University of New England College of Osteopathic Medicine Alumni Lead American Academy of Osteopathy

Four graduates from the University of New England’s College of Osteopathic Medicine (COM) were recently recognized by the American Academy of Osteopathy (AAO) at its convocation, held March 11 –15, 2915, in Louisville, Kentucky: Doris B. Newman, D.O., FAAO, was elected president of the AAO; Jane E. Carreiro, D.O., was awarded the Andrew Taylor Still Medallion of Honor; Stefan Hagopian, D.O., FAAO, was elected to the AAO Board of Trustees; and Laura E. Griffin, D.O. FAAO, was selected as president-elect.

Doris B. Newman

Newman accepted her one-year position as president of the AAO on March 14. Of her new appointment, she remarked, “I am thankful beyond words for the opportunity to serve as your president at such an auspicious and crucial time in the history of osteopathic medicine.”

Newman graduated from COM in 1998, serving on an internal medicine residency at St. Vincent’s Hospital/Worcester Medical Center from 1998 to 2000, before returning to COM to complete a residency in 2002. Immediately following this, she served as program director of the COM osteopathic manipulative medicine and neuromusculoskeletal medicine (OMM-NMM) residency and the integrated family medicine and NMM residency program. She was also the director of COM medical education.

Currently, Newman is the executive director of clinical education and associate professor of osteopathic principles and practice at the Nova Southeastern University College of Osteopathic Medicine in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. She also currently serves on the American Osteopathic Association’s Program and Trainee Review Council.

Jane E. Carreiro

Carreiro was awarded the Andrew Taylor Still Medallion of Honor, the highest honor awarded by the AAO, on March 14. This award is presented to AAO members who demonstrate outstanding accomplishments in scientific or professional affairs. Prior to receiving this honor at the event, Carreiro was re-elected to the AAO Nominating Committee.

A 1998 graduate, Carreiro joined COM as a faculty member in 1993 and has served as chair of the Department of Osteopathic Manipulative Medicine since 1999. At UNE, she encourages her students to incorporate osteopathic principles into their practice, regardless of what specialty they pursue.

Carreiro contributed the original text of the World Health Organization’s “Benchmarks for Training in Osteopathy” and has chaired the Board of Directors of the Osteopathic International Alliance since 2014.

Stefan Hagopian

Hagopian was elected to the Board of Trustee of the AAO for a three-year term on March 12. During his campaign statement, he expressed his desire to help the AAO “continue to strengthen its leadership position as the premier educational and membership organization in the world for the science of osteopathy and the practice of osteopathic medicine.”

Since graduating from COM in 1988, Hagopian has taught continuing medical education courses, in addition to holding a private osteopathic medical practice in Santa Monica, California, for more than 25 years.

Hagopian earned his AAO fellowship in 2007 after presenting a thesis exploring the multidimensional aspects of how osteopathy merges philosophy and practice. He is one of only 80 osteopathic physicians to earn such a fellowship.

Laura E. Griffin

Griffin was selected as AAO president-elect on March 12. After one year in this position, she will assume the position of president for the 2016-17 term. Griffin commented, “I plan to do what I can to promote the Academy’s endeavors to strengthen the osteopathic medical profession…" 

Griffin graduated from COM in 1996 and was the first physician to complete its integrated residency in neuromusculoskeletal medicine and family practice (NMM-FP). She currently co-directs the NMM-FP residency at the Pikeville Medical Center in Kentucky, runs the Department of Osteopathic Principles and Practice at the University of Pikeville Kentucky and is the faculty advisor to the college’s chapter of the Student American Academy of Osteopathy.

Griffin earned her AAO fellowship with a thesis titled “The Effect of Osteopathic Manipulative Treatment During the Neonatal Period on Infant Development and Illness.” This paper examined the effect of osteopathic manipulative treatment performed in the neonatal period on infants’ abilities to breastfeed, rates of growth and development, and the incidence of common illnesses within the first six months of life.

UNE College of Osteopathic Medicine
UNE College of Osteopathic Medicine