MSUCOM Alumni Association

Founded in 1974, the MSU College of Osteopathic Medicine Alumni Association is almost as old as the college itself. It was created in the recognition that our alumni are an important part of the college family, and that they represent the best that the osteopathic profession has to offer.

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MSUCOM Alumni Programs
A310 East Fee Hall
East Lansing, MI 48824-1316
Phone: (517) 432-4979
Toll-free: (877) 853-3448
E-mail: alumni@com.msu.edu

MSUCOM Alumni Association Board of Directors

Mitzi C. Amelon, D.O., Class of 1989

I did my internship and family practice residency at Garden City Hospital. After nine years in private practice – including six years with my father, Maynard Amelon, D.O. – I left to spend more time with my family, volunteer at my daughters’ school and provide locum tenens coverage. I have worked with the Little Traverse Bay Band of Odawa Indians in Petoskey, Caro State Psychiatric Facility and Botsford Hospital and I am currently on assignment at the Alamo Navajo Health Clinic in Magdalena, New Mexico. I recently trained to administer the Healthy School Action Tool and I am a member of the Michigan Action for Healthy Kids. I am also in a folk group at my church. I have been married to Chris Pawloski for 16 years, and we share two beautiful daughters, Shannon, 12, and Devon, 10.

Randy DeArment, D.O., Class of 1975

In 2003, I was privileged to serve the American Osteopathic Association in an accreditation visit to MSUCOM. I was allowed to evaluate the school's policies, didactic and clinical programs, administrators and goals. I was very proud of our school's commitment to the goal of providing quality medical education to the MSUCOM students. We've come a long way in 35 years and it was easy to see why we were ranked in the top 10 primary care schools in America. We have one of the finest clinical networks in the profession.

I'm proud to serve on the alumni board and hope to contribute to the growth and property of our fine alma mater.

Steve Dupuis, D.O., Class of 1976, president-elect

After graduating — in the first class at MSUCOM to be on campus for the first two years — I practiced family medicine in Cedar Springs, Michigan, for 25 years; first in a solo private practice then with an established multi-specialty group. In 2001, I returned to campus and joined the faculty as an assistant professor of family and community medicine and practice at the Clinical Center. I am also conducting a stress fracture study on MSU athletes and serve as the Sparrow Hospice Medical Director. Since 2003, I have been a board member, promoting student involvement as a campus liaison. I was Seminar in the Sun co-chair in 2005 and invite all alumni to join us in 2006 for a phenomenal experience. Being on campus and working with alumni programs is an absolute pleasure! GO GREEN!

Charlene Greene, D.O., Class of 1983

Osteopathic Medicine is a perfect fit with family medicine, especially in the rural health setting. It encompasses taking care of the "whole" patient. In my small community, it means taking care of Mom, Dad, cousins, uncles, etc. I really get to see all the family history up close, and it helps to guide my approach to their care. Being a board member will allow me to share my experience with students.

Joanne Grzeszak, D.O., Class of 1976

"After interning at Grand Rapids Osteopathic Hospital, I returned to MSU for three years and worked at MSU's Olin Health Center and MSUCOM," Grzeszak said. "I was also on the MSUCOM Alumni Board of Directors in the early 1980s. I now have a private family practice in Grand Rapids and enjoy having MSUCOM students work with me at my office."

In addition to her practice, Grzeszak has been involved with the MAOFP and has served as the organization’s president. As president she constantly encouraged her colleagues to support their colleges, which is something about which she is very passionate.

"MSUCOM made an investment in me and gave me opportunity that I would not have otherwise had," Grzeszak said. "I want to be on the Alumni Board of Directors to invest the experience that I have gained back into the college and to stir up interest among the other alumni to support the college."

Grzeszak has two daughters, three grandchildren and many friends with whom she loves to spend her free time.

Michaeline Koppy-Austin, D.O. - Class of 1976

After helping to organize the MSUCOM alumni event, Silverfest 2007, last fall, Michaeline Koppy-Austin decided she would like to become more involved with MSUCOM.  "Since retiring in 2003, I have felt a void in no longer being physically able to practice family medicine," said Koppy-Austin.  "I have more time now to devote to the board and give this position more attention as I am not running a practice or raising a family."

Over the course of her career, Koppy-Austin began practicing in a physician shortage area in northern Michigan for eight years in the town of St. Helen.  Years later she became the medical director of an urgent care clinic, Redi-Med, in Saginaw, Michigan.  The last 11 years of her medical career was at Central Michigan University where she worked at an on-campus family practice clinic.  She helped to organize and run an Eating Concerns Team which administered psychological, nutritional and medical intervention to students suffering from eating disorders and an awareness education program for others students.  While at CMU, she worked and precepted students in the physician assistant and athletic trainer programs and helped with curriculum development.

"My experience in higher education is something I hope can contribute to the Board of Directors. I want to bring a new perspective to the board in getting alumni more involved but most of all I would like to give back to the school which gave to me a wonderful education," said Koppy-Austin.

In addition to her medical interests, she likes to sail with her husband, read, garden and spend time with her grandson.

Robert Snyder, D.O., Class of 1979

I am in the Private Practice of Anesthesiology in my hometown of Midland Michigan with 6 other Anesthesiologists.  Four of my partners graduated from MSU-COM.  It seems that I have always wanted to be a physician.  Growing up I did not have much exposure to Osteopathic medicine.  Once at MSU though I worked side by side with MD's and DO's at St. Lawrence Hospital during undergrad on an alcohol Rehab unit.  I noticed the difference in how the DO's related to the patients, the questions that they asked and how they structured the discharge planning.  Great thought and planning was given to not only their alcohol problem but also how family dynamics were affected, employers, etc.  I knew that was the kind of training I wanted, that was the type of physician that I wanted to become.  As an anesthesiologist, I must consider all of the patients medical problems in order to prescribe the correct anesthetic.  Concerns about positioning patients on the table, length of surgeries, etc., all factor in to how the patient will do post op and how they will recover to leave the hospital.  When asked about serving on the MSU-COM Alumni Association Board, it just seemed like a natural thing to do.  I am a third generation Spartan and my son graduated in May from MSU.  Although the profession has been successful in proving it is equal to our allopathic brethren, this has not always been the case.  Roy Harvey DO, was one of my mentors who practiced medicine in my home town of Midland, but he was never granted hospital privileges in Midland and had to take his patients to Clare or Saginaw for hospitalization.  I interned at SOH and served my residency at FOH.  Both were very busy hospitals at the time.  They are both gone now, absorbed into other systems.  I feel it is up to MSU-COM alumni to support their college however possible, to enable it to continue to grow and continue its strong academic standing.  Dr. Still had to practice under his brother's license because his medical school burned to the ground in the civil war and all records of his graduation and degree were lost.  As an alumni board member I hope to strengthen the association to improve relations with our students and graduates so that we continue to improve our school and profession.

Steven Swetech, D.O., Class of 1986

"Osteopathic medicine has been an important part of my entire life. My family physician was a D.O., then I chose osteopathic medicine as a profession, and now my son is in the MSUCOM Osteopathic Medical Scholars Program," Swetech said. "While studying medical technology at Wayne State University in Detroit I came into contact with many MSUCOM alumni. There was a strong feeling of camaraderie among the MSUCOM graduates and I decided to transfer to MSUCOM to become a part of that unity."

Swetech has been in family practice for over 20 years and currently has a private family practice in Clinton Township, Michigan. He has also been involved in industrial medicine as a plant doctor for Chrysler and General Motors and worked in clinics in Jackson and Grand Rapids, Michigan.

In addition, Swetech served as the Millennium President for the Michigan Association of Osteopathic Family Physicians and at the same time was the Macomb County Osteopathic Society president.

"I want to be a member of the Alumni Board of Directors as a way to give back to my profession and to the university that I am proud to be associated with," said Swetech. "Go green!"

Michael Weiss, D.O., Class of 1978, president

Since graduation from MSUCOM, I have always made an effort to stay involved with my alma mater. I currently have a private OB/GYN practice in Clinton Township, and have served as residency program director at Mt. Clemens General Hospital. I am in my second term on the Alumni Association Board, and I consider it an honor and a great opportunity to support the profession. It’s necessary for physicians to speak out on the issues that are important to them, and I would like to see more physicians in Congress and state legislatures to be a voice for our interests.

Frank Winters, D.O., Class of 1979

I have been involved in Family Practice for 23 years in the Livonia area. I currently train Family Practice Residents at Garden City Hospital as well as students from MSUCOM. I also serve as the Medical Director of a local hospice and have done so for about nine years. My personal interests are in some palliative care issues and primary care. I have also developed a teaching program for managed care for Family Practice residents and medical students.

Mary Jo K. Voelpel, D.O., Class of 1975

I have been in a private hemo-oncology practice since 1981, and I was the first certified female hematologist in our profession. I am active in many fundraising activities for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society and the American Cancer Society, and encourage an active healthy lifestyle through my example by competing in marathons and triathlons. As a D.O., I feel privileged to be part of the profession and be able to impact so many people in a positive way. Serving on the Alumni Board at MSUCOM is a tremendous honor. I am so grateful to be a part of planning and assisting the profession at this level. It is one way I can show my support to the college that has showered me so richly with opportunities for a better life for me and every life I touch with my hands, presence and words. Thank you, MSUCOM, for believing in me.

Thomas Zyniewicz II, D.O., Class of 1989

As an Emergency Physician we live for the adrenaline of critical patients. We take care of anyone who arrives to our door asking for help or safety. Throughout my career it is inspiring to look back a the lives that have been saved and touched since I started Medical School at MSU-Com in 1985. Service to the Alumni-Board rekindles the emotions we all felt on that first day of Medical School and places perspective on a career path that in retrospect represents a calling rather than a job. Who other than a Physician will place a gloved hand on a patients greatest fear and help them through their nightmare. Perhaps the best part of the Alumni Board is a chance to thank those who came before you and thank those who will replace your hands some day.