Philip and Patricia Greenman Gives Gift to College and Profession   by Tom Oswald Philip E. Greenman, DO, calls it "giving something back" to his school and profession. Students, faculty and staff in MSU's College of Osteopathic Medicine call it typical Phil Greenman generosity.   "It" is a $2 million gift Dr. Greenman and his wife, Patricia, have made to the college he has served for more than 25 years. The donation, which establishes the Philip E. and Patricia B. Greenman Endowed Enrichment Fund, is the largest planned gift in the history of the college.   "We wanted to use these funds to help the college with research activities that are uniquely osteopathic," Dr. Greenman said. "Our thought was to provide long-term funding for start-up grants."   Specifically, the funds would be used for research focusing on cost-effective patient care provided by osteopathic medicine, studies to help determine the efficacy of osteopathic manipulative medicine (OMM), basic research, and the training of osteopathic medical students.   "Osteopathic medicine has a long history of producing some of the worlds' finest primary care physicians," Dr. Greenman said. "We're hopeful these funds will help provide the infrastructure needed to support and increase research activities."   "This gift represents a phenomenal opportunity for the osteopathic profession, not only in Michigan, but on a national level," said Wayne C. Meech, president of the Michigan Osteopathic Association. "Research on issues unique to osteopathic medicine is long overdue, and thanks to the generosity of one of the nation's leading OMM specialists, this can now begin."   "Dr. Greenman has made outstanding contributions to this university as a teacher, doctor and researcher," said President Peter McPherson. "These research funds will allow us to document and confirm what we know through experience and observation."   Dr. Greenman is internationally known authority on osteopathic manipulative treatment (OMT), a hands-on procedure osteopathic physicians use to stimulate the self-healing mechanism present in every human body. Long associated with relieving back pain, OMT is now used for a variety of ailments.   Dr. Greenman was among the first to develop video presentations for OMT instruction. He has written four books, 10 book chapters and countless papers on OMT. He was recently selected for honorary membership in the American Academy of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation -- one of only 10 persons to achieve the recognition -- for his introduction of manual medicine to allopathic physiatrists.   Earlier this year he won the 1998 Gutensohn/Denslow Award, the highest honor of the American Osteopathic Association Bureau of Research. It is given in recognition of someone in the osteopathic profession who has contributed immensely to research and education.   Dr. Greenman's MSU career began in 1972 when he was appointed chairperson of what was then known as the Department of Biomechanics (now known as the Department of Osteopathic Manipulative Medicine). He has served the college in a number of roles, including associate dean and associate dean for academic affairs. A favorite among students, Dr. Greenman was described by one student as "the master" while another referred to him as "the Michael Jordan of osteopathic instructors."   Prior to coming to MSU, Dr. Greenman spent 19 years in private practice in Kenmore, NY He earned his DO degree from the Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine.   "Phil Greenman is a rare combination of excellence: a gifted clinician, a noteworthy mentor and teacher, a dedicated researcher, an outstanding administrator, and an exemplary human being. This generous gift ensures that what he deemed so important in his career will continue, and with it, the best of osteopathic principles and practice." --Dean Allen W. Jacobs, DO, PhD