2021 Spring CME Program

Lauren Doda Related Seminars and Products

E-MAIL LAUREN.DODA@ASCENSION.ORG

Residency

2019-                Ascension Genesys Hospital, Grand Blanc, MI.  Program of Internal Medicine. Expected graduation June 2022.

Areas of interest: Allergy/Immunology, Rheumatology, Outpatient/Inpatient Hospital Medicine.

2015-2019        West Virginia School of Osteopathic Medicine (WVSOM), Lewisburg, WV

                        Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine (D.O.).

2013                 North Dakota State University, Fargo, ND

                        Graduate Non-Degree (12 hrs./semester)

2010                 University of Navarra (Study Abroad), Pamplona Spain

                        Areas of Concentration: Spanish language, translation, history

2008-2011        Concordia College, Moorhead, MN

Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) in Spanish language, Spanish and Hispanic Studies, Minor in Chemistry, Pre-med.

2019-                CITI training for Responsible Conduct of Research and Research involving Human Subjects

2019-                Opioid & Controlled Substances Awareness Training Series

2018-                OSHA/HIPAA

2017-                American Heart Association BLS for Healthcare Providers.

2017-                American Heart Association Advanced Cardiac Life Support.

Professional Experience

2016-2017        Participant, PaLMS: Professionalism and Leadership in the Medical Setting; program conducted in partnership with the Greenbrier Leadership Institute, led by Dr. E. Dwight Bundy, Regional Assistant Dean, WVSOM.

• Attended monthly meetings & completed modules focused on enhancing professionalism and leadership skills in the medical setting. Led by various physicians, nurses, business owners, and community members.

2014-2015        Clinical Research Coordinator: Cancer Clinical Studies Unit, Mayo Clinic, Jacksonville, FL

• Actively screened patients for study enrollment, managed all consent processes, and oversaw patient and physician adherence to study protocol on 7 solid-tumor sarcoma clinical trials.

2013-2014        Data Coordinator: Cancer Clinical Studies Unit, Mayo Clinic, Jacksonville, FL

• Read and reviewed study protocols, completed study training requirements, monitored clinical adherence to protocols, extracted and analyzed research data results for PI, and explained data requirements and results with patients.

Mary Goldman DO Related Seminars and Products

Employed at Osteopathic Healthcare Associates, office of M. Shane Patteson, DO, Utica, Michigan to perfom Osteopathic Manipulative Treatment. Graduate of Michigan State University College of Osteopathic Medicine, Class of 1980 and Masters in Health Professions Education in 2014, a joint treaching effort between MSUCOM and MSU Education Department. Internship and Family Medicine Residency at Michigan Osteopathic Medical Center, Detroit Michigan in 1981. Osteopathic Manual Medicine Instructor in Department of Education at Ascension Genesys Regional Medical Center, Grand Blanc, Michigan, OMT Clinic at Downtown Flint Campus. Board Examiner American Board of Osteopathic Family Practitioners. 

Daniel Schulte JD Related Seminars and Products

Daniel J. Schulte has more than 25 years of experience helpng clients solve tough problems and capitalize on opportunities that require a blend of business and legal expertise. 

Dan's practice includes a focus on addressing the legal, business, licensing, and regulatory challenges of health care professinals, organizatins, and facilities. 

Through his experience as a Certified Public Accountant, his role as a former managing partner and current executive committee member of the firm, and as co-chair of the firm's Health Care Practice Group, Dan understands how legal issues impact business objectives and, as a result, offers his clients practical, results-oriented advice.

Dan's practice involves representing health care clients in state regulatory matters, including disciplinary and other llicensing disputes wiht the State of Michigan, and federal regulatory matters including fraud and abuse issues. He also counsels on the anti-kickback and Stark laws, preparation of compliance programs, and responding to and negotiating settlements in connecton with government enforcement actions. In addition, Dan assists health care clients with a number of corporate, transactional, and contractual issues. 

Kathleen Westfall Related Seminars and Products

Kathleen A. Westfall is a member at Kerr Russell, a full-service law firm in Detroit, MI. Her practice focuses on health care and insurance. In her health care law practice, Katie has extensive experience representing healthcare professionals, organizations and facilities in matters concerning state and federal legal and regulatory compliance. Katie also frequently represents physicians and other health professionals in connection with state licensing investigations and disciplinary actions.

Scott Kaatz DO, MSc, FACP, SFHM, Henry Ford Health Related Seminars and Products

Biography: Scott Kaatz is Clinical Professor of Medicine at Wayne State University and a Hospitalist at Henry Ford Hospital in Detroit where he serves as the Medical Director for Professional Development and Research in the Division of Hospital Medicine. He attended medical school at Michigan State University and completed his residency in internal medicine at Henry Ford Hospital.  Later in his career, he earned his Master’s degree in Evidence-Based Health Care from Oxford University.

He has a long standing research interest in anticoagulation and thromboembolic disease and was the Medical Director of the Anticoagulation Clinics for the Henry Ford Health System in Detroit, MI for15 years.

Dr. Kaatz is a Fellow of American College of Physicians and a Senior Fellow Society of Hospital Medicine. He is President of the Anticoagulation Forum and past President of the Thrombosis and Hemostasis Societies of North America and the Michigan Chapter of the Society of Hospital Medicine.

He also has serves on the Medical Scientific Advisory Board of the National Blood Clot Alliance and has served on the National Certification Board of Anticoagulation Providers.

He has participated in many research studies with an emphasis on anticoagulation, atrial fibrillation, peri-procedural anticoagulation and venous thromboembolism prevention, diagnosis and treatment; and has published over 250, articles, book chapters and abstracts in this field.

Detroit Free Press April 28, 2020

by Tresa Baldas                                                          

DETROIT – Henry Ford Health System’s first patient to receive an infusion of convalescent plasma was Dr. Scott Kaatz, a Henry Ford Hospital doctor who took care of some of the first COVID-19 patients during the early days of the coronavirus’ discovery in metro Detroit.

Senior Staff Hospitalist Dr. Kaatz, 62, Medical Director for Professional Development and Research in the Division of Hospital Medicine and who  has no underlying medical conditions, said he “came as close to death as you can be,” while being treated by his colleagues at Henry Ford Hospital in Detroit.

“Six days ago, I was on the ventilator; now, I’m home taking care of myself,” Dr. Kaatz said by phone from his home in metro Detroit on Sunday, April 26. “I got really, really lucky, and I’m fortunate to be cared for by an incredibly skilled team.”

In fact, Dr. Kaatz received five different experimental medical therapies during his treatment: Convalescent, plasma, Hydroxychloroquine, Remdesivir, Steroids,   Interleukin 6

“Did some, all or none of them work? We don’t know,” said Dr. Kaatz. “I’m hopeful that as the science progresses, we may know. Knowing that at Henry Ford there are all of the options available was certainly peace of mind for my family.”

Beginning with his residency in 1984, Dr. Kaatz has worked at Henry Ford Health System for a total of 31 years, currently as a hospitalist at Henry Ford Hospital in Detroit. His jobs entails caring for patients on a general medical floor. And while there is no telling where he contracted COVID-19, he was in contact with some of the first positive COVID-19 patients.

That led to a family discussion about his wife, Meg, a long-time nurse with medical conditions that put her at risk with the virus. The family, concerned that she could be exposed if Dr. Kaatz became ill, had been discussing her temporarily moving from metro Detroit to Texas to stay with their adult son during the pandemic.

“Within a couple of days of me seeing my first patient, Meg left home on March 15,” Dr. Kaatz said. “So that was easy; we protected her.”

On Sunday, March 29, Dr. Kaatz awoke with signs of illness: a slight fever and headache. Worried it could be COVID-19, he called his division head and said he wasn’t coming in to work at the hospital.

“It wasn’t I was so sick I wasn’t able to work,” he said. “It was I couldn’t come in and be contagious.”

Within the next six days, his symptoms deteriorated. His fever never climbed high. But “crushing” body aches and “significant headache” accompanied the tell-tale dry cough. He made two trips to the Henry Ford Hospital emergency room in six days. But since chest x-rays and his oxygenation looked ok, he was sent home both times.

That changed April 4, when he was admitted with shortness of breath and worsening fatigue. April 5 began a devastating spiral in the ICU – leading to intubation and the ventilator on April 12. His hospital colleagues didn’t know if Dr. Kaatz was going to pull through. Neither his wife, the nurse now in Texas with their son, nor his daughter still in metro Detroit, were able to visit.

“The nurses held up my phone to do FaceTime, just before they put me on the ventilator,” Dr. Kaatz said about the virtual visit with his family on Easter Sunday. “I knew the statistics; my wife had worked in a step-down unit, so she did too. So we had the opportunity do a potential goodbye.”

His colleagues, as they were doing with all patients, used the knowledge they had at the time to do what they could. Unable to lie prone while awake, Dr. Kaatz was flipped on his stomach for three days while sedated and on the ventilator. They ran through the list of experimental treatments, desperate as his oxygen levels and conditioned worsened.

Then things started to improve. Just under a week later, Dr. Kaatz woke up on Saturday, April 18. On Monday, April 20, he was extubated and taken off the ventilator.

When he awoke, with tubes still preventing him from talking and his phone stowed away, the Henry Ford nurses helped him FaceTime with his family.

“They would take their personal phone, put it in a bag, call my wife and we would connect with their personal phones,” he said. “That’s how dedicated the Henry Ford team is. And we literally played charades to communicate.”

The topic of their first conversation after he awoke: his facial hair.

“I’ve never had a beard, and I get a scruff beard,” he said, laughing about the jokes after going through that period of extreme stress. “And she looked at me and said, ‘Dang I should have pulled the plug.’”

Now, Dr. Kaatz’s concern has turned to his father, Dick Kaatz, a funeral director from Michigan’s thumb region now intubated and fighting for his life at Henry Ford Hospital. As they do with all patients, doctors there are using their knowledge in a battle with the virus. He has not received convalescent plasma, which continues to be scarce and reserved for only the sickest patients.

And while it was one of many treatments used on him so he doesn’t know if it worked, Dr. Kaatz says he hopes to donate plasma so the option can be used for others. Henry Ford has been working with donors who are Henry Ford Health System employees who tested positive for COVID-19, recovered and show no signs of disease. Donors who qualify either have a negative COVID-19 test at least 15 days after their positive test or have been symptom-free for at least 28 days after testing positive.

Donors must meet regular volunteer blood donor criteria and have a donor form signed by a doctor. The plasma collection takes place at a blood center collection site and takes about one hour. Donation can be repeated at weekly intervals, and one donation can provide between one and four doses of plasma. Those who may qualify and would like to be evaluated for donation can email iPlaza@hfhs.org for more information.

The plasma donations are kept at a central blood center and are available to any hospital in Michigan with FDA- and IRB-approved plasma programs that are working with that blood center.

“I will be donating in a couple of weeks; I’m already plugged in,” said Dr. Kaatz. “If you’ve had this disease, there are opportunities to help others who are desperately sick. We’ll track this and get some clues.”

Anthony Ognjan DO, FACP Related Seminars and Products

Dr. Ognjan is a fellow of the American College of physicians (“FACP”); and received his Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine degree from the Michigan State University College of Osteopathic Medicine in 1983. He graduated from Michigan State University with a B.S. in Microbiology and Public Health in 1975 and from Ferris State College with a B.S. in Pharmacy in 1978.

Dr. Ognjan completed a one-year rotating internship at Detroit Osteopathic–Bi County Community Hospital system (Detroit MI) in 1984; completed a residency in Internal Medicine (1987) and a Fellowship in Infectious Diseases (1989) at Henry Ford Hospital in Detroit, Michigan.

Dr. Ognjan is Board Certified in Internal Medicine, and Infectious Diseases by the American College of Physicians (“ACP”) He has completed the American Osteopathic Association (“AOA”) Health Care policy Fellowship (2007), and is a graduate of “Leadership Macomb” (2007)

Dr Ognjan has been a staff member of McLaren Macomb Hospital, (Mt Clemens, Michigan) Henry Ford Macomb Medical Center (Clinton Township MI) for over 20 years. He has experience as a Pediatric Pharmacist (Children’s Hospital of Michigan, Detroit MI); Correctional facility Infectious Disease Clinician (Macomb County Jail, Macomb MI) and Staff Emergency Room Physician (Henry Ford Hospital Fairlane, Dearborn, MI)

Dr. Ognjan holds clinical teaching faculty appointments, with Michigan State University College of Osteopathic Medicine, East Lansing, Michigan; and with the University of Osteopathic Medicine and Health Sciences, Des Moines, Iowa.   He is involved with the mentoring, and education of high school students, Pre-Medical and Medical Students; Interns and Residents; Attending physicians, and the public. He has performed as a medical media expert regarding a variety of medical topics, for local (Michigan and Metro Detroit area) Radio, Television, Print and Internet organizations and media outlets.

Dr. Ognjan has been recognized, and has received professional awards and honors, for teaching, education, research, community and professional involvement and activities. He has published articles; has presented many scientific abstracts, and continues his lecture activities regarding a variety of infectious disease syndromes, and medical topics, including: HIV, Wound infections, Antibiotics, Vaccinations and other infectious disease syndrome and topics.

Dr. Ognjan is very actively involved with his local community, Michigan state, and National public health initiatives, and affairs. Including the appointment to state sponsored committees, by several governors’ offices for epidemiology, education, and Health Care Policy affairs and activities.

Dr. Ognjan is very active with professional organizations, with over 20 years of active membership in the American Medical association, (“AMA”), the American College of Physicians (“ACP”) the American Osteopathic Association (“AOA”), and the Michigan Osteopathic Association (“MOA”). For the Michigan Osteopathic Association, he is Vice Chair MOA’s House of Delegates, Member of MOA’s Educational committee, Governmental Affairs committee, and Chairs the Michigan Osteopathic Political Action Committee (“MOPAC”), on a national level, he is a member of the American Osteopathic Association Political Action Committee. (“OPAC”).

John Willoughby MD Related Seminars and Products

Christopher Provenzano MD Related Seminars and Products

July 2008- present      Nephrologist and Partner: St. Clair Specialty Physicians P.C.

DBA St. Clair Nephrology, Roseville, MI

July 2008- present      Nephrologist: St. Clair Nephrology Research, Roseville, MI

3/2020- Present           Medical Director, Select Specialty Macomb 

5/2018-Present            Internal Medicine Residency Program Director,                                McLaren Macomb Hospital 

2015- Present              Director, Section of Hypertension, Ascension St John,

                                     Nephrology Fellowship Program.     

2015- Present              Medical Director, Davita Partridge Creek Hemodialysis     

2014- Present              Quality Committee, St. Clair Specialty Physicians                              Quality Improvements through EMR for Hypertension 

2014- Present              Chairman, Pharmacy and Therapeutics Committee, McLaren 

                                     Macomb 

2013- Present              Medical Director, Hema-Tech Inc.                                              2012- 2020                  Director of Utilization, Select Specialty Macomb 

2017-2019                   Medical Director, Davita East China Hemodialysis

EDUCATION

1999- 2003                  American University of the Caribbean School of Medicine

                                    St. Maarten, Netherland Antilles. Doctor 

                                    of  Medicine

1994- 1997                  University of Detroit Mercy

                                    Detroit, Michigan, B.S., Biology

1993-1994                   Western Michigan University

                                    Kalamazoo, MI

Michael Blair De Young DO Related Seminars and Products

Blairdeyo@comcast.net

Employment

McLaren Cardiovascular Institute, Interventional Cardiologist              2013-

Macomb Cardiovascular Group, P.C., Interventional Cardiologist          2008-2013

Education            

Doctorate of Osteopathic Medicine                                                     1997-2001  

Michigan State University, East Lansing

Bachelor of Science in Biology                                                            1993-1996

University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI                                                                 

Grand Rapids Community College, Grand Rapids, MI                           1992-1993                                                                       

Graduate Medical Education

Interventional Cardiology Fellowship                                                   2007-2008

St. John Hospital and Medical Center, Detroit, MI

Cardiology Fellowship                                                                        2004-2007

Mount Clemens Regional Medical Center, Mount Clemens, MI

Internal Medicine Residency                                                                 2002-2004

Botsford General Hospital, Farmington Hills, MI 

Internal Medicine Track Internship                                                       2001-2002

Botsford General Hospital, Farmington Hills, MI                                                                                                                                                        

Honors

Chief Cardiology Fellow                                                                     2006-2007

Mount Clemens Regional Medical Center

Certificate of Academic Achievement                                                   2006-2007

Mount Clemens Regional Medical Center

Chief Internal Medicine Resident                                                         2003-2004

Botsford General Hospital          

Sigma Sigma Phi Osteopathic Honorary Fraternity                                2001-                                                                                 

Experience

Medical Director, Cardiac Catheterization Laboratory, McLaren Macomb  2016-

Medical Director, Cardiac Catheterization Laboratory, McLaren Oakland  2016-

Chest Pain Director, McLaren Oakland                                                  2016-         

Clinical Assistant Professor, Department of Osteopathic Medical Specialties

          Appointment 7/1/2018-6/30/2021

Site Director, Interventional Cardiology Fellowship, McLaren Macomb  2012 - 2014

Cardiovascular Grand Rounds Coordinator                                           2005 - 2007

Mount Clemens General Hospital

Research Assistant                                                                             1996 - 1997

University of Michigan, Department of Pharmacology                                                                  

Publications

A Single Center Clinical Evaluation of Carotid Stenting for the Treatment of Obstructive Carotid Artery Disease: Experience in a Community Hospital.  DeYoung M, Logan T, Burnham J, Kazziha S.  Vascular Disease Management.  2007 Jan, Vol 4, Issue 1, 22-26.

Use of a Thrombus Extraction Catheter (Pronto®) in the Treatment of Acute Myocardial Infarction after Coronary Embolism post Mitral Valve Replacement.  DeYoung M, Kazziha S.  Journal of Invasive Cardiology. 2006 Nov;18(11):E273-5.

Kappa-opioid receptor effects of butorphanol in rhesus monkeys. Vivian JA, DeYoung MB, Sumpter TL, Traynor JR, Lewis JW, Woods JH. J Pharmacol Exp Ther. 1999 Jul;290(1):259-65.

Poster/Abstract Presentations

A Single Center Clinical Evaluation of Carotid Stenting for the Treatment of Obstructive Carotid Artery Disease: Experience in a Community Hospital.  DeYoung M, Logan T, Burnham J, Kazziha S.  Michigan Osteopathic Association 2006 Scientific Research Exhibit Competition.

A Single Center Clinical Evaluation of Carotid Stenting for the Treatment of Obstructive Carotid Artery Disease: Experience in a Community Hospital.  DeYoung M, Logan T, Burnham J, Kazziha S.  Mount Clemens Regional Medical Center Research Competition – 2^nd Place

Research

Site Investigator, THEMIS – Effect of Ticagrelor on Health Outcomes in diabetes Mellitus patients Intervention Study, 2014-

Memberships

American College of Cardiology

American Society of Echocardiography

American Society of Nuclear Cardiology

American Osteopathic Association

American College of Osteopathic Internists

Michigan Osteopathic Association

Macomb County Osteopathic Association

Licensure

Board Certified, Cardiology, American College of Osteopathic Internists

Board Certified, Interventional Cardiology, American College of Osteopathic

   Internists

Board Certified in Nuclear Cardiology on 10/23/2006, Certificate Number: 4546

          Certified 2017-2027

State of Michigan, Board of Osteopathic Medicine and Surgery

David Strobl DO, FNLA Related Seminars and Products

Sparrow Hospital, MSUCOM

David J. Strobl, D.O., is the director of the Heart Disease Prevention Program and Lipid Clinic at the Thoracic Cardiovascular Institute and is among the first physicians in the country to achieve certification as a Diplomate of the American Board of Clinical Lipid Management. He also specializes in noninvasive diagnostic cardiology. Dr. Strobl received his medical degree from the College of Osteopathic Medicine and Surgery in Des Moines, Iowa and performed an internship and Internal Medicine residency at Flint Osteopathic Hospital in Michigan. His training culminated with a fellowship in cardiovascular disease at the Cleveland Clinic Foundation in Ohio.

Dr. Strobl is also currently professor of medicine and chairman of the Section of Cardiology in the Department of Internal Medicine at Michigan State University's College of Osteopathic Medicine. He has been awarded numerous academic honors including Outstanding Distinguished Lecturer and the Dedication to Teaching Award. Dr. Strobl was also nationally recognized in 2002 with the Northrup Award as the National Osteopathic Educator of the Year. He is frequently invited to lecture at medical seminars throughout the country and has participated in numerous scientific clinical trials that have influenced the present-day management of cholesterol and triglyceride disorders.

Daniel Liu MD Related Seminars and Products

Dr. Daniel Liu is certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery. After graduating summa cum laude from Hendrix College in Arkansas, he obtained his medical degree from Washington University in St. Louis School of Medicine, where he was elected to the Alpha Omega Alpha medical honor society. Dr. Liu completed postgraduate combined training in General Surgery and Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery at the University of Washington in Seattle. He is an active member of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons and American Society for Reconstructive Microsurgery.

Dr. Liu has authored several peer-reviewed manuscripts in reconstructive breast surgery and craniofacial surgery. He serves as associate editor and peer reviewer for major plastic surgery journals and as multimedia editor for the most widely used textbook series in plastic surgery. While committed to excellence throughout the entire breadth of plastic surgery, his special clinical interests include microsurgical breast reconstruction, lower extremity microsurgery, and cutting-edge techniques in lymphatic reconstruction using supermicrosurgery.

Ann Carter HRM, CPHRM, CMPE Related Seminars and Products

Ann has more than 30 years of experience in medical professional liability insurance, specifically in the areas of underwriting and risk management. She is responsible for physician risk management support and consultation including phone and email support, assessment of office practice and risk, office practice education.

Prior to joining Coverys, Ann worked at ProAssurance in Underwriting and Risk Management. Ann is a graduate of the Healthcare Risk Management Certificate Program co-sponsored by MMI Companies Inc. and the University of Health Sciences/The Chicago Medical School and is a certified professional in healthcare risk management from the American Hospital Association.  She is also a Certified Medical Practice Executive from the Medical Group Management Association.

Caroline Trapp Related Seminars and Products

Dr. Trapp is the director of diabetes education & care at the Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine, and is a nurse practitioner with more than 30 years of experience, specializing in the care of people with diabetes. Her degrees are from the University of Michigan (BSN), University of Pennsylvania (MSN) and Madonna University (DNP). She is board-certified in adult primary care nursing, diabetes education and lifestyle medicine. She is an adjunct faculty member at the University of Michigan School of Nursing.

Dr. Trapp’s work with the Physicians Committee has taken her to China, the Northern Republic of Macedonia, Canada, the Marshall Islands, all over the U.S. and to Native American tribal lands and Pueblos. Across these diverse settings, she has found tremendous interest from health professionals and the public on the potential for evidence-based nutrition for diabetes prevention, treatment and reversal.

Dr. Trapp was awarded Oakland University’s Nightingale Award for Education and Research in 2012 and inducted as a Fellow of the American Association of Nurse Practitioners in 2013. She is a founding board member of Plant-based Prevention of Disease (P-POD) and an active volunteer with the Plant Based Nutrition Support Group (PBNSG) of Michigan. Dr. Trapp helped to establish and leads the Nurses Nutrition Network of the Physicians Committee.

Jennifer Schell DO Related Seminars and Products

Jason Wasserman PhD Related Seminars and Products

Dr. Jason Adam Wasserman is currently Associate Professor of Foundational Medical Studies at Oakland University William Beaumont School of Medicine, where he also holds an appointment in Pediatrics, is the course director for the Medical Humanities and Clinical Bioethics curriculum, serves as Faculty Advisor on Professionalism, and conduct ethics consultations for area hospitals.  His first book, At Home on the Street (Lynne Rienner Publishers 2010) addressed the issue of homelessness, while his current scholarly work focuses on clinical bioethics as well as integrating social science into clinical medicine.  The second edition of his book Social and Behavioral Science for Health Professionals (with Brian Hinote) was published in 2020 by Rowman and Littlefield.  He has authored numerous articles in journals such as Social Science and Medicine, American Journal of Bioethics, Hastings Center Report, Mayo Clinic Proceedings, JAMA-Pediatrics, Journal of Clinical Ethics, Journal of Preventive Medicine, and The New England Journal of Medicine.

Terrie Taylor DO Related Seminars and Products

Terrie E. Taylor, D.O. has been a life-long resident of Traverse City, Michigan.  She attended Swarthmore College and the Chicago College of Osteopathic Medicine, and then interned at Riverside Osteopathic Hospital in Trenton, Michigan.  Her first global health experience was in 1982, in the context of an NIH-funded research project in the Sudan – her interest in parasitic diseases, her delight in the challenges of working in research limited settings and her willingness to share all of this with medical students culminated in a faculty position at the Michigan State University College of Medicine in 1986 (following an internal medicine residency at Detroit Osteopathic Hospital and a Masters level course at the Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine).

Since then, Dr. Taylor has lived and worked in Malawi for six months each year.  Her research focus is the pathogenesis of severe malaria in Malawian children --- and she has enjoyed hosting 24 final year medical students from Michigan State in Malawi during her time in Malawi every year.

Dr. Taylor will draw on her experiences and will use a case-based approach to show examples of how international medicine can intersect with primary care.

Katherine Caretti MD Related Seminars and Products

Katherine L. Caretti, MD, FAAD is a board-certified dermatologist specializing in the practice of both cosmetic and medical dermatology. Dr. Caretti graduated with distinction from the University of Michigan with a Bachelor of Science. She then attended Wayne State University School of Medicine where she was inducted into the Alpha Omega Alpha Medical Honor Society and graduated at the top of her class. At graduation, she received the following awards for academic excellence: Janet M. Glasgow Memorial Achievement Citation, Class of 2011 Academic Achievement Award, the Robert Rutzky Award and the Senior Award in Dermatology.

She went on to complete her dermatology residency training at Wayne State University where she served as chief resident. Upon graduation from residency, she received the coveted Resident Outstanding Achievement Award. Dr. Caretti is an active member of the American Academy of Dermatology, American Society of Dermatologic Surgeons, American Medical Association, and Michigan Dermatologic Society. She specializes in treating psoriasis, eczema, acne and screening for skin cancer.

Dr. Caretti is well-trained in the surgical management of skin cancer and cosmetic dermatology including neurotoxins, dermal fillers, chemical peels, and a variety of laser procedures. She prides herself in providing the best possible medical and surgical care to her patients at Ferrara Dermatology, while keeping up with the latest treatment options. Dr. Caretti grew up in Grosse Pointe and currently resides there with her husband and two young daughters.

Debalina Bandyopadhyay PhD Related Seminars and Products

Dr. Debalina Bandyopadhyay is the Administrative Director of MSUCOM’s Detroit site since 2015. Dr. Bandyopadhyay’s primary responsibilities include providing functional administrative leadership at the site. Dr. Bandyopadhyay’s passion is in undergraduate medical education and student success. Prior to MSUCOM, Dr. Bandyopadhyay was at University of Michigan-Dearborn for ten years. Dr. Bandyopadhyay received her Ph.D. degree from Indian Institute of Technology, Kanpur, India. She has done her post-doctoral work at the University of Miami School of Medicine and Keck Graduate Institute of Applied Life Sciences. 

Brian Smith MD Related Seminars and Products

MSU Health Care

Kimmie Singh MS, RDN Related Seminars and Products

Kimmie Singh earned her Bachelor of Science in physics from St. John’s University. Soon after graduating, Kimmie discovered her passion for Intuitive Eating and weight-inclusive nutrition. She went on to pursue her Master of Science of nutrition from The University of North Carolina at Greensboro. Kimmie completed her dietetic internship at The City University of New York-Hunter College.

Kimmie has presented at various national and regional conferences on the harmful effects of weight stigma in healthcare and eating disorder treatment, food insecurity and eating disorder recovery, and weight inclusivity in dietetics training. She also co-hosted the PCOS and Food Peace podcast with Julie Duffy Dillon, RD.

Kimmie is currently the treasurer for the Association for Size Diversity and Health and an active member of the International Federation of Eating Disorder Dietitians.

Kimmie is a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist at LK Nutrition, a Health at Every Size® nutrition private practice based in New York City that supports people with eating disorders, disordered eating, and anyone seeking for support in healing their relationship with food and body. 

Zeyiad Elias DAOM, RAc Related Seminars and Products

Zeyiad R. Elias, DAOM, RAc

Doctor of Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine
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Zeyiad “Z” Elias is board certified in acupuncture and Chinese herbal medicine. He received his Master of Science from Pacific College and his Doctorate in Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine from Bastyr University, specializing in supportive oncology and pain management. At Bastyr, he conducted laboratory research on Chinese herbs and cancer, focusing on triple negative breast adenocarcinoma.

In Seattle, Zeyiad worked with oncologist, Ben Chue, integrating Chinese medicine into conventional care. He also served as vice president of the Washington East Asian Medicine Association and board member of the Association of Integrative Oncology and Chinese Medicine. He continues work with state and national associations to educate the public about the benefits of acupuncture and Chinese medicine.

Zeyiad supports patients through their cancer treatment process. He provides adjunctive care that helps relieve side effects from conventional interventions, keeps patients on track and helps improve outcomes.

Coco Newton MPH, RD, CNS Related Seminars and Products

Coco Newton, MPH, RD, CNS is the owner of Lifetime Nutrition, LLC, a virtual private practice in Maple City, Michigan. She has expertise in Functional Medical Nutrition Therapy (FMNT) for prevention and treatment of chronic diseases and syndromes. Currently she is devoted to helping patients with Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (pALS) throughout the world, collaborating with interest groups, and educating healthcare professionals.

Coco received her Bachelor of Science (BS) in Dietetics & Community Nutrition from the University of California, Davis, Master of Public Health (MPH) in Nutrition from the University of Minnesota. She completed her Dietetic Internship at the University of California, San Diego. 

She is a Registered Dietitian (RD) through the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics.

She is a Certified Nutrition Specialist (CNS) through the Board for Certification of Nutrition Specialists at the American Nutrition Association.

Coco co-founded and served on the Institute for Functional Medicine’s Nutrition Advisory Board from 2007-2010. In 2010, she co-founded the University of Kansas’ Nutrition Fellowship Program, a collaborative program through the University’s departments of Integrative Medicine and Dietetics & Nutrition.

From 2007 - 2013, Coco was Vice-Chair for the Michigan Board of Dietetics and Nutrition, and she championed the repeal of the anti-competitive and discriminatory Dietetics/Nutrition Licensure Law in 2014, the first repeal in the United States.

Since 2021, Coco has served as Director, ALS Clinicians Council, through healingals.org 

Coco is an active presenter to several academic, professional, and non-profit organizations to educate pALS and medical professionals on nutritional approaches to potentially slow or stop ALS progression, as well as reversing symptoms and gaining function.  

Coco authored the chapter: “Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS): The Application of Integrative & Functional Medical Nutrition Therapy (IFMNT)”

published April 2020 by Springer in the textbook: Integrative and Functional Medical Nutrition Therapy: Principles & Practices.

Coco received awards from Dietitians in Integrative & Functional Medicine (DIFM), a practice group of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics:

• 2020 Lifetime Achievement Award

• 2021 Visionary Award

Joel Kahn MD, FACC Related Seminars and Products

Joel Kahn, MD, FACC of Detroit, Michigan, is a practicing cardiologist, and a Clinical Professor of Medicine at Wayne State University School of Medicine.  He graduated Summa Cum Laude from the University of Michigan Medical School. Known as "America’s Healthy Heart Doc", Dr. Kahn has triple board certification in Internal Medicine, Cardiovascular Medicine and Interventional Cardiology.  He was the first physician in the world to certify in Metabolic Cardiology with A4M/MMI and the University of South Florida. He founded the Kahn Center for Cardiac Longevity in Bingham Farms, MI.

Dr. Kahn has authored scores of publications in his field including articles, book chapters and monographs. He writes health articles and has five books in publication including Your Whole Heart Solution, Dead Execs Don’t Get Bonuses and The Plant Based Solution. His 6th book, Lipoprotein(a): The Heart’s Silent Killer, is about to be published. He has regular appearances on Dr. Phil, The Doctors Show, Dr. Oz, Larry King Now, Joe Rogan Experience, and with Bassem Yousef. He has been awarded a Health Hero award from Detroit Crain’s Business. He owns GreenSpace & Go, a health restaurant in suburban Detroit. He serves as medical director of the largest plant support group in the USA, www.pbnsg.org. 

Dr. Kahn can be found at www.drjoelkahn.com.

Erin Beattie RDN Related Seminars and Products

Erin Lynne Beattie, RDN is a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist facilitating health transformations. Her mission is to empower others with food-related knowledge and tools. Erin is the founder of Thriving-Health, LLC, a nutrition coaching program for individuals looking to prevent, manage, and reverse ailments and disease. After acquiring her B.A. in Nutrition & Food Science and a B.S. in Dietetics, Erin completed her Coordinated Dietetics Internship through Wayne State University to become a licensed dietitian. She is currently obtaining her master’s degree in Human Nutrition and Functional Medicine from the University of Western States. Erin’s vast experience includes community outreach; public seminars, group classes, grocery store tours, food demonstrations, and university lectures, along with clinical experience; one-on-one consultations and physician-shared medical appointments, and long-term care. Her training background also includes integrative methods such as functional and lifestyle medicine, yoga, massage, and meditation. Erin provides an innovative nutrition coaching model to provide education, empowerment, and encouragement to cultivate sustainable success with her clients.

Peter Gulick DO, FACOI Related Seminars and Products

I am board certified in Internal Medicine, Medical Oncology, and Infectious Diseases and have taken care of HIV patients for over 30 years. I have also taken care of hepatitis C patients for 20 years. I am a professor at the Michigan State University College of Osteopathic Medicine, and I have developed courses in HIV and hepatitis. I teach medicine residents as well as ID fellows on HIV and hepatitis C at my clinical sites.

I am currently the Director of HIV/Hepatitis clinics at three sites:

1. Ingham County Health Department
2. Central Michigan Department of Community Health
3. Great Lakes Community Health Clinics

All three sites are FQHC sponsored clinics, and all are funded by Ryan White for HIV Care. I am currently taking care of over 1000 HIV patients and over 500 Hepatitis C and B patients.

I am the Director of the HIV Registry at Michigan State University. The registry has data on over 600 HIV patients and we are currently doing translational research at MSU, which have been NIH sponsored grants.

Sarah James DO, FACOFP Related Seminars and Products

Sarah J James, DO is the Director of Osteopathic Education for University of Wisconsin Department of Family Medicine and Community Health, as well as 4 other programs. She completed her osteopathic medical education at Des Moines University. Then, she completed her ACGME and AOA accredited family medicine residency at Columbia St. Marys in Milwaukee Wisconsin followed by a one year residency in neuromusculoskeletal medicine and osteopathic manipulation medicine at the University of North Texas Health Science Center, Texas College of Osteopathic Medicine, Fort Worth. She has been featured in an article in The DO, the online publication of the American Osteopathic Association, for her efforts and advocacy in instructing M.D.s in the UW residency program in using OMM techniques to treat patients. She is tasked with maintaining and improving the osteopathic resident education regionally and has developing a longitudinal course instructing M.D.s in osteopathic practice and principles and OMT.  She has also created a precepting OMT curriculum and tool that is currently being used by more than 20 programs nationally. Currently, she is a member of the ACGME Osteopathic Principles Committee, but these presentations are given from her experience as an osteopathic physician and educator.

Richard Koss DO Related Seminars and Products

C-SPOMM

C-ACOFP

Undergraduate college: Springfield College, Springfield, Massachusetts. Summa cum laude, 1976. Attended A. T. Still University, Kirksville College of Osteopathic Medicine, graduating in 1982. Rotating internship at Normandy Osteopathic Hospitals, Saint Louis, Missouri, 1983. Family practice in United States Air Force from 1983 to 1987. First station was at McCord Air Force Base in Washington. Last three years was at Robins Air Force Base Hospital, Robins Air Force Base, Warner Robins, Georgia. Chief of Family practice department, Chief of Emergency Services, Flight Surgeon and chief of Air Transportable Clinic. After military service commitment, Dr. Koss returned to ATSU, KCOM for the one year Osteopathic Manipulative Medicine residency from 1987 to 1988. He joined the faculty in the Osteopathic Principles and Practice department as assistant professor until 1990 when he joined the Osteopathic Manipulative Medicine Department at University of North Texas Health Science Center in Ft. Worth, Texas College of Osteopathic Medicine. There he was assistant department chair. In 1991 Dr. Koss sat for and passed the specialty board exams for the American Osteopathic board of Family Practice as well as the board of Osteopathic Manipulative Medicine. From 1999 until the present, Dr. Koss has been in private practice specializing in Osteopathic manipulative Medicine.

Dr. Koss took his first percussion hammer course from Dr. Fulford in 1987 and again in 1988 as an OMM resident at KCOM. He was table trainer for Dr. Fulford in 1989 in the course at Boulder City, NV. In 1990 Dr. Fulford asked Dr. Koss to give the paper on the bio-electric properties of fascia at the 1990 AAO Convocation in Cincinnati, Ohio. From 1990 till Dr. Fulford’s passing, Dr. Koss assisted in the teaching of this unique and powerful procedure in Osteopathic philosophy. In the mid 1990’s there were 6 to 7 courses presented each year. As Dr. Fulford kept studying, learning, and presenting new and innovative concepts and techniques, it was necessary to have a basic and an advanced percussion hammer course.

 Dr. Koss has taught osteopathic principles and practice at ATSU-KCOM and then at UNTHSC-TCOM for over 10 years. He received “educator of the year” award at TCOM in 1998. He has spent the last 20 years in private OMM practice in Maple Valley, Washington, applying the principles and procedures taught by one of the last great osteopathic physicians. Dr. Fulford had no protégés. He felt it was up to each individual to learn the wisdom and philosophy of Dr. Still, Sutherland and other great physicians. To be of service to, and to heal the ill and infirmed was Dr. Fulford’s humble mission. His results are beyond comprehension even in today’s standards.

Dr. Koss has been teaching Dr. Fulford’s work in Japan, Italy, Switzerland, and has invitations for future teaching in Brazil, France, and Russia.

 The Fulford Percussion Hammer courses are a compilation of the basic/advanced courses taught with Dr. Fulford. These courses are exactly the same as those taught when Dr. Fulford was teaching. Both courses have been expanded to a third day to develop some key skills and understandings of Dr. Fulford’s work which Dr. Koss learned from patient care and teaching students/residents rotating through Dr. Koss’s office.

Francis Komara DO FACOFP Related Seminars and Products

Francis Komara, D.O., FACOFP, a Chicago College of Osteopathic Medicine alumna, has built a distinguished career in educating medical students, residents and fellows, providing patients with outstanding clinical care and furthering the osteopathic profession through research and service. Dr. Komara has served the MSU College of Osteopathic Medicine in several capacities for 20 years, including course coordinator for more than a dozen geriatric courses, associate director of Continuing Education and Faculty of the Geriatric Education Center of Michigan, program director for the Family Practice Geriatric Medicine Residency Program and the Osteopathic Geriatric Family Medicine Residency Program, and professor for the Department of Family and Community Medicine, Geriatrics.  Previously he was faculty at Nova Southeastern College of Osteopathic Medicine, the University of Southern California School of Medicine and Rancho Los Amigos Medical Center.

A member of the American Osteopathic Association, Michigan Osteopathic Association and the American College of Osteopathic Family Physicians, Dr. Komara is a past president of the Ingham County Osteopathic Association. He has been a member of the American Geriatrics Society, Michigan Association of Osteopathic Family Physicians, and the American Medical Directors Association. Frank has lectured on geriatric medicine for professional and community organizations in Florida, California and Michigan.

He retired in July 2019 and was conferred the title of Professor Health Programs Emeritus by Michigan State University.  In retirement, he plans to devote more time to his wife of 45 years, Pam, his daughter Lauren and son Steve, their families, especially granddaughters Miranda, Audrey and Emma and be the best grampa ever.  Additionally, he plans to read some non-medical books, fish, travel in his trailer, cook and grow some tomatoes.

Jonathan Beaulac DO Related Seminars and Products

Dr. Jonathan Beaulac DO, FACOI
System Medical Director of Medical Specialties, Munson Health
Cell: 586-6231440   Email: Jon.beaulac.do@gmail.com

Current Roles and Responsibilities: 

Medical leadership for multiple system service lines  at Munson Health System inpatient and outpatient locations. Service line directors from various sections report to the medical director and executive director using a dyad model. Service lines include: Gastroenterology, Nephrology, Audiology, Neurology, Neurosurgery, Neuro Critical Care, Occupational Health, Employee Health, Rheumatology, Stroke, Infectious Disease, Sleep Medicine, Wound Care, Home Health Equipment, Pulmonary Critical Care, Endocrinology as well as Geriatrics. In this role I act as a liaison between providers and administration, to improve patient care, work flow optimization, with the focus to improve quality and safety for the health system and optimize health of Northen Michigan communities.

Prior Roles and Responsibilities:  

Medical Director for Geriatric and Palliative Medicine as well as Chair of Clinical Ethics, and elected Chair of Hospital Medicine Service Line at Henry Ford Health, Macomb Hospital.  These are some of the highlights:

• Developed from the ground up, a geriatric service in July of 2016 immediately after fellowship.  Meanwhile, successfully merging the new geriatric service with the hospital’s current palliative program.  Since 2016 the service has grown from a single provider to a staff of seven providers that are trained in geriatric and palliative medicine.  Seeing more than 3000 patients annually, grossing a revenue of more than $2,000,000.00 while training 20-30 residents annually as well as reviewed data to identify opportunities for improvement

• Expertise in complex medical/psychosocial and intellectual conditions which support hospitalists, specialists and primary care physicians.  Perform capacity assessments, neurocognitive testing, and offer recommendations with behavioral disturbances within the inpatient and outpatient settings

• Clinical Lead for Hospital Elder Life Program.  This program is designed to reduce cost, improve outcomes/efficiency for elderly hospital inpatients, while utilizing a team of trained volunteers to provide interventions to screened patients to reduce negative outcomes in elder inpatient population

• Alignment with Trauma service (evaluating and treating) prescreened patients to reduce readmission, fall risk reduction, pre-operative risk discussion, improved disposition and care for one of the oldest trauma populations in the country

• Co-manage with the MICU and SICU teams, rounding daily and collaborating with ICU leaders to increase early goals of care discussion meetings in efforts to reduce ICU length of stay

• Daily collaboration with case management/social work and hospice personnel to manage specific discharge needs

• Physician lead in educating and providing Advance Care Planning Procedural Coding for providers to improve code status completion and goals of care.  This improves revenue for the department and overall health system

• Elected to multiple hospital committees to improve quality/value of care

• Chair of Clinical Ethics since 2017 until present.  Provide leadership in the management of medical conditions based on the 4 primary medical ethics principles

• Chair of Hospital Medicine peer elected role as of December 2022.  Optimize quality of care for inpatient services, lead performance improvement by coaching, evaluating current medical staff, and in some cases issuance of FPPE (focus, professional, practice evaluation)

• Appointed Lead of Peer Evaluation.  This serves as a process to evaluate elderly medical staff members wellbeing and their ability to practice medicine based on a referral from Medical Staff Services

• Enacted COVID-19 Process Improvements.  These improvements included, code status review for all admitted patients, being appointed the physician representative on the Incident Command Team for Allocation of Scarce Resources, assisted in case management and social work for difficult discharges to improve throughput

Livanta LLC QIO:  Content Expert/ Peer Reviewer

• Daily CMS appeal reviewer for hospital, SNF, home care and hospice. Review appeal cases, provide recommendations based on patient clinical/functional status and CMS criteria

• CMS Quality Reviewer providing recommendations for quality concerns when indicated based on medical record documentation and standard of care statements

Education/Training:         Location / Date of Completion

University of Michigan Health System Department of Geriatrics/VA Ann Arbor       Ann Arbor, MI                                                                Geriatric Medicine Fellow               July 2016

Henry Ford Health/ Henry Ford Macomb Hospitals                                       Detroit, MI               Chief Resident of Internal Medicine                      June 2015

Michigan State University College of Osteopathic Medicine   East Lansing, MI Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine              May 2012

Wayne State University School of Medicine                 Detroit, MI Initiated M.S. in Basic Medical Science              May 2008

Ferris State University       Big Rapids, MI B.A. Biochemistry, Cellular/Molecular Biology minor, Graduated Cum Laude              May 2007

_____________________________________________________________________________________________

Special Credentials/Certifications:

Fellow of the American College of Osteopathic Internists   November 2019

Board Certified in Geriatric Medicine (AOBIM)                                                                                                      August 2019

Palliative and Geriatric Medicine Credentialed, Henry Ford Medical Staff                      December 2016

Board Certified in Internal Medicine (AOBIM)    December 2015

University of Michigan Faculty Development Institute   November 2015             Program designed in developing leadership and teaching skills

Advanced Cardiac Life Support/Basic Life Support                              June 2016   American Heart Association

NIH Stroke Certification              June 2014

Airway Management Workshop/Basic and Advanced Procedures Course              June 2013 Michigan State University College of Osteopathic Medicine

Fundamental Critical Care Support Course                                July 2012        Society of Critical Care Medicine

Honors and Awards:

• US News and World Reports, 5/5 Patient Experience Rating with 85 reviews. Dr. Jonathan E. Beaulac, DO | Sterling Heights, MI | Geriatrician | US News Doctors

• Hour Detroit Magazine, Top Docs Issue, Top Docs List in Geriatric Medicine 2018 and 2019

• 2016 Recipient of AMDA Futures Scholarship, this granted special attendance to post-acute and long term care training and networking at the AMDA National Convention in Orlando, Florida

• 2015 Resident of the Year: This is an award given to one resident each year voted upon by house staff at HFHS-Macomb Hospitals

• 2014 High Value Cost Conscious Care: an American College of Physicians Initiative: Recognition by hospital administration and discussion with Michigan Lieutenant Governor Brian Calley, regarding education of hospital staff on providing high value care while reducing costs in the current healthcare environment

• 2011 Student Osteopathic Medical Association Endowed Scholarship: Awarded to third or fourth year medical student with excellence in academics and community involvement

• 2010 The Golden Femur Award:                 Awarded to the most outstanding SOMA executive board in the United States, for outstanding achievement in promoting SOMA and the osteopathic medical profession.  During this time I served as 

SOMA treasurer while attending Medical School at MSU COM

Evangelos Demetrios Litinas MD, MBA Related Seminars and Products

Evan Litinas, is a medical doctor and a cannabis educator and consultant. He has close to two decades of experience in various healthcare settings, including inpatient and outpatient clinical work, management and strategic planning, research and development for academic and private drug industry

Dr. Litinas has extensive experience in the medical cannabis field. He is a published author in peer reviewed journals and has helped with patient outreach and support since 2013. His focus has been on patient education and individualized medical cannabis usage protocols.

In depth knowledge on the subject of Medical Cannabis include but not limited to scientific and medical research, patient and healthcare professional education, debilitating medical conditions and symptom treatments, pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of cannabinoid based medicines, drug to drug interactions, and methods of administration and dosing.

Dr. Litinas is passionate about empowering the conversation that is already happening between patients and their healthcare providers. For this reason he has worked on the development of patient educational materials, employee training manuals and cannabis use guidelines for patient management and follow up.

Ida Pearl Lee Related Seminars and Products

Ida spent 5 years advocating for safe access to medical cannabis in Michigan after she discovered it could provide relief to her daughter who was diagnosed with 1P36 Deletion Syndrome. As Deputy Director Ida is responsible for overseeing the associations daily operations, staffing, patient advocacy, as well as membership services and relations. Ida works with our membership to make sure they have the tools they need to ensure their patients are receiving the best possible care. For many, not having access to cannabis is life threatening and Ida knows first hand that every patient deserves the best quality of life possible.

David Best DO, MS, ABAM Related Seminars and Products

Dr. Best graduated from the Des Moines University College of Osteopathic Medicine in 2002.  He completed Family Medicine Residency in 2005 at Garden City Hospital.  In his final year of residency, he completed a course in office based opioid treatment and this began his work with treating patients with substance use disorder.  He has been providing this standard of care treatment for opioid use disorder patients in Northern Michigan since 2005.

Dr. Best started his post-graduate career at the Bellaire Family Health Center in Bellaire, MI where he worked from 2005-2012.  He has been in private practice since November 2012 and his office is in Traverse City.  He and his wife, Lindsay Best, DO, own Best Medical Services, which was certified as an Opioid Health Home in 2021.  Best Medical Services specializes in Family Medicine and Addiction Medicine.  Dr. Best is board certified in both Family Medicine and Addiction Medicine and has spoken on the topic of opioid use disorder on a local, state-wide and national level.

Dr. Best was on the Michigan Association of Osteopathic Family Physicians (MAOFP) board from 2007-2015.  He served as President of the MAOFP from 2013-2014.  He has been on the Michigan Osteopathic Association (MOA) board since 2014 and was MOA President from May 2021-2022.  He also served as President of the Northern Michigan Osteopathic Association from June 2015-June 2017.  He has been a trustee for the Des Moines University Alumni board since June 2022 and has been a trustee with the Novello Health Provider Organization since December 2022.

Morris Cotton Related Seminars and Products

Morris Cotton, CPP, was promoted to Sr. System Director of Security for Beaumont Health in December 30, 2018. He oversees and directs Beaumont Health security and parking programs including employee shuttle/transportation services.  Serves as an liaison for BH Security Services and maintain a professional rapport with all local law enforcement, Homeland Security, and other safety related agencies.

He started his career at Beaumont Health (Oakwood) Dearborn in 2007 as Director of Security. In 2014 he was promoted to System Deputy Director of Security for Beaumont Health.

In addition, while Director at Beaumont Dearborn; he performed the duties and responsibilities of an Administrator on Call. Serving in this capacity allowed him an opportunity to broaden his knowledge of healthcare leadership while networking with leaders outside of his normal course of business. 

Prior to joining Beaumont, he worked at St. John Health System, Detroit Michigan as a Director of Security.  He has over 17 years of experience in the healthcare setting as a Director of Security.  He also has a very extensive Law Enforcement background serving over 25 years with the Highland Park Police and Fire Department where he obtained the rank Chief of Police.

Morris is board-certified in Homeland Security and has obtained the highest level of board certification in security as a Certified Protection Professional (C.P.P.). He earned his Bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice from Wayne State University and a Master’s degree in Liberal Studies (concentration – technology) from Eastern Michigan University. He also attended and successfully completed the prestigious “Beaumont Health Leadership Academy”.

Karen Smith LMSW, PhD, HEC-C Related Seminars and Products

Dr. Karen Smith has been a member of hospital ethics committees for over 20 years and currently leads the Ethics Program for Henry Ford Health System.   She specializes in death and dying issues and works often to educate the public on Advance Directive issues.   She also sits on the National Board for the Funeral Consumers Alliance which is a non-profit organization dedicated to providing the public education and advocacy related to after death needs.

Ramona Wallace DO Related Seminars and Products

Ramona Wallace D.O. IFMCP, is an Assistant Professor of Family and Community Medicine at WMED. Currently in Battle Creek teaching in the Family Medicine Residency Program. She became Certified in Functional Medicine in 2018. Since then she has piloted a Functional Medicine Residency track. Prior to coming to Battle Creek, she worked in Muskegon at a FQHC and developed various programs to address the disparities in care, focusing on nutritional insecurity as well as building community resilience. Her current focus of research is to develop a nutritional deficiency data base. 

Paul Ehrmann Related Seminars and Products

Dr. Paul Ehrmann earned his bachelor of science in Pharmacy at Wayne State College of Pharmacy and Allied Health Professions in 1976 in Detroit and his Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine at the MSU College of Osteopathic Medicine in East Lansing in 1980 and completed his Residency in Family Practice at Henry Ford Bi-County Hospital in Warren in 1983.

He holds memberships in local, state and national medical associations. He holds faculty appointments from Michigan State University's College of Osteopathic Medicine, Oakland University/Beaumont Medical School and Wayne State University in Detroit- School of liberal arts.