Saluting all Members of the

The OOA Board of Trustees established the Mentor Hall of Fame in 2013. The recipient of the George L. Eckert, Jr., DO, Mentor of the Year award is chosen from each class of nominees. Each year, students, interns, and residents are invited to submit nominations.

MENTOR HALL OF FAME

John R. Alway, DODayton • Otolaryncology – Facial Plastic Surgery

Dr. Alway has been my key mentor…supporting me and making graduation a reality. He has organized rotations at other prestigious institutions to fill in some weaker points in our specific programs. These institutions are so impressed with the quality of the ENT training program that Dr. Alway has built.

Class of 2013

Gregory P. Bloxdorf, DOCleveland • Family Medicine

In all of the years that I have been at St. John’s there is no single person who has devoted more effort to the students, interns, and residents than Dr. Bloxdorf. He is my role model for how an Emergency Department physician should be.

Class of 2013

Joni S. Canby, DOYoungstown • Obstetrics & Gynecology

She is the perfect role model for a compassionate, knowledgeable, and professional doctor. From my one-month rotation with her, I amassed as much information as I learned in my previous five months combined. Not only did she teach me techniques, procedures and surgeries, but she taught me empathy, compassion and the business of medicine.

Mentor of the Year 2011

Constance P. Cashen, DOToledo • General Surgery

Dr. Cashen models not only exemplary medical care and decision-making, but also excellent bedside manner and patient care. She is trusted by her colleagues, loved by her patients, and looked up to by her residents.

Class of 2013

Michael E. Dietz, DOCincinnati • Family Medicine

His passion for teaching students, the love he has for his patients and the endless hours he devotes to organizations across the state are only a sliver of the things Dr. Dietz does. He treats students like family, makes sure we are invited to Cincinnati Osteopathic Academy meetings, and has an open door policy to contact him with questions about life, practice or otherwise. He has provided a model for which all aspiring physicians should follow.

Class of 2014

Nicholas G. Espinoza, DOToledo • Family Medicine

Dr. Espinoza’s passion for his role as a physician radiates when he walks in the room with his patients, and greets them with a warm smile and professional touch. He is always willing to take as much time as the patients needs in order to truly get to know them personally as well as their individual needs. He is a prime example of the type of osteopathic physician that I would like to become.

Mentor of the Year 2014

Richard M. Garwood, DOCleveland • Family Medicine

Dr. Garwood has been a team player ever since his days playing basketball at Catholic University in Washington, DC. This fact is important as it illustrates how he continues to emphasize the importance of team as a cardinal rule in our Family Medicine residency.

Class of 2013

Byan T. Grischow, DOColumbus • General Surgery

Dr. Grischow is brilliant, highly proficient, and confident. He treats every patient as a family member. He gave me his time and uninterrupted attention, and was readily available for patient case discussions and academic principles. He has had a major influence on me, helping to clarify my vision to become a surgeon.

Class of 2013

Dennis E. Kane, DOCleveland • Anesthesiology

I was able to turn to Dr. Kane for advice, direction, and career opportunities. He patiently listened, questioned my career goals, and ultimately directed me towards a career in radiology (not his specialty). His slogan “My door is always open” is proof that he is available for all students and residents.

Class of 2013

Louis D. Leone, DOChardon • Family Medicine/Sports Medicine

As a clinician, Dr. Leone demonstrates compassion while working with learners, staff, and most importantly, patients. He is encouraging to learners at all levels. He is caring, respectful, and thoughtful. He is the very definition of integrity.

Class of 2013

Andrew C. Liu, DOCleveland • Pulmonology / Critical Care

Dr. Liu’s scope of training is outstanding and he expects nothing less of his residents and students. He is an amazing physician who cares about each person he teaches.

Class of 2013

Eric E. Mast, DOSandusky • Family Medicine

His passion for teaching comes across in everything he does. He is a constant advocate for osteopathic principles and manipulative techniques. He challenges students (one of his favorite phrases is “Let me play devil’s advocate”) and teaches them the finer points of patient care.

Class of 2013

Charles T. Mehlman, DOCincinnati • Pediatric Orthopaedics

Dr. Mehlman has gone above and beyond to educate and guide me to achieve my goals, and he has done the same for many before me. He genuinely cares for the success of his students, residents, and fellows and guides them. He is an outstanding mentor. The ideal DO excels in all aspects of medicine with humbleness, and offers guidance to students so they may achieve the same success; Dr. Mehlman does just that.

Class of 2014

Joseph M. Novi, DOColumbus • Urogynecology

He is not only an amazing attending, but a truly kind-hearted and compassionate individual. He is approachable and always willing to answer questions. Every resident looks forward to getting the opportunity to scrub with Dr. Novi in the OR because he is so talented and patient. He exemplifies everything that you would want in a physician taking care of your family members.

Class of 2014

Ronald J. Russ, DOHudson • Family Medicine

Dr. Russ believes in a hands-on approach to learning…he would allow me to diagnose, discuss treatment plans and perform OMM. He models a successful work/family balance and is active in the community, coaching sports and offering a free sports physical program every year.

Class of 2013

Dawn L. Sammons, DOAthens • Dermatology

Dr. Sammons’ passion for dermatology is infectious. During my first year of medical school, she gave a crash course in skin disease during our Infection and Immunity block. I felt inspired by her enthusiasm and passion about her field. It gave me hope that I, too, would feel the same way some day.

Class of 2013

Philip A. Starr, III, DOWarren • Family Medicine

Dr. Starr has shown an abundance of compassion and friendship not only to his patients, but also to the residents, students, and staff. He is a wizard at OMM and encourages it in clinic in order to ensure patients experience the highest standard of care.

Mentor of the Year 2012

Daryn R. Straley, DOAthens • Family Medicine

He instilled in me as an intern the belief to challenge myself in medicine, to not just be a referral machine or doc-in-a-box, and then allowed me to grow as a physician. He delivered the right amount of paternalism when needed and the right amount of autonomy as I’ve grown. If ever I am called a good physician, it is because of the principles that Dr. Straley has helped create.

Class of 2014

David L. Tolentino, DOCleveland • Family Medicine

His kindness and patience display his genuine concern…a hug, kiss or sitting to hold hands with an elderly woman who has just lost her husband are not uncommon occurrences in his clinic. I have found a friend and mentor to whom I will forever be connected and grateful.

Class of 2013

Shannon C. Trotter, DOColumbus • Dermatology

Dr. Trotter shared her passion for unifying the field of dermatology and the osteopathic profession--including OMM. She brings sunshine to our profession and without her guidance, I really do not know where I would be today.

Class of 2013

Geraldine N. Urse, DOColumbus • Family Medicine

Her perpetual thirst for knowledge, in addition to personal and professional achievement, is inspiring. She always maintains an open-door policy. She nurtures the concept of our residency being part of her extended family by providing encouragement, opening her home for social gatherings, and filling our mailboxes with homemade sweet treats.

Mentor of the Year 2013

Michael J. Valle, DOCenterville • Neurology

He is a man who takes interest in his residents to produce not only great neurologists but great professionals. He exemplifies a model physician…kind, caring, brilliant and always willing to take time to make sure his patients understand the disease process and treatment plan.

Class of 2013

Charles E. Wilkins, MDYoungstown • Internal Medicine / Geriatrics

His strong personal commitment, compassion, and understanding with his patients show in the trusting relationships he has with them. Though not trained as an osteopathic physician, he understands, respects, and encourages use of OMM.

Class of 2013