Alumni Updates

Laurie Bezjian Wallace, DO '18, received the 2020 Award for Excellence in Graduate Medical Education by the American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP). As stated by AAFP, "Dr. Wallace's greatest professional accomplishment to date is being...chosen for the Uniformed Services University Resident Faculty Development Program rotation, which focuses on professional development for residents planning a career in academic medicine." In particular, she is interested in curriculum development for osteopathic manipulative treatment, point-of-care ultrasound, and medical student education.

Isaac Billings, DO '17, has accepted a position at Ridgewater Community Clinic in Polson, Montana. He will be offering the full spectrum of primary care services, including obstetrics. He graduated from the Family Medicine Residency of Western Montana.

Jesse T. Casaubon, DO '13, has accepted a position in the Department of Surgical Oncology at Baystate Health in Springfield, Massachussetts. He recently completed a fellowship in breast surgical oncology at Alpert Medical Center in Rhode Island. Dr. Casaubon is currently studying COVID-19-related delays on the upgrade rates of atypical ductal hyperplasia. He recently published "Breast-Specific Sensuality and Appearance Satisfaction: Comparison of Breast- Conserving Surgery and Nipple-Sparing Mastectomy" in the Journal of the American College of Surgeons.

Eric Elliott, DO '12, has accepted a position with Kaiser Permanente in Colorado Springs, Colorado. He will be an internal medicine physician in the Parkside office. He completed his residency program at Parkview Medical Center in Pueblo, Colorado, where he later oversaw the program.

Amanda Gaccetta, DO '12, has accepted a position with Aspirus as an obstetrician/gynecologist at their Wisconsin Rapids-area clinics. She previously served as Department Chief at General Leonard Wood Army Community Hospital in Missouri. Dr. Gaccetta was born and raised in Wisconsin Rapids, Wisconsin and is excited to return to her hometown, with her husband and three children.

Courtney Gushue, DO '14, recently completed a three-year fellowship in Pediatric Pulmonary Training at Nationwide Children's in Columbus, Ohio. She works at OHSU Doernbecher Children's Hospital in Portland, Oregon, where she specializes in children with lung disease. She also has a special interest in treating breathing problems related to neurological diseases and cystic fibrosis.

Andrew Kelts, DO '14, has accepted a position with Rapid City Medical Center in Rapid City, South Dakota, where he specializes in Gastroenterology. He has completed a Gastroenterology fellowship at Arnot Ogden Medical Center; there he trained to a high level in clinical gastroenterology medicine, becoming proficient in general gastroenterology and endoscopic techniques.

Brett Mulkey, DO '17, has accepted a position with MercyOne Forest Park Family Medicine in Mason City, Iowa. He completed residency at MercyOne North Iowa Family Medicine Residency Program.

Matthew Naegle, DO '17, has accepted a position at Intermountain Healthcare's Ogden Clinic and Canyon View in Ogden, Utah. He graduated from a pediatrics residency at Blank Children's Hospital in Des Moines, Iowa this year.

Nathan Nessle, DO '15, was recently accepted into a Pediatric Hematology/Oncology Fellowship at University of Michigan and Mott's Children Hospital. He was also accepted for a clinical research fellowship position through a NIH NCI T32 "Interdisciplinary Research in Cancer Care Delivery" grant program, which focuses on risk stratification of pediatric oncology patients with febrile neutropenia. Additionally, he began the Global Health Research Certificate Program through the University of Michigan's Global Reach Department, which will "hopefully [continue to] prepare me for a global hematology oncology practice," he says. Dr. Nessle and his wife have two kids and one on the way through adoption from the Philippines. "Hopefully, we can pick her up soon!" We wish you luck with the adoption, Dr. Nessle!

MAJ Ryan Parks, DO '12, (above left) was featured in Stars and Stripes, a news outlet that serves the military community. In the article titled, "Air Force sends doctors to flight line squadrons in effort to field a fitter force," it describes that the Air Force is transferring physicians to be closer to where airmen work to save time and reduce work-related injuries. MAJ Parks is among those being transferred—he is going from Aviano's base clinic on Area 1 to the Warrior Medical Clinic. Read it here: http://bit.ly/3pg1Eh6

MAJ Matthew Puderbaugh, DO '12, received the 2020 AOF and Association of Military Osteopathic Physicians & Surgeons (AMOPS) Outstanding Resident of the Year award. This award is presented to a resident each year who embodies a combination of clinical promise, leadership, dedication, and commitment to osteopathic patient-centered care. MAJ Puderbaugh is a PM&R resident at University of Minnestoa.

Christina Ruiz, DO '13, was recently interviewed by the Latin American Post for an article titled, "Battling with Postpartum Depression." In the article, Dr. Ruiz describes how PPD symptoms can vary from woman to woman and that preexisitng conditions such as premenstrual dysphoric disorder can lead to a greater risk of PPD. Dr. Ruiz currently practices obstetrics and gynecology at UCHealth Women's Care Clinic in Longmont, Colorado. Read the article at http://bit. ly/2Kktmum

Jacob Schoof, DO '17, was named Chief Resident at his pediatrics residency program at Texas Tech University Affiliated, located in Amarillo, Texas. Dr. Schoof will graduate from the residency in 2021.

Nolan Andres, DO '20, and William Robinson, DO '20, published research titled, "Suture Tape Augmented Broström Procedure and Early Accelerated Rehabilitation," in the Foot and Ankle International journal. The research discusses the hypothesis that a Broström procedure augmented with a suture-tape construct would allow early functional rehabilitation while maintaining patient reported outcomes within a military population. Dr. Andres is currently in a general surgery residency program at David Grant USAF Medical Center in California. Dr. Robinson is in a transitional year residency program at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center in Bethesda, Maryland.