Class Notes

20 Years of Friendship on the Hill

Best friends (pictured left to right) Shena Shepherd ’04, Stacey Israel ’05, Jennifer Harvey ’04, Krissy Crase ’04 and Lois White ’04 were introduced on the hill. They recently celebrated 20 years of friendship with a photoshoot by Danielle Reid ’20 on campus. “My time at UPIKE was truly special. I had no idea my time on the hill would lead to me meeting my lifelong best friends,” said Shepherd. “The memories we share and continue to make are a blessing.” Crase, who is a math teacher, has been named principal of the new Floyd County School of Innovation in Eastern, Ky. She lives in Prestonsburg, Ky., and has worked as a curriculum lead at the school and district levels. Crase has mentored new teachers and coached multiple sports, including being the head volleyball coach for more than a decade. Crase has received grants for innovation instructional projects and is a STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) leader in the region. Harvey teaches high school literature classes, dual credit speech classes for her seniors, and the occasional English or religion class for middle school students at the Piarist School, a private, Roman Catholic college preparatory school in Hagerhill, Ky. She is also an adjunct communications professor at UPIKE. She resides with her husband, Matthew, in East Point, Ky., along with Molly, their 16-year-old cat. Israel is an internal medicine hospitalist and nurse practitioner for Mt. Carmel Trauma Center in Columbus, Ohio. She resides in Newark with her husband, Marc, and their daughter, Summer Raine (9). Serving the at-risk student population daily by helping with academic planning and overall wellbeing, Shepherd is the Academic Coordinator for the ACE (Academic and Cultural Enrichment) Program at UPIKE. In her time at UPIKE, she developed the Leadership Engagement Achievement Development Service (LEADS) Initiative, one of the first leadership programs on campus for sophomore and junior ACE participants. In addition to her role in ACE, she is also the staff sponsor of BUG (Blessed Unity of God), a Bible study group that is entering its 20th year on campus. She resides in Pikeville with her husband, Jay, and their three cats, Autumn, Tess and Lucy. White is an accounting professor at UPIKE and the coordinator for the Volunteer Income Tax Assistant Program. She also advises Phi Beta Lambda. White and her husband, Jesse, own and operate a small business, Independent Metal Works, LLC, in Prestonsburg, Ky. They have five dogs and will be welcoming their first child in January.

Gearldean Branham JC ’38, PC ’68

Gearldean Branham JC ’38, PC ’68

Gearldean Branham JC ’38, PC ’68 celebrated 100 years of life on July 20. Although she felt the day was “no big deal,” her family and friends disagreed. Though they were unable to celebrate with her as they wanted due to COVID-19 restrictions, the Pike County Sheriff’s Office, Pikeville Police Department and Pikeville Fire Department led a parade in her honor. People sang “Happy Birthday” and shouted well-wishes to Branham as they drove by. The parade was a surprise to Branham, who says she was overwhelmed by the community response. She also used the time to share some advice in an interview with WYMT on how to make one’s number of years, however many, worth remembering. “Get you a book and keep your log. Then eat your greens,” said Branham. “Put the cigarettes away and eat plenty of fresh fruit. Go to bed early and get up early.” She said those secrets have helped her make it through the last century, adding that she has seen her share of growth in her lifetime. She said the growth will continue, for the city and the people who live there, if people work to make it happen. “You’ve got a long way to go. Seriously. And you’ll never know where you’ll be,” she said. “You don’t know what happens tomorrow. I guess that’s what kept me moving.”

1980s

Brian Addington ’89 was reappointed for a six-year term as Judge to the Tennessee Court of Workers’ Compensation Claims this summer, covering the Northeast Tennessee area.

2000s

Joseph “Tex” McFaden, D.O., KYCOM ’01, a member of the inaugural class at KYCOM (PCSOM), a disabled combat veteran and a retired medical doctor, is now living his dream with a third career in Aerospace Electronics Engineering building rockets for NASA. On October 2, a few days before his birthday, they launched the Northrop Grumman’s Antares rocket and Cygnus cargo spacecraft from the Mid-Atlantic Regional Spaceport at NASA’s Wallops Flight Facility near Chincoteague Island in Virginia. He says the proverbial candle on the birthday cake was the breathtaking sight of the rocket launching to the International Space Station.

Sherisa Warren, D.O., KYCOM ’09 has joined CHI Saint Joseph Medical Group to develop a vascular surgery program in London, Ky. She will be the first fellowship trained vascular surgeon in the region. After working at Abrazo Arizona Heart Institute in Phoenix for four years, Warren is excited to return close to home and care for underserved patients in London. She says she has a deep heart for people in general, but especially in Appalachia. After earning her medical degree, she completed a residency in general surgery at Garden City Hospital in Michigan. Upon finishing her residency, Warren participated in two fellowships, general vascular surgery at Maclaren Macomb Hospital in Mt. Clemens, Mich., and general and endovascular surgery at Arizona Heart Institute and Hospital in Phoenix. From there, she began practicing at Abrazo Arizona Heart Institute, a world-renowned destination for heart and vascular care.

2010s

The American Osteopathic Foundation recently celebrated the 2020 State Emerging Leaders, which included Gregory Harris, D.O., KYCOM ’10, hematologist and oncologist in Georgia. These exceptional individuals who provide service to others through osteopathic tenants and principles, advocacy efforts, community service and philanthropic spirit, are honored in their first six years of practice within the osteopathic profession.

Pinehurst Surgical Clinic in Pinehurst, N.C., welcomed Matthew Strode, D.O., KYCOM ’10. He is the first surgical oncologist to join the general and bariatric surgery team. Strode, an active-duty Army member, joined Pinehurst after being stationed at Womack Army Medical Center at Fort Bragg, located just over 30 miles away, since September of 2018. He completed his internship and residency at the Dwight David Eisenhower Army Medical Center in 2016. Before moving to Womack, he also completed a fellowship in surgical oncology at the Roswell Park Cancer Institute in 2018.

Wes Barnett, M.D., ʼ16 graduated from the University of Kentucky College of Medicine and started his emergency medicine residency at the UK Albert B. Chandler Hospital in July. Barnett graduated from UPIKE with a bachelor’s degree in chemistry and biology. He currently resides in Georgetown, Ky., with his wife Jocelyn (McCown) Barnett ʼ13.

The Holland Hospital Medical Group welcomed Lauren McGraw, D.O., KYCOM ’17 to its Douglas, Mich., practice. McGraw specializes in family medicine and provides comprehensive outpatient care for patients of all ages.

Nicole Rex, D.O., KYCOM ’17 joined the Adena Family Medicine Main Campus Clinic, adding primary care services to Chillicothe, Ohio.

In the midst of a pandemic, Hannah Adkins ’19, who is a mucoepidermoid carcinoma cancer survivor, and Brandon Osborn were married on March 28. The couple had a small celebration with their loved ones and church family to limit exposure. The couple resides in Pikeville with their rescued puppy, Abel. Hannah works at Community Trust Bank and is currently a full-time graduate student at Western Kentucky University studying speech-language pathology and set to graduate in 2022. Brandon works for the Prestonsburg Fire Department.

Baby Bears

Stephanie Anderson MBA ’20 and her husband, Dominic, welcomed their daughter, Charlie Carmen, on June 24, weighing 7 pounds 5 ounces. Stephanie, who is from Toronto, works as the events and communications coordinator for admissions at UPIKE. Dominic, who is from Hollywood, Fla., is entering his third season as the defensive coordinator for the UPIKE football program and is enrolled in UPIKE’s MBA program, on track to receive his second master’s degree this coming spring.

Jordyn Taylor, RN, BSN ’15, MSN and her husband Brent welcomed their second daughter, Logan Raye, on October 5, weighing 10 pounds 5.3 ounces. Their four-yearold daughter, Avery, is an excited big sister. The family resides in Georgetown, Ky. She currently works as an RN at UK Hospital and just completed her master’s degree in nursing at EKU and has plans of becoming a Family Nurse Practitioner.

Michael Sheppard ’05 and Valorie Patrick ’05 welcomed their son Myles Sheppard on June 30, weighing 7 pounds 10.8 ounces. Michael works at the Social Security Administration in Pikeville and Valorie works for Logan Mingo Mental Health in Logan, W.Va. The family resides in Delbarton, W.Va., with their three other children, Malaki Sheppard (14), Major Sheppard (6) and Alaina Varney (10 months).

Sumer Musick ’11 and her husband, UPIKE Chaplain Rob, welcomed their son, Lazarus Finnian James, on June 11, weighing 8 pounds 1 ounce. Sumer, who graduated with a bachelor’s degree in religion and psychology, is the associate professor of religion at UPIKE. The family lives in Pikeville with their three other children, Moriah Hope (13), Lottie Moon (10) and Hosea Simeon (7).

Katelyn Howell ’12 and her husband, Adam, welcomed their first son, Baker Lane, on September 11, weighing 7 pounds 13 ounces. The family resides in Salyersville, Ky., where Katelyn works as a first grade teacher and girls basketball coach at Porter Elementary in Johnson County. Upon graduating UPIKE, she went on to complete her master’s degree in education and just recently obtained her Rank 1. She will be graduating in 2021 with a second master’s degree in school counseling. Adam is currently working as a mine engineer for Wellmore Energy, LLC. The couple says they are so excited to start this next phase in their lives with their little bundle of joy.

Christopher Price ’15 and his wife Cheyenne ’16 met at UPIKE and wed in 2016. Christopher is now team lead for Unifirst Corporation in Huntington, W.Va. In 2020, Christopher earned the Employee of the Year award for Unifirst. Cheyenne works at Pikeville Medical Center as a registered behavior technician providing ABA therapy to children with Autism. On January 4, they welcomed their daughter, Lynden Rose, weighing 8 pounds 12 ounces.

Jacob Hamilton ’18, MBA ’19 and his wife Haley ’15 welcomed their daughter, Sadie Kay, on June 9, weighing 7 pounds 14 ounces. Their oldest daughter, Mia Valentino, who can be seen at UPIKE sporting events in her cheerleading uniform, loves UPIKE and her new baby sister. The family lives in Banner, Ky., where Jacob, who transferred to play baseball at UPIKE, is now territory lead/external marketing liaison at Plainview Healthcare Partners. Haley, who was on the Bears volleyball team, is now the assistant volleyball coach at UPIKE. Paige Parsley ’17, BSN ’18, who danced all four years of college, and her husband Chase ’19, who played basketball and graduated with a bachelor’s in business management/sport management, welcomed their leap year baby, Holden, on February 29. Holden weighed 4 pounds and 12.8 ounces. Paige is currently a registered nurse at Pikeville Medical Center and assistant coach for the UPIKE Dance Team. Chase is a special education teacher at Warfield Elementary and assistant basketball coach at Martin County High School.

Paige Parsley ’17, BSN ’18, who danced all four years of college, and her husband Chase ’19, who played basketball and graduated with a bachelor’s in business management/sport management, welcomed their leap year baby, Holden, on February 29. Holden weighed 4 pounds and 12.8 ounces. Paige is currently a registered nurse at Pikeville Medical Center and assistant coach for the UPIKE Dance Team. Chase is a special education teacher at Warfield Elementary and assistant basketball coach at Martin County High School.

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We want to hear the latest on your business ventures, career moves, honors, awards and family news. Email your news, along with a high-resolution photo, to alumni@upike.edu. Submit by April 2021, for the Spring/Summer 2021 issue of UPIKE Magazine.