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I G N I T I N G T H E P A S S I O N O F P H Y S I C I A N S , P H A R M A C I S T S A N D H E A LT H C A R E R E S E A R C H E R S
WINTER 2014
IGNITING A NEW PATH TO NEOMED THE PHARMACIST'S ROLE IN PATIENT CARE 40 TH ANNIVERSARY: PROFILES THROUGH TIME
n e omed. edu
PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE
Northeast Ohio Medical University (NEOMED) is a community-based, public medical university with a mission to improve the quality of health care in Northeast Ohio, working in collaboration with its educational and clinical partners. NEOMED is a member of the University System of Ohio, and its partners include teaching hospitals, community sites and boards of health.
Happy 40th Anniversary! As this milestone year has progressed, I have had the great opportunity to connect with various alumni, faculty, staff and friends affiliated with the University. There are many remarkable stories about the impact Northeast Ohio Medical University (NEOMED) has made in shaping the lives of these individuals and its positive effect on both health care education and the health care workforce within our region and beyond. It takes a community to educate a student and the significant impression our 3,500 graduates have had on Northeast Ohio during the past 40 years is an achievement to be shared by all.
Ignite magazine is published twice per year by the Office of Public Relations and Marketing. NEOMED Board of Trustees Daisy L. Alford-Smith, Ph.D. Paul R. Bishop, J.D. Dianne Bitonte Miladore, M.D. (‘81) Elizabeth A. Carter – Student Trustee Joseph R. Halter Jr. J. David Heller, CPA, Vice Chair Robert J. Klonk Chander M. Kohli, M.D., Chair Anil M. Parikh, M.D., DFAPA Sharlene Ramos Chesnes Douglas Snyder – Student Trustee Jay A. Gershen, D.D.S., Ph.D. President Heather M. Griesbach – Editor Manager, Public Relations and Marketing Contributing Writers: Cristine D. Boyd, Director of Public Relations and Marketing; Jared F. Slanina, Public Relations and Marketing Specialist; Rebecca S. Verlezza, Public Relations and Marketing Specialist Publication Design: Scott J. Rutan, Graphic Designer Photography: Ken Love Photography Brian Hart Photography Chris Smanto Photography Angela D. Bennett, Digital Marketing Specialist Office of Public Relations and Marketing 4209 St. Rt. 44, PO Box 95 Rootstown, Ohio 44272-0095 email: publicrelations@neomed.edu No part of this publication may be reproduced without prior permission of the editors. Copyright 2014 by Northeast Ohio Medical University, Rootstown, Ohio 44272 Pictured on the cover: Robert Perry and Dr. Amy Stephens at the 40th Anniversary Gala.
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NEOMED has been quite busy this fall. From ribbon cuttings and dedications to our 40th Anniversary Gala on Oct. 18 in the newly built NEOMED Education and Wellness (NEW) Center, it is an exciting time for our University. The Gala — the highlight of an alumni weekend celebration — allowed us to recognize the individuals and institutions whose partnerships have been in place since the University’s inception as well as those that are new, but just as critical to NEOMED’s success. The success is due in large part to the outstanding leaders who preceded me, several of whom were in attendance Oct. 18. In February, I had the opportunity to visit Dr. Stanley Olson on the occasion of his 100th birthday. While Dr. Olson was not able to attend the Gala, he shared with us some special video remarks recorded during my visit. NEOMED is an integral part of Northeast Ohio. It’s hard to believe that what started as a small College of Medicine built on a family farm has grown to be a successful and thriving University in just 40 years. My appreciation goes out to all of you who have been part of our 40-year history and have contributed to the University’s many accomplishments, and I look forward to working with you as the University continues to build on its mission of excellence.
Jay A. Gershen, D.D.S., Ph.D. President, Northeast Ohio Medical University
CONTENTS
04
08 A PUBLICATION OF NORTHEAST OHIO MEDICAL UNIVERSITY
NEOMED CELEBRATES PREMIERE GALA AND REUNION WEEKEND
10
THE PHARMACIST'S ROLE IN PATIENT CARE
IGNITING A NEW PATH TO NEOMED
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40TH ANNIVERSARY: PROFILES THROUGH HISTORY
18 20 22 28 32 38
51
IGNITING INTEREST IN THE HEALTH PROFESSIONS NEOMED STUDENTS CREATE LGBT HEALTH BOOK RESEARCH
IN BRIEF ACADEMICS AND STUDENT LIFE DEVELOPMENT AND ALUMNI
38 40 44 46 48 50
ALUMNI SPOTLIGHT NEWS GIFTS AND SUPPORT DONOR PROFILE CLASS NOTES IN MEMORY
UNIVERSITY MOMENT
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STILL BURNING BRIGHT:
NEOMED CELEBRATES TH 40 ANNIVERSARY CULMINATION WITH PREMIERE GALA
Dr. Dianne Bitonte Miladore (‘81) and Dr. Michael Miladore (‘82)
Mary Ann Cook, Dr. Albert Cook II (‘90), Bryson Cook and Lilly Cook
By Heather Griesbach
Eleanor Watanakunakorn and Senator Harry Meshel College of Pharmacy student Brittany Klarich and her band RadioActive
Dr. Walter Horton Jr., Marta Williger and Ian Oppenheim
Anthony and Karen Manna with Richard and Joyce Lewis
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NEOMED students in the Bhangra Dance Troupe
Dr. Jay Gershen
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ortheast Ohio Medical University (NEOMED) celebrated the culmination of its year-long 40th Anniversary celebration with an evening Gala held Oct. 18 in the NEOMED Education and Wellness Center Grand Ballroom and University Hall.
James and Julie Merklin
Dr. Rajini Poth and Gary Poth
Dr. Karen Jaffe, Judge Dan Polster and Marc Jaffe
Sergio Garcia and Dr. Daisy Alford-Smith
More than 600 donors, alumni, friends and NEOMED students, faculty and staff gathered to celebrate. Guests enjoyed an evening of entertainment featuring NEOMED students and alumni, including the high-energy NEOMED Bhangra Dance Troupe, world renowned surrealist and class of 2013 graduate, Angela Funovits, M.D., and Cleveland-based top-40 band RadioActive, featuring NEOMED College of Pharmacy student Brittany Klarich. The Gala raised more than $400,000 for Education for Service scholarships and other student scholarships, which will assist future medicine and pharmacy students at NEOMED. The scholarships reduce student indebtedness, increase access to health care services, and improve the economy of the region. The event’s success was due to the efforts of the 40th Anniversary Gala co-chairs, Ann Klein, R.Ph. and Barry Klein, M.S., R.Ph.; Anthony S. Manna, J.D. and Karen Manna; Michael Miladore, M.D. (‘82) and Dianne Bitonte Miladore, M.D. (’81); and, Robert Perry, M.B.A. and Amy Stephens, M.D., as well as more than 100 event sponsors, including the event’s presenting sponsor, Signet Enterprises.
Dr. Angela Funovits (‘13)
Robert Perry, Dr. Amy Stephens, Dr. William Demas, Olivia Demas
Dr. Alejandro Adorno (‘11) and Katie Kerr
Throughout the year-long 40th Anniversary the University celebrated the vision of its founding leaders, the achievements of its alumni, the generous support of its donors, friends and community, and the commitment of its students, faculty and staff to its mission of education, research and service. Building on 40 years of excellence, the University is positioned for success and igniting the future of health care. Its legacy burns bright.
Ann and Barry Klein Rick Kellar, Lieutenant Colonel Dan Sparks and Thom Craig
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Celebrate!
NEOMED ALUMNI AND FRIENDS REUNITE AT REUNION WEEKEND By Heather Griesbach
Networking Event in Kent
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ortheast Ohio Medical University (NEOMED) welcomed more than 200 alumni and friends to its first-ever Alumni Reunion Weekend Oct. 17-19. Attendees took part in networking events, educational seminars, tours of campus and a ceremony recognizing award winning colleagues. Activities began Friday night at the brand-new Kent State Hotel & Conference Center in Kent, Ohio, with a welcome reception for alumni, friends and NEOMED faculty and staff.
Todd Lisy, M.D. (‘97), Staci Lisy and Walter Horton Jr., Ph.D.
A day-long series of events on Saturday kicked off with NEOMED 101: Back to School Seminars in the Ralph Regula Center on NEOMED’s campus. Alumni and guests heard from engaging speakers and panel presenters, including fellow alumni Sanjay Jain, M.D. ('96); Amol Soin, M.D. ('02); Ashley San Filippo, M.D. ('05); and Philip King, Pharm.D. ('13). Sessions focused on social media in medicine and pharmacy practice, technology and the future of the health professions, entrepreneurship and making ideas a reality, and optimal living techniques. Mid-day activities included a picnic and concert by local band Brand New Hat, family friendly games and activities hosted by NEOMED student organizations, and a wine tasting featuring local wineries, including Barrel Run Crossing Winery and Vineyard, which is owned and operated by alumni Drs. Chad and Lisa Miller (‘00). NEOMED student ambassadors provided ongoing walking tours of campus, including the new Village at NEOMED, the University’s first-ever oncampus student housing, and the NEOMED Education and Wellness (NEW) Center. Saturday evening more than 600 alumni, donors, friends and NEOMED students, faculty and staff celebrated the culmination of the University’s 40th Anniversary at the premiere Gala, featuring entertainment by world renowned surrealist and class of 2013 graduate, Angela Funovits, M.D. The weekend celebration closed with the annual Alumni Awards Ceremony brunch and send-off Sunday morning in the NEW Center. Alumni, friends and NEOMED leadership recognized those alumni who were selected for the prestigious 2014 Alumni Association Awards, including Distinguished Alumni Award recipient Michael Miladore, M.D. (‘82); Distinguished Service Award recipient Thomas Boniface, M.D. (‘83); Alumni Association Appreciation Award recipient Lois Margaret Nora, M.D., J.D., M.B.A.; and, Lifetime Achievement Award recipient George Litman, M.D.
Dave DiPaola, Dawn Hubbard, M.D. (‘95), Dorothy Bernard, Steve Bernard, M.D. (‘87) and David Lim, M.D. (‘87)
Akhil Saklecha, M.D. (‘94), Sanjay Jain, M.D. ('96) and Michelle Platz, M.D. (‘00)
Gary Gorby, M.D. (‘83), Mark Hostettler, M.D. (‘84) and Michael Knapik 06 | IGNITE
Picnic and Concert
Alumni and friends sample wine from three local wineries
Acen Oloya, M.D. (‘03), Anna Arroyo Plasencia, M.D. (‘03) and Manolo Plasencia
Cindy Zelis, M.D. (‘96) and Brian Zelis, M.D. (‘98)
Roger Snyder, M.D. (‘83), Perri Snyder, Peter Keebler, M.D. (‘83), Allison Hawkes, M.D. (‘83) and Becky Neiger, M.D. (‘81)
Hannah Cross, Pharm.D. (‘13), Nick Cross, Austen Frederickson, M.D. (‘14), Philip King, Pharm.D. (‘13) and Makena Jones
2014 Alumni Awards Ceremony
Mehool Patel, M.D. (‘98), Alpana Grover, M.D. (‘94) and Praveen Dubey, M.D. (‘91)
Mehool Patel, M.D. (‘98), Jeffrey Susman, M.D., Thomas Boniface, M.D. (‘83), Michael Miladore, M.D. (‘82), George Litman, M.D., Jay A. Gershen, D.D.S., Ph.D.
Carol Savan, M.D. (‘81), Susan Ray, M.D. (‘84) and Duane Taylor, M.D. (‘85) 07 | IGNITE
By Jared Slanina
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or nearly 25 years, Carl Allamby has been a healer. Each day, he listens carefully as people describe symptoms, diagnoses the problem and then works to treat it. If the underlying issue is out of his area of expertise, he works with a specialist to ensure proper treatment is received. Allamby started his own business, Advanced Auto Care, at only 19 years old. After a quarter-century of repairing cars, he’s now preparing for a second career where he will be restoring people. Allamby currently attends Cleveland State University (CSU) as part of the Northeast Ohio Medical University (NEOMED)-CSU Partnership for Urban Health. The program is a joint effort between the universities that aims to address the shifting health care needs within urban metropolitan areas. The focus goes beyond providing medical care to better understanding the social detriments to health for individuals from an urban setting, such as education, income, housing and air quality. The NEOMED-CSU Partnership for Urban Health initiative seeks to improve students’ understanding of these social detriments of health to improve the overall health of the community. Allamby’s path to enrolling in the Partnership was anything but typical.
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Although he developed a passion for the medical sciences in high school, he was forced to forgo college after graduating from high school and instead took a job at an auto parts store to support his newborn son. Shortly afterward, he managed to start his automotive repair business after building a client-base with the customers he met during his day job. While getting his business off the ground, Allamby worked day shifts at the auto parts store and evenings at his repair shop.
enrolled in the NEOMED-CSU program helped him eliminate his fears. Downing had a background that mirrored Allamby’s very closely in many regards.
“You will always find time for your passions,” said Allamby. “If something inspires you, don’t
With the help of one of his professors, Allamby began the process of searching for potential schools. He quickly came across the NEOMEDCSU Partnership and realized it was a right fit. He packaged his application materials, and celebrated soon after when he learned he would be accepted.
“I really appreciated the fact that it was based in urban primary care, something I have way. As long as you care enough, things will Before too long, life got been passionate about for a in the way of Allamby’s long time,” said Allamby. “My find a way to work themselves out.” plans for continuing his education is helping me get to Carl Allamby education. He married and a place where I can touch the became a step-father to lives of others in my community. Through Aging,” which he had avoided four children, and then had I will help people who need it until his final semester, became the cattwins in addition to his first child. With the most, which is a huge motivating alyst to seeking a career in medicine. such a large family, Allamby focused factor as I continue to work toward my on building his business and raising his goals.” “I kept putting that class off to focus children. on my core classes,” said Allamby. “But Allamby is now in the process of transithe content was so engaging, it brought “My life had been all about work,” said tioning his business to new ownership me back to my younger days when I Allamby. “I was just trying to make as he wraps up his health sciences would become completely engrossed some money so I could help provide degree at CSU and prepares to become with everything we covered in science new opportunities for my children. I take a full-time student at NEOMED. He also class. My professor, Michael Watts, great pride in being a father and everyhas a message for people in similar situwas so passionate and engaging that thing that comes with it, but I always ations who may be apprehensive about it re-ignited my desire to be part of the believed I was capable of doing somereturning to school. medical field.” thing that would give back to humanity on a greater scale.” “You will always find time for your At first he was apprehensive about repassions,” said Allamby. “If something turning to school, especially for someEventually, Allamby was able to return inspires you, don’t let all of your other thing as ambitious as a medical degree. to school to receive his bachelor’s responsibilities get in your way. As long But a well-timed newspaper article sent degree in business administration from as you care enough, things will find a to him by his mother-in-law about a Ursuline College in 2010. However, a way to work themselves out.” student named Bill Downing who was general education course called “Birth
let all of your other responsibilities get in your
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THE PHARMACIST’S ROLE IN PATIENT CARE By Rebecca Verlezza
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T
he role of today’s pharmacist continues to evolve. Once limited to filling and dispensing prescription medications, pharmacists have become essential care providers and integral to the patient care team practice model.
Working in Medication Therapy Management Teams
Retail Pharmacists as Care Providers Although the concept of patient care teams and MTM practices may be more often associated with the role of clinical pharmacists, this is also important for retail pharmacists as they continue to better hone their skills to provide oneon-one patient care.
In addition to patient consultations, pharmacists have taken a more active role in public health by administering vaccinations in the convenience of local pharmacies and performing health screenings for glucose and cholesterol levels.
“The ultimate goal is to provide more Pharmacists involved in resources for patients to receive patient care teams serve vaccinations and to protect as medication and drug against disease,” said Mary therapy experts, and take a Ann Dzurec, Pharm.D., BCACP, “Our College of Pharmacy has been ahead of more consultative and colassistant professor of pharmacy the curve when it comes to incorporating an laborative position. Often in practice at NEOMED and clinioutpatient settings — such cal pharmacist at Healthspan emphasis on patient care in the curriculum.” as clinics or a primary care Physicians and Integrated Care provider’s offices — pharin Avon, Ohio. “Expanding the Charles Taylor, Pharm.D. macists work in these teams role of the pharmacist gives to consult with high-risk patients an additional means to patients to decrease instances of freobtain a vaccine outside of a scheduled quent hospitalizations and emergency physician office visit.” Chrisovalantis Paxos, Pharm.D., BCPP, room visits. BCPS, CGP is an associate professor The Effects of Research of pharmacy practice in the College of on Patient Care Pharmacy professionals working in Pharmacy and assistant professor of In addition to providing one-on-one patient care, health care, or medicapsychiatry in the College of Medicine care, pharmacists, specifically clinition therapy management (MTM) teams, at Northeast Ohio Medical University cal pharmacists, conduct research collaborate with other health providers (NEOMED), as well as a specialist in to generate findings and apply new to ensure optimal patient outcomes. The psychiatric medicine at Akron General knowledge that contributes to enhancimplementation of this MTM team model Medical Center. Dr. Paxos always eming patients’ quality of life. Through incorporates specific evidenced-based phasizes to his students the importance clinical research, pharmacists are able medicine practices. These methods of patient care in all pharmacy settings to develop evidence-based practices have proven to be especially effective and the potential reactions between by studying the results of treatment in educating at-risk patients, like those what appear to be seemingly harmless methods and patient outcomes. Often being administered multiple drugs or natural supplements with prescription these outcomes lead to the discovery of with a history of frequent hospitalizamedicines. advanced methods for providing patient tion, about their medications and why care or shifting current approaches to they need to take them. “Even patients who are cognizant of better meet patients’ needs. potential reactions and side effects In fact, a study led by Purdue University caused by combinations of prescripAs the medication specialists within reported that low-risk Medicare pation and over-the-counter medicines the health care system, clinical phartients entering home health care who may not consider the natural products macists provide medication therapy received medication therapy managethey’re taking,” said Dr. Paxos. “It’s evaluations and recommendations to ment by phone were three times less important to consult with patients and patients and other health care profeslikely to be hospitalized within the next make them aware of the harmful effects sionals. As a result of their continued two months. of combining certain vitamins or suppleresearch, clinical pharmacists serve as ments with administered medicines.”
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XCELLENCECOMMUNICATIONCURIOSITYINNOVATIONCOMPETENCECOMMUNITYDISCOVERYC OMMUNICATIONCURIOSITYINNOVATIONCOMPETENCECOMMUNITYDISCOVERYCARINGCHARA URIOSITYINNOVATIONCOMPETENCECOMMUNITYDISCOVERYCARINGCHARACTERTRANSFOR NNOVATIONCOMPETENCECOMMUNITYDISCOVERYCARINGCHARACTERTRANSFORMATIVEEVOL OMPETENCECOMMUNITYDISCOVERYCARINGCHARACTERTRANSFORMATIVEEVOLVINGRESEA OMMUNITYDISCOVERYCARINGCHARACTERTRANSFORMATIVEEVOLVINGRESEARCHEDUCATIO ISCOVERYCARINGCHARACTERTRANSFORMATIVEEVOLVINGRESEARCHEDUCATIONPATIENTC a primary source of scientifically valid optimal patient care in cooperation with Educating the Next Generation ARINGCHARACTERTRANSFORMATIVEEVOLVINGRESEARCHEDUCATIONPATIENTCARESERVICE information and advice regarding the safe, appropriate and cost-effective use of medications – all of which lead to innovative practices in patient care.
Clinical pharmacists aren’t the only pharmacy professionals involved in research. Pharmaceutical researchers, although typically not associated with providing patient care, make it possible for practicing pharmacists to administer the best medications and treatment. The development of new pharmaceuticals and delivery methods gives pharmacists additional options for recommending care and can change a patient’s outlook of their health and well-being.
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Although a majority of pharmacists advance the profession through practice and research, many pharmacists impact patient care by serving as educators of the next generation of pharmacists. NEOMED faculty members and preceptors in the College of Pharmacy are dedicated to students’ success and experience to provide optimal patient care through an innovative and interactive curriculum. Clinical faculty within the College of Pharmacy provide an educational outlook based on practical experience. Their expertise in team-based care, advocacy and leadership curriculum ensures that students possess the competencies necessary to provide
an interprofessional team of health care providers.
Advanced Pharmacy Education and Residency Training A strong curriculum is integral to establishing a path for future pharmacists, and the Doctor of Pharmacy degree (Pharm.D.) program at NEOMED provides students with the team-based education needed to become a skilled pharmacy practitioner. In addition to the challenging curriculum of the Pharm.D. degree program, the College of Pharmacy offers a pharmacy residency training program to both current students and alumni.
“Residency training provides extensive experiences with regular feedback from qualified preceptors in several areas including direct patient care, practice management, teaching and research,” said Timothy R. Ulbrich, Pharm.D., R.Ph., associate professor of pharmacy practice and associate dean for workforce development and practice advancement. “These experiences allow a resident to grow into a competent and confident practitioner that can provide high-level patient care services.” As an enhanced pharmacy education experience, residencies allow students to apply everything they've learned throughout the curriculum directly to situations and settings, in turn, better preparing them to consult one-on-one with patients. Whether pursuing residency, teaching, serving in a community pharmacy or focusing on research, the days when pharmacists were tucked away from patients behind the counter are becoming a perception of the past. Although pharmacists continue to oversee administering medications, whatever the venue, more doors are opening for pharmacists to help manage patient care.
A COMMUNITYFOCUSED APPROACH TO PATIENT CARE
Christopher P. Shelby, Pharm. D., R.Ph., BCPS (’11)
As the role of a pharmacist continues to evolve, so do the practices by which pharmacists treat patients and provide care. One of the most recent initiatives to enhance patient-centered care is spearheaded by Christopher P. Shelby, Pharm. D., R.Ph., BCPS (‘11), assistant professor of pharmacy practice in the College of Pharmacy at Northeast Ohio Medical University (NEOMED).
A clinical pharmacy specialist of ambulatory care at Alliance Community Hospital (ACH) in Alliance, Ohio, Dr. Shelby created a new communityfocused pilot program at ACH that directly involves patients in the development of their own care plan and setting healthy goals. Selected patients are paired up with volunteer student health coaches, including seven second-year NEOMED pharmacy students and five undergraduate students from the University of Mount Union. These students identify potential barriers to care following hospital visits and ways to reduce patient hospital admission and readmission rates. They also facilitate patient education and enhance patients’ overall health literacy. This model provides patients with access to another member of their health care team without creating a financial burden.
“Our College of Pharmacy has been Although the program was only started in January 2014, Dr. Shelby ahead of the curve when it comes to is already envisioning the concept of health coaches and communityincorporating an emphasis on patient focused care as an integrated part of the College’s curriculum and a care in the curriculum,” said Charles best practice for all health professional teams. Taylor, Pharm.D., dean of the College of Pharmacy. “Now we are on the path to “The opportunities for the health coach program are endless,” said enhancing these efforts even more with Dr. Shelby. “As the program in Alliance evolves, I hope to broaden new faculty roles focusing on practice the scope by involving medicine students and eventually applying advancement and interprofessional this model to federally qualified health centers.” EXCELLENCECOMMUNICATIONCURIOSITYINNOVATIONCO studies. As we look to the future, I see EXCELLENCECOMMUNICATIONCURIOSITYINNOVATIONCOMPETENCECO the role of the pharmacist only continuEXCELLENCECOMMUNICATIONCURIOSITYINNOVATIONCOMPETENCECOMMUNITYDISCO ing to expand and as a result providing LENCECOMMUNICATIONCURIOSITYINNOVATIONCOMPETENCECOMMUNITYDISCOVERYCARIN patients with a higher level of care.” MUNICATIONCURIOSITYINNOVATIONCOMPETENCECOMMUNITYDISCOVERYCARINGCHARACT
RIOSITYINNOVATIONCOMPETENCECOMMUNITYDISCOVERYCARINGCHARACTERTRANSFORM NOVATIONCOMPETENCECOMMUNITYDISCOVERYCARINGCHARACTERTRANSFORMATIVEEVOLV MPETENCECOMMUNITYDISCOVERYCARINGCHARACTERTRANSFORMATIVEEVOLVINGRESEAR 13 | IGNITE
40 TH ANNIVERSARY:
PRO FI LE S TH ROUG H H IS TORY Edited by Heather Griesbach
M
any individuals — community members, legislatures, health care professionals, faculty, staff, students, alumni and more — have impacted Northeast Ohio Medical University (NEOMED) and played instrumental roles in its ongoing success during its 40-year history.
Throughout the 2013-2014 anniversary celebration, individuals from across the country submitted stories and pictures that bring to life individuals who have played key roles in igniting excellence at NEOMED. The University recognizes those nominated individuals and their experiences, which will always have an important place in our history.
Robert Brodell, M.D.
Samuel Altier, M.D.
Donald W. Moorman, M.D.
Bob was the chair of the dermatology section for many years and participated in NEOUCOM/MED committees, was actively involved in creating Continuing Medical Education programs that generated income, and tirelessly worked to mentor students in the joys of clinical medicine and academic contributions to teaching and the medical literature. As one of the founding members of the Master Teacher Guild at NEOMED, he created the foundation for an active organization that is contributing to the culture of excellence at the University.
Dr. Samuel Altier was on the advising board when the idea of NEOMED was in its infancy. He would drive from Ashtabula to meet and provide input on how the accelerated program should work logistically as well as put an emphasis in primary care. He served in World War II, fighting in all the major battles of the European Theatre of Operations. With the G.I. Bill, he was able to pursue medicine and had a successful practice in anesthesiology and family practice. Dr. Altier, my grandfather, is also the reason I decided to go into medicine. Even after he retired, patients would still ask if he was practicing and only had words of praise for him. He firmly believes in exercising his mind and taking care of the patient, and I aspire to be the kind of physician he was.
Don Moorman was an early leader in medical education at NEOUCOM. He was a surgery clerkship director (AGMC), an active member of the curriculum and ARP committees, but the main reason for my nomination was that he was the catalyst for the establishment of NEOUCOM's Alpha Omega Alpha chapter, and its first counselor. He expended much effort and leadership in seeing that this important confirmation of NEOUCOM's development was focused not simply on academic achievement but on the character, humanity and leadership of the students it recognized.
Submitted by: Eliot Mostow, M.D.
Submitted by: Carlynn Fulp
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Submitted by: James Boex, Ph.D., M.B.A.
2013
George A. Cusma
Maria R. Schimer, M.P.H., J.D.
E. Jay Wheeler, M.D., Ph.D.
Submitted by: Cindy Durbin
Maria has made herself available to help young and old alike. Students seek out her advice for both personal and academic problem solving. As a charter faculty member in the Department of Geriatrics, Maria shares her vast knowledge with senior citizens. Besides her involvement academically, Maria is also the general counsel who represents NEOMED and has been involved in all aspects of legal issues. Maria is very professional and provides an outstanding representation of NEOMED both locally and nationally.
George Cusma with granddaughters Brooke and Kelsey and dog Midget.
Submitted by: Martha Hilgert
Jay Wheeler came to Rootstown with Bob Liebelt, serving ultimately as the College's first senior/executive associate dean for academic affairs. In my mind, he is probably more responsible for the success of the College's early curriculum than any other single individual. In addition, he was an outstanding teacher in many basic sciences subjects, filling in on little or no notice when instructors were not available because of weather, illness, etc. He was highly regarded by faculty and students alike. During the College's leadership vacuum of the early 1980s, Jay successfully served as acting dean.
George A. Cusma was the general superintendent in charge of building Northeast Ohio Medical University for the Nahra Co. in 1972. He oversaw the construction of the entire structure, and it was one of his biggest accomplishments. He is 88 and still remembers much about the building of this institution. He just recently signed papers to have his body donated to NEOMED when he dies.
Submitted by: James Boex, Ph.D., M.B.A.
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The Tan Family James Tan, M.D., (of blessed memory) was one of the earliest faculty members. A brilliant internist and infectious disease specialist, he forged collaborative interactions between the infectious disease groups of Akron, Canton, Youngstown and NEOUCOM. Although legendary as a clinical problem solver, his teaching and bedside manner are what most remember. He was world renowned for his clinical research in antibiotics but was modest about it. He authored several books. He was an excellent mentor. Amongst those he mentored were his daughter Stephanie Tan, M.D. (‘94), an internist at Summa, and son Michael Tan, M.D. (‘99), an infectious disease specialist at Summa. Mike is following in his father’s footsteps in many ways. He is course director for the infectious disease module of The Principles of Medicine Sequence, co-course director for the infection and immunity course, faculty participant in student advising and an author. Submitted by: Kenneth Rosenthal, Ph.D. I was impressed with Dr. James Tan the moment I met him. He cared about his patients — he cared about people. His son, Dr. Michael Tan, is carrying on his legacy with his patients and through teaching. It's great to see an alumnus working in the consortium, teaching our students and staying involved with NEOMED. They are both a big part of the legacy and the future of NEOMED. Submitted by: Debbie McConnell
Richard Lewis Richard Lewis has invested more than 40 years of his career in higher education and nearly 30 of those years in government relations. He has successfully represented NEOMED before multiple governmental constituencies and funding agencies and meets regularly with elected officials to ensure they are aware of the University’s progress. His ability to creatively collaborate with multiple constituency groups has allowed NEOMED to grow and has positioned the institution for future success. Rich has left his mark on nearly every major University initiative since 1983, including securing extensive funding for capital projects, educational resources, research initiatives and service programs; facilitating approval from the Board of Regents to establish our College of Pharmacy; and leading our efforts to transition to an independent public University with a new name. His extraordinary commitment to building positive, meaningful and long-lasting relationships with state officials and higher education leaders is a result of his character. He is a mentor to numerous staff and students, a leader among his peers and an advocate for higher education. He is highly regarded as a gentleman of honor and integrity. When people reference individuals who have played an instrumental role in NEOMED’s success, Rich Lewis is always among those mentioned. We are honored to recommend him for recognition as part of the University’s 40th Anniversary celebration. Submitted by: Daniel S. Blain, M.A., M.S.W., and John Stilliana, M.A.
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Margaret Clark Morgan I would like to make a posthumous nomination to recognize Mrs. Margaret Clark Morgan for outstanding contributions to NEOMED. Through her foundation, Mrs. Margaret Clark Morgan very generously gave $12.9 million to the NEOMED Foundation to support mental health initiatives at NEOMED, including The Margaret Clark Morgan Endowed Chair in Psychiatry, the Best Practices in Schizophrenia Treatment (BeST) Center and the Ohio Program for Campus Safety and Mental Health. Submitted by: Carole Harwood
2013
Dr. Glenn A. Saltzman and Dr. Mark L. Savickas
Jan Divoky The success of students comes in great part from the support and encouragement they receive from faculty and staff. When I think of the impact that staff make on students' lives, I immediately think of Jan Divoky as a person who makes a lasting impression. She has been far more than a competent and efficient staff member. She has been that person students rely on for quick and accurate information. In addition to providing students with that high quality of service, she has played an instrumental role in encouraging them as they pursue their professional degrees. Students can count on Jan to “go the extra mile” to assist them, and colleagues can count on her to do the same. As a colleague, I always depended on Jan and felt assured that she would be willing to assist with any project – no matter how big or how small. These are some of the qualities I admire in Jan. Submitted by: Michelle Cassetty Collins
Few people have impacted NEOMED’s history more than Dr. Glenn A. Saltzman and Dr. Mark L. Savickas. Just ask the many faculty, staff and administrative colleagues with whom they worked during their combined 57 years of service to NEOMED. They will tell you about Glenn’s and Mark’s exemplary leadership, tremendous vision, outstanding work and fervent devotion to the school and its mission. Likewise, talk with any NEOMED alumni whom they have educated, guided and championed. They will tell you how Glenn and Mark taught them empathy and humanism as the heart of good patient care, how they embodied the dictum: “The secret of the care of the patient is in caring for the patient” (Francis Weld Peabody, M.D.), and how you can’t always cure but you can always care. NEOMED’s continuing emphasis on communication, caring and character in particular stand today as a legacy left in large part by Glenn and Mark. Charter faculty members of the College of Medicine, Drs. Saltzman and Savickas joined NEOMED in 1976. Collectively, they have earned NEOMED much distinction through the recognition of their work locally, nationally and internationally. Glenn served the College of Medicine for 20 years, including as charter chair of the Department of Behavioral Sciences and 14 years as director of the Division of
For more highlights of those who have contributed to the University’s success since its founding on Nov. 23, 1973, visit neomed.edu/40.
Basic Medical Sciences before retiring in 1996 as emeritus professor of behavioral sciences. Glenn received the first Provost Award for Administrative Excellence, the Olson-Blair Award for Administrative Excellence and the Dean’s Award for his academic achievements. Glenn and his wife, Ruth, continue to sponsor NEOMED’s Community Service Award through the Jon Saltzman Memorial Fund. Mark served the College of Medicine and the University for 37 years, including 25 years as chair of the Department of Behavioral Sciences before retiring in 2013. Mark received numerous honors and awards, including chair emeritus of the Department of Behavioral Sciences, NEOMED Outstanding Research Award, and two honorary doctoral degrees. Mark continues to serve the University as professor emeritus of family and community medicine, remaining active in teaching medical students. Dr. Glenn Saltzman and Dr. Mark Savickas each devoted the better parts of their professional lives to igniting and keeping NEOMED burning bright over its 40-year history. From NEOMED’s early days on Martinel Drive in Kent, Drs. Saltzman and Savickas played critical roles in fueling NEOMED’s founding, accelerating its growth and expanding its reach. They emerge as central characters in NEOMED’s story and represent true excellence in every form. Dr. Glenn Saltzman and Dr. Mark Savickas stand as two true NEOMED pioneers. Submitted by: Paul J. Hartung, Ph.D.
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IGNITING INTEREST IN THE HEALTH PROFESSIONS:
CULTIVATING AND NURTURING FUTURE HEALTH CARE PROFESSIONALS By Jared Slanina
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hose in attendance for Health Professions Affinity Community’s (HPAC) second annual Scholar’s Day were served the perfect example of just how far Northeast Ohio Medical University’s (NEOMED) pipeline programs have come. On April 26, high school and college students from throughout the region presented the results of their group projects that not only identified a health-related concern in their communities, but also worked toward providing a solution for them. The first Scholar’s Day in 2013 drew 80 students. In only a year, HPAC has enjoyed major growth that culminated with 350 students from 19 counties
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throughout the state attending the second annual Scholar’s Day and presenting their year-long efforts to understand and advance the health of Ohio communities. “We have an amazing group of staff and AmeriCorps volunteers committed to building the HPAC program,” said Erik Porfeli, Ph.D., assistant dean for community engagement and admissions in the College of Medicine at NEOMED. “HPAC is a home to many motivated and talented students who are deeply committed to their communities, many of whom will go on to become future leaders in the health care field.”
The Rise of HPAC The HPAC service-learning model is designed to empower youth to become engaged in the health care of their community. Under the leadership of faculty and staff at NEOMED, HPACs focus on middle and high school students’ academic engagement and career development with the aim of enhancing academic achievement and school attendance as well as increasing the fraction of high school graduates and college-going students pursuing training in health care fields. To help advance the HPAC program, NEOMED received funding from AmeriCorps to support 20 full-time
members to create a volunteer health corps devoted to advancing the health and success of rural Ohio communities. The AmeriCorps members continue to establish and deliver the HPAC program in rural Ohio school districts with a particular focus on communities with demonstrated academic achievement, employment and health care access challenges. These and other HPACs throughout the region have resulted in sustainable programs that make a difference in the health of their communities.
studies class helped by growing tomato plants for the garden. In May, the HPAC students led by their AmeriCorps members, Anthony Marchi and Tynan Smith, completed planting everything from tomatoes and peppers to lettuce and carrots. Even after the school year was complete, they continued to maintain the garden throughout the summer with help from their parents, community members and the Rootstown PTA. They plan to hold lessons to teach others how to maintain their own gardens.
Examples of Impact
Continuing to Grow
The Project of the Year honor at this year’s Scholar’s Day was awarded to a group of eight students from the Cleveland School of Science and Medicine for their project “Euphoric Release.” This project was a collaboration between the HPAC group and local musicians to create music to tell real-life stories and inspire others to address pressing mental health and social challenges. Past winners are also continuing to have an impact. A group from MC2 High School in Cleveland that took top honors in 2012-2013 is continuing to expand its service project, “LOVEit,” which addresses teen insecurity and suicide. The students developed a series of public service announcements using the video cameras on their cell phones and video/audio editing software. LOVEit members went on to become certified in suicide prevention, with many serving as members of their local mental health boards. They regularly travel to local school districts to present their work, and they have participated in grant writing workshops, which helped them acquire financial support to continue building their program.
Roots for Rootstown Local communities have also benefitted from HPAC programming. After being impacted personally in some way by the obesity epidemic, the Rootstown Middle School HPAC students set out to encourage healthier eating habits among their fellow classmates by creating and maintaining a community garden at their school. To increase visibility of their efforts, the group worked with school administrators to build the garden directly in front of the school. Before too long they were receiving support from their classmates, and one environmental
As word-of-mouth continues to spread about HPAC, the program is anticipated to expand to other regions in Ohio and to other states. HPAC became available to students in Noble, Monroe and Washington counties in Ohio and to New Mexico and Missouri this fall. The expansion in Ohio is made possible by recent grants provided by AmeriCorps and the HealthPath Foundation, and outside Ohio through support from the American Medical Association, the University of New Mexico and the University of Missouri at Kansas City. “We are grateful for the ability to strengthen our current partners and are lucky enough to build community by working with others,” said Gina Weisblat, Ph.D., director of Education for Service at NEOMED. “These students are changing our world while learning how to be active citizens in their communities, especially on health issues while using our tremendous stock of existing resources. Establishing HPACs in these regions will go a long way towards advancing both students and their communities and rallying both to grow the health care workforce.”
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NEOMED STUDENTS LEAD NATIONAL INITIATIVE TO CREATE FIRST-EVER UNDERGRADUATE LGBT HEALTH BOOK By Heather Griesbach
L
ast fall, a group of students in the College of Medicine at Northeast Ohio Medical University (NEOMED) were recognized for their efforts in creating and institutionalizing lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) health curricula at NEOMED to influence future students in becoming more compassionate and competent in the care of LGBT patients. Working in collaboration with University faculty and staff, the group of students introduced nine hours of LGBT health-related curriculum, created two original lectures and helped integrate LGBT patient standardized interviews into students’ Wasson Center experiences—a significant enhancement to a curriculum that had formerly lacked an LGBT health component. But this was only the beginning. In addition to recognizing the need for LGBT health education at NEOMED, Meena Thatikunta, fourth-year student in the College of Medicine, was struck by the lack of an LGBT health emphasis in the curricula of medical schools across the country. As she began to explore this nation-wide gap, consistent barriers came to light — few faculty advocates, limited available curricular time and a lack of educational materials and resources. Armed with this information, she was personally compelled to advocate for change at NEOMED as well as at the national level. “We set out to solve this issue at NEOMED, and I thought, ‘why not solve this nationally as well?’” said Thatikunta. “One of the biggest challenges, nation-wide, seems to be summation — capturing the existing knowledge pool on LGBT health and making that accessible to health educators and students. Our initiative to address this is to create the first-ever book on LGBT health for undergraduate health professions students and educators — The Equal Curriculum: Student and Educator Guide to LGBT Health.”
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Early Efforts Becoming Tangible Outcomes Thatikunta’s efforts are picking up speed. In 2012 she created a national forum comprising subject matter experts from across the country as well as students and residents. The senior editor team includes industry leaders such as Henry Ng, M.D., M.P.H., FAAP, FACP, interim director of the Center for Internal Medicine/Pediatrics at The MetroHealth System and president of the Gay and Lesbian Medical Association (GLMA): Health Professionals Advancing LGBT Equality as well as representatives from Vanderbilt University, Oakland University and the University of Wisconsin-Madison. The associate editor team includes emerging and established leaders in LGBT health, including Poornima Oruganti, third-year medicine student at NEOMED.
was assigned to a group of primary authors who recently finished their initial drafts. The senior editor team continues to define the mission and strategy behind the book and in preparation for the final editing process. “We really see this as an opportunity for the students as well as the experts,” said Thatikunta. “The Equal Curriculum
“There is always an opportunity to improve our understanding of diversity, and our profession’s understanding of the health care needs of the LGBT community is lacking,” said Jeffrey L. Susman, M.D., dean of the College of Medicine at NEOMED. “In order to foster the best possible health care professional of the future, we must move away from assumptions and biases and invest in expanding our curricula and addressing this knowledge gap. A group of our students recognized this gap and saw it as an opportunity. They have taken national leadership in filling this gap, and truthfully, they are helping to lead their teachers. In my opinion, this is what medical school should be about—giving them the tools so they can lead us and move our profession forward.”
Book authors and attendees at the Gay and Lesbian Medical One of those tools has been fi“LGBT health education is critical Association Conference in Denver (left to right): James Lehman, nancial support of The Equal to improve the health, well-being M.P.H., medicine student at the University of Wisconsin-Madison; Curriculum. The College of and lives of LGBT people throughPoornima Oruganti, medicine student at NEOMED; Kristen Eckstrand, Ph.D., co-director of the Program for LGBTI Health at Medicine has committed funding out the United States. The 2011 Vanderbilt University; and Meena Thatikunta, medicine student at to assist Thatikunta’s editorial Institute of Medicine report The NEOMED. team in launching the book, Health of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, which will be available as an and Transgender People: Building will cover core competencies a health eBook and print-on-demand via Amazon a Foundation for Better Understanding in winter 2015. student or educator should know, such as well as the 2011 JAMA study conas terms and definitions, screening/ ducted by Drs. Obedin-Malivar and Lunn prevention information, medicolegal “Meena has done an exceptional job of et al. demonstrated significant gaps in issues, prominent health issues affecting bringing together individuals from health professional knowledge and the LGBT community and more. It’s being around the nation to collaborate on this education in caring for LGBT populaconstructed to serve as a resource for project,” said Dr. Susman. “Her leadertions,” said Dr. Ng. “Having a tool such ship has been extraordinary and her health professions students in a variety as The Equal Curriculum will aid health of disciplines—medicine, pharmacy, persistence and enthusiasm have led to professional students and faculty in nursing, physician’s assistants—as well change at both our institutional level as closing those gaps to improve their as educators in those fields.” well as at the national level. This has clinical and cultural competency in been an exceptional task, but it will have caring for LGBT people. This compreLocal Support of the lasting effects on medical educators, hensive curriculum will address LGBT National Initiative researchers, our future health care health issues in many health environThatikunta’s success in driving this providers — and most importantly — on ments, not only in the outpatient clinical initiative at NEOMED as well as the natheir future patients.” setting.” tional level is a point of pride for the University. Each chapter in The Equal Curriculum
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RESEARCH
The Chiang Lab examines the mechanisms and regulation of bile acid and cholesterol metabolism in diabetes, obesity and liver diseases.
THE FIGHT AGAINST FATTY LIVER DISEASE:
COLLABORATING FOR A CURE
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he liver is a vital organ of the digestion system fundamental to the human body’s overall wellness. So when the liver encounters disease, it has to work harder to metabolize and break down food and contaminants that can inhibit its ability to perform essential functions, such as cleansing the blood of toxins, blood clotting and digestion. Although prevention is always the best strategy for fighting most diseases, Northeast Ohio Medical University (NEOMED) recognizes a cure is
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needed and the team of researchers focusing on liver disease continues to grow along with collaboration efforts. John Young-Ling Chiang, Ph.D., professor of biochemistry and molecular pathology in the Department of Integrative Medical Sciences, is one researcher who has played an integral role in leading NEOMED’s studies on nonalcoholic fatty liver, specifically examining the role of bioacids. With the recent addition of Min You, Ph.D., chair of the Department of Pharmaceutical
By Rebecca Verlezza
Sciences, professor of pharmaceutical sciences and associate dean for research, the University is expanding liver disease research to include studies on alcoholic fatty liver disease. “Dr. You’s research adds a new perspective to the University’s study of fatty liver disease,” said Charles Taylor, Pharm.D., dean of the College of Pharmacy. “Her background and experience strengthens our collaborative efforts toward developing treatments for this life-threatening disease.”
What is a Fatty Liver? A fatty liver is the result of the accumulation of excess fat in liver cells. Fat, whether in the form of calories from food or alcohol in a person’s diet, is usually metabolized by the liver and other tissues. If the amount of fat exceeds what is required by the body, it is stored in the fatty tissue and builds up in the liver, often leading to fatty liver disease. Other potential causes of excess fat in the liver include medication side effects, viral hepatitis, autoimmune or inherited liver disease, rapid weight loss and malnutrition. People with fatty liver disease may show no symptoms but can experience mild fatigue and a general feeling of being unwell. In early stages mild fatty liver disease is largely benign and can be reversible. However, the progression from mild to severe increases risk and can lead to further injury, including inflammation, scarring of the liver, cirrhosis, fibrosis, steatohepatitis, liver failure and death. Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease is a condition where people who drink little or no alcohol accumulate fat in the liver, often due to obesity. Worldwide, alcoholic fatty liver is one of the most prevalent forms of chronic disease. Alcohol consumption can contribute to the development of steatohepatitis, which can then progress to alcohol-induced liver fibrosis. This symptom appears in the later stages of liver disease, Cirrhosis, and involves the hardening of liver cells and can potentially result in death.
The Road to a Cure At progressed stages of the disease, treatment options may be limited. Liver transplant surgery is typically the best
The Progression of LIVER DISEASE Inflammation Inflammation (hepatitis) presents itself in early stages of any liver disease, indicating the body is fighting an infection or injury. If diagnosed and treated it may go away, but inflammation can lead to permanent damage. Fibrosis Left untreated an inflamed liver will start to scar. As excess scar tissue grows, it replaces healthy tissue through fibrosis. This prevents blood flow through the liver, causing function to decline and the healthy part to work harder. Cirrhosis Fibrosis can lead to cirrhosis when the liver is scarred to the extent that the damage cannot be reversed. Liver Failure Liver failure means the liver is losing or has lost all of its function. It is a life-threatening condition that demands urgent medical care. Cancer Cancer that starts in the liver is called primary liver cancer. Cirrhosis and hepatitis B are leading risk factors for primary liver cancer, but cancer can develop in the liver at any stage in the progression of liver disease.
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RESEARCH
FACTS AND FIGURES u u u u u u
liver disease is among the top
10 causes of death in the United States
35 percent of heavy drinkers develop alcoholic hepatitis between 10 and 20 percent of heavy drinkers develop cirrhosis nearly 21,000 Americans are diagnosed with primary liver cancer each year it is estimated that up to 20 percent of Americans have fatty liver if more than 5 - 10 percent of the liver’s weight is fat, then it is called a fatty liver up to
Source: American Liver Foundation
In his research Dr. Chiang uses cloning and purification of a gene called cholesterol 7 alphahydroxolys. He uses clinical models fed a high fat diet and subjects them to bioacids. He hypothesizes that by converting cholesterol to bioacids he can stimulate the release of hormones in the intestine to regulate diabetes and stimulate weight loss to improve liver sensitivity.
The You Lab focuses on the molecular mechanisms underlying the development of alcoholic fatty liver disease.
option and highly successful, however supply is limited. Currently there is no medication proven to effectively treat fatty liver disease but investigations are underway. Dr. Chiang’s research examines the mechanisms and regulation of bile acid and cholesterol metabolism in
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diabetes, obesity and liver diseases. Excess cholesterol can break down bile acids in the liver, which are needed for the absorption of nutrients, steroids and drugs in the digestive system. An imbalance of cholesterol and bile acids in the body can cause a fatty liver and liver injury or other conditions.
“Discovering the cure to any disease always starts with basic science,” said Dr. Chiang. “Although the underlying mechanism of liver disease is still not clear, my lab is already in the second phase of approaching clinical trials.” Dr. Chiang has already inhibited weight loss in clinical models, decreasing risk factors for liver disease. Most recently his lab has proven that microbiotina regulates bioacids and changes the composition of bacteria in the intestine. Currently there is evidence that bile regulates overall metabolism in the liver, and
bile is being used in clinical trials as treatment for fatty liver disease. Dr. You also has developed a unique approach. She focuses on the molecular mechanisms underlying the development of alcohol fatty liver focusing on the role of ethanol signaling pathways of lipid metabolism regulations in the liver and ethanol regulation of adiponectin, a protein involved in regulating glucose levels and the breakdown of fatty acids. She examines the tissue of clinical models subjected to ethanol and the livers of chronically ethanol-fed clinical models to study regulation of the effects of ethanol. Dr. You proposes that since the effects of ethanol can be influenced by dietary fatty acids or medicinal compounds, they can potentially lead to therapeutic treatments for fatty liver diseases. In her investigation, she discovered that chronic exposure to ethanol drastically induced miR-217 levels, causing excess accumulation of fat. These findings suggest that miR-217, an RNA sequence that blocks or interferes with the expression of specific gene, is a target of ethanol action in the liver and may lead to a therapeutic treatment for alcoholic fatty liver disease. “The University has committed extensive resources to growing research efforts with an emerging focus on liver disease,” said Walter E. Horton Jr., Ph.D, dean of the College of Graduate Studies and vice president for research. “The ultimate goal is that through research and collaboration we can address some of the most urgent health care issues facing society today.”
Min You, Ph.D., chair of the Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, professor of pharmaceutical sciences and associate dean for research, joined NEOMED in January 2014. In addition to her appointments at NEOMED, Dr. You is an active member of the American Association for the Study of Liver Disease and the Research Society on Alcoholism and a permanent member of the hepatobiliary pathophysiology study section of the National Institutes of Health.
John Young-Ling Chiang, Ph.D., professor of biochemistry and molecular pathology in the Department of Integrative Medical Sciences, plays an integral part in leading NEOMED’s studies on nonalcoholic fatty liver. Dr. Chiang’s research is widely recognized and respected among his peers. The research projects have been supported by several National Institutes of Health (NIH) grants since he joined the University in 1978, including the prestigious Method to Extend Research in Time (MERIT) Award.
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RESEARCH
INTERPROFESSIONAL RESEARCH TEAM EXPLORES PREMATURE MORTALITY AMONG INDIVIDUALS WITH MENTAL ILLNESS By Jared Slanina Twenty-five years. The average life expectancy for a United States citizen is slightly less than 79 years old. For a person with a serious mental illness, that number drops by 25 years — to just 54 years old. This means that individuals with a mental illness may miss out on 25 years’ worth of memories simply because they have a mental illness. No single factor contributes to such a dramatically reduced life expectancy for individuals with mental illness. Unfortunately, an extensive combination of hardships decreases health outcomes, health status and life expectancy for individuals with severe and persistent mental illness. Causes of death for individuals with mental illness most often include cardiovascular disease, diabetes, respiratory disease, infectious disease and suicide. Many individuals in the communitybased mental health research focus
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area at Northeast Ohio Medical University (NEOMED) are collaborating to better understand the many and varied root causes for premature mortality among individuals with severe and persistent mental illness and to identify ways to improve the health and quality of care available to them. NEOMED researchers examine the social factors that influence the overall health of patients with mental illness, including their access to and quality of health services, service outcomes, the system of primary mental health care and clinical preventive medicine, health-compromising behaviors, stress and social isolation and lack of resources. The team’s research looks at illnesses such as schizophrenia, drug addiction and psychosomatic conditions, as well as opportunities for improving outcomes, such as costeffective alternatives to incarceration. “This collaborative research on issues that affect the well-being of underserved populations is part of what makes NEOMED an exciting place
to work,” said Christian Ritter, Ph.D., professor of psychiatry and professor of family and community medicine in the College of Medicine and director of the community-based mental health research focus area at NEOMED. The interdisciplinary research team also includes NEOMED faculty members Natalie Bonfine, Ph.D., assistant professor of psychiatry and instructor of family and community medicine, Kristin Baughman, Ph.D., assistant professor of family and community medicine, Mark Munetz, M.D., The Margaret Clark Morgan chair in psychiatry, Susan Labuda Schrop, Ph.D., assistant dean of curriculum in the College of Medicine, Sara Dugan, Pharm.D., associate professor of pharmacy practice and psychiatry, and Chrisovalantis Paxos, Pharm.D., associate professor of pharmacy practice and assistant professor of psychiatry, along with researchers from Kent State University, Case Western Reserve University and Hiram College.
Factors Affecting Health Outcomes The team has identified several factors that contribute to medical co-morbidity and premature mortality among people with severe mental illness. For example, people with mental health issues typically have an elevated level of risk factors, such as substance abuse, unsafe sexual behavior, poor nutrition and smoking. In fact, up to 80 percent of individuals with severe and persistent mental illness smoke, compared with only 20 percent of the general population. In addition, people with mental illness tend to experience more stress, to have fewer social resources and not to seek or to have access to primary care, particularly preventive care. The use of psychotropic medications also pose unique challenges. While these medications undeniably help alleviate symptoms of severe mental illness and enhance overall quality of life, they can also have a number of side effects, which can include weight gain, diabetes and hypertension. Besides creating health risks, side effects like weight gain can add to the stigma experienced by an already stigmatized group of individuals. “There is a need to integrate primary and mental health care in order to best address the health care needs of individuals with co-occurring chronic physical and psychiatric conditions,” said Dr. Munetz. “We’re developing new models to make psychiatric nurses, social workers and psychiatrists more prominent within the primary care setting, and to make primary care more accessible in settings where people receive their mental health treatment.” The diminished life expectancy for persons with severe and persistent mental illnesses is just one of many issues being proactively addressed in
NEOMED’s classrooms. Dr. Munetz, Janice Spalding, M.D., associate professor and vice chair of family and community medicine, and Dr. Paxos conduct an interdisciplinary case conference for third-year students at NEOMED and nurse practitioner students at The University of Akron. The conference helps students understand the far-reaching implications of mental illness. In addition to learning about risk factors, students have the opportunity to address and debate how to develop treatment
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an interprofessional team is needed to address the multiple, complex issues that contribute to the problem. We all must understand where each of us fits in if we hope to alleviate this serious dilemma.” “There have been tremendous advancements in the pharmacologic and psychosocial treatments for serious mental illnesses in the past 35 years,” said Dr. Munetz. “Sadly, mental health services have never been funded in proportion to the degree to which disability results from mental disorders.”
Overcoming Funding Challenges
years
79
years old
Average life expectancy for a United States citizen
54
years old
Average life expectancy for a person with a serious mental illness
plans for individuals with chronic psychiatric and physical conditions. They also tour a community-based integrated care clinic. “The aim of this case conference is to go above and beyond simply understanding mental illness,” said Dr. Paxos. “It’s important for all health care professionals to understand which factors cause premature mortality, as well as understanding the importance of how
NEOMED has received generous support from The Margaret Clark Morgan Foundation, located in Hudson, Ohio, for its ongoing efforts to promote recovery and improve the lives of individuals affected by mental illness. The foundation has contributed $13 million to NEOMED’s Department of Psychiatry, with the largest gifts being given to establish and develop the Department of Psychiatry’s Best Practices in Schizophrenia Treatment (BeST) Center. The BeST Center aims to identify, understand and overcome barriers to implementing best practices and to work with community-based partners to make them widely available for individuals with schizophrenia. Integrated primary and mental health care is one of the practices that the BeST Center is partnering to implement in community treatment settings. “Premature mortality and poor health status among individuals with severe mental illness is such an important issue,” said Dr. Munetz. “We have a long road ahead of us to reduce these disparities. Through our research, education and service, we are working every day to change this.”
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IN BRIEF
DR. BOLTRI NAMED CHAIR OF FAMILY AND COMMUNITY MEDICINE
John M. Boltri, M.D., FAAFP, has been named professor and chair of the Department of Family and Community Medicine at Northeast Ohio Medical University (NEOMED). Prior to joining the University, he served as professor and chair of the Department of Family Medicine and Public Health Sciences at Wayne State University School of Medicine in John M. Boltri, M.D., Detroit, Mich. Dr. Boltri studied biology at the State FAAFP University of New York before graduating with a Doctor of Medicine degree from The Ohio State University. He completed his residency in family medicine at Akron City Hospital in 1990 and a fellowship in academic medicine in 2003. Subsequently, Dr. Boltri became acquainted with Jeffrey L. Susman, M.D., dean of the College of Medicine at NEOMED, who became his professional mentor. They will now work closely together to advance NEOMED’s Department of Family and Community Medicine. Among Dr. Boltri’s main goals are to build on prior research successes, improve the intersection between primary care and public health, train future leaders in primary care and add to NEOMED’s innovative curriculum.
DR. JONES TO RECEIVE OHIO ACP’S INAUGURAL INTERNIST OF THE YEAR AWARD
Ronald R. Jones, M.D., FACP
Ronald R. Jones, M.D., FACP, associate professor of internal medicine at NEOMED, and associate program director of Summa Health System Akron City Hospital’s Internal Medicine Residency Program, has been awarded the inaugural Internist of the Year Award of the Ohio Chapter of the American College of Physicians (ACP).
The newly established award is given to an internal medicine specialist who is nominated by at least two ACP members, is a fellow or Master of the American College of Physicians, is a general internist or subspecialist, has been in clinical practice or teaching setting for more than 20 years, and has distinguished themselves in the regional community in one or more of the missions of the ACP. Dr. Jones is an honors graduate of Wheaton College in Wheaton, Ill., and received his Doctor of Medicine degree from the University of Toledo College of Medicine. He completed his internship and residency at Summa Akron City Hospital under the directorship of former Ohio ACP Governor, the late James S. Tan, M.D., MACP. Dr. Jones has practiced in the Akron area for 32 years. In 2004, he deepened his commitment to medical education by becoming the associate director of the internal medicine residency program at Summa Akron City Hospital, where he has won numerous Internal Medicine Teacher of the Year Awards.
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Eugene Mowad, M.D.
DR. MOWAD NAMED ASSOCIATE DEAN FOR CLINICAL AFFAIRS
Eugene Mowad, M.D., has been named associate dean for clinical affairs in the College of Medicine after serving as a clinical faculty member at NEOMED since 1994. He studied biology and music at Washington and Jefferson College before graduating with a Doctor of Medicine degree from the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine. He completed a pediatric residency and served as chief resident in pediatrics at the Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh. Dr. Mowad most recently served as a pediatric hospitalist and director of medical education at Akron Children’s Hospital. Among his primary responsibilities as dean of clinical affairs will be to provide oversight of relationships with NEOMED’s clinical sites.
SKELETAL BIOLOGY RESEARCH EARNS UNIVERSITY FIRST-EVER TECHNOLOGY VALIDATION AND START-UP GRANT
NEOMED's research in the area of skeletal biology has been a strong focus for many years and recently obtained additional support through the University’s first-ever Ohio Third Frontier Technology Validation and Start-Up Grant. Fayez Safadi, Ph.D.
This grant, awarded to Fayez Safadi, Ph.D., professor of anatomy and neurobiology and director of the skeletal biology research focus area at NEOMED, for his studies on “The Role of Osteoactivin in Bone Regeneration,” takes the University’s research beyond discovery. With a grant of $30,000, Dr. Safadi will embark on a new business development phase, utilizing the University’s Research, Entrepreneurship, Discovery and Innovation Zone (REDIzone®).
The Ohio Third Frontier’s grant provides research funding in two phases. The first phase involves technology validation such as prototyping to get the technology to the point of licensing and commercialization. The second phase supports Ohio start-up companies that have licensed technology developed at Ohio higher education and nonprofit research institutions. To date, Dr. Safadi has proven osteoactivin promotes and activates bone cells and stimulates bone formation to accelerate the healing of fractures through testing with pre-clinical models. As he completes a final round of pre-clinical testing, Dr. Safadi is preparing for the next steps in business development. Once the therapeutic agent has been tested in its final form, Dr. Safadi will be able to take the product to market as a potential treatment in diseases associated with increased risk of fracture.
NEOMED RESEARCHER MAKES BREAKTHROUGH IN REGENERATIVE THERAPY
Marc Penn, M.D., Ph.D., FACC
Northeast Ohio Medical University (NEOMED) researcher Marc Penn, M.D., Ph.D., FACC, has a novel approach to regenerative medicine focused on inducing the body's own stem cells to repair tissue, rather than injecting stem cells, and his recent clinical trial with patients who have experienced advanced heart failure is showing significant results.
Dr. Penn recently shared the results of his Phase II study that evaluates the safety and efficacy of a gene therapy approach in patients with a type of heart disease called symptomatic ischemic cardiomyopathy at the European Society of Cardiology- Heart Failure Congress in Athens, Greece. The study showed that the gene therapy approach which is under development by Juventas Therapeutics, based in Cleveland, is safe and improved cardiac function in patients with advanced heart failure, who on average had their last heart attacks more than a decade ago.
DR. MUNETZ NAMED TO PSYCHIATRIC SERVICES EDITORIAL BOARD
The American Psychiatric Association (APA) Board of Trustees approved the appointment of Mark R. Munetz, M.D., Margaret Clark Morgan chair in psychiatry at NEOMED to the Psychiatric Services editorial board, effective May 7.
Mark R. Munetz, M.D.
Established in 1950, this peer-reviewed, interdisciplinary journal of the APA features research reports authored by psychiatrists, psychologists, pharmacists, nurses, social workers, drug and alcohol treatment counselors, economists, policy analysts and professionals in related systems on issues related to the delivery of mental health services.
BLAIN RECEIVES HONORARY DEGREE
Daniel S. Blain, M.A., M.S.W., vice president for advancement Daniel S. Blain, M.A., M.S.W. and president of the NEOMED Foundation, received an honorary doctorate from Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion in May. Blain was recognized among other distinguished communal and civic leaders and alumni who were awarded for their service to the North American Jewish Community and in honor of their humanitarian work.
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IN BRIEF
NEOMED DEEPENS COMMITMENT TO DIVERSITY, EQUITY AND INCLUSION
Sergio A. Garcia, LL.B.
Andre Burton, J.D.
Northeast Ohio Medical University (NEOMED) is committed to deepening its focus on diversity, equity and inclusion in all facets of University operations. To aid in this focus, President Jay A. Gershen, D.D.S., Ph.D., has established the Office of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion. Sergio A. Garcia, LL.B., will lead the office as vice president, in addition to his current role as chief of staff, and Andre Burton, J.D. will serve as executive director. The Office seeks to build on the successes achieved by various NEOMED entities and organizations and, in collaboration with internal and external stakeholders, will develop and implement a University Strategic Diversity Plan; collaborate with University departments to identify opportunities and barriers to the recruitment and retention of a diverse community of successful students, faculty and staff; and, lead and support diversity-building programs across campus.
The office will also evaluate NEOMED's assets and challenges with regard to underrepresented groups, community support and cultural awareness, working with the President’s Leadership Team to foster a climate of support and inclusiveness.
DR. ULBRICH RECOGNIZED FOR LEADERSHIP LOCALLY AND NATIONALLY
Timothy R. Ulbrich, Pharm.D., R.Ph.
Timothy R. Ulbrich, Pharm.D., R.Ph., associate dean for workforce development and practice advancement and associate professor of pharmacy practice in the College of Pharmacy at NEOMED, was selected by the Greater Akron Chamber for its annual “30 for the Future” award program this year. The program recognizes young professionals, ages 25 to 39, from the greater Akron area whose significant contributions have impacted their industries and the region in positive ways.
Dr. Ulbrich was also selected to participate in the 2014-2015 American Association of Colleges of Pharmacy (AACP) Academic Leadership Fellows Program (ALFP). The program will cover personal and interpersonal competencies for leadership, practical management responsibilities, and administrative competencies of an academic pharmacy administrator, as well as leadership in the external arena of advocacy and the profession. Fellows will be active participants in the 2015 AACP Annual Meeting and deliver presentations during a special session.
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Seth Brownlee, Pharm.D.
Susan Bruce, Timothy Ulbrich, Pharm.D., BCPS Pharm.D., R.Ph.
NEOMED FACULTY PROMOTIONS
Several faculty were promoted to leadership roles within the College of Pharmacy at NEOMED. Seth Brownlee, Pharm.D., has been named associate dean for assessment. In this new role, Dr. Brownlee will provide leadership, direction and guidance in advancing assessment activities focused on student learning and the success of the Doctor of Pharmacy (Pharm.D.) degree program while continuing to serve as associate professor of pharmacy practice and director of pharmacotherapeutics. Susan Bruce, Pharm.D., BCPS, has been named associate dean for pharmacy education and interprofessional studies. In this role, she will lead efforts to advance teaching and learning within the Pharm.D. degree program with particular focus on advancing interprofessional education. She will continue to serve as professor and chair of the Department of Pharmacy Practice. Timothy Ulbrich, Pharm.D., R.Ph., has been named associate dean for workforce development and practice advancement. In this role, Dr. Ulbrich will lead efforts to promote advanced practice, pharmacist services and innovation within Northeast Ohio. He will continue to serve as associate professor of pharmacy practice and provide oversight and leadership for pharmacy resident education.
Paul J. Hartung, Ph.D.
DR. HARTUNG NAMED PRESIDENT-ELECT OF DIVISION 16 OF THE INTERNATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF APPLIED PSYCHOLOGY
Paul J. Hartung, Ph.D., professor of family and community medicine in the College of Medicine at NEOMED, has been named president-elect of Division 16 (Counseling Psychology) of the International Association of Applied Psychology (IAAP). Dr. Hartung will serve as president-elect from 2014 to 2018, and then as president from 2018 through 2022. His primary duties include leading the research and service activities of Division 16 and to represent the division within the whole of IAAP and to external associations and groups. Dr. Hartung has also been named a fellow by the IAAP board of directors, which is a lifelong appointment.
DR. OLSON CELEBRATES 100TH BIRTHDAY Stanley W. Olson, M.D., founding provost of then Northeastern Ohio Universities College of Medicine, celebrated his 100th birthday Feb. 10, 2014.
In February, Jay A. Gershen, D.D.S., Ph.D., president of NEOMED, visited Dr. Olson to share his birthday wishes in person. During the visit Dr. Gershen presented Dr. Olson with Stanley W. Olson, M.D. a memory book, compiled by the Office of the President, as well as a resolution issued by members of the Senate of the 130th General Assembly of Ohio. This resolution recognized Dr. Olson on his 100th birthday and commended him for his contributions as a U.S. armed forces veteran of World War II as well as his significant roles at Baylor University College of Medicine, Morehouse School of Medicine and NEOMED. Dr. Olson established and developed the day-to-day operations of the College of Medicine and the coordination of three collaborative universities: The University of Akron, Kent State University and Youngstown State University. He worked tirelessly with area hospital administrators, physicians and politicians to gain their support of the College of Medicine and served the college with dedication and distinguished service until his retirement on Jan. 1, 1980.
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AC ADEMICS AND STUDENT LIFE
NEOMED Dedicates the NEW Center
Tim Ross, Eastern Ohio regional liaison from Governor John Kasich’s office; Robert Chordar, president of TC Architects; John Wray, vice president for administration and finance at NEOMED; Kathleen Clyde, Ohio House of Representatives; James Renacci, U.S. Representative; Jim Ruhlin, president and CEO of The Ruhlin Company; Dr. Jay Gershen, president of NEOMED; Anthony Manna, chairman of Signet Enterprises; Tom Strauss, president and CEO of Summa Health System; Dr. Chander Kohli, chair of the NEOMED Board of Trustees; John Eklund, Ohio State Senator; Don Taylor, president and CEO of Welty Construction.
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ortheast Ohio Medical University (NEOMED) continued the celebration of its 40th Anniversary and campus expansion efforts with the dedication of the NEOMED Education and Wellness (NEW) Center on Monday, Sept. 29, 2014. During the dedication, Summa Health System of Akron, Ohio, announced that it will be occupying 7,000-square-feet of outfitted space on the first floor of the NEW Center in the coming year. The health system will offer comprehensive primary care, non-emergency daytime walk-in care, corporate and employee health services, pharmacy consultation and lab services to the NEOMED and Rootstown communities, while also serving as a training ground for NEOMED students. Pharmacy Innovations LLC, a NEOMED affiliate founded by the College of Pharmacy, will also take space, working hand-in-hand with other on-site medical providers and Sequoia Wellness professionals to provide comprehensive, integrated care for all patients. Pharmacy Innovations will offer a collaborative, personalized experience between patients, pharmacists and pharmacy students, offering over-the-counter and prescription products, as well as disease state management programs, telemedicine services, vaccine administration, educational programs and more.
The NEW Center also features: The Bistro and Erie Island Coffee House, which offer healthy eating options Sequoia Wellness, a facility that incorporates fitness, nutrition, exercise, education and more, with memberships available to the community and campus NEOMED Conference and Event Center, which can host formal and informal events for up to 500 guests A state-of-the-art lecture hall, which serves as a main educational classroom for interprofessional and college-centric learning as well as community events Bio-Med Science Academy, the public STEM+M high school on NEOMED’s campus Learn more at newcenter.neomed.edu.
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AC ADEMICS AND STUDENT LIFE
FIRST CUYAHOGA COUNTY EARLY IDENTIFICATION AND TREATMENT OF PSYCHOSIS PROGRAM LAUNCHED program is achieving its goals. Nearly three quarters of individuals enrolled in the FIRST program are either working or pursuing educational goals, or both, either full or part time.” FIRST Cuyahoga County treatment includes: psychiatric care, individual counseling, family psychoeducation, supported employment/education and case management, all delivered by a team of mental health professionals. The program also emphasizes assertive public education and outreach to help community gatekeepers learn about schizophrenia and FIRST as a community resource.
William M. Denihan, chief executive officer of the Alcohol, Drug Addiction and Mental Health Services Board of Cuyahoga County, center, cuts a silver schizophrenia awareness ribbon as members of the FIRST Cuyahoga County treatment team and partners from the BeST Center at NEOMED and Catholic Charities, Diocese of Cleveland look on.
Catholic Charities, Diocese of Cleveland, the Alcohol, Drug Addiction and Mental Health Services Board of Cuyahoga County and the Best Practices in Schizophrenia Treatment (BeST) Center in the Department of Psychiatry at Northeast Ohio Medical University (NEOMED) partnered to establish FIRST Cuyahoga County, a comprehensive, team-based, outpatient early identification and treatment program for individuals with schizophrenia spectrum disorders. A ribbon-cutting ceremony was held on May 20. The BeST Center and its partners offer FIRST early identification and treatment of psychosis programs in Cuyahoga, Summit, Portage, Trumbull
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and Mahoning counties. To date, more than 100 individuals have enrolled in FIRST programs. “Emerging research suggests that intervening as soon as possible following an initial episode of psychosis can lessen its severity and promote a faster, more complete recovery from schizophrenia,” said Lon C. Herman, M.A., director of the BeST Center. A cohort of individuals who completed at least 12 months of FIRST treatment services through the longest standing FIRST Summit County program was examined, and according to Herman, “evolving evaluation results give reason to be optimistic that the FIRST
Although the course and features of schizophrenia and related disorders vary from person to person, schizophrenia is characterized by hallucinations (seeing or hearing things that others do not), delusions (firmly held false beliefs, such as paranoia), disordered thinking, social withdrawal, limited emotional expression, problems with attention and certain types of memory, and loss or decrease in the abilities that allow people to plan and organize. Any Cuyahoga County resident between the ages of 15 and 40 who is experiencing these symptoms and/or who has been taking an antipsychotic medication for less than 18 months may contact FIRST Cuyahoga County team leader Jessica Balmert, M.S.W., LISW-S, at 216.339.1438 for a mental health assessment to determine eligibility for FIRST Cuyahoga County treatment. For contact information for FIRST team leaders in all counties, visit www.neomed.edu/bestcenter.
UNIVERSITY CELEBRATES PRESIDENTIAL PORTRAIT UNVEILING The Northeast Ohio Medical University (NEOMED) community, regional partners and distinguished guests gathered to celebrate a presidential portrait unveiling honoring former University president Lois Margaret Nora, M.D., J.D., M.B.A. on Oct. 17. Dr. Nora was recognized for her many contributions and achievements during her years of service to the University as both president and dean of medicine. Following the unveiling, she shared remarks about the finished work, detailing elements within the portrait that represent both her personal and professional accomplishments as well as the many individuals who have impacted her along the way. During the ceremony Dr. Nora was also presented with the 2014 NEOMED Alumni Association Appreciation Award by Dawn Hubbard, M.D. (‘95). Dr. Nora is the inaugural recipient of the award, which recognizes an individual who has made a significant impact on the NEOMED Alumni Association and the efforts of the Alumni Association Board of Directors.
REGIONAL BOOK DEPOSITORY CELEBRATES 20TH ANNIVERSARY The Northeast Ohio Regional Book Depository celebrated its 20th anniversary with guests from Northeast Ohio Medical University (NEOMED) and the Depository’s partner institutions, including The University of Akron, Cleveland State University, Kent State University and Youngstown State University. Phyllis O'Connor, interim dean of university libraries and professor of bibliography at The University of Akron, and Tom Klingler, assistant dean of university libraries and professor of bibliography at Kent State University, shared stories from the past, including a timeline of the Depository’s history, going back to the initial planning stages several years before it became a reality. Judy Scalf, M.L.I.S., manager, who has been with the Depository since it opened in 1994, offered thanks to the many people who have contributed to the success of the Depository during the past 20 years. Guests toured the facility and eyes lit up at the sight of 1.4 million books stored in one room, stacked from the floor all the way to the 30-foot tall ceiling.
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AC ADEMICS AND STUDENT LIFE
PUBLIC OUTREACH CAMPAIGN EARNS COLLEGE OF PHARMACY NATIONAL RECOGNITION IN WASHINGTON, D.C. A committee of students and faculty in the College of Pharmacy at Northeast Ohio Medical University (NEOMED) were recently selected as the winners of the Media and Communications Outreach Award for the 2014 National Consumer League’s (NCL) Script Your Future Medication Adherence Team Challenge. This award, being presented in Washington, D.C., recognizes the team’s ability to reach the community through public health events while obtaining a state-wide governor proclamation, and support from area legislators as well as regional media coverage. The students’ “Take Your Medications Day” public events, hosted in February 2014, served to educate the region about medication adherence and related serious health concerns. The committee gained support from Governor Kasich, through an official proclamation that declared Feb. 15, 2014, as “Remember to Take Your Medicines Day.” Obtaining backing from the governor helped to further validate the importance of this serious health concern and obtain additional
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recognition from area legislators and media throughout the region. Specifically, their efforts gained support from U.S. Sen. John Eklund (R-OH) and State Rep. Kathleen Clyde (D-Kent), garnered media attention from The Akron Beacon Journal, The Canton Repository, The Independent (Massillon), MedCity News, WAKR-AM 1590 and attracted more than 310 participants. It is estimated that the committee’s teamwork and collaboration, supported by several volunteer pharmacy, medicine and podiatry students and faculty from area universities, allowed them to reach more than 3,000 patients through campaign activities. “This year’s Script Your Future committee went above and beyond,” said Charles Taylor, Pharm.D., dean of the College of Pharmacy. “Their efforts and success represent the core values of the University and our commitment to impact the region through health literacy education, awareness and patient care. I am incredibly proud of their accomplishments.”
Sue Fosnight, R.Ph., BCPS, CGP, committee faculty advisor, associate professor of pharmacy practice at NEOMED and clinical lead pharmacist at Summa Health System, will represent the team in Washington, D.C. this fall to accept the award certificate during a national Script Your Future event. In addition, the committee will be granted a gift of $800 to use toward further advancing community outreach in medication adherence. The NCL’s “Script Your Future” Medication Adherence Team Challenge tasks pharmacy colleges from across the country to develop creative ideas for raising awareness about this critical public health issue. In addition to NEOMED’s College of Pharmacy, awardees also include Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine School of Pharmacy, St. Louis College of Pharmacy, Touro University California College of Pharmacy and University of Wisconsin – Madison School of Pharmacy.
NORTHEAST OHIO MEDICAL UNIVERSITY HONORS GRADUATES DURING 2014 COMMENCEMENT CEREMONY Northeast Ohio Medical University (NEOMED) honored 187 of Ohio’s newest public health professionals during its commencement ceremony at The University of Akron’s E.J. Thomas Performing Arts Center in May. As part of the event, Lois Margaret Nora, M.D., J.D., M.B.A., former president and dean, received an honorary degree and served as the University’s commencement speaker. Eleanor I. Watanakunakorn, M.S., local philanthropist, also received an honorary degree for her extraordinary commitment to the ongoing and future success of the University. Graduates also heard remarks from Theresa Gillis, M.D. (‘89), medical director of Oncology Pain and Symptom Management Services at the Helen F. Graham Cancer Center at Christiana Care Health System, who was awarded the 2013 NEOMED Distinguished Alumni Award during the ceremony. The Distinguished Alumni Award is the highest honor the University bestows upon its graduates and recognizes an alumnus/ alumna who has met and transcended his or her fundamental role as a health care provider to become a leader in the advancement of research, service or education. In addition to awarding Doctor of Medicine, Doctor of Pharmacy and Master of Public Health degrees, the University celebrated the first graduates from three new degree programs in the College of Graduate Studies, awarding the first-ever Doctor of Philosophy degree and Master of Science (M.S.) degrees in integrated pharmaceutical medicine, as well as M.S. degrees in healthsystem pharmacy administration. Students in the latter also bid farewell to the program’s founding director, Mick Hunt, R.Ph., M.S., M.B.A., FASHP, who since retired from NEOMED. Hunt served as gonfalonian and hooder for the College of Graduate Studies during the ceremony in recognition of his contributions to the program. • Forty-seven percent of the College of Medicine’s graduating class accepted residency positions in Ohio, 24 percent of whom will remain in NEOMED’s hospital partners. Fifty-two percent of graduates will continue their training in a primary care field. • Eighty-eight percent of the College of Pharmacy’s graduating class who applied matched into residency programs. Nationally, 64 percent of students who applied matched.
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DEVELOPMENT AND ALUMNI A L U M N I S P OT L I G H T
ALUMNI SPOTLIGHT: CATHERINE M. CAPPETTO, PHARM.D., R.PH., BCPS (‘12) Q: Why did you choose a career in pharmacy? A: I was sitting in AP Chemistry during my junior year at Magnificat High School and a pharmacy professional came in to present all of the career opportunities available within the profession. I remember being excited when she emphasized how pharmacy was an expanding area of medicine for women, and required a strong background in core sciences to obtain a Doctor of Pharmacy (Pharm.D.) degree. Her presentation really piqued my interest, and I made sure to take detailed notes in class that day. Looking back, this experience is what first ignited my desire to pursue a career in pharmacy.
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Q: Why did you choose to attend Northeast Ohio Medical University (NEOMED)? A: I was born and raised in Cleveland and absolutely love it here! I consider Northeast Ohio to be the mecca of health care. The location and the advantages of the University’s affiliations with area health care systems, along with a truly interprofessional curriculum, really appealed to me. I knew that having the opportunity to collaborate beyond the classroom setting would provide me with a unique perspective on patient care and in turn, help me to become a better health care provider. Q: How did NEOMED prepare you for your career as a pharmacist? A: Attending the College of Pharmacy at NEOMED provided me the opportunity to collaborate with other health profession students and learn from elite medical professionals at world-renowned health care institutions throughout the region. Northeast Ohio is home, and my experiences at NEOMED have allowed me to give back to our surrounding communities by utilizing the knowledge and skills I’ve gained. Q: What has been your greatest career accomplishment thus far? A: The credentials following my name indicate the long path I took to becoming a pharmacy professional, but I can truly say my biggest accomplishment comes from educating patients and precepting students. I get a sense of satisfaction when I recognize the moment it all clicks in their mind. The transfer of knowledge and information that increases their understanding and awareness is a wonderful sense of accomplishment. Q: What ignites you? A: I am ignited by a challenge. I do not think you would get into this profession if you were not open to taking on new challenges every day. I love that each day I can walk into work and learn something new that will benefit my own career development, as well as contributing to the advancement of students and the wellbeing of my patients.
NETWORKING EVENTS RECONNECT ALUMNI, NEOMED FACULTY AND STAFF
S
everal alumni networking events throughout Northeast Ohio and the East Coast brought together Northeast Ohio Medical University (NEOMED) faculty, staff and alumni this spring and summer.
Pictured left to right: Dr. Charles Taylor, Dr. Steven Schmidt, Dave Hamer, Pharm.D. (‘11), Chris Koster, Pharm.D. (‘11), Becky Corsi, Pharm.D. (‘11), Bobby Nearhoof, Pharm.D. (‘11), Dr. Dale English II, Dr. Louis Barone
Local College of Pharmacy alumni gathered for an alumni happy hour networking event at Bricco in Kent, Ohio, on April 25.
Pictured left to right: Navdeep Tandon, M.D. (‘14), Monica Mahajan, M.D. (‘13), Dr. Jeffrey Susman, Neel Parekh, M.D. (‘13) and Chirag Shah, M.D. (‘07)
Akron-area College of Medicine alumni gathered on April 16 for an alumni happy hour networking event at Brubaker's Pub in downtown Akron, Ohio.
Pictured left to right: Jonathan Eucker, M.D. (‘96), Marie Awad-Alexander, M.D. (‘07), Rea Eucker
Youngstown area alumni gathered for a mixer at The Lake Club in Poland, Ohio, on July 1 and enjoyed conversation and networking with fellow alumni, President Gershen, the deans of the Colleges of Medicine and Pharmacy, faculty and the Alumni Office team.
Pictured left to right: Shri Anandpura, Roopen Patel, M.D. (‘02), Matthew Finneran, M.D. (‘12), Lindsay Finneran, Ameesh Shah, M.D. (‘01), Apur Kamdar, M.D. (‘01) and Parag Anandpura, M.D. (‘94)
Alumni and their spouses from the Charlotte, N.C. area joined NEOMED staff for an evening of networking and conversation around the University’s continued transformation.
Pictured left to right: Mark Slabinski, M.D. (‘92), Carmencita Slabinski, M.D. (‘92), Christopher Stiff, M.D. (‘91), Angela Doty, M.D. (‘91)
Akron/Canton area alumni gathered for a mixer at Gervasi Vineyard on Aug. 27 to tour the grounds and the new Crush House while reconnecting with fellow alumni and NEOMED leadership.
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DEVELOPMENT AND ALUMNI NEWS
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44,500 raised
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113 donors
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13 states plus Japan
NEOMED GIVING DAY A SUCCESS On June 25, Northeast Ohio Medical University (NEOMED) hosted its first-ever Giving Day, an online fundraising event to harness the collective power of alumni and friends to make a significant impact on NEOMED students. Designed to bring together as many donors as possible in a single day to support student scholarships and educational resources through gifts to the Blue Fund, NEOMED Giving Day was a huge success. In 24 hours, the University raised $44,500 from 113 donors representing 13 states plus Japan. The event marked the single largest number of donors in one day in NEOMED’s history, thanks to the generosity of alumni, friends and employees. “We were blown away by the way our community came together to ignite the future for the next generation of NEOMED graduates,” said Craig Eynon, M.Ed., director of alumni relations and annual giving at NEOMED. Support NEOMED students throughout the year with a gift to the Blue Fund at neomed.edu/giving.
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MERKLIN HONORED FOR SERVICE TO THE FOUNDATION BOARD
Dr. Chris Paxos, associate professor of pharmacy practice and assistant professor of psychiatry; Mel Reedy, president of the Board of Directors for the National Alliance on Mental Illness Summit County; Robert Stanton; Dr. Mark Munetz, Margaret Clark Morgan chair in psychiatry; Dr. Altaf Darvesh, assistant professor of pharmaceutical sciences and psychiatry
SCHIZOPHRENIA RESEARCH SCHOLAR
James E. Merklin, CPA, CFF, CFE, M.Acc., partner at Bober Markey Fedorovich and outgoing Foundation Board of Directors chair, was honored for his service to the Board in May with a private reception and gift of appreciation. Merklin served as chair from July 2012 to July 2014 after having served as a member of the Board for six years. Albert J. Cook II, M.D. (’90), chair; James E. Merklin, CPA, outgoing chair; Daniel S. Blain, M.A., M.S.W., vice president for advancement
Fourth-year medicine student Robert Stanton, NEOMED’s first Schizophrenia Research Scholar, presented the results of his year-long intensive research efforts to the Northeast Ohio Medical University community this summer. Thanks to the generosity of an anonymous donor, Stanton spent one year between his third and fourth year of medical training serving as a research assistant under Altaf Darvesh, M.Pharm., Ph.D., assistant professor of pharmaceutical sciences and psychiatry. The scholarship was designed for medicine students who are committed to careers in biomedical research focused on the prevention and cure of schizophrenia.
Dr. Jay Gershen, president of NEOMED, and Anthony Manna, chairman of Signet Enterprises, unveil the new Signet Enterprises Executive Boardroom in the NEW Center.
NEOMED CELEBRATES SIGNET ENTERPRISES EXECUTIVE BOARDROOM Northeast Ohio Medical University (NEOMED) celebrated the signage unveiling of the new Signet Enterprises Executive Boardroom on Sept. 29 with a private gathering in the NEOMED Education and Wellness (NEW) Center. Signet Enterprise’s generous $500,000 gift is the first of its kind for the communityfacing structure, which serves as the final component of the University’s $177 million campus expansion efforts, and demonstrates the significant partnership between the University and Signet Enterprises, whose subsidiary, Akron-based Signet Development, is responsible for developing the NEW Center as well as the University’s first-ever, on-campus student housing, The Village at NEOMED.
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DEVELOPMENT AND ALUMNI NEWS
NORTHEAST OHIO MEDICAL UNIVERSITY FOUNDATION WELCOMES NEW BOARD MEMBERS AND OFFICERS At its July 1 meeting, the Northeast Ohio Medical University Foundation Board of Directors approved a new slate of officers and welcomed six new members. New officers include Albert J. Cook II, M.D. (‘90), chair; Judith E. Barnes Lancaster, Esq., vice chair; Nicholas R. Sucic, CPA, treasurer; and, Ann M. Klein, R.Ph., secretary. New members include: • Myah Moore Irick, M.B.A., vice president at J.P. Morgan in Cleveland, Ohio • Venera F. Izant, CRPC, CSNA, senior vice president at Wunderlich Securities in Beachwood, Ohio • Cindy S. Johnson, CPA, CIT, partner at Bober, Markey and Fedorovich in Akron, Ohio • Richard Nicely, president of the R.G. Smith Company, Inc. in Canton, Ohio • Ian S. Oppenheim, J.D., CELA, certified elder law attorney with Oppenheim & Cole, LLC • Munir P. Shah, M.D., infectious disease specialist who practices at Northeastern Ohio Infectious Diseases in Youngstown, Ohio
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Holly Gerzina, Ph.D., executive director of the William G. Wasson M.D. Center for Clinical Skills Training. Assessment and Scholarship; George Litman, M.D., chair and professor, Department of Internal Medicine; Stephanie Moore, M.D., medical director, Connected Cardiac Care, Massachusetts General Hospital Heart Center and assistant professor of medicine, Harvard Medical School; Lindsey H. Loftus, senior development officer, Division of Advancement
ENDOWMENT BRINGS INSTALLMENT OF THE HARVEY LECTURESHIP IN MEDICINE TO CAMPUS
FEATURED LECTURER: STEPHANIE MOORE, M.D., CARDIOLOGIST AND ASSISTANT PROFESSOR OF MEDICINE, HARVARD MEDICAL SCHOOL On May 2, 2014, Northeast Ohio Medical University (NEOMED) welcomed Stephanie Moore, M.D., to campus for an installment of The Harvey Lectureship in Medicine Series. Dr. Moore, medical director of the Cardiac Connected Care Program at Massachusetts General Hospital Health Center in Boston, Mass., and assistant professor of medicine at Harvard Medical School, lectured on “Progress in the Treatment of Congestive Heart Failure,” an excerpt from her presentation at the University’s 25th Internal Medicine Update course. The Harvey Lectureship in Medicine was established through the creation of an endowment in 1980 by J. Paul Harvey Jr., M.D., and John Collins Harvey, M.D., in honor of their parents Joseph Paul Harvey Sr., M.D., and Mary Collins Harvey. For more than 20 years the endowment has been used to bring well-known and highly-respected individuals in the medical field to lecture to students and faculty at NEOMED, as well as physicians in the ValleyCare Health System. The Harvey Lectureship in Medicine is a landmark event for NEOMED and served as the feature presentation during this year’s Internal Medicine Update to recognize the course’s 25th anniversary. Each year, a speaker from The Harvey Lectureship in Medicine will be featured as an integral component of the Internal Medicine Update course to showcase the series and celebrate the Harvey family’s contributions to medicine and the medical profession.
THEN AND NOW: TWENTY-FIVE YEARS OF INNOVATION IN INTERNAL MEDICINE INTERNAL MEDICINE UPDATE COURSE CELEBRATES 25 YEARS
This year’s Internal Medicine Update marked the 25th anniversary of Northeast Ohio Medical University’s renowned continuing education course. Entitled “Then and Now – Twenty-five Years of Innovation in Internal Medicine,” the program celebrated the past 25 years of progress in medicine by highlighting medical breakthroughs made since the program’s inception in 1989. Throughout the three-day course the curriculum featured sessions on various internal medicine topics and specialties presented by medical and health care professionals, including NEOMED alumni. To correspond with the course’s theme, sessions focused specifically on advancements made in the treatment of illnesses and diseases that have transformed conditions from unmanageable to treatable.
George Litman, M.D., chair and professor, Department of Internal Medicine, takes a moment to celebrate with attendee Peter Russo, PA, Akron VA Outpatient Clinic.
Highlighted presentations, included “Screening and Management of HIV: From Terminal to Controlled Condition” and “Progress in the Treatment of Congestive Heart Failure.” In addition to lecture style sessions, attendees earned continuing education credits through a variety of educational formats such as interactive case discussions and question-and-answer sessions. Another highlight of this event was the featured speaker, Stephanie Moore, M.D., medical director, Connected Cardiac Care, Massachusetts General Hospital Heart Center and assistant professor of medicine, Harvard Medical School, whose presentation was made possible through the Harvey Lectureship in Medicine endowment. “It was an honor for us to host a speaker from The Harvey Lectureship during this year’s update,” said George Litman, M.D., chair and professor of the Department of Internal Medicine. “Dr. Moore’s credentials and reputation as a renowned cardiologist make her the ideal presenter to carry on the tradition of the lectureship.” The 25th Annual Internal Medicine Update Course was held April 30-May 2, taking place where the very first course was held 25 years ago at the Sheraton Suites Akron/Cuyahoga Falls.
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DEVELOPMENT AND ALUMNI G I F T S A N D S U P P O RT
NORTHEAST OHIO MEDICAL UNIVERSITY OPENS THE TIMKEN FOUNDATION OF CANTON INNOVATION CORRIDOR, HOME TO THE REDIZONE® The Research, Entrepreneurship, Discovery and Innovation Zone (REDIzone®) at Northeast Ohio Medical University (NEOMED) moved into its new home Sept. 15 at the official opening of the Timken Foundation of Canton Innovation Corridor at NEOMED. The Innovation Corridor was made possible through a generous $250,000 gift from the Timken Foundation of Canton. Centrally located on NEOMED’s campus, the Timken Foundation of Canton Innovation Corridor serves as the physical home of early-stage biomedical companies that are taking advantage of services and resources provided through the REDIzone, including mentorship from faculty and researchers at NEOMED, Institutional Review Board certification for clinical trials, technology transfer assistance and a world-class Comparative Medicine Unit. Three tenants — Crystal Diagnostics, EP Technologies, LLC and Summa Health System — are occupying space in the Timken Foundation of Canton Innovation Corridor, which can accommodate up to 10 companies. The renovated space features state of the art wet labs with adjacent offices and conference spaces, and is located steps from the University’s new Research and Graduate Education Building. In addition to assisting those companies occupying physical space, Elliot Reed, J.D., M.B.A., program manager for the REDIzone, works in partnership with more than a dozen other companies in the JumpStart network, providing varying levels of strategic and entrepreneurial support and facilitating regional partnerships that link biotechnology innovators with local and state business development organizations, funding resources, area teaching hospitals and more.
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ANN AND BARRY KLEIN COMMITMENT TO COMMUNITY SCHOLARSHIP AWARDED Megan Elavsky, fourth-year student in the College of Pharmacy at Northeast Ohio Medical University (NEOMED), was named the first awardee of the Ann and Barry Klein Commitment to Community Scholarship. The scholarship recognizes a NEOMED pharmacy student who displays exemplary commitment to community service in Summit County, regardless of service venue, and is applied to the student’s educational expenses. “Though service is often described as giving to others — individuals, families or entire communities — I have found that it is also an act of taking,” said Elavsky. “I have grown, learned skills for leadership and management, and taken away great memories from my many service experiences. I am grateful to the Kleins for this opportunity to be honored through recognition of my service.”
INAUGURAL RAYMOND AND JACQUELINE BONIFACE AND RICHARD AND ELIZABETH YOUNG SCHOLARSHIP RECIPIENT
THOMASES FAMILY SPONSORS “THINK LABORATORY” AT NEOMED
Scott Poland, fourth-year student in the College of Medicine at Northeast Ohio Medical University (NEOMED), was selected as the inaugural recipient of the newly established Raymond and Jacqueline Boniface and Richard and Elizabeth Young scholarship.
The Thomases Family Endowment of the Youngstown Area Jewish Federation generously sponsored the establishment of the first “Think Laboratory” at Northeast Ohio Medical University in the new Research and Graduate Education Building.
This merit-based scholarship was established by Thomas Boniface, M.D. (’83), and Elisabeth Young, M.D. (’85), in honor of their parents and is awarded to a fourth-year medicine student who is a longstanding Ohio resident and who can demonstrate an understanding of patient-centered care and the role of physicians in their communities. Poland was admitted to NEOMED through the B.S./M.D. degree program through The University of Akron. “NEOMED taught me about the foundations of patient-centered care and allowed me to form my own understanding of it. I want to impact my community by taking the time to educate and understand the needs of each patient,” said Poland. “This scholarship will allow me to further expand my medical knowledge by completing a wilderness medicine elective and an away emergency ultrasound rotation. My plan is to eventually come back to NEOMED and take a group of students on a backpacking trip to teach them practical life saving techniques.”
CLEVELAND FOUNDATIONS AND CORPORATION INVEST IN EDUCATION FOR SERVICE Northeast Ohio Medical University (NEOMED) recently received commitments totaling $700,000 in support of its Education for Service initiative and partnership with Cleveland State University (CSU). The David and Inez Myers Foundation and Forest City Enterprises, Inc. generously gifted $400,000 and $200,000 respectively and have each signed four-year commitments to the
NEOMED-CSU Partnership for Urban Health. The Reinberger Foundation also recently signed a significant two-year commitment of $100,000. NEOMED’s Education for Service initiative seeks to address the academic, social and financial barriers on the pathway to practice, starting in middle school and continuing through the start of practice. One component of this initiative is the creation and deployment of Education for Service scholarships. These full and partial tuition scholarships are offered to students who commit to serving as primary care physicians in the region for a predetermined number of years following residency completion.
Through this $50,000 gift, this named space will allow researchers and students to collaborate on projects ranging from biomedical research to medically related topics and more. It serves as a physical and visual reminder that community leadership values the work being done by the scientific community at the University.
The Myers Foundation, Forest City Enterprises and The Reinberger Foundation commitments will provide scholarship support to students of the NEOMED-CSU Partnership for Urban Health, which encourages students to complete undergraduate coursework at CSU, enroll in the College of Medicine at NEOMED to earn a Doctor of Medicine degree, and serve medically underserved areas in the region following residency. These scholarship funds will help offset the tuition and living expenses for several students in the Partnership during their education at CSU and then at NEOMED in return for a commitment to working in a primary care discipline in an underserved area of Cleveland following their residencies.
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DEVELOPMENT AND ALUMNI DONOR PROFILE
REGIONAL DONORS AND NATIONAL FOUNDATION ANNOUNCE SUPPORT OF PARKINSON’S DISEASE RESEARCH AT NEOMED
S
ince 2009, local foundations, organizations and individuals have invested in Parkinson’s disease (PD) research efforts at Northeast Ohio Medical University (NEOMED). Not only have those gifts accelerated investigation of a cure, they’ve inspired local individuals with Parkinson’s disease to contribute to the cause and attracted national support from the Michael J. Fox Foundation (MJFF).
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Research funding in support of two College of Pharmacy researchers, Werner Geldenhuys, B.Pharm., Ph.D., associate professor, and Richard Carroll, Ph.D., associate professor, recently surpassed the million dollar mark, totaling more than $1.3 million in private funding from regional supporters and earning a MJFF Target Validation Grant of $122,435 in May 2014 to further the researchers’ creative ap-
proach to slowing down and stopping brain cell death that leads to PD. “Having the support of the communities we serve is crucial and continues to be a core component of the University’s mission, vision and values,” said Charles Taylor, Pharm.D., dean of the College of Pharmacy. “Our research stands strong on its own and receiving validation from the Michael J. Fox
“I truly believe that these individuals may be the researchers who find a cure. It may not happen in my lifetime, but knowing that I am contributing to the progress of their research is exciting and rewarding.” Richard A. (Dick) Nicely
Foundation is a great accomplishment that will open doors to even more opportunities.”
and Leppo were compelled to support their efforts and become a part of the partnership for a cure.
Yet more remarkable than the total funding and national recognition are the relationships the University and lead investigators have built with donors, including area business owners affected by the debilitating disease. Richard A. (Dick) Nicely, business owner in Canton, Ohio, not only recognized the potential of the research but the opportunity to bring in friend and area business owner, Glenn Leppo, and his wife Karen from the Akron, Ohio, area.
“When Dick approached me about getting involved with NEOMED’s research I immediately saw it was a
“I truly believe that these individuals may be the researchers who find a cure,” said Nicely. “It may not happen in my lifetime, but knowing that I am contributing to the progress of their research is exciting and rewarding.” Nicely, diagnosed with PD at age 53 and Leppo, diagnosed at age 48, have experienced firsthand the effects of the disease. After meeting with Dr. Geldenhuys and Dr. Carroll, both Nicely
“Having the support of the communities we serve is crucial and continues to be a core component of the University’s mission, vision and values.” Charles Taylor, Pharm.D.
unique opportunity,” said Leppo. “Many individuals are motivated by accomplishment or the desire to succeed, but Dr. Geldenhuys and Dr. Carroll have a personal interest in developing a treatment and hopefully a cure. I feel that ultimately their personal devotion is what serves as the driving force for their research and will lead to new discoveries.”
With this private support, the researchers are pursuing a mitochondrial protein called mitoNEET (CISD1) that can regulate the energy of mitochondria in brain cells. They have already developed medicinal compounds that can selectively work through mitoNEET and slow down the progression of brain cell death. A significant portion of the recent funding allowed the team to purchase of a stateof-the-art mass spectrometer to identify and analyze proteins in the laboratory. This equipment not only benefits PD research, but serves as a resource for the entire research enterprise at NEOMED. “I’m very passionate about what we do, but the backing we’ve received from those outside the research community truly demonstrates the progress we’ve made,” said Dr. Geldenhuys. “The generous funding will help us advance our research and move further toward development of a cure. I’m extremely grateful for all of the support provided.”
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DEVELOPMENT AND ALUMNI C L A S S N OT E S
80s
90s
////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////// Joseph Zarconi, M.D. (’81), was presented with the 2014 Leonard Tow Humanism in Medicine Award by The Arnold P. Gold Foundation. Dr. Zarconi served as the keynote speaker at the M3 Student Clinician Ceremony in August.
Neil Kahn, M.D. (’84), recently published a collection of his father’s stories from World War II titled Fight On: A GI’s Odyssey Back to Nazi Germany. A collaboration between father and son, as well as famed historian, Flint Whitlock, the memoir follows the journey of Bernard Kahn, who fled persecution in Nazi Germany. William A. Pakan, M.D. (’85), was awarded the Legend of Sports Medicine Award from Akron Children’s Hospital Sports Medicine Center. He has served as the sports medicine orthopedic surgeon and team physician for Kent State University Athletics for more than 20 years.
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Kathleen Ruffing May, M.D. (’90), was elected to a five-year term on the Board of Directors for the American Board of Allergy and Immunology (ABAI). ABAI is a conjoint board of the American Board of Pediatrics and the American Board of Internal Medicine, as well as the American Board of Medical Specialties certifying body for the allergy and clinical immunology specialty. Douglas Moses, M.D. (’95), was appointed to The Ohio State Medical Association's Focused Task Force on Accreditation, the regulating body for providers of continuing medical education. Anthony Schuster, M.D. (’95), was part of the very first group of physicians certified in Clinical Informatics, a new American Board of Preventive Medicine certification, at the end of 2013.
Cynthia B. R. Zelis, M.D., M.B.A. (’96), is expanding her leadership role at University Hospitals in Cleveland, Ohio, as vice president of clinical integration and medical director of system quality for physician offices. Within this new division of the UH Institute for Health Care Quality & Innovation, Dr. Zelis will direct strategy for integrating, prioritizing, communicating and implementing physician office quality initiatives to benefit patients.
Jennifer Ahn, M.D. (’98), and husband Eric Johnson welcomed their second child, Corinne Elizabeth, on Nov. 22, 2013 who joins sister, Savannah Rachel (1). The family recently moved from Chicago, Ill., to Akron, Ohio where Dr. Ahn has joined the Akron Children’s Maternal Medicine Group.
DEVELOPMENT AND ALUMNI C L A S S N OT E S
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Elizabeth (Fihe) DeVos, M.D. (’03), is currently living in Kigali, Rwanda, working for Columbia University as clinical director of the sidHARTe Rwanda program. In partnership with the Rwandan Ministry of Health, the U.S. government-sponsored Human Resources for Health (HRH) program, The National University of Rwanda, The Rwandan Ministry of Education and Columbia and Brown Universities, she serves as a faculty member for the first emergency medicine training program in the country, training postgraduate diploma general practitioners to improve emergency services in district hospitals. She arrived in Kigali in January and plans to stay for one year. Sagar Patel, M.D. (’05), and wife Gital Patel, M.D. (’05), welcomed their second child, Sahaana, on Oct. 16, 2013. She joins older brother, Saajan (3).
Have You Moved? Please send change of address notices to alumnioffice@neomed.edu.
Neil Majmundar, M.D. (’06), and wife Preeti Venkataraman, M.D. (’03), welcomed their daughter, Sahana Arya Majmundar on Feb. 13, 2013. Dr. Venkataraman also joined the U.S. Food and Drug Administration as a medical officer in January.
Elizabeth (Cohen) Menefee, M.D. (’10), and husband John welcomed their first child, Walter Charles, or Wally for short, on Dec. 17, 2013. Dr. Menefee is also finishing her first two years of a Child and Adolescent Psychiatry Fellowship at the Cleveland Clinic Foundation.
Jovan R. Laskovski, M.D. (’06), welcomed son, Christopher Thomas, on July 19, 2013.
Curtis Mortenson, M.D. (’10), and wife Ashley welcomed their daughter, Audrey Grace, on March 4, 2013. Audrey is very active and enjoys making frequent trips to see dad when he is on call.
Andrew Chema, M.D. (’07), and wife, Melaine Chema, Pharm.D. (’12), welcomed their first child, Evelyn Rosemary, on Dec. 29, 2012. Evelyn loves animals and visiting the zoo, and her favorite toy is dad’s stethoscope. Diana (Anderson) Sustar, M.D. (’09), began a new position as an OBGYN at Women's Care New York in Glen Falls, New York.
Milica AvramovicMrkajic, Pharm.D. (’11), and her husband Radovan Mrkajic welcomed their daughter, Sofia, on June 14, 2013. Patrick Barr, M.D. (’11), welcomed his first child, William, on Nov. 13, 2013. Themos Politis, M.D. (’11), began a Fellowship in geriatric medicine at Summa Health System in Akron, Ohio.
Chad Donley, M.D. (’09), and wife, Erin (Jackson) Donley, M.D. (’09), welcomed their daughter, Anne, on Aug. 19, 2013.
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DEVELOPMENT AND ALUMNI C L A S S N OT E S
00s ////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////// Luke Poth, M.D. (’11), married wife Carly on Valentine’s Day. Brianne Bagwell, M.D. (’12), and husband Brian welcomed their first child, Molly Grace, on July 6, 2013.
Jaclyn (Kruse) Boyle, Pharm.D. (’12), married Paul Boyle on May 10 at Holy Rosary Church in Little Italy, Cleveland, Ohio. She also ran her first full marathon in Cleveland in May.
Nida Degesys, M.D. (’13), recently concluded her term as National President of the American Medical Student Association (AMSA), representing more than 35,000 physicians-in-training. She was honored as the keynote speaker at The Elena and Miles Zaremski Law-Medicine Center Forum, presented by The Law Medicine Center at Case Western Reserve University in April.
Li-Chi Hung, M.D. (’13), married Timothy Ma in California on March 16.
IN MEMORY Lenore Fleming, M.D. (‘82), died on March 18, 2014, at the age of 73 after a long battle with cancer. She spent the end of her career earning a master’s degree in nonfiction writing and teaching writing to homeless and poverty-stricken individuals in Portland, Maine. Kurt J. Wegner, M.D., died on June 28, 2014, at the age of 87. Dr. Wegner was appointed as an assistant professor of pediatrics on July 1, 1977, for the University’s charter class faculty, and retained his faculty appointment as professor of pediatrics until his passing. He was board certified in pediatrics, neonatology, family practice and genetics.
What’s New? Births, marriages, new jobs, recent promotions, honors and achievements — we want to know! Please send your news and photos to alumnioffice@neomed.edu so we can share your news with the NEOMED community in an upcoming issue of Ignite magazine or our new Alumni Facebook Page at www.facebook.com/NEOMEDAlumni.
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UNIVERSITY MOMENT
May 1981 NEOUCOM received full accreditation for the medical promotion of the College’s six-year combined B.S./M.D. degree program and graduated its first class of 42 physicians.
COMMENCEMENT … THEN AND
NOW A
May 2011 The College of Pharmacy graduated its inaugural class of 60 pharmacists. Rebecca Corsi, Pharm.D. (’11)
s Northeast Ohio Medical University celebrates its 40th Anniversary, the dedication to student education remains. Each year the University is proud to honor recent graduates at the annual commencement ceremonies. Although the name and look of the campus has changed, commencement remains very much the same — the caps and gowns still look the same … the pomp and circumstance is as alive as ever … and the graduates’ hopes of future success and happiness remain.
May 2013 The University held a combined commencement ceremony to honor graduates of all three Colleges. The College of Graduate Studies celebrated its first graduate who earned a Master of Public Health degree. Sarah Kelling, Pharm.D. (‘12), M.P.H. (‘13)
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Non-Profit Organization
U.S. Postage PAID Rootstown, Ohio 44272 Permit No. 4
4209 St. Rt. 44, PO Box 95 Rootstown, Ohio 44272
IGNITING A CALL TO SERVICE Chrisovalantis Paxos, Pharm.D., BCPP, BCPS, CGP Assistant Professor of Psychiatry, College of Medicine Associate Professor of Pharmacy Practice, College of Pharmacy Pharmacotherapy Specialist, Psychiatric Medicine, Akron General Medical Center Q: When did you first begin volunteering to work at free pharmacy clinics? Dr. Paxos: It started as a course requirement for my undergraduate degree at Ohio Northern University, but after completing the course my viewpoint changed from seeing the experience as an obligation to a rewarding opportunity. Chrisovalantis Paxos, Pharm.D., BCPP, BCPS, CGP, at Faithful Servants Care Center
Q: How do you find the time to volunteer? Dr. Paxos: Like anything, you have to make volunteering a priority and also be realistic about the time you can commit. I volunteer at two area clinics, Open M in Akron, Ohio, and Faithful Servants Care Center in Tallmadge, Ohio. Although I always want to do more, I have to divide my time in order to help patients in each of these communities. Q: What have you gained from your experiences? Dr. Paxos: It’s so rewarding to interact with patients, whether I’m filling prescriptions or providing medication consultations. As a clinical pharmacist I don’t typically spend time in a retail pharmacy setting, so it’s a great opportunity to use another skill while making a positive impact on the health and well-being of underserved patients. Working at the clinic has taught me the true value of the knowledge I hold as a health professional and ignited a passion for service within me.