UNE alumni recognized for outstanding contributions to the Maine Osteopathic Association
The University of New England College of Osteopathic Medicine was well represented at the 2009 Maine Osteopathic Association (MOA) Summer Convention.
College of Osteopathic Medicine alumni were recognized for leadership and service, presented a number of educational sessions, and were elected or re-elected to serve in the organization's leadership. The numbers of UNE graduates in MOA leadership positions and the number of presenters of CME constitute impressive evidence of the impact the College has had on the region.
UNE College of Osteopathic Medicine alum Andrew Tenenbaum, D.O. '03, a pediatrician with University Health Care, was presented the 2009 Young Osteopathic Physician of the Year Award. One osteopathic physician, who has been in practice not more than five years, is recognized each year for his or her demonstrated involvement as a practitioner and member of the community and also demonstrated potential to become a major force in osteopathic medicine in the future. UNE Board of Trustee member, key donor and longtime faculty member Owen Pickus, D.O., Esq., was presented the 2009 Distinguished Service Award. This is the highest honor the Maine Osteopathic Association bestows upon an individual, and is presented to an osteopathic physician who has made an immediate significant contribution to the osteopathic profession through a major endeavor for the good of the profession and society, and has made a major impact on the osteopathic profession and society over the course of his/her career. Former UNE College of Osteopathic Medicine Director of Medical Education Joel Kase, D.O., M.P.H., was presented the 2009 Roswell P. Bates, D.O. Public Service Award. The recognition is given for outstanding achievement in public health, political or community service that enhances and demonstrates the osteopathic profession's commitment to service above and beyond that of direct patient care. In addition to this service award, Dr. Kase assumed the role of president for the next year, and serves as a delegate to the American Osteopathic Association's House of Delegates.
Renee Fournier, D.O., who precepts third- and fourth-year students for their rural medicine rotation and who is a driving force in the state, was honored as 2009 Osteopathic Physician of the Year. The award is presented to an osteopathic physician who demonstrated a high quality of practice, a compassionate interest in patients and a commitment to his or her community.
A number of UNE College of Osteopathic Medicine alumni and faculty were recognized for their years of service, dedication and loyalty to the principles and beliefs of the osteopathic professions. This is particularly true for members of the class of 1983: Drs. Alan Carter, Glenn Gianini, Jeffrey Holmstrom, Peter Mason, Michael Palumbo, and Steven Weisberger were all recognized for 25 years of service. David Dickison, D.O., from the class of 1982, was also recognized for 25 years of service.
UNE Board of Trustee members Edward Friedman, D.O., and Owen Pickus, D.O., were recognized for their 35 and 30 years of service, respectively. Maine Area Health Education Center (AHEC) Network collaborator Chester (Chet) Suske, Jr., D.O., was recognized for 40 years of service and longtime faculty member Arthur VanDerburgh, D.O., clinical professor was recognized for 45 years of service.
UNE College of Osteopathic Medicine alumni presented educational sessions at the June conference, too, including: John Comis, D.O. '96 (The Impact of Implementing EHR in Your Practice); Brian Gillis, D.O. '95 (Defectory Disorders); Kenneth Johnson, D.O. '92 (Physician Wellness); George Pasquarello, D.O. '93 (Osteopathic Manipulative Medicine workshop); Steve Shannon, D.O. '86, (Role of Osteopathic Medicine in Healthcare Reform); and Joyce Stein, D.O. '92 (Women's Health: A Healthy Pregnancy from A to Z).
Christopher Pezzullo, D.O., member of the class of 1993 and medical director for UNE's University Health Care, was voted in as president elect of the association and will assume the presidency in June 2010. Dr. Pezzullo also serves on the organization professional and public education committee. Elected to the Maine Osteopathic Association's board of directors was class of 1996 member John Comis, D.O. David Rioux, D.O., from the class of 1983, completed his term on the board.
Lisa Gouldsbrough, D.O., class of 1987 and UNE College of Osteopathic Medicine faculty member, and Alex Brazalovich, D.O., class of 1995, were named co-chairs of the program committee for the next year. Dr. Gouldsbrough also co-chairs the membership service committee while Dr. Brazalovich also co-chairs the professional and public education committee. Doris Newman, D.O., class of 1998 and UNE College of Osteopathic Medicine faculty member, chairs the payer/payee relations committee.
Other UNE College of Osteopathic Medicine alumni who serve on the association's board of directors include: Guy DeFeo, D.O. '88; Jack Forbush, D.O. '01; Karl Lieberman, D.O. '02; and Kathleen Thibault, D.O. '96. Second-year student and president of the COM Student Government Association Elizabeth Coviello serves as the student representative to the board.
The association's delegates to the American Osteopathic Association's House of Delegates include alums Drs. Barzalovich and Ken Johnson, class of 1992 and UNE College of Osteopathic Medicine associate dean; Boyd Buser, D.O., former associate dean and longtime faculty member; and Dr. Joel Kase.