. Jun J. Fan
Mrs. Anita L. Farrell
Dr. Philip J. Ferkler*
Dr. Michael H. Gabriel*
Dr. Jennifer L.* & Mr. Jarrett D. Gerlach
Mr. Sherwin S. Ghaphery
Dr. Glenn R. Goldfarb
Ms. Sarah Gross
Mr. Michael W. Hight
Dr. Samer S. Hodroge*
Many Thanks
Mr. Jack Jones
Dr. Maureen L. Joyce*
Mr. Timothy Kirby
Ms. Amy Malone
Mr. David L. & Mrs. Charlotte L. Maner
Dr. Elsa I. Mangiarua
Mrs. Jewell R. Matthews
Dr. Nancy E. McKinley
Ms. Amy Michael
Mr. Larry E. & Mrs. Frances “Cookie” Miller
Dr. Michael R. Moore
Mr. L. Vic Navy
Dr. Cynthia Z. Pinson*
Mrs. Margaret M. Putt
Mrs. Martha T. Rand
Mr. Edward M. & Mrs. Jane E. Rothman
Ms. Tahlia M. Savage
Ms. Julia H. Schreiber
Mr. Steven L. & Mrs. Diane S. Shattls
Mr. Paul A. & Mrs. Janine K. Slaatte
Mr. Daniel L. Smith
Dr. Errington C. Thompson
Mr. Lawrence J. & Mrs. Cheryl L. Tweel
Ms. Pamela S. Vencill
Mr. Jeffrey D. & Mrs. Crystal P. Welch
Mr. Randy & Mrs. Barbara A. White
Ms. Elaine A. Wilson
Mr. Michael T. & Mrs. Reta F. Wilson
As with any list of this type, errors or omissions can be made. If that is the case, please accept our apology and report the error to Linda Holmes at 304-691-1711 or holmes@marshall.edu.
HONORARY GIFTS
HONORARY AND MEMORIAL GIFTS
A gift in honor of or in memory of an individual to the School of Medicine is a generous and thoughtful way to recognize a person’s life and accomplishments. When you make an honorary or memorial gift to the School of Medicine, the honoree or next of kin is is notified, and the gift is used as you specified. When making a gift, send it with a note specifying the honoree’s name and the address of the honoree or next of kin for a memorial gift. Those recognized with honorary or memorial gifts are listed below.
Dr. Charles J. & Mrs. Mary Louise Anton Jr.
Dr. James B. Becker*
Mr. Callen E. Bostic
Dr. Patrick I. Brown
Dr. Peter A. Chirico
Ms. Jenna A. DeTemple, Class of 2028
Dr. Larry D. Dial Jr.*
Dr. W. Michael Hensley
Dr. Marc Hettlinger*
Dr. Mahmood Heydarian
Dr. Dorothy E. Hicks
Mrs. Linda S. Holmes
Dr. Alexandra M. Kiekover, Class of 2022
Mr. Enzo J. Lewis
Marshall Physician Assistant Program
Marshall University Joan C. Edwards Classes of 2010, 2013 & 2024
Mrs. April D. May
Dr. Shirley Neitch
Dr. Surendra Nath & Mrs. Shashi Dwivedi
Dr. Robert C. Nerhood
Dr. Richard M. Niles
Dr. Ashley E. O’Keefe*
Dr. C. Douglas Phillips*
Dr. Danny R. Pizzino*
Dr. V.K. & Mrs. Rani Raju
Dr. Emily A. Seidler*
Ms. Cindy A. Warren
Dr. Jeffrey W. Whightsel*
MEMORIAL GIFTS
Dr. Charles Abraham
Dr. Clark D. Adkins*
Dr. Paul W. Ambrose*
Mrs. Alice Conway Broyles
Dr. W. Bart Andrews
Mr. R. Steven Bowers
Mr. Bernard L. Browning
Dr. E. Norval Carter
Dr. D. Shafer Clark
Mr. Daniel J. & Mrs. Teresa R. Cowell
Mrs. Sharada R. Desai
Mrs. Anne-Marie Doppman
Dr. Paul R. Durst*
Dr. William J. Echols
Mr. Gary J. & Mrs. Madeline D. Haas
Dr. Theodore P. Haddox Jr.
Mrs. Carolyn S. Haden
Dr. John D. Harrah
Dr. John D. Harrah Jr.*
Mrs. E. Pauline Harrell
Dr. Robert B. Hayes
Mrs. Pauline Hines
Dr. Thomas J. & Mrs. Lois B. Holbrook
Dr. Edwin J. Humphrey III
Mr. Fred L. & Mrs. Louise J. Janssen
Mr. T. Carroll Justice
Mr. Lauren E. Kahle
Mrs. Kitty Kaplan
Mr. Aubrey C. King
Mr. Ernest F. Leaberry III
Dr. James W. Matthews*
Dr. Charles H. McKown Jr.
Mr. James R. McVey
Dr. Kevin M. Milam*
Dr. Louis R. Molina*
Mrs. Angela “Ann” Phillips
Dr. Gilbert A. Ratcliff Jr.
Mr. George E. Reger
Mr. Brody J. Reynolds
Dr. Laura L. Richardson
Mrs. Susan K. Richardson
Dr. Donald S. Robinson
Mr. Robert L. Shell Jr.
Mrs. Alma M. Stollings
Dr. Gary M. Tolley
Dr. Skyler D. Tribble*
Dr. Charles “Skip” E. Turner
Mrs. Nancy L. Turner
Mr. Edward A. & Mrs. Anne D. Valentovic
Mr. David J. Yarbrough
Mr. Herbert A. & Mrs. E. Aileen Youmans
SCHOOL OF MEDICINE ALUMNI DONORS BY CLASS
CLASS OF 2023
(79 members, 2% participation)
Matthew C. O’Neal, MD
Melinda J. Sharon, MD
CLASS OF 2021
(75 members, 3% participation)
Samuel A. Kaplan, MD
Callie H. Seaman Watanabe, MD
CLASS OF 2018
(69 members, 1% participation)
Mallory N. Morris, MD
CLASS OF 2017
(73 members, 5% participation)
Mobeen Farooq, MD
Laura M. Given, MD
Abigail E. Smith, MD
Michelle M. Worthy, MD
CLASS OF 2016
(61 members, 8% participation)
Indira Bhavsar-Burke, MD
Matthew W. Boyer, MD
Audrey M. Dean, MD
Brittany L. Viscuse, MD
Paul V. Viscuse, MD
CLASS OF 2015
(66 members, 11% participation)
Jay R. Bronder, MD
Aaron M. Dom, MD
Rudolf Burcl, MD
Shayne M. Gue, MD
Andrew S. Martin, MD
Samir M. Shah, MD
Meaghan A. Tranovich, MD
CLASS OF 2014
(67 members, 7% participation)
Rebecca M. Hayes, MD
Maureen L. Joyce, MD
Matthew E. Krantz, MD
Majd G. Sweiss, MD
Lee A. Van Horn, MD
CLASS OF 2013
(74 members, 8% participation)
Caleb R. Huff, MD
C. Matthew Justice, MD
Jacob T. Kilgore, MD
D. Russell Richardson, MD
Kathleen H. Richardson, MD
Brittany V. Seminara, MD
CLASS OF 2012
(67 members, 10% participation)
Morgan C. Eckerd, MD
Elise M. Henning, MD
Jonathan A. Hess, MD
Krista T. Wagoner, MD
Erin H. Ward, MD
Price S. Ward, MD
Ian N. Wilhelm, MD
CLASS OF 2011
(67 members, 1 deceased, 9% participation)
Whitney A. Boggs, MD
Christopher W. Carey, MD
Daniel R. Felbaum, MD
Jennifer L. Gerlach, MD
Shea M. Goodrich, MD
Alice A. Walz, MD
CLASS OF 2010
(65 members, 12% participation)
Michael D. Binder, MD
Joshua A. Boggs, MD
Jessica K. Buerck, MD
Andrew R. Hutchens III, MD
Andrea M. Lauffer, MD
Jeff J. Mullins, MD
L. Matthew Pittman, MD
Steven A. Taylor, MD
CLASS OF 2009
(53 members, 9% participation)
Marc Hettlinger, MD
S. Nichelle Jadhar, MD
Samer S. Hodroge, MD
Janelle M. King, MD
Mary E. Smyrnioudis, MD
CLASS OF 2008
(41 members, 7% participation)
Tracy L. Hendershot, MD
Beth M. McCloud, MD
Danny R. Pizzino, MD
CLASS OF 2007
(49 members, 29% participation)
John L. Coyner, MD
Laurel A. Fedor, MD
Susan L. Flesher, MD
C. Andrew Gilliland, MD
Jeffrey K. Harris, MD
Cyrus C. Heydarian, MD
Andrea L. Kellar, MD
Joseph M. King, MD
* Alumni
Matthew E. Krantz, MD
Shabbir M. Matcheswalla, MD
Rosemarie A. Santos, MD
Elizabeth A. Saunders, MD
Meagan W. Shepherd, MD
Jay A. Shepherd, MD
CLASS OF 2006
(46 members, 9% participation)
Michael H. Gabriel, MD
Joseph A. Lambert II, MD
Jay P. Singh, MD
Shane A. Wells, MD
CLASS OF 2005
(43 members, 7% participation)
Sean Loudin, MD
David L. Martin Jr., MD
Brian A. Sauls, MD
CLASS OF 2004
(43 members, 1 deceased, 14% participation)
Krista L. Denning, MD
Jenna B. Dolan, MD
Brian S. Dunlap, MD
Stephen M. Jones Jr., MD
Scott E. Moore, MD
Elizabeth A. Saunders, MD
CLASS OF 2003
(50 members, 1 deceased, 8% participation)
Paul D. Akers II, MD
Erik B. Hurst, MD
Laura S. Hysell, MD
Leela V. Raju, MD
CLASS OF 2002
(46 members, 2 deceased, 9% participation)
Christopher S. Goode, MD
Eric W. Irwin, MD
Christine L. Jones, MD
Douglas F. Ritchie, MD
CLASS OF 2001
(51 members, 2 deceased, 16% participation)
R. Dan Bledsoe, MD
David C. Fore, MD
Marie J. Frazier, MD
Adrian S. Garmestani, MD
Amy L. Garmestani, MD
Christine L. Gilkerson, MD
Nathan M. Jesse, MD
Geoffrey L. Singer, MD
CLASS OF 2000
(48 members, 1 deceased, 11% participation)
Michael D. Cooper, MD
Jerry A. Dague, MD
David L. Eldridge, MD
Amber L. Kuhl, MD
Ray M. Van Metre, MD
CLASS OF 1999
(45 members, 1 deceased, 27% participation)
Larry D. Dial Jr., MD
Adam M. Franks, MD
Frank E. Fumich, MD
Indira D. Gautam, MD
Robert B. Gray, MD
Eric D. Jones, MD
Sharmilla M. Jones, MD
Devin A. King, MD
Aaron M. McGuffin, MD
Nancy B. Norton, MD
Bryan D. Springer, MD
Sharon L. Steinman, MD
Patrick A. Stone, MD
CLASS OF 1998
(46 members, 11% participation)
Amy R. Conley, MD
Robert J. Cure, MD
Curtis W. Harrison Jr., MD
James R. Patterson, MD
Dorothy A. Przydzial Smok, MD
CLASS OF 1997
(52 members, 2 deceased, 16% participation)
Paul D. Akers, MD
Charles W. Clements II, MD
Joseph L. Joyce, MD
Nimish K. Mehta, MD
Bobby L. Miller, MD
Jay T. Naegele, MD
Jerome Puryear Jr., MD
Jeffrey T. Smok, MD
CLASS OF 1996
(45 members, 1 deceased, 14% participation)
Jeffry T. Gee, MD
Jennifer L. Bennett Grube, MD
M. Ann Kuhn, MD
Molly R. Mathews, MD
Cynthia Z. Pinson, MD
Jack M. Trainor II, MD
CLASS OF 1995
(47 members, 2 deceased, 11% participation)
Glenn A. Harper, MD
David M. Hunt, MD
Mario R. Morenas, MD
Elizabeth A. Roberson, MD
Richard E. Ryncarz, MD
CLASS OF 1994
(49 members, 3 deceased, 15% participation)
E. Fritz Braunlich, MD
Rick J. Compton, MD
Lee C. Haikal, MD
Paula K. Larsen, MD
Satbir D. Singh, MD
Myra L. Wilkerson, MD
Patricia J. Wilson, MD
Many Thanks
CLASS OF 1993
(47 members, 5 deceased, 17% participation)
James B. Becker, MD
Shane A. Bowen, MD
Philip J. Ferkler, MD
Mary Beth Harler, MD
Jeffrey S. Holmes, MD
Mary B. Jenkins, MD
Mark S. Zalaznik, MD
CLASS OF 1992
(40 members, 2 deceased, 29% participation)
John J. Anton, MD
Kimberly A. Burgess, MD
Philip L. Casingal, MD
Jamie L. Jeffrey, MD
J. Jeffrey McElroy, MD
William E. Passodelis, MD
Gary J. Petty, MD
Henry R. Preston, MD
Gary W. Procop, MD
Tina M. Sias, MD
Jeffrey N. Thaxton, MD
CLASS OF 1991
(44 members, 1 deceased, 33% participation)
G. Monty Baylor, MD
J. Beth Day, MD
Harry H. Dinsmore Jr., MD
Joseph W. Dransfeld, MD
Deborah H. Gillispie, MD
Bradley D. Henry, MD
Joel T. Hummer, MD
William R. Jeffrey, MD
Jack L. Kinder Jr., MD
Bruce J. Kowalski, MD
Joan B. Lehmann, MD
Charlotte A. Rhee, MD
Friday G. Simpson, MD
M. Teresa Vives-Aceves, MD
CLASS OF 1990
(37 members, 2 deceased, 31% participation)
Jayne A. Barr, MD
R. Todd Chambers, MD
Eric S. Eanes, MD
Paul J. Grandinetti, MD
Greta V. Guyer, MD
Wanda M. Hembree, MD
Terry L. Hummer, MD
John D. Roth, MD
Daniel W. Russell, MD
Bernie M. Simons, MD
Debra I. Stoner, MD
CLASS OF 1989
(38 members, 4 deceased, 26% participation)
Robert C. Anton, MD
Cheryl L. Cook, MD
Carol H. Cooper, MD
Michael W. Gibbs, MD
Mary M. Griffith, MD
Gary D. Stoner, MD
Debra J. Stultz, MD
William N. White, MD
W. Matthew Zban, MD
CLASS OF 1988
(42 members, 2 deceased, 27% participation)
Ignacio Cardenas, MD
Carolyn A. Cline, MD
Joan A. Lynch, MD
James M. Mears, MD
James F. O’Neal, MD
Allison L. Ross, MD
Mitsuko P. Shannon, MD
Sheryl L. Stephens, MD
CLASS OF 1987
(40 members, 20% participation)
Nancy B. Graham, MD
Darlene Y. Gruetter, MD
Christopher E. Hayner, MD
James T. Holbrook, MD
Manuel E. Molina, MD
Yaacov R. Pushkin, MD
Mark F. Sheridan, MD
Gary R. Youmans, MD
CLASS OF 1986
(46 members, 3 deceased, 35% participation)
William R. Brooks Jr., MD
Elaine L. Flanders, MD
M. Jeanne Gorham, MD
John A. Hoffman, MD
Eric W. Janssen, MD
Joanne M. Lebow, MD
Kenneth F. McNeil, MD
Scott E. Miller, MD
Stuart M. Roth, MD
Donna J. Slayton, MD
Elizabeth L. Spangler, MD
Mark A. Studeny, MD
Larry W. Watson, MD
Marc A. Workman, MD
Elaine M. Young, MD
CLASS OF 1985
(34 members, 2 deceased, 19% participation)
Simon K. Chang, MD
Cheryl L. Cook, MD
F. Mark Goodwin, MD
Scot D. Hines, MD
Helen R. Thornton, MD
Kevin J. Willis, MD
CLASS OF 1984
(36 members, 5 deceased, 29% participation)
Marsha L. Bailey, MD
Timothy D. Canterbury, MD
Robert A. Hess, MD
C. Douglas Phillips, MD
Ezra B. Riber, MD
Susan A. Terry, MD
Donnah S. Wolodkin Whitaker, MD
Jeffery W. Whightsel, MD
Christopher J. Whitten, MD
CLASS OF 1983
(36 members, 1 deceased, 34% participation)
Fred D. Adams, MD
Lou Gene Bartram, MD
Jerry G. Blackwell, MD
Karen N. Dansby, MD
Sam R. Davis, MD
James W. Endicott, MD
W. Douglas Given, MD
Garrie J. Haas Jr., MD
R. Mark Hatfield, MD
Hobart K. Richey, MD
William S. Sheils Jr., MD
Samuel D. Wellman, MD
CLASS OF 1982
(23 members, 4 deceased, 53% participation)
Joseph E. Evans, MD
Rose Anne Goodwin, MD
F. Beth Kemp, MD
Gretchen E. Oley, MD
Ron D. Stollings, MD
Thomas B. Styer, MD
CLASS OF 1981
(18 members, 2 deceased, 31% participation)
Patrick C. Bonasso, MD
Douglas E. McCorkle, MD
Brenda C. Smith, MD
Stephen C. Smith, MD
Robert E. Turner, MD
Of the 1,948 School of Medicine living graduates representing the classes of 1981-2018 and the classes of 2021 and 2023, there were 274 donors for an overall participation of 14%.
2024 SCHOOL OF MEDICINE SCHOLARSHIP CAMPAIGN
Listed in alphabetical order are the new scholarships created throughout the past year to benefit Marshall medical students. Academic and need-based scholarships ensure that Marshall attracts the most promising students to serve as the future of health care.
AKERS FAMILY SCHOLARSHIP
Drs. Paul D. Akers (’97) and M. Jason Akers (’03) have established a scholarship in honor of their father, Paul V. Akers, MD, a long-time radiologist in the Huntington community. The brothers are supporting entering medical students while honoring their father’s remarkable career in radiology through the Akers Family Scholarship
Dr. Paul V. Akers’ journey in medicine began at Marshall University in the early 1960s. Following his graduation from the WVU School of Medicine in 1969, he practiced emergency room medicine before serving as a flight surgeon in the U.S. Air Force, rising to the rank of Major. Dr. Akers’ commitment to the field of radiology flourished as he completed a diagnostic radiology residency at the University of Cincinnati. He returned to Huntington to join Radiology, Inc. in 1976, where he practiced until his retirement in 2006. During that time, he served as professor and chair of the Department of Radiology at the School of Medicine; president of the medical staff at St. Mary’s Medical Center; and president of Radiology, Inc. His sons followed in his footsteps and are also diagnostic radiologists with Radiology, Inc.
“As alumni, we understand the importance of supporting the School of Medicine,” said the Akers brothers. “It is a privilege to provide this scholarship in honor of our father as recognition of his career in radiology education and clinical practice.”
KATHLEEN “KATHY” M. FORTUNATO MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP
Kathy Fortunato (Sept. 6, 1959 – July 18, 2006) had a passion for leadership, philanthropy and the medical
community. She was the executive director of the Ohio County Medical Society and marketing director of First Financial Partners in Wheeling, West Virginia. She enjoyed giving her time, talents and treasures to all the clubs and organizations she belonged to in the Ohio Valley, but her first love was always her family.
To honor her memory, her husband, Michael A. Fortunato, MD, and daughter, Andrea L. Kellar, MD (’07), have established the Kathleen M. “Kathy” Fortunato Memorial Scholarship. The one-time scholarship is for a rising fourth-year medical student from West Virginia’s northern panhandle. The student must be in good academic standing and have a track record of leadership, community service and philanthropy.
“Our family is so appreciative of the opportunity to keep my mom’s legacy alive while providing financial support for medical students,” Dr. Kellar said.
DR. H.R. AND MRS. CAROL B. PRESTON SCHOLARSHIP
Dr. H.R. and Mrs. Carol B. Preston have endowed a scholarship through the school’s “Adopt a Medical Student” initiative. The Prestons’ scholarship provides financial assistance to first-year medical students with demonstrated financial need and is renewable for up to three additional years, pending normal academic progress. First preference is given to graduates of Berea College, followed by residents of eastern Kentucky and then residents of Kentucky.
“Marshall provided me with the education and support I needed to build a fulfilling career,” said Dr. Preston. “This scholarship is our way of giving back while also encouraging Kentuckians to pursue medical careers.”
Dr. Preston, a native of Louisa, Kentucky, is a 1992 graduate of the Joan C. Edwards School of Medicine and now practices family and sleep medicine in Georgetown, Kentucky. Mrs. Carol Preston is a 1990 graduate of Marshall University with a degree in marketing and the director of donor relations for the AMEN House, a nonprofit organization in Georgetown.
Kathy Fortunato
Drs. Paul D. Akers, Paul V. Akers and M. Jason Akers
Preston family
DR. JEFFREY W. WHIGHTSEL SCHOLARSHIP
Jeffrey W. Whightsel, MD (’84), understands the many challenges that come with balancing medical school and parenthood. He was a single dad when he was working toward his medical degree.
DR. DONALD AND MARY LOU ROBINSON SCHOLARSHIP
Now, Dr. Whightsel and his wife, Cheryl, have established the Dr. Jeffrey W. Whightsel Scholarship dedicated to supporting entering first-year medical students with children or from single-parent families attending medical school. The award is renewable for three additional years, pending normal academic progress.
“It is a privilege to contribute to the future of a medical student’s education at Marshall,” Dr. Whightsel said. “This scholarship was created to help ease the financial burden for both the student and child.”
YAO MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP
Darlene Yao Gruetter, MD (’87), has endowed a scholarship to honor her parents, Mr. Stephen C. and Mrs. Pei Lan Yao.
Mr. Yao, a linguist fluent in multiple languages, served as an interpreter for Voice of America during the Cold War and was pursuing a Ph.D. in International Studies at the time of his passing. Mrs. Yao, a homemaker known for her generosity, intelligence, independence and industrious nature, valued education deeply.
“My parents encouraged and supported me to pursue higher education and achieve success in my chosen field,” Dr. Gruetter said. “I am grateful for the excellent medical education and residency training I received at Marshall that prepared me well for a 30-plus-year career in pathology. I would like to support upcoming medical students in furthering their education through this scholarship that honors my parents.”
Donald S. Robinson, MD, was a pioneer in psychopharmacology as well as a man of many passions. An avid outdoorsman, international traveler, baker and lover of literature, he balanced his professional achievements with a rich personal life. His wife, Mary Lou Robinson, mirrored his dedication to service through her impactful career as a community leader and public health advocate. She continues to model a life of service to others and a lifelong dedication to learning by establishing the Dr. Donald and Mary Lou Robinson Scholarship to support an out-of-state medical student at the School of Medicine.
After graduating from the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine in 1959, Dr. Robinson’s interest in clinical pharmacology blossomed during his fellowship at the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute (NHLBI) in the late 1960s. His groundbreaking research on pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic (PK/PD) relationships laid the foundation for modern clinical psychopharmacology and drug development, particularly in understanding how genetic variations affect drug responses.
In 1968, Dr. Robinson established the Clinical Pharmacology Unit at the University of Vermont. A decade later, he founded the Department of Pharmacology at Marshall’s newly formed School of Medicine, serving as the department’s first chair until 1984. His achievements also include the creation of a Mood Disorder Clinic in collaboration with the Marshall University Department of Psychiatry and a drug level assay laboratory at the VA Medical Center, the first in this region of West Virginia.
In the latter part of his career, Dr. Robinson transitioned to the pharmaceutical industry. He became the head of central nervous system (CNS) research at Bristol-Myers Squibb. Under his leadership, three new medicines successfully navigated clinical development and received FDA approval. Even after retiring in 1993, he continued to share his expertise through consulting and mentoring.
“In the 1970s, we made Huntington, West Virginia, our home as we joined the Marshall University School of Medicine,” Mary Lou Robinson said. “From the moment we arrived, we were welcomed with warmth and found immense joy in the vibrant community and the countless opportunities the town offered. It was a transformative period in our lives, filled with both professional growth and personal fulfillment.”
Dr. Darlene Gruetter
Dr. Donald & Mrs. Mary Lou Robinson
Dr. Jeffrey Whightsel
Additional Endowments
NEW ENDOWMENT ESTABLISHED TO HONOR DR. CHUCK CLEMENTS AND SUPPORT MARSHALL MEDICAL OUTREACH
A new endowment at the Joan C. Edwards School of Medicine will provide sustained support for Marshall Medical Outreach (MMO), a student-led initiative that delivers vital health care services to the region’s homeless and underserved populations. The endowment also honors the group’s retired long-time faculty advisor, Charles W. “Chuck” Clements, MD.
Initial funds for the endowment, created through the generosity of the MagMutual Foundation, Huntington Clinical Foundation and Adam M. Franks, MD, vice dean for rural health and professor and chair of family and community health at the Joan C. Edwards School of Medicine, will help ensure the long-term success of MMO, which has been serving the community since 2012. The program provides free medical care, including check-ups, medications, vaccinations and referrals, to individuals experiencing homelessness in Huntington and the surrounding areas.
“The Huntington Clinical Foundation has always been a staunch supporter of MMO’s mission to deliver exceptional medical services to our community,” said Torin P. Walters, MD, member of the Huntington Clinical Foundation board of directors. “The decision by the School of Medicine to honor Dr. Chuck Clements is a testament to his unwavering dedication and remarkable contributions. It truly feels like a home run for everyone involved.”
“Honoring Dr. Chuck Clements is a profound acknowledgment of his exceptional leadership in organizing and guiding MMO,” Dr. Franks said. “His dedication has not only provided medical care to hundreds of disadvantaged individuals in Huntington but has also been instrumental in shaping the careers and professional skills of our medical students. Dr. Clements’ impact on our community and future health care professionals is truly immeasurable.”
In 2011, a group of three medical students approached Dr. Clements to be the supervising faculty member of a new group that they were organizing called MMO. Now, more than a decade later, volunteers from across Marshall University continue to set up a mobile clinic on the third Saturday of each month in a downtown Huntington parking lot, providing physical exams, immunizations, over-the-counter medications, ophthalmology services and referrals to those in need. Students from the
School of Medicine, alongside faculty and community volunteers, participate in MMO, gaining valuable experience in both medical services and compassionate care.
“MMO was started by students and is still completely studentled,” said Dr. Clements, who retired in 2023. “It is a chance for medical students to get outside the classroom and hospital, meet people, take their histories and vitals and then identify potential diagnoses and treatment. In many cases, it is the first opportunity medical students have to practice medicine.”
The endowment will fund ongoing operations, including medical supplies, equipment and other necessities for the outreach program. It will also support the expansion of services to reach more individuals in need and explore new partnerships with community organizations.
NEW ENDOWMENT SUPPORTS ALZHEIMER’S RESEARCH
A new endowment fund established by the West Virginia Order of the Eastern Star supports Alzheimer’s research efforts at the Joan C. Edwards School of Medicine, aiming to advance scientific understanding and develop effective treatments for Alzheimer’s disease.
Each year, during its annual Grand Chapter Session, the Order’s Worthy Grand Matron selects a special project or charity to support. In October 2022, Teresa D. Cisco was elected Worthy Grand Matron and chose to focus on Alzheimer’s research, driven by a deeply personal connection to the cause.
“My mother, Melissa D. Cisco, was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s in 2019 by a neurologist at Marshall University’s School of Medicine,” Cisco said. “I watched this strong, intelligent woman’s mind slowly deteriorate due to the devastating effects of Alzheimer’s disease. Witnessing its profound impact on patients and their families, I felt compelled to contribute to finding a cure, and Marshall University was the natural choice.”
Linda Holmes and Teresa Cisco
Dr. Charles “Chuck” Clements
2023-2024 SCHOOL OF MEDICINE SCHOLARSHIP RECIPIENTS
Thank you to our generous alumni, families, faculty, friends and patients for contributing $3.9 million in scholarship support to these Marshall medical students for the 2023-2024 academic year. Your commitment to the future of medicine is truly inspiring.
JOAN C. EDWARDS CHARITABLE FOUNDATION SCHOLARSHIP
Class of 2024
Gloria Adubofour; Tyler Bayliss; Mackenzie Bergeron; Seth Bergeron; Taylor Boggess; Caroline Briggs; Tristan Burgess; Sydney Dangott; Jeremy Eckels; Morgan Elmore; Shealyn Falbo; Andrew Ferguson; Lady Ferguson; Taylor Fleshman; Kassandra Flores; Chase Gillispie; John Goellner; Lauren Hanna; Gavin Hayes; Juan Hernandez-Pelcastre; Jentre Hyde; Dylan Jayasuriya; Brett Johnson; Joshua Keefer; Willie Kimler; Alec Konrad; Austin Loop; Thaddeus Martin; Kelsey Matusic; Andrew McAward; Thomas McIntosh; Justin Merritt; Zachary Mitchell; Mariah Morris; Shannon Morrone; Karagan Mulhall; Makala Murphy; Levi Nolan; Mary Perdoncin; Dominic Raymond III; Danielle Roth; Dylan Smith; Michael Smith; Shelley St. Clair; Caleb Sturgeon Clark; Graham Sutherland; Jessica Tall; Nicholas Tate; Kathryn Taylor; Madison Wall; Jessica Wellman; Shelby Wellman; Matthew Werhoff Jr.; Hania Woomer; Zachary Wright
Class of 2025
Marissa Alvarez; Brandon Angalich; Mary Anton; Alex Ashley; Jacy Baxter; Allison Beverlin; Ean Bills; Charles Byrum; Nicholas Casingal; Ryan Churma; Ryann Conley; Jessica Crislip; Samuel Crow; Stanley Czahoroski; Joshua Davis; Zoha Durrani; Matthew Eastham; Faith Ferguson; Richard Ford; Colby Gresak; Leah Hahn; Danny Holbert; Stephen Holley; Dontreyl Holsey; Hannah Hudson; Calyb King; John Kinney; Rebecca Lee; Olivia Lim; Rachel Maddox; Madeleine Marks; Zachary McConnell; Kendalyn McDaniel; Erin McGrady; Megan Morral; Michael Mueller; Tania Nguyen; Mohammad Noor; Nicole Oliashirazi; Jonathan Petty; John Pickstone; Marlena Pigliacampi; Cheston Porter; Rachel Price; Jennifer Qasim; Stephen Richbart; Neema Saadevandi; Tylar Seckman; Paul Shaver; Coy Smith; Michael Smith; Kennedy Snavely; Chase Stevens; Amber Sturgill; Samuel Suite; David Taylor; Daniel Testa; Chuchitra Thanigaivasan; Aishwarya Vijay; Justin West
JAMES F. & JOAN C. EDWARDS SCHOLARSHIP
Class of 2024
Heba Boustany
Class of 2025
Colby Gresak
Benjamin Thompson
Class of 2026
Samuel Casto
Lily Cessna
Joshua Eastman
Holly Edwards
Lauren Fife
Thomas Mosman
Toni Stickley
Clay Willis
Class of 2026
Raza Ahmed; Ala-Eddin Al-Astal; Vijay Bharti; Alexys Bolden; Madison Bowles; Samuel Casto; Lily Cessna; Jaclyn Choate; Benjamin Clark; Jacob Clark; Lauren Clower; Jovon Cobbs; Nicholas Coker; Vincent Coleman; Dominic Collins; Skylar Cooper; Frederick Crow IV; Alexander Dague; Robert Dalton; Ian DePew; Garrett Douglas; Mathew Dudich; Joshua Eastman; Laura Farr; Lauren Fife; Payton Fitchpatrick; David Fox; Virginia Franklin; Nicholas Freeman; Katherine Germann; Amy Gregory; Zane Griffith; Jonathan Groves; Sarah Hoard; Aidan Keaveny; Bridgette King; Andrew Lester; Eric Lewandowski; Esther Masayi; Rita Mattar; Anna Mayo; Alyssa Milbee; Mackenzie Miller; Thomas Mosman; Tristan Patton; Annabella Pauley; Jake Peterson; Alec Phelps; Kara Piechowski; Steven Pribanich IV; David Reed; Madelyn Ross; Kristen Sanders; Emily Saurborn; Sophia Shank; Marvin Simpkins; Brianna Singer; Colton Smith; Claire Soucier; Donovan Spencer; Katherine Steele; Toni Stickley; Amanda Sugrue; Adolfo Torres; Nkechi Uradu; Anderson White; Clay Willis; Steven Wu; Emily Yablonsky
Class of 2027
Olubukunola Adeshina; Oludamilola Adeshina; Jessica Adkins; Matthew Bane; Osasenaga Benjy-osarenkhoe; Saige Boris; Autumn Brittingham; Joseph Burchett; Jacqueline Cavendish; Danny Sameh Darwich; Rachel Dial; Tyler Eirich; Audrey Grigore; Jacob Hackett; Joshua Kelley; Iram Kingson; David Lee; Hannah Maier; Mohammad Martini; Olivia McCoy; Uchechi Nnaka; Jonathan Noble; Sneh Patel; Taha Rana; Emma Sitler; Sidney Strause; Alyssa Stricklen; Braden Wurst
“It is incredibly rewarding to have a hospital in my hometown recognize my educational efforts. Many people close to me, including my mother, have been employed at Pleasant Valley Hospital (now Rivers Health). So, I am deeply grateful for the hospital’s continued scholarship support as I pursue medical school.”
— Cohen W. Yates, Class of 2028 Pt. Pleasant, West Virginia
CLASS OF 2024
RECIPIENTS SCHOLARSHIPS
Tyler Bayliss
Mackenzie Bergeron
Bernice Dorsey Douthat & Lyell V. Douthat; Dr. & Mrs. Mark Sheridan; Weisberg Charitable Trust
Dr. & Mrs. Charles Reynolds; Herschel Howard Sargent; Weisberg Charitable Trust; JCESOM Scholarship Campaign
Seth Bergeron Herschel Howard Sargent; Weisberg Charitable Trust
Taylor Boggess Ernest M. Walker, MD, Memorial
Caroline Briggs Herschel Howard Sargent; JCESOM Scholarship Campaign
Tristan Burgess BrickStreet; Milton & Betty Ferguson; Dr. Winfield C. John Memorial
Sydney Dangott Harry & Elise Carnahan
Jeremy Eckels JCESOM Faculty; Nadar Family Foundation
Morgan Elmore
Dr. Dorothy E. Hicks
Andrew Ferguson Brent A. Marsteller; Weisberg Charitable Trust; Dr. R.J. Wilkinson Memorial
Lady Grace Ferguson Charles R. & Mary Burris McCollister Memorial; Weisberg Charitable Trust
Taylor Fleshman Walter E. Duling; Dr. R.J. Wilkinson Memorial
Chase Gillispie Milton & Betty Ferguson
John Goellner Dr. Paul & Allison Ferguson; JCESOM Scholarship Campaign
Gavin Hayes Dr. R.J. Wilkinson Memorial
Juan Hernandez-Pelcastre Slater Trust
Jentre Hyde Dr. Elizabeth Dovec
Brett Johnson JCESOM Scholarship Campaign
Joshua Keefer JCESOM Class of 2021
CLASS OF 2025
RECIPIENTS SCHOLARSHIPS
Pooja Ajay Warrier Ramsey Endowed
Brandon Angalich BrickStreet; The Health Plan
Jacy Baxter E. Pauline Harrell Memorial
Allison Beverlin BrickStreet
Ean Bills Joseph & Karen McDonie
Samuel Crow Virginia D. Kirkwood
Stanley Czahoroski JCESOM Scholarship Campaign
Leah Hahn JCESOM Scholarship Campaign
Roland Hamrick Philip N. Zambos, MD
Danny Holbert Becker Family
Dontreyl Holsey BrickStreet; Touma Family
Hannah Hudson Marshall Family Medicine
Kylie Johnson JCESOM Class of 2006; JCESOM Scholarship Campaign
Selena Khanna BrickStreet
Calyb King JCESOM Scholarship Campaign
John Kinney Norma J. Bromley
Rebecca Lee Dr. Cheryl L. Cook & Family; Brent A. Marsteller; JCESOM Scholarship Campaign
Olivia Lim Philippine Medical Association of WV; Valentovic Memorial; JCESOM Scholarship Campaign
RECIPIENTS SCHOLARSHIPS
Willie Kimler Marshall Surgery
Austin Loop Charles & Norma Carroll; Dr. Peter Chirico
Thaddeus Martin Rivers Health (formerly Pleasant Valley Hospital)
Kelsey Matusic C. Hensley & R.W. Thomas; Weisberg Charitable Trust; JCESOM Class of 1983; JCESOM Alumni
Andrew McAward Bettye Esposito; Slater Trust
Thomas McIntosh Mufson Family Award; JCESOM Memorial
Justin Merritt McCorkle Family
Zachary Mitchell Goodwin Family; Bertha & Lake Polan
Mariah Morris Ruth E. Butler; Mary R. Shapiro
Shannon Morrone BrickStreet; Dr. Patrick I. Brown; Milton & Betty Ferguson
Karagan Mulhall Norval Carter Memorial
Makala Murphy Norval Carter Memorial; Dr. Frederick J. & Agnes Marie Hoitash; Dr. Friday Simpson
Levi Nolan Sylvia & Milton Marshall Memorial
Danielle Roth William J. Echols, MD, Memorial
Dylan Smith BrickStreet; Sylvia & Milton Marshall Memorial
Caleb Sturgeon Clark Dr. R.J. Wilkinson Memorial
Graham Sutherland BrickStreet; Slater Trust
Jessica Tall BrickStreet; Slater Trust; Touma Family; JCESOM Scholarship Campaign
Kathryn Taylor JCESOM Scholarship Campaign
Jessica Wellman Walter E. Duling; Evans Family; Brent A. Marsteller
“Your generosity has not only eased the financial burden of medical school but also allowed me to dedicate my time and energy to my studies and clinical training. Thanks to your help, I have been able to grow both academically and professionally, preparing myself for the challenges of my medical career. As I look forward to graduating and starting my residency, I am inspired to carry the spirit of giving forward and serve my future patients with the same generosity and compassion that you have shown me.”
— Tania Nguyen, Class of 2025 Martinsburg, West Virginia
RECIPIENTS
SCHOLARSHIPS
Jacob Loggins Drs. Glenn & Jennifer Brammer
Rachel Maddox Wayne County
Erin McGrady The Health Plan
Cora Miracle Faith Fry Memorial
Megan Morral Dr. Clark D. Adkins
Mohammad Noor
John Pickstone
CLASS OF 2025
RECIPIENTS SCHOLARSHIPS
Rachel Price Gerard J. Oakley, MD; JCESOM Scholarship Campaign
Jennifer Qasim BrickStreet
Stephen Richbart Valentovic Memorial
Coy Smith
Michael Smith
Anthony M. Alberico, MD
Dr. Catherine Steele Memorial; Valentovic Memorial
Marlena Pigliacampi John R. “Dick” Maloney, MD; Marshall Orthopaedics Third Year
Cheston Porter Dr. Charles & Mrs. Mary Anton Jr.
RECIPIENTS
Dr. Marc Hettlinger
Joseph I. Shapiro; JCESOM Scholarship Campaign
Kennedy Snavely John & Donna Underwood
Amber Sturgill BrickStreet
Samuel Suite JCESOM Scholarship Campaign
Daniel Testa Dr. Amy & Col. James Conley
CLASS OF 2026
SCHOLARSHIPS
Raza Ahmed JCESOM Class of 2002
Alexys Bolden Larry & Cheryl Tweel
Madison Bowles JCESOM Class of 1990
Paige Boyd Dr. Elmer & Mary Vega; JCESOM Scholarship Campaign
Samuel Casto Dr. Myra Wilkerson
Lily Cessna
JCESOM Class of 1985
Jaclyn Choate Ratcliff Family; Margaret “Peggy” Theis
Benjamin Clark
Jacob Clark
Jovon Cobbs
Nicholas Coker
Walter E. Duling
Edward J. & Marie Aliff Clay; JCESOM Class of 1983
Dr. J. Puryear Diversity; Radiology Graduates’
Fred & Louise Janssen; Sekar Family
Vincent Coleman BrickStreet; JCESOM Class of 1984
Dominic Collins
Walter E. Duling
Skylar Cooper BrickStreet; Kowalski Family; JCESOM Class of 2004; JCESOM Scholarship Campaign
Alexander Dague Dr. Emily Seidler
Robert Dalton
Ian DePew
JCESOM Class of 2013
JCESOM Class of 2009; JCESOM Scholarship Campaign
Garrett Douglas BrickStreet
Mathew Dudich BrickStreet; Dr. Donnah Wolodkin Whitaker
Joshua Eastman
Dr. Maurice & Diane Mufson Expendable; Mufson Family Award
Holly Edwards HIMG Founders; Brent A. Marsteller
Lauren Fife Brent A. Marsteller
Payton Fitchpatrick Dr. Gary Tolley Memorial
David Fox Drs. Sanjeev Sharma & Barbara Lahr
Katherine Germann C. Stafford Clay
Amy Gregory David A. Brosius Memorial; JCESOM Scholarship Campaign
Zane Griffith
JCESOM Scholarship Campaign
Jonathan Groves JCESOM Class of 2020
Sarah Hoard Walter E. Duling
Aidan Keaveny JCESOM Class of 1993; JCESOM Scholarship Campaign
Andrew Lester Elizabeth; Buzz & Norma Nash; Dr. Monica
Richey Walker; JCESOM Scholarship Campaign
RECIPIENTS SCHOLARSHIPS
Eric Lewandowski JCESOM Class of 2017; JCESOM Scholarship Campaign
Rita Mattar Kevin W. Yingling, MD
Anna Mayo Sean & Beth Hammers; JCESOM Scholarship Campaign
Ashton McDonald Dr. Susann L. Lovejoy Memorial; Sekar Family
Alyssa Milbee BrickStreet
Mackenzie Miller Andrews
Thomas Mosman Dr. Ezra B. Riber
Tristan Patton Wilson Family
Annabella Pauley Bernard & Pansy Wellington
Jake Peterson Dr. & Ms. Thomas J. Holbrook Memorial
Alec Phelps BrickStreet
Kara Piechowski
Steven Pribanich IV
JCESOM Class of 1988; JCESOM Scholarship Campaign
Kathleen. M. O’Hanlon, MD
David Reed BrickStreet
Madelyn Ross Paul R. Durst, MD
Kristen Sanders BrickStreet
Emily Saurborn JCESOM Class of 1991
Sophia Shank JCESOM Class of 2022
Marvin Simpkins Mahmood Heydarian, MD
Kristiana Sklioutouskaya- Erling C.J. Norrby, MD, PhD
Lopez
Colton Smith
Alpha Natural Resources; John Cooke Family
William Snider JCESOM Class of 1997; JCESOM Scholarship Campaign
Claire Soucier JCESOM Class of 1996
Katherine Steele AT&T
Toni Stickley JCESOM Class of 1989; JCESOM Scholarship Campaign
Akshay Suresh Dr. John & Lisa Roth
Nkechi Uradu Dr. Rinard Z. & Margaret Ann Gibson Hart; Jerry & Margaret Hodge; W. Carl Kappes; JCESOM Scholarship Campaign
Anderson White Drs. Andrew & Pat Schindzielorz; Sekar Family
Emily Yablonsky Cabell County Medical Society Alliance; JCESOM Class of 1999; JCESOM Scholarship Campaign
RECIPIENTS
CLASS OF 2027
SCHOLARSHIPS
Olubukunola Adeshina JCESOM Class of 1986; JCESOM Scholarship Campaign
Jessica Adkins BrickStreet; Harrah Family
Catherine Allen Clyde Albert Burgess, MD; Charlie Lewis; JCESOM Class of 2014
Chance Anderson Dr. Michael & Kari Cooper
Cedric Annan BrickStreet; JCESOM Class of 2018; JCESOM Scholarship Campaign
Matthew Bane Radiology Graduates’; WV Medical Association Alliance
Saige Boris BrickStreet; Dr. Charles McKown Jr.
Kayla Coffman Clyde Albert Burgess, MD
Casey Crawford BrickStreet; Huntington Clinical Foundation; JCESOM Class of 2016
Brad Cremeans Brent A. Marsteller; Milton & Betty Ferguson
Aakriti Damai Dr. Gretchen Oley Family
Joseph Deaton Brent A. Marsteller; JCESOM Scholarship Campaign
Nathan DeTemple Dr. Charles McKown Jr.
Rachel Dial BrickStreet
Sarah Eaglen BrickStreet; James J. Schneider
Tyler Eirich Dr. Friday Simpson
Benjamin Finkenbine AT&T
Tyler Flaugher Mahmood Heydarian, MD
Rebecca Garan Dr. Charles McKown Jr.
Julia Grandinetti Nadar Family
Audrey Grigore Dr. Dorothy E. Hicks
Jacob Hackett Radiology Graduates’
Gabrielle Hammers Fox Family
Rebecca Hicks BrickStreet; Fred & Louise Janssen
Hannah Hilbelink Fred & Louise Janssen
Sean Hill Karickhoff, MD; Drs. Sanjeev Sharma & Barbara Lahr
Abigail Keeton Daniel & Teresa Cowell Memorial; Dr. Charlotte Rhee
Joshua Kelley Drs. Subhash & Rashmi Kumar
Zoya Khalid BrickStreet; C. Douglas Phillips, MD, FACR
Iram Kingson HIMG Founders
Jonathan Lipovich BrickStreet; Goode Family
Hannah Maier BrickStreet
Sophia McMillion Cynthia A. Warren
Sydney McSweeney BrickStreet; Dr. Louis R. Molina; Garee & Mary Ransbottom; Bernard & Pansy Wellington
Kaleab Mengesha JCESOM Alumni Association Presidential
Mitchell Nelson Kowalski Family; Dr. Kevin & Tammy Smith
Anh Duy Nguyen JCESOM Class of 2007
Ethan Niebergall Huntington Clinical Foundation; Watson Family
Uchechi Nnaka BrickStreet; JCESOM Class of 2003
Jonathan Noble BrickStreet; Goodwin Family
Gabrielle Potter JCESOM Class of 1992
Taha Rana Mr. & Mrs. Guy C. Nangle
Daniel Richmond BrickStreet; Dr. Charles McKown Jr.
RECIPIENTS
SCHOLARSHIPS
Wade Ritchie William J. Echols, MD, Memorial; Given Family
Yasin Sadeghian BrickStreet; Harrah Family
Darshan Sangani BrickStreet; Cynthia A. Warren
Aidan Sauls Dr. Henry Hatfield
Malina Serrano Dr. Louis R. Molina; Kathleen M. O’Hanlon
Anthony Siler Jayne A. Barr, MD, Family
Sydney Smith Kowalski Family; Dr. & Mrs. Scott Miller Family
Steven Snuffer 1439
Madison Stamper JCESOM Class of 1981
Sidney Strause David C. Griffin, MD; John B. Hamilton; Marshall University Alumni MOV Bison Club; Dr. Amir Rashid Piracha
Alyssa Stricklen Dr. R. Mark & Monica J.W. Hatfield
Jordyn Torrens Wilson Family
Colton Treadway Phillips Family
Zach Turner JCESOM Class of 1981
Georgia White JCESOM Class of 1981
Cassidy Woodrum Brent A. Marsteller; Dr. Thomas B. Styer; Watson Family
Benjamin Wooten Ratcliff Family
Salvia Zafar JCESOM Class of 1982
“As an out-of-state medical student, the cost of pursuing my education is significant, and my scholarship greatly alleviates the financial burden and allows me to focus on my studies. As I work toward my goal of becoming a physician, the generosity of our scholarship donors is a tremendous help, and I am committed to making the most of this opportunity.”
— Justin B. West, MS, Class of 2025 Covington, Georgia
MD WHITE COAT & MEDICAL INSTRUMENTS
The Joan C. Edwards School of Medicine thanks the more than 120 School of Medicine alumni, faculty, staff and friends who generously purchased white coats, medical instruments and sponsorships for the Class of 2028. The names of the donors and student recipients are listed on the following pages.
Welcome to the Class of 2028: A new class of future physicians is welcomed into the ranks at the annual White Coat Ceremony.
Our SPECIAL THANKS go to Drs. Joseph B. and Omayma T. Touma for providing TOP-OF-THE-LINE stethoscopes for every student and Dr. Ali and Mrs. Corinna Oliashirazi for their support of this milestone event.
White coats are placed on the shoulders of entering medical students by individuals who believe in and support them.
Scan the QR code to view more photos from the MD White Coat Ceremony.
The White Coat Ceremony marks the start of the journey to become a physician.
2028 MD CLASS STATS
The Class of 2028 includes students from a variety of backgrounds and represents 35 undergraduate colleges and universities across the country. Other interesting statistics about the class include:
57% are from West Virginia.
89% were science majors.
10% entered with graduate degrees, including one Doctor of Pharmacy graduate.
11% entered from Marshall’s BS/MD program, a pathway for high-performing West Virginia students to finish both their Bachelor of Science and Doctor of Medicine degrees in seven years.
9% entered from Marshall’s MD Early Assurance program, which provides a clear pathway to medical school for both instate and out-of-state high-achieving undergraduate students at Marshall.
White Coats: MD Class of 2028
Mr. William & Friends David T. Kumar
Mrs. P. Kimberly Allen
R. Daniel Bledsoe, MD 2001 Joshua E. Miller
Drs. Joshua A. & 2010/2011 Kaitlyn R. Foltz
Whitney A. Boggs
Karim W. Boukhemis, MD 2011 Lily C. Melink
Shane A. Bowen, MD 1993 Javohn C.T. Moore
William R. Brooks Jr., MD 1986 Khaled A.E. El-Shazly
Charles Bukovinsky, MD 1987 Courtney F. Lulek
Christopher W. Carey, MD 2011 McKensie R. Spencer
Philip L. Casingal, MD 1992 Joel R. Casingal
Mrs. Dee Dee Chambers Friend Kassandra E. Looschen
Peter A. Chirico, MD Faculty Nikolas M. Blackburn
Peter A. Chirico, MD Faculty Isabella G. Stuart
Lauren E. Cline, MD 2012 Kacey R. Poe
Dr. Rick J. & 1994 Jacob L. Morgan
Mrs. Jennifer Compton
Amy L. Conley, MD 1998 N.L. Sowmya Gannavaram
Pamela A. Cyrus, MD 1989 Alana R. Kassis
Jerry A. Dague, MD 2000 Smara D. Sigdel
Samuel R. Davis, MD 1983 Kevin D. Bao
Drs. Ronald deAndrade 1983/1982 Adel Kanaan & Kim M. Jordan
Mrs. Julie A. DeTemple Family Jenna G. DeTemple
Joseph W. Dransfeld, MD 1991 Kayla L. Tyler
Mr. Paul & Mrs. Charlene Farrell Family Cahley M. Farrell
In memory of Dr. Joseph M. Farrell
ALUMNI & FRIENDS
Family pride shines bright at the White Coat Ceremony.
Classmates celebrate the journey ahead.
Dean David Gozal welcomes students.
Friends commemorate this milestone moment.
White Coats: MD Class of 2028
ALUMNI & FRIENDS
Daniel R. Felbaum, MD 2011 Malik S. Khan
Susan L. Flesher, MD 2007 Shawna N. Harvey
Dr. David C. & Mrs. Tonya L. Fore 2001 Andrea C.T. Alimario
Adam M. Franks, MD 1999 Wm. Alec M.C. Stone
Drs. Adrian S. 2001 Keegan D. Shaffer & Amy L. Garmestani
David Gozal, MD Dean Trace A. Clark
Glenn A. Harper, MD 1995 Eli W. McFeeley
Drs. Forrest S. Harrison 2011 Abigail E. Smith & Megan E. Docherty
Curtis W. Harrison Jr., MD 1998 Zachary M. Lathwell
R. Mark Hatfield, MD 1983 Akbar Ali
Rebecca M. Hayes, MD 2014 Aishniya Kandula
In memory of Dr. Robert B. Hayes
Tracy L. Hendershot, MD 2008 Cohen W. Yates
Robert A. Hess, MD 1984 Wesley A. Kafka
Jonathan A. Hess, MD 2012 Alexander G. Burbelo
Mary B. Jenkins, MD 1993 Elaine G. Goldman
Mr. James L. Friends Avery D. Meadows & Mrs. Selena M. Johe
Robert W. Keefover, MD 1982 Krithika Shrinivas
Joseph M. King, MD 2007 Robert E. Carter
Alec D. Konrad, MD 2024 Kane C. Smith
Bruce J. Kowalski, MD 1991 James G. Issa
Mrs. Debora Kroeckel-Kiekover Friend Shilvi P. Joshi In honor of Dr. Alexandra Kiekover (’22)
Amber L. Kuhl, MD 2000 Emma A.R. Myers
Dr. Paula K. & Mr. Greg Larsen 1994 Amelia E. Cox
Brad A. Leath, MD 2016 Christopher E. Potts
Mrs. Marjorie R. Matthews Friend Nicole R. Liang In memory of Dr. James W. Matthews (’82)
Aaron M. McGuffin, MD 1999 Sahil D. Dave
Kenneth F. McNeil, MD 1986 Badraldeen M. Rashrash
James M. Mears, MD 1988 James Clinton Williamson
Nimish K. Mehta, MD 1997 Shilajeet Ray
Drs. Kelly E. & Kristina B. Melvin 2005 Kushal J. Modi
Dr. Scott E. & 2004 Karli Mae-Dean Morrison Mrs. Rebecca A. Moore
Mario R. Morenas, MD 1995 Sara M. Woods
Jay T. Naegele, MD 1997 Shane V. Perelman
Nancy B. Norton, MD 1999 Jessica P. Copley
Drs. Michael V. & Joann A. O’Keefe Friends Yahya A. Abdeen In honor of Dr. Ashley E. O’Keefe (’13)
Nicole M. Pizzino, MD Friend Jemima A. Ayilaran In honor of Dr. Danny R. Pizzino Jr. (’08)
Gary W. Procop, MD 1992 Shivam A. Gandhi
Nimra H. Rana, MD Friend Lana W. Raslan In honor of Dr. Shirley Neitch
Charlotte A. Rhee, MD 1991 Haley E. Harkins
Craig A. Robinson, MD 2012 Fathima Shaik
Richard E. Ryncarz, MD 1995 Nicole E. Sims
Elizabeth A. Saunders, MD 2007 Isabella M. Griffiths
Callie H. Seaman Watanab, MD 2021 Jeri L. Tyler
Samir M. Shah, MD 2015 Naomi H. Shah
Melinda J. Sharon, MD 2023 Callia T. Yang
Dr. Mark F. & Mrs. Janet L. Sheridan 1987 Alyssa S. Lobb
Friday G. Simpson, MD 1991 Mary Claire Combs
Geoffrey L. Singer, MD 2001 Sofia M. Rashid
Stephen C. Smith, MD 1981 Colton M. Rooper
Mary E. Smyrnioudis, MD 2009 Emily C. Stowers
Patrick A. Stone, MD 1999 Fahema Shaik
Majd G. Sweiss, MD 2014 Isha Gupta
Steven A. Taylor, MD 2010 Nawar S. Attal
Paula F. Taylor, MD 1996 Halli N. Wall
Susan A. Terry, MD 1984 Meghan E. Johnson
Jeffrey N. Thaxton, MD 1992 Benjamin L. Adkins
Jeffrey N. Thaxton, MD 1992 Kathan S. Devaraj
Drs. Price S. & Erin M. Ward 2012 Layla A. Abbud
Larry W. Watson, MD 1986 Andrew Blake Huffman
Larry W. Watson, MD 1986 Dylan T. Gray
Medical Instruments: MD Class of 2028
R. Daniel Bledsoe, MD 2001 Joshua E. Miller
Drs. Joshua A. 2010/2011 Kaitlyn R. Foltz & Whitney A. Boggs
Karim W. Boukhemis, MD 2011 Lily C. Melink
Shane A. Bowen, MD 1993 Javohn C.T. Moore
William R. Brooks Jr., MD 1986 Khaled A.E. El-Shazly
Charles Bukovinsky, MD 1987 Courtney F. Lulek
Christopher W. Carey, MD 2011 McKensie R. Spencer
Philip L. Casingal, MD 1992 Joel R. Casingal
Mrs. Dee Dee Chambers Friend Kassandra E. Looschen
Peter A. Chirico, MD Faculty Nikolas M. Blackburn
Peter A. Chirico, MD Faculty Isabella G. Stuart
Lauren E. Cline, MD 2012 Kacey R. Poe
Dr. Rick J. & 1994 Jacob L. Morgan
Mrs. Jennifer Compton
Amy L. Conley, MD 1998 N.L. Sowmya Gannavaram
Robert J. Cure, MD 1998 David T. Kumar
Pamela A. Cyrus, MD 1989 Alana R. Kassis
Jerry A. Dague, MD 2000 Smara D. Sigdel
Samuel R. Davis, MD 1983 Kevin D. Bao
Drs. Ronald deAndrade 1983/1982 Adel Kanaan & Kim M. Jordan
Mrs. Julie A. DeTemple Family Jenna G. DeTemple
Joseph W. Dransfeld, MD 1991 Kayla L. Tyler
Mr. Paul & Mrs. Charlene Farrell Family Cahley M. Farrell
In memory of Dr. Joseph M. Farrell
Daniel R. Felbaum, MD 2011 Malik S. Khan
Susan L. Flesher, MD 2007 Shawna N. Harvey
Dr. David C. & Mrs. Tonya L. Fore 2001 Andrea C.T. Alimario
Adam M. Franks, MD 1999 Wm. Alec M.C. Stone
Medical Instruments: MD Class of 2028
ALUMNI & FRIENDS CLASS YEAR SOM STUDENT
Jeremy D. Fuller, MD 2003 Shivam Gandhi
David Gozal, MD Dean Trace A. Clark
Dr. Nancy B. & 1987 Jemima A. Ayilaran
Mr. P. Nolan Graham
Drs. Forrest S. Harrison 2011 Abigail E. Smith & Megan E. Docherty
Curtis W. Harrison Jr., MD 1998 Zachary M. Lathwell
R. Mark Hatfield, MD 1983 Akbar Ali
Rebecca M. Hayes, MD 2014 Aishniya Kandula
In memory of Dr. Robert B. Hayes
Wanda M. Hembree, MD 1990 Jeri L. Tyler
Tracy L. Hendershot, MD 2008 Cohen W. Yates
Robert A. Hess, MD 1984 Wesley A. Kafka
Jonathan A. Hess, MD 2012 Alexander G. Burbelo
James T. Holbrook, MD 1987 Benjamin L. Adkins
Mary B. Jenkins, MD 1993 Elaine G. Goldman
Mr. James L. Friends Avery D. Meadows & Mrs. Selena M. Johe
Robert W. Keefover, MD 1982 Krithika Shrinivas
Joseph M. King, MD 2007 Robert E. Carter
Alec D. Konrad, MD 2024 Kane C. Smith
Bruce J. Kowalski, MD 1991 James G. Issa
Mrs. Debora Kroeckel-Kiekover Friend Shilvi P. Joshi
In honor of Dr. Alexandra Kiekover (’22)
Amber L. Kuhl, MD 2000 Emma A.R. Myers
Dr. Paula K. & Mr. Greg Larsen 1994 Amelia E. Cox
Brad A. Leath, MD 2016 Christopher E. Potts
Joan B. Lehmann, MD 1991 Callia T. Yang
David L. Martin Jr., MD 2005 Keegan D. Shaffer
Aaron M. McGuffin, MD 1999 Sahil D. Dave
Kenneth F. McNeil, MD 1986 Badraldeen M. Rashrash
James M. Mears, MD 1988 James Clinton Williamson
ALUMNI & FRIENDS CLASS YEAR SOM STUDENT
Nimish K. Mehta, MD 1997 Shilajeet Ray
Drs. Kelly E. & Kristina B. Melvin 2005 Kushal J. Modi
Dr. Scott E. 2004 Karli Mae-Dean Morrison & Mrs. Rebecca A. Moore
Mario R. Morenas, MD 1995 Sara M. Woods
Jay T. Naegele, MD 1997 Shane V. Perelman
Nancy B. Norton, MD 1999 Jessica P. Copley
Drs. Michael V. & Joann A. O’Keefe Friends Yahya A. Abdeen In honor of Dr. Ashley E. O’Keefe (’13)
Nimra H. Rana, MD Friend Lana W. Raslan In honor of Dr. Shirley Neitch
Charlotte A. Rhee, MD 1991 Haley E. Harkins
Ezra B. Riber, MD 1984 Eli W. McFeeley
Valerie L. Richey-Klein, MD 1989 Naomi H. Shah
Craig A. Robinson, MD 2012 Fathima Shaik
Richard E. Ryncarz, MD 1995 Nicole E. Sims
Elizabeth A. Saunders, MD 2007 Isabella M. Griffiths
Dr. Mark F. & Mrs. Janet L. Sheridan 1987 Alyssa S. Lobb
Friday G. Simpson, MD 1991 Mary Claire Combs
Geoffrey L. Singer, MD 2001 Sofia M. Rashid
Sandra L. Skar, MD 1997 Nicole R. Liang
Stephen C. Smith, MD 1981 Colton M. Rooper
Mary E. Smyrnioudis, MD 2009 Emily C. Stowers
Patrick A. Stone, MD 1999 Fahema Shaik
Majd G. Sweiss, MD 2014 Isha Gupta
Steven A. Taylor, MD 2010 Nawar S. Attal
Paula F. Taylor, MD 1996 Halli N. Wall
Susan A. Terry, MD 1984 Meghan E. Johnson
Donald H. Trainor Jr., MD 1986 Kathan S. Devaraj In memory of Patrick Trainor
Drs. Price S. & Erin M. Ward 2012 Layla A. Abbud
Larry W. Watson, MD 1986 Andrew Blake Huffman
Larry W. Watson, MD 1986 Dylan T. Gray
Sponsors: Class of 2028
Mr. William Friends
& Mrs. P. Kimberly Allen
F. Brian Brautigan, MD 1995
Robert J. Cure, MD 1998
Michael C. DeArment, MD 1998
Mobeen Farooq, MD 2017
Michael H. Gabriel, MD 2006
Drs. Adrian S. 2001 & Amy L. Garmestani
W. Douglas Given, MD 1983
Shea M. Goodrich, MD 2011
Robert B. Gray, MD 1999
Curtis W. Harrison Jr., MD 1998
Christopher E. Hayner, MD 1987
Drema K. Hunt, MD 1992
Joseph L. Joyce, MD 1997
Devin A. King, MD 1999
Joan B. Lehmann, MD 1991
David L. Martin Jr., MD 2005
Eric A. Morgan, MD 1991
Michael J. Nerenberg, MD 1985
Drs. Michael V. Friends & Joann A. O’Keefe
C. Douglas Phillips, MD 1984
Nimra H. Rana, MD Friend
Leslie Pack Ranken, MD 2006
Drs. Gary O. Rankin Faculty
& Monica A. Valentovic
Charlotte A. Rhee, MD 1991
Ezra B. Riber, MD 1984
Rhonda G. Rice Friend
Hobart K. Richey, MD 1983
Elizabeth S. Roberson, MD 1995
Mitsuko P. Shannon, MD 1988
Nina K. Smith, MD 1981
Steve C. Southern, MD 1991
Kevan V. Stewart, MD 2010
Debra J. Stultz, MD 1989
Thomas B. Styer, MD 1982
Majd G. Sweiss, MD 2014
John F. Toney, MD 1981
Donald H. Trainor Jr., MD 1986
Drs. Paul V. & Brittany L. Viscuse 2016
Alice A. Walz, MD 2011
Larry W. Watson, MD 1986
Julie A. Wesp, MD 2011
Ian N. Wilhelm, MD 2012
Kevin J. Willis, MD 1985
Jeanne M. Zekan, MD 1987
Physician Assistant
White Coat Ceremony
The School of Medicine celebrated its fourth class of physician assistant students with a white coat ceremony on June 7, 2024. During the ceremony, 30 students in the Class of 2026 received their white coats and recited the Physician Assistant Professional Oath.
White Coat & Medical Instrument Sponsors
The white coat and medical instruments that each student receives are gifts from alumni and friends of the Joan C. Edwards School of Medicine. ALUMNI & FRIENDS
Anonymous
Dr. David Gozal
Sarah Gross
Dr. Scot Hines, in memory of Pauline Hines
Donna Jones
Bob and Cindy Lewis
Marshall Cardiology
Marshall Family Medicine
Dr. Ali Oliashirazi Family
Natalie Phillips
Steve and Linda Spurlock
Scan the QR code to view more photos from the PA White Coat Ceremony.
Class Notes
1980s
Mike E. Kilkenny, ’82, CEO and health officer of the Cabell-Huntington Health Department, was named president of the board of directors of the National Association of County and City Health Officials beginning July 1. The NACCHO represents about 3,300 local health departments nationwide.
Steven D. McCarus, ’82, is a board-certified and internationally recognized OB/ GYN surgeon and the chief of gynecological surgery at AdventHealth Winter Park in Orlando. He is known for his development of the McCarus Hysterectomy Technique. In June 2024, Dr. McCarus was keynote speaker at the C4UHC Symposium 2024 at the Margaritaville Resort Orlando.
Robert T. Gallaher, ’84, retired in June 2024 after a 35-year career practicing pulmonary and sleep medicine.
Joedy I. Daristotle, ’85, an otolaryngologist, retired from WVU Medicine in June 2024. He relocated to Savannah, Georgia.
Joe P. Assaley, ’88, is associate program director with the OB/GYN residency program at Akron General at Cleveland Clinic Akron (Ohio) General.
Greg A. Carico, ’89, has retired from HIMG after a 35-year career as a family medicine physician.
Paulette S. Wehner, ’89, was named vice dean for education at MUSOM, overseeing the education and curriculum at the graduate, professional and post-graduate levels. This includes the areas of medical education, health sciences graduate programs and graduate medical education, as well as admissions, student advising and student life. Dr. Wehner will continue in her role as designated institutional official (DIO), ensuring compliance with Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME) requirements.
1990s
Mary Jo Martin, ’98, serves as vice chair of admissions and chair of the STARK committee at the Meritus School of Osteopathic Medicine
in Hagerstown, Maryland, where she is a professor of pathology.
Jodi Cisco-Goff, ’97, was selected as the recipient of the 2024 Outstanding Rural Health Provider Award, presented by the West Virginia Rural Health Association (WVRHA). She is an associate professor of surgery at MUSOM and a general surgeon at Marshall Health Network. The honor recognizes Dr. Cisco-Goff’s exceptional commitment to providing high-quality care to rural communities in southern West Virginia. The award also highlights her dedication to bridging health care gaps and improving health outcomes for underserved populations in rural areas.
Bobby Miller, ’97, is senior assistant dean for education projects and executive director for medical educational continuous quality improvement for the School of Medicine Columbia in Columbia, South Carolina. He began his career in medical education at MUSOM as assistant professor in the departments of internal medicine and pediatrics in
2001, later reaching associate and full professor roles in pediatrics and vice dean for medical education.
Adam M. Franks, ’99, is vice dean for rural health and chair of the Department of Family and Community Health at MUSOM. Dr. Franks’ focus is on expanding access to quality health care in underserved regions across West Virginia and central Appalachia. He also leads the department’s educational, clinical and research initiatives while exploring innovative, cost-effective methods for family physicians to deliver high-quality care.
Aaron M. McGuffin, ’99, was promoted to director of national boards at the WV School of Osteopathic Medicine in Lewisburg, West Virginia, and recently achieved the rank of full professor and tenure. Dr. McGuffin is a past president and board member of the Marshall School of Medicine Alumni Association.
Bryan D. Springer, ’99, is chair of the Department of Orthopedic Surgery at Mayo Clinic Florida. He previously served as professor
Steven McCarus
Paulette Wehner
Jodi Cisco-Goff
Adam Franks
Class Notes
of orthopedic surgery at the Atrium Musculoskeletal Institute in Charlotte, North Carolina, and director of the nationally recognized adult reconstruction fellowship at OrthoCarolina Hip and Knee Center for the past 12 years.
2000s
Scott R. Collins, ’02, was named chair of radiology at Geisinger in Scranton, Pennsylvania, after serving as interim chair. He has held various leadership roles within Geisinger since completing his diagnostic radiology residency there in 2007.
Leela V. Raju,, ’03, is an associate professor of ophthalmology at Tulane University School of Medicine.
Krista L. Denning, ’04, was appointed assistant dean for student research at the Marshall School of Medicine. In this role, Dr. Denning will mentor medical students and guide them in identifying and pursuing research opportunities within the School of Medicine as well multi-disciplinary opportunities across the university and beyond.
Dr. Denning, who also serves as professor and chair of
pathology, was president of the Marshall School of Medicine Alumni Association from 2018-2020.
Chris W. Carey, ’07, and his wife, Dr. Yamuna T. Carey, welcomed a daughter, Kaivalya, in September 2023. Dr. Chris Carey is with the Department of Emergency Medicine, Hartford Hospital Simulation Faculty, at the University of Connecticut School of Medicine and heads the UCONN emergency medicine residency. He is also an assistant professor at UCONN.
2010s
Michael C. Binder, ’10, adjunct associate professor of internal medicine, became board certified in addiction medicine and founded an addiction recovery clinic within the internal medicine residency program at the University of Cincinnati
Medical Center in 2023. Elise H. Binder, ’12, is associate professor of clinicalaffiliate in the Department of Internal Medicine at the University of Cincinnati College of Medicine.
Sarah K. Flaherty, ’10, has been named the University of Pennsylvania Medical Center’s southwest sites regional medical director for the Physician Advisor Program. Dr. Faherty is a board-certified emergency physician serving most recently as the chief of emergency medicine at UPMC McKeesport and as medical director of three regional EMS agencies.
Melinda L. Asbury, ’12, was honored and recognized by the mayor of Keene, New Hampshire, during the dedication of a new location of Monadnock Family Services (MFS), where Dr. Asbury serves as first chief medical officer. MFS provides mental health and counseling services. Prior to medical school, Dr. Asbury served as an officer in the U.S. Navy for five years during the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.
Joshua C. Ferrell, ’12, is program director for the family medicine residency
and family medicine-obstetrics fellowship at Memorial Health in Savannah, Georgia. He was most recently associate program director, interim program director and adjunct assistant professor and director of family medicine – obstetrics and gynecology services at Campbell University/ Sampson Regional Medical Center (SRMC) in Clinton, North Carolina.
Jodi M. Plumley, ’12, and her husband, Travis Plumley, welcomed a daughter, Audrey Marie, on July 16, 2024. Audrey joins her two brothers, Miles and Luke.
J. Blake Epling, ’13, provides services in endocrinology at WVU Medicine Braxton County Memorial Hospital and the Summersville Regional Medical Center campuses. He and his wife, Sarah, recently welcomed a son, Maxwell.
Caleb R. Huff, ’13, has been distinguished as the recipient of four Master Surgeon accreditations from the esteemed Surgical Review Corporation (SRC). These accreditations include Continence Care for Women, Multidisciplinary
Chris Carey with daughter Kaivalya
Michael Binder
Joshua Ferrell
Audrey Marie Plumley
Krista L. Denning
Endometriosis Care, Minimally Invasive Gynecology and Robotic Surgery. Huff is an OB/GYN serving the Huntington community at Valley Health Systems Inc.
Saqib R. Ahmed, ’14, has written Med School Mastery: Secrets of Academic Excellence, a book on how to study in medical school, for struggling students or anyone who wants to do better.
D. Scott Murphy, ’14, is a psychiatrist at Valley HealthHighlawn in Huntington. He holds certifications in Crisis Prevention and Intervention Training as well as PACE Teaching.
Molly E. Seidler, ’14, and her husband, Dr. Alex Caughran, welcomed their second son, Ronan Vonn, on Sept. 11, 2024. Ronan joins his big brother, Luca.
Kimberly N. Weaver, ’14, joined Allegheny Health Network as a gastroenterology and hepatology specialist in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. She was previously affiliated with UNC Health in Chapel Hill, North Carolina.
Shayne M. Gue, ’15, is inaugural program director for the emergency medicine residency program at BayCare Health System GME (St. Joseph’s Hospital) in Tampa, Florida. He previously was assistant program director of the emergency medicine residency program and program director of the medical education fellowship program at the University of Central Florida/HCA Florida
Healthcare GME Consortium. He married John Castaneda in a surprise wedding ceremony for friends and family in Las Vegas.
Brandon K. Lilly, ’15, a psychiatrist, has partnered with the Turnwell Mental Health Network to launch a new outpatient facility in Mount Pleasant, South Carolina.
Meaghan A. Tranovich, ’15, practices orthopedics and sports medicine at Mary Rutan Health in Bellefontaine, Ohio. She specializes in knee and shoulder arthroscopy.
Tom A. Fortney, ’16, and his wife, Molly, a dermatologist, welcomed a daughter, Edith, now 1 year old. Dr. Fortney is a fellowshiptrained orthopedic surgeon at the New Hampshire Orthopaedic Center, subspecializing in shoulder and
sports medicine. He is team physician for St. Anselm College and Southern New Hampshire University. While completing his fellowship at Columbia University, Dr. Fortney served as a team physician for the New York Yankees and as a staff physician at Yankees spring training and the Major League Baseball International Combine in the Dominican Republic.
Heather L. Saffel, ’16, and her wife, Dr. Crystal Higginson, welcomed their daughter, Carson, on Feb. 11, 2023. Dr. Saffel practices orthopedic sports medicine with Beacon Health System in South Bend, Indiana.
Matt M. Snyder, ’16, president of the Class of 2016, and his wife, Holly, welcomed a son, Crew Hollis, on Oct. 11, 2024. Crew joins brother, Wells, and sister, Tilly. They reside in Chicago where Dr. Snyder
Caleb Huff
Med School Mastery: Secrets of Academic Excellence by Saqib Ahmed
Scott Murphy
Ronan Vonn with brother Luca
Shayne Gue and John Castaneda at their surprise wedding in Las Vegas
Brandon Lilly (in white shirt holding scissors) joins colleagues, staff and others at the ribbon-cutting.
Meaghan Tranovich
Tom and Molly Fortney with daughter Edith on her first birthday Carson
Class Notes
is completing a cardiothoracic surgery fellowship at Northwestern.
Tilly and Wells
Thomas J. Melvin, ’17, specializes in thoracic surgery at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center Esophageal and Lung Surgery Institute and is affiliated with UPMC St. Margaret, UPMC Magee-Womens Hospital and UPMC East.
Yusif Mohammed, ’17, and his wife, Princess, welcomed their first child, a daughter, Noor. Dr. Mohammed is a
hospitalist at The Ohio State University/Wexner Medical Center. He completed his internal medicine residency at Cleveland Clinic.
Alexandria D. Cremeans Schwartz, ’18, recently completed a neonatology fellowship and is now an assistant professor of pediatrics at Wake Forest University School of Medicine and a neonatologist with Wake Forest Baptist Health.
Rachael W. Starcher, ’18, completed her pulmonary/ critical care fellowship and joined Respiratory Consultants in Minneapolis, Minnesota. She is also affiliated with North Memorial Health Hospital.
Drew A. Vess, ’18, and his wife, Dr. Whitney Loggins, welcomed their second daughter, Wynnie, in August 2024. Wynnie joins her sister, Ainsley. Dr. Vess is with General Anesthesia Services in Charleston, West Virginia.
Christian N. Warner, ’18, was named an assistant professor of ophthalmology at MUSOM. He provides comprehensive ophthalmology care at Marshall Health.
Christopher W. “Chris” Burrell, ’19, completed a neuro-ophthalmology fellowship at the Bascom Palmer Eye Institute in Miami, Florida, where he was named the 2023-2024 Fellow of the Year. He is now an assistant professor of neurology and ophthalmology at MUSOM, serving as the only neuro-ophthalmologist in southern West Virginia.
Lindsay Robinson Littlehales, ’19, completed a neurology headache fellowship at West Virginia University in Morgantown, West Virginia. She is now a headache specialist at Marshall Health and an assistant professor at MUSOM.
Just What the Doctor Ordered!
Introducing these adorable School of Medicine Alumni baby bibs — the perfect way to start your little one’s journey in style!
Crafted with love, these bibs are not just cute but also durable and easy to clean. Get one for your mini doctor and let them show their #MUSOMWV pride! If you are an alumnus or alumna with a little one, email Linda Holmes at holmes@marshall.edu! We would love to send you a bib!
Pictured are Weston and Ellie Worthy, twins of Michelle Worthy (’17).
Yusif and Princess Mohammed with daughter Noor
Drew Vess and wife Whitney with daughter Wynnie
Christian Warner
Thomas Melvin
Christopher Burrell
with baby brother Crew
Brett A. Floyd, ’19, and Marjorie McCoy, ’20, welcomed their first child, Adam McCoy, on April 17, 2024. Dr. Floyd is a PGY-V general surgery resident and Dr. McCoy is a PGY-IV psychiatry and human behavior resident, both at the University of Mississippi Medical Center in Jackson, Mississippi.
Dylan R. Maldonado, ’19, completed a dermatopathology fellowship at McGovern Medical School at UT Health in Houston, Texas. He joined Marshall’s dermatology faculty as an assistant professor and practices comprehensive dermatology and Mohs micrographic surgery at Marshall Health.
2020s
Megan A. Anderson, ’20, is an OB/GYN at UPMC Western Maryland in Cumberland.
Jasmyn E. Atalla, ’20, completed her internal medicine/pediatric residency at Vidant Medical Center in Greenville, North Carolina, and is completing an allergy and immunology fellowship at Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia/UPenn. Fiancé Chris L. Watson, ’20, completed his internal medicine residency at Vidant Medical Center in Greenville, North Carolina, and is starting his cardiology fellowship at the Virginia Tech Carillon Clinic in Roanoke.
Rebecca Barnes Guertal, ’20, completed her neurology residency in June at MUSOM. She is now completing a one-year neuroimmunology/multiple sclerosis fellowship at OhioHealth in Columbus.
Andea B. Hart, ’20, completed her med/peds residency at VA Commonwealth. She is now at Cincinnati Children’s Hospital for an allergy/immunology fellowship.
Class of 2020 alumni
Gregory S. and Jordan Tate, welcomed their first child, a son, Harlan Marshall, on Oct. 3, 2024. Dr. Gregory Hill is a Captain in the Army and is completing a five-year otolaryngology residency at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center. Dr. Jordan Hill is a pediatrician at Pediatric Associates of Montgomery County, Maryland.
Will T. Lester, ’20, completed his pediatric residency at the University of Florida College of Medicine – Shands Hospital. He is currently doing a PICU/critical care fellowship at University of Texas Southwestern Medical School, which he will complete June 2026.
Dakota T. May, ’20, completed a psychiatry residency at Duke University in Durham, North Carolina, and returned to Marshall as an assistant professor of psychiatry and behavioral medicine and psychiatrist with Marshall Health.
Preeya T. Shah, ’20, practices dermatology at the Central Dermatology Center at the Cary, FuquayVarina and Raleigh locations. She specializes in pediatric and medical dermatology, skin cancer surveillance and dermatologic surgery. Dr. Shah was the president of the Class of 2020.
Class of 2020 alumni
Brandon and Haleigh
Jeffrey Wright, welcomed their first child, Leon Michael, on April 23, 2024. Dr. Brandon Wright is doing a pediatric cardiology fellowship at Duke University. Dr. Haleigh Wright is practicing at a Duke practice, Harris & Smith OB-GYN, in Durham, North Carolina.
Wesley J. Wright, ’20, and his wife, Danielle, welcomed their son, Everett Wesley, on Feb. 28, 2024. Dr. Wright is completing his gastroenterology fellowship at West Virginia University School of
Lindsay Robinson Littlehales
Adam McCoy Floyd with parents
Marjorie and Brett
Dylan Maldonado
Megan Anderson
Jordan and Gregory Hill with son Harlan
Dakota May
Preeya Shah
Leon Michael Wright
Class Notes
Medicine and plans to join the GI team there.
Timothy C. Adkins, ’21, is doing an infectious disease fellowship at West Virginia University.
Jordan N. Dever, ’21, completed her family medicine residency at In His Image in Tulsa, Oklahoma, and is completing a one-year advanced obstetrics fellowship at Tallahassee Memorial Hospital’s family medicine residency in Florida.
Hannah R. Leport, ’21, was inducted into the Alpha
Omega Alpha medical honor society. She is a family medicine physician at the Rivers Health Gallipolis Ferry (WV) Rural Health Clinic, a member of Marshall Health Network.
Ben T. Russell, ’21, is doing a three-year pediatric nephrology fellowship at Nationwide Children’s Hospital in Columbus. He recently completed a pediatric residency at Virginia Commonwealth University Health System.
Dylan S. Weaver, ’21, completed an emergency medicine residency at East Carolina University in Greenville, North Carolina, and is now a faculty member to start his career in academic emergency medicine at East Carolina University Medical Center.
Christine Z. Yu, ’21, completed her pathology residency at Brown University in Providence, Rhode Island. She has matched to the NYC Office of the Chief Medical Examiner for a forensic pathology fellowship starting in July 2025.
In Memoriam
ALUMNI
Clark D. Adkins, MD (’89) Dr. Clark D. Adkins, a distin-
Leah M. Ching, ’23, and her wife, Jess, welcomed a daughter, Eleanor “Norrie” Maeve, on Aug. 15, 2024. Dr. Ching is completing her OB/ GYN residency at Marshall University.
Joe A. Chirico, ’23, completed his transitional year at OhioHealth Riverside Methodist Hospital, where he was selected Intern of the Year for 2023-2024. He has started his diagnostic radiology residency at the University of Maryland.
Dr. Luke E. Hamm, ’23, president of the Class of 2023, and his wife, Taylor, welcomed their daughter, Anya, on Dec. 6, 2024. She joins her brother, Ezekiel, and sister, Aria. Dr. Hamm is completing an emergency medicine residency at OhioHealth Riverside Methodist Hospital in Columbus.
Abigail P. Tubert, ’23, an OB/GYN resident at Marshall, and her husband, Hunter, welcomed their son, Jackson Alan, on Dec. 7, 2024.
guished orthopedic surgeon who performed more than 10,000 operations throughout his nearly 30-year career, passed away on March 10,
2024, at the age of 60. Dr. Adkins’ journey in medicine began at Marshall University, where he graduated magna cum laude with a Bachelor of Science in Chemistry in 1985 and earned his Doctor of Medicine from the Joan C. Edwards School of Medicine in 1989. After medical
Hannah Leport
Joe Chirico’s Intern of the Year Award
Abigail and Hunter Tubert with son Jackson
Taylor and Luke Hamm with daughter Anya
Everett Wesley Wright
school, he completed his training in orthopedic surgery at one of the most advanced medical centers in the world, Mayo Clinic, in Rochester, Minnesota. Dr. Adkins returned home to West Virginia to practice in 1994. He is survived by his wife, Robin, and their three sons, David, Johnathan and Benjamin, a first-year medical student at Marshall.
John W. Kessel, MD (’90)
Family physician Dr. John W. Kessel passed away on May 22, 2024, at the age of 65. Dr. Kessel, known for his friendliness and “gift of gab,” practiced in Hickory, North Carolina, for more than 25 years. Dr. Kessel earned his Bachelor of Arts from West Virginia University in 1980, followed by a Master of Arts in 1983 and Doctor of Medicine in 1990, both from Marshall University. In addition to medicine, Dr. Kessel enjoyed golf, cars, WVU and Marshall football and Sunday night dinners spent listening to the Rolling Stones, the Eagles and John Prine. He is survived by his children, Luke, Rachel and Julia Kessel.
David T. Cramer, MD (’97)
Dr. David T. Cramer passed away on July 26, 2024, at the age of 63. Dr. Cramer first pursued a career in chemical engineering, graduating from Case Western Reserve University in 1982, until he decided on a career in medicine in the early 1990s. He graduated from the Marshall University School
of Medicine with his Doctor of Medicine in 1997, followed by a family practice residency at West Virginia University in Charleston. In 2000, Dr. Cramer moved with his family to Vienna, West Virginia, where he dedicated his career to serving the community as a family physician at Cornerstone Healthcare until his retirement in 2020. A talented musician, he played the piano and trombone and loved singing in the church choir and whistling around the campfire. Dr. Cramer is survived by his wife, Juli; three daughters; and one grandchild.
Greg A. Elkins, MD (’88)
Dr. Greg A. Elkins, a beloved family physician in southern West Virginia, passed away on March 17, 2024, at the age of 61. Dr. Elkins earned his undergraduate degree from West Virginia University in 1984 and completed his medical degree (1988) and family medicine residency (1991) at Marshall University. He returned to his hometown of Hamlin, West Virginia, to serve as chief medical officer at Southern West Virginia Health System (SWVHS). Dr. Elkins mentored medical students and residents as an associate professor of family and community health at the Joan C. Edwards School of Medicine. He also served as team physician for local high schools and WVU Athletics and as chair of the National Federation of High School Sports Medicine Advisory
Committee. Dr. Elkins is survived by his wife, Joanna; two daughters; and one grandchild.
FACULTY
Gary G. Gilbert Sr., MD
Dr. Gary G. Gilbert passed away on July 22, 2024, at the age of 89. Dr. Gilbert, a U.S. Navy veteran, was a dedicated OB/GYN physician for more than 47 years, earning the distinguished rank of emeritus professor of obstetrics and gynecology at the JCESOM. He attended Vanderbilt University and earned his medical degree from West Virginia University. He completed his OB/GYN residency at the Hospital for the Women of Maryland, followed by a fellowship at Johns Hopkins School of Medicine. Dr. Gilbert returned with his wife, Ruth, to his hometown of Huntington to practice alongside Dr. Ed Humphrey and joined Marshall’s medical faculty soon after the establishment of the medical school. A pioneer in using ultrasound and laparoscopy in the area, Dr. Gilbert was also selected for the prestigious Association of Professors in OB/GYN
Academic Scholars and Leaders Program. He is survived by his wife, Ruth; one daughter; three sons; seven grandchildren; and four great-grandchildren.
Theodore P. Haddox Jr., MD
Dr. Theodore “Ted” P. Haddox passed away on Feb. 23, 2024, at the age of 80. He earned his undergraduate and medical degrees from West Virginia University and served as a Captain in the U.S. Army from 1970-1972. He returned to his hometown of Huntington in 1978 with his family and delivered thousands of babies during his 30-plus-year career in private practice and at the Marshall University School of Medicine, where he served as an associate professor of obstetrics and gynecology. Dr. Haddox also enjoyed cooking, sports, rock and roll music, ballroom dancing, marathon running, golf and traveling. He is survived by his wife, Judy; three children; two stepsons; 10 grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren.
MEMORIAL GIFTS
Memorial gifts may be made in memory of beloved classmates, faculty, family or fields. Scan the QR code to give.
3 & 4. Our fall 2024 alumni gathering in Columbus, Ohio
5. Alumni from different classes cheer on The Herd in the skybox.
6. Making their mark at East Carolina University in Emergency Medicine are alums Carla Haikal (’23), Dylan Weaver (’21), Corey Moore (’20) and Don Morris (’00).
7. Alec Phelps, president of the Class of 2026, presents Dr. Nancy Norton (’90) with the “Most Humerus Award.”
1. 2.
1. The SOM Alumni Association board of directors
2. Faculty, alumni and residents attend the 2024 Family Medicine Foundation of West Virginia annual conference.
3.
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5.
26th Annual Golf Classic April 29, 2025 save the date
25TH ANNUAL GOLF CLASSIC
Thank you to our generous sponsors for supporting the Class of 2024 scholarship for entering medical students.
TITLE SPONSOR OVP Health
GOLF CART SPONSOR Nucor Steel West Virginia
PUTTING SPONSORS E.P. Leach & Sons; Hammers Industries, Inc.
GREEN SPONSORS Champion Industries, Inc.; Encompass Health — Rehabilitation Hospital of Huntington; Holzer Health System; Drs. Sean Loudin (’05) & Jenna B. Dolan (’04); Marathon Marine; Marshall Health — OB/GYN; Neighborgall Construction; UK King’s Daughters Medical Center
BEVERAGE SPONSOR Dutch Miller Auto Group
HOLE-IN-ONE SPONSOR River Park Hospital
COMMENCEMENT SPONSORS David A. Denning, MD; HQ Publishing; Peoples Bank
ADDITIONAL THANKS Fratelli’s, Glenn’s Sporting Goods, Marshall University Bookstore, Oscar’s, SOM Office of Student Engagement & Outreach, Sleep Number
Standing Out in Our Field
A record crowd of more than 500 joined us for “Boots and Bling,” which raised more than $150,000 for the School of Medicine’s student scholarship endowment.
SPONSORS
DEAN’S CIRCLE Marshall Health Network
MS-III Marshall University Research Corporation; Valley Health Systems, Inc.
MS-II Champion Industries, Inc.; E.P. Leach & Sons, Inc.; Hammers Industries, Inc.; Logan Regional Medical Center; Nucor Steel West Virginia LLC; OVP Health; Radiology, Inc.; Retina Consultants
MS-I MagMutual Insurance Company; Marshall Health; Marshall University School of Pharmacy; Dr. Maurice & Mrs. Diane Mufson; NorthStar Anesthesia; Ohio Valley Bank; Shuman McCuskey Slicer PLLC; Thundercloud, Inc.
BAND Mr. Keith & Mrs. Tamara Huffman
WINE SPONSOR Edward Tucker Architects, Inc.; King Spirits; Marathon Petroleum Marine
DECORATIONS Mr. Greg & Mrs. Terry Deppner Hardin, Peak Health IN KIND Paris Signs
AUGUST
24, 2024
FIND MORE PHOTOS Scan the QR code to view all photos from the event.
Homecoming 2024
Just what the doctor ordered ... an Rx of nostalgia
1. “Mimosas and Mingling,” hosted by Drs. Krista Denning (’04) and James Denvir
2. Friends from the Class of 1989 — Drs. Karen Clark Gerbo, class president; Debbie Stultz; Tyshaun James-Hart; Pam Cyrus; Val Richey-Klein
3. Drs. Tammy Bannister and Caroline Miller, both Class of 1994, catch up with Dr. Zach Hansen (’04).
4. Dr. Ravi Viradia, Class of 2014, shares a special moment with Cindy Warren.
5. Dean David Gozal and Associate Dean of Development and Alumni Affairs Linda Holmes announce Dr. Pam Cyrus (’89) as the 2024 Distinguished Alumna Award recipient.
6. Drs. Jeff Whightsel, Donnah Wolodkin Whitaker, Matt Rohrbach and Dan Sumrock celebrate their 40-year reunion.
SEPTEMBER 27 - SEPTEMBER 28, 2024
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7. Handsome doctors from the Class of 1999 — Drs. Aaron McGuffin; Pat Stone, class president; Devin King; Adam Franks
8. Class of 2004 happy grads — Drs. Devin Edwards, Krista Denning, Scott Moore
9. Linda Holmes and Dr. Sean Ray pose for the camera at Dr. Ray’s 15-year reunion.
Dr. Fritz Braunlich celebrates his 30-year reunion with Dr. Leigh Meeks (’95).
Alums enjoy the homecoming happy hour.
Dr. Myra Wilkerson (’94) presents during the CME/ Lecture session.
13. Dean David Gozal shares stories with graduates at the homecoming banquet. 10.
MarshallMedicine
