October 30, 2015 - The DO Family Newsletter  
Meet Your President at MSUCOM Campuses 

Oct 29 - A record number of students from the Michigan State University College of Osteopathic Medicine (MSUCOM) attended the "Meet Your President" night as Robert G.G. Piccinini, DO, dFACN, Michigan Osteopathic Association (MOA) President gave a rousing presentation about the MOA and the future of osteopathic medicine. Students from the East Lansing and Detroit Medical Center (DMC) joined via videoconference, as Dr. Piccinini was in person at the Macomb University Center (MUC). As is the tradition, dinner was provided, but this year had a surprise as Dr. Piccinini started the evening by announcing a drawing for Detroit Red Wing hockey tickets.
Dr. Piccinini with MUC Student Liaisons

Dr. Piccinini covered a wide variety of topics. Students were encouraged to look to the MOA for mentorship and as a resource for the various issues each will encounter in their careers. "You are here because you have a passion. The MOA is here to fire that passion" said Piccinini. The event included a question and answer session where each campus was able to draw upon the president's experience in medicine, and as a board member of the American Osteopathic Association (AOA). Dr. Piccinini gave his talk from MUC, with Patrick Botz, DO, present at the East Lansing campus. Dr. Botz is co-chair of the MOA membership committee and sees this event as vital to connect with the next generation of DO's. "This is so important... I'm getting energized hearing this" said Dr. Botz. The event brought him full circle, as he noted the room in Fee Hall is the same room he sat in back in his days at MSUCOM.

MSUCOM East Lansing campus
joins in via video conference 
The MOA is striving to better connect with students as they are the next generation of the organization. Dr. Piccinini emphasized the value of the association and how the students have the opportunity to shape the future of their profession. "Last night was a success! We had a great discussion about what the MOA has to offer to students, how we can become more involved, and updates on the AOA/ACGME merger," said Jenifer Moceri, MSUCOM Class of 2019. 


Congratulations to the winners of the Red Wing tickets were: Nate Meir, from the MUC campus, Dan O'Connor, from the DMC campus and Brittley Leppien, from the East Lansing campus. 
Opioid Task Force Releases Recommendations

Oct 26 Detroit - The Governor's Task Force on Prescription Drug and Opioid Abuse released their recommendations for addressing the critical issues related to the epidemic facing our communities. The press conference was held on the campus of Detroit Medical Center (DMC) and featured Governor Rick Snyder, Lt. Governor Brian Calley and several members of the task force.

The Michigan Osteopathic Association (MOA) has been a key stakeholder as MOA member Stephen R. Bell DO, FACOI, was selected by Gov. Snyder to be a member of the task force. The MOA began addressing the issue last year when they created an Ad Hoc committee to research the issue and develop a list of recommended actions. Those recommendations were passed on to the governor's task force. 

The MOA Ad Hoc committee on Opioid abuse set out with the following objectives:
  • Decrease preventable deaths related to opioid and other drug-related overdoses
  • Improve continuity of care for patients in pain or with opioid use disorder
  • Improve expertise of health care professionals in managing the acute and chronic non-cancer pain
  • Limit opioid dependence
  • Effectively manage opioid dependence when it occurs
  • Help eliminate diversion of controlled prescriptions and illicit drug trafficking
The opioid abuse issue is one that has cut across demographics and has caused hardship and heartbreak in communities across our state, and across our country. The epidemic has resulted in an increase in crime, incarceration and caused a huge strain on our emergency services. "It touches all of us," Dr. Bell said. "We are losing an entire generation. Young people in the prime of their lives are self-destructing."

The hope is that legislators, armed with the task force recommendations, will develop legislation and funding to address the complex issues related to opioid abuse. The MOA has a webpage set-up to provide resources for more information. 

To visit the MOA "Opioid Abuse in Michigan" webpage, click HERE

To download the Governor's Task Force on Prescription Drug and Opioid Abuse recommendations, click HERE
Dr. Morrone to Host Discussion on Opioid Abuse

Prescription Opioid Abuse: A First Step in Heroin Use?
Tuesday, November 17 - 7:00 p.m.
MidMichigan Medical Offices - Midland
Towsley Auditorium 4009 Orchard Drive * Midland, Michigan

The MOA's William R. Morrone DO, MS, FACOFP, DABAM, AAPM. This is not a CME event. This is for the general public and the MOA would ask that you forward this email or the link to register to any interested parties. The opioid issue is one that cuts across all demographics in our communities. 

To learn more and to register, click HERE
MOA, MHA and MSU Join for Health Leadership Academy 

The Michigan Osteopathic Association (MOA) will partner in hosting a Health Leadership Academy. The program is the result of a unique partnership between the MOA, Michigan State University's Eli Broad College of Business and the Michigan Health & Hospital Association (MHA). The university is leveraging its position with the College of Human Medicine and the College of Osteopathic Medicine, and its relationship with MOA and the MHA to provide a unique learning opportunity.

The program will be held Feb. 1-3, and March 14-15, 2016. Early bird registration runs through Dec. 18, 2015.

To register, contact Kristin St. Marie at stmarie@broad.msu.edu, (517) 353-8711 online at 
CMU Team Physician Dr. Kurt Anderson in a Winning Role

When the Central Michigan University (CMU) Chippewas hit the football field, they do so as a team. Players, coaches, managers and trainers work as one unit. Included in that unit is the team physician, Kurt Anderson, DO. Dr. Anderson is a member and a past president of the Michigan Osteopathic Association (MOA) and has been part of the CMU team since 2006. His role extends beyond the field as he is also employed by the university teaching athletic training classes with both general medicine and physical diagnosis components.


Dr. Anderson' s roots run deep in central Michigan. A resident of Shepherd Michigan, he was inspired to join the football program after his sons enrolled at CMU. He was immediately hooked. The challenge was great and the CMU football program was establishing itself as a winning program. The Chippewas have played in five bowl games in the last seven years, drawing over 60,000 fans for the 2007 Motor City Bowl. CMU has played a total of eight post-season games (conference championships and bowl games), winning six of the eight post-season games in the last seven years. CMU finished in the Top 25 in the nation in the final January 2010 AP Poll and USA Today Coaches Poll from the 2009-10 season. When asked about what parts of the job he finds rewarding, Anderson quickly responds, "Being part of a winning program. This is just a great organization." 

Being a part of a winning team hasn't been the only reward. Dr. Anderson has found that being the team physician has helped his practice as well. "Many of my patients know I'm with the team and they are quick to talk football," said Anderson. "It's strengthened my connection to the community."
Through the years, Anderson's role with the university has expanded. In addition to teaching he will be taking on a new title in July of 2016 as he will become the Assistant Program Director for the MSU-CHM/MidMichigan Gratiot Family Medicine Residency Program in nearby Alma. This will be the first ever Residency at MidMichigan-Gratiot and Anderson is hoping to address the issue of the physician shortage in the less populated areas of Michigan. "I recently met with 10 first and second year Michigan State University College of Osteopathic Medicine students to discuss rural medicine and what it is like to practice in a rural community, and I am hopeful we will someday attract both MD and DO candidates to our program" said Anderson. 

Dr. Anderson works for MidMichigan Physicians Group through MidMichigan Health System, and is the medical director for sports medicine at Central Michigan University. He earned his credentials from A.T. Still University Kirksville College of Osteopathic Medicine. He is a member of the American Osteopathic Association and is a Michigan delegate to the AOA House of Delegates. In addition to being an MOA past president, Anderson is a two-time past president of Michigan Association of Osteopathic Family Physicians and member of the American Academy of Sports Medicine and the Michigan Association of Medical Examiners. Dr. Anderson currently serves as a presidential adviser to MOA President Robert G.G. Piccinini, DO, dFACN. 
November 6-8, the Michigan Osteopathic Association will return to beautiful Grand Rapids for the 2015 Autumn Scientific Convention at the Amway Grand Plaza. 

Attendees - For more information on CMEs and the agenda, click HERE
Scientific Research Exhibits - Currently accepting submissions, click HERE.
Exhibitors - Exhibitor registration is open! For more information, click HERE.
Practice Managers - For more information on CEU Sessions, click HERE.







Remember! Grand Rapids has so much to offer in terms of nightlife, attractions, dining and more. Before your visit to Grand Rapids, be sure to get a list of all "GR" has to offer by visiting http://www.experiencegr.com/2015miosteo/
Save the Date!
The 117th Annual Spring Scientific Convention will be held May 12-15, 2016, in Dearborn, Michigan
Have Student Loans? Exclusive Loan Refinancing with SoFi.
We understand that many of our members are burdened with student loan debt. The Michigan Osteopathic Association has recently partnered with SoFi, the leader in student loan refinancing, to help our members ease their student loan debt burden at rates lower than federal and/or private options.
On overage, SoFi Borrowers save around $14k over the lifetime of their loan,
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SoFi will be hosting a webinar for MOA members on
Tuesday, November 4th at 1 p.m. PST / 4 p.m. PST.

Please register through the following link to attend: https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/371313143318632449
In Memoriam






October 2 of 2015 saw the passing of Eugene N. Sands, D.O.
Click here for a local obituary

Sept. 26 saw the passing of Donald R. Eck, DO
Click here for a local obituary 

September 25 of 2015 saw the passing of Gregory D. Harrington III, DO

June 18 of 2015 saw the passing of Hugh L. Grover, DO

May 1 of 2015 saw the passing of Sara Dora, DO

February 1 of 2015 saw the passing of Richard O. Wagner, Jr., DO

To see a list of all Michigan Osteopathic Association members who have passed, click HERE.
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