Month in Review

Released: July 2007

*Two MSUCOM faculty members received a promotion in rank from Michigan State University, effective July 1, 2007.  Congratulations to Laura McCabe, PhD, Professor, Department of Physiology, and Stephen Schneider, PhD, Professor, Department of Physiology. 

*MSUCOM is pleased to announce the Honorary Co-Chairpersons for the 2008 MOCF Ball – “Puttin’ on the Glitz”, scheduled for Saturday, February 23, 2007, at the Ritz-Carlton, Dearborn.  Edward A. Loniewski, DO and Joanne Loniewski, and Eugene Oliveri, DO and Elena Oliveri are being recognized for their many years of service and dedication to the osteopathic profession.

*The 2007 Convocation ceremony was held on Friday, June 29 at the Wharton Center on the campus of MSU.  White coats were presented to 211 incoming students in the Class of 2011 to mark the beginning of their osteopathic medical education.  Susan Sevensma, DO, MSUCOM Class of 1982, Clinical Associate Professor of Family and Community Medicine, and President of the Michigan Osteopathic Association, served as the keynote speaker.

*Gretchen Birbeck, MD, Associate Professor of Neurology and Ophthalmology, was named a Global Health Research Ambassador to advocate for the need for greater US investment in global health research as part of Research!America’s Paul G. Rogers Society for Global Health Research.  Dr. Birbeck was one of twenty-three global health experts named as an Ambassador by this program which is funded by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation.

*Thank you to the following individuals who have demonstrated their support of MSUCOM by joining us as 2008 MOCF Ball Diplomats:  Bronze Diplomats:  Robert I. Boorstein, DO; Penalope D. Cook, DO; Mohammed S. Ogaily, MD.  Patron Diplomats:  Peter Adler-Michaelson, DO, PhD; Steven Arbit, MD; Kevin L. Berger, MD; Daniel Bonbrisco, DO; James Randolph Hillard, MD; Edward N. Hodges, III, JD; Colleen K. Kniffen; Richard Schiappacasse, MD; Alan Silverman, DO; Richard C. Spinale, DO, FACOS.  If you are interested in becoming a 2008 MOCF Ball Diplomat, please contact 517-355-9616 prior to August 31, 2007.

*Congratulations to Myral Robbins, DO, MSUCOM Class of 1976 and Clinical Professor of Family and Community Medicine.  Dr. Robbins will receive the MSU Alumni Service Award from the university on October 11 during homecoming festivities.

*Dean Strampel and other college administrators attended the MAOFP Convention, July 26-28, greeting alumni and friends at the college exhibit, hosting a welcome barbeque, and attending the banquet honoring Craig Magnatta, DO, MSUCOM Class of 1978 and Clinical Assistant Professor of Family and Community Medicine, as outgoing president.

*Richard LaBaere, DO, MSUCOM Class of 1990, received the Family Physician of the Year Award from the Michigan Association of Osteopathic Family Practitioners.

*Thank you to those alumni who have returned their recently mailed questionnaire. It is important to the college to be able to provide reports about alumni, so if you have not mailed back your questionnaire, please take a moment to do so.

*Visit MSUCOM’s new web-based calendar at www.com.msu.edu and click on “calendar” on the left menu bar to view upcoming college events.  Don’t see an MSUCOM affiliated event?  Please go to www.com.msu.edu/calendar/form.html and inform us.

UPCOMING EVENTS:

* September 14-15, 2007, Silverfest alumni weekend.

* Friday, September 21, 2007, Osteopathic Open golf outing, Eagle Eye Golf Course.

* Tuesday, September 25, 2007, 5:00 pm, Fall Semester Faculty Assembly, E105 Fee.

* September 30 - October 3, 2007, AOA Convention, San Diego.  Alumni luncheon and reception on October 1.

* Tuesday, November 6, 2007, Legislative flu shots.  Call 517-432-4979 to volunteer.

* Saturday, February 23, 2007, MOCF Ball – “Puttin’ on the Glitz, Ritz-Carlton, Dearborn.

* March 1-8, 2008, Seminar in the Sun, Dominican Republic.