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By: UPIKE Public Relations | May 18, 2018
The University of Pikeville-Kentucky College of Osteopathic Medicine (KYCOM) held its annual graduation banquet honoring graduates and faculty members on May 18, 2018, at the East Kentucky Expo Center.
Lindsey A. Bierle, D.O., of Little Rock, Ark., and Andrew J. Collins, D.O., of Hazard, Ky., received the Dean’s Award. The Dean’s Award is presented to those whose leadership, humanity and loyalty to the profession exemplify the ideals, mission and goals of KYCOM.
Andrew T. French, D.O., of Farmville, Va., received the John A. Strosnider, D.O., Memorial Scholarship Award. The award recognizes a KYCOM graduate who embodies Strosnider’s commitment to family medicine and his love and dedication to osteopathic medicine and the osteopathic profession. Strosnider served as founding dean of KYCOM and president of the American Osteopathic Association from 2006-2007.
Amber D. Sexton, D.O., of Morehead, Ky., received the James E. Campbell, D.O., Award. The award is presented by the James E. Campbell Education Fund to a deserving KYCOM graduate from the Appalachian region of Kentucky.
George E. Chapman, III, D.O., of Jackson, Ky., received the Stephen M. Payson, M.S., Memorial Scholarship Award, presented to a graduate from the Appalachian region who demonstrates Payson’s commitment to the mission of KYCOM and the promotion of the osteopathic profession.
Collins was named Student D.O. of the Year. The award is presented by the Council of Student Government Presidents to the student who best exemplifies the ideal qualities of an osteopathic medical student. The award is based on service to the school, the community and osteopathic medicine.
Sarah French received the Donna Jones Moritsugu Award, which recognizes the spouse of a graduating student who best demonstrates the role of a professional’s partner and is supportive of mate, family and profession.
The awards were presented by Boyd R. Buser, D.O., FACOFP, dist., vice president for health affairs and dean of KYCOM.
Austin Rutledge, D.O., of Lexington, Ky., received the President’s Award. The award recognizes the student who has demonstrated clinical excellence, earning the highest average score on clinical rotations, and was presented by University of Pikeville President Burton J. Webb, Ph.D.
Rutledge also received the Board of Trustees’ Award, which is presented for academic excellence to the student earning the highest grade-point average during the first two years of medical school. The award was presented by Terry Dotson, chairman of the University of Pikeville Board of Trustees.
Additionally, the Mr. Dharam Pal Kashyap Award was presented to Rutledge for excellence in pediatrics by Seema Sachdeva, M.D., vice chair, division of pediatrics at KYCOM.
Melodie M. Blackmon, D.O., of Fort Worth, Texas, received the Excellence in Emergency Medicine Award, which is sponsored by the Society for Academic Emergency Medicine. The award was presented by Dana Shaffer, D.O., FACOFP, dist., senior associate dean for osteopathic medical education at KYCOM.
Christina E. Basinger, D.O., of Melbourne, Ky., received The Doctors Foundation Award for Family Medicine Residents. The award, granted by the Doctors Foundation of Greater Cincinnati, Ohio, is given to graduates committed to living in Greater Cincinnati during residency and who exhibit excellence in academics, vision for family medicine and service to community. Shaffer presented the award.
Andrew T. French, D.O., Jessica K. Isaac, D.O., of Cynthiana, Ky., Zachary J. Payne, D.O., of Tyrone, Ga., and Dawn L. Ramdas, D.O., of Springfield, Ill., received the Ram’s Head Award. The awards were presented by Laura Griffin, D.O., FAAO, assistant dean of osteopathic principles and practices (OPP) integration at KYCOM, for the Fellowship Program in recognition of outstanding achievements in OPP.
Two KYCOM alumni received the Clinical Medical Educator of the Year Award. Presented by Joshua R. Crum, D.O., associate dean for clinical affairs at KYCOM, Heath Cook, D.O., of Jenkins, Ky., and Brian P. Daniels, D.O., of Pikeville, received the awards for serving with distinction in and dedication to medical education for the students of KYCOM.