MOA Spring 2025 On Demand

Jelena Arnautovic DO, FACC Related Seminars and Products

Dr. Arnautovic is a board-certified interventional cardiologist specializing in cardiovascular care. She is the Program Director for the Henry Ford Warren Cardiovascular Fellowship and Director of the Women’s Heart Center at Henry Ford Rochester. Dr. Arnautovic is also a Clinical Assistant Professor at Michigan State University College of Osteopathic Medicine. Her expertise includes coronary and peripheral vascular care, cardiac critical care, and medical education. She is dedicated to patient-centered care, focusing on prevention, empowerment, and healthy living. Dr. Arnautovic also mentors through the Society for Cardiovascular Angiography and Intervention-Women in Innovation program and actively participates in community service.

Arika Button PT, DBT, CBIS Related Seminars and Products

Arika earned her Doctorate in Physical Therapy from Grand Valley State University in 2008 and has built her career over the last 16 years at Origami Rehabilitation. Currently serving as the Physical Therapy Supervisor, she leads a team of 15 physical therapists and physical therapist assistants, ensuring high-quality care and collaborative teamwork.

Arika is a Certified APTA Clinical Instructor, Master Dry Needling Certified, Certified Brain Injury Specialist, and Certified Stroke Rehabilitation Specialist. In addition to these certifications, she has received additional training in manual therapy techniques, vestibular rehabilitation, TMJ dysfunction, and serial casting. Her advanced skills enable her to provide specialized care to patients with complex rehabilitation needs.

In addition to her clinical work, Arika is an experienced presenter, having delivered community lectures on topics such as transfers and mobility, vestibular therapy, serial casting, and the therapeutic use of electrical stimulation.

Ryan Christensen DO Related Seminars and Products

Ryan Christensen, DO – Chief Wellness Officer, Still Waters Osteopathy
Ryan Christensen, DO, is the founder and Chief Wellness Officer of Still Waters Osteopathy in Lake Orion, Michigan. Board-certified in family medicine and OMT, Ryan blends Western medicine with holistic, hands-on healing techniques, specializing in pediatric osteopathy, performing arts medicine, and trauma-informed care. As Michigan’s first certified practitioner of the Perrin Technique, he focuses on treating long COVID, fibromyalgia, and ME/CFS.

Ryan began his career in private practice with Dr. Shane Patterson, DO at Osteopathic Health Care Associates before becoming the family medicine residency director at Authority Health, a Teaching Health Center GME program in Detroit. He later opened Still Waters Osteopathy to bring a root-cause, patient-centered approach to wellness.Raised on a ranch in Montana, Ryan completed dual residency in family and emergency medicine at McLaren Oakland. He is honored to co-present with Dr. Mary Goldman, who he first met during residency and has enjoyed a longstanding relationship at the Michigan Osteopathic Association.

Outside of practice, Ryan enjoys writing music, exploring the outdoors, and spending time with his corgis and cat. He proudly sports rainbow nails in tribute to his hero, Dolly Parton. Follow him at @drryanc, @stillwatersosteopathy, and join the conversation with #HealAtStillWaters.

Dr. Ryan Christensen, DO (he/him)
Cell: (406) 930-1627
dr.ryanc@gmail.com

Kara Christy MS, OTRL, CBIS Related Seminars and Products

Occupational Therapy Supervisor | Certified Brain Injury Specialist

Kara Christy is a dynamic occupational therapy leader with over 15 years of expertise in brain injury rehabilitation, vision therapy, and professional education. As the Occupational Therapy Supervisor at Origami Rehabilitation, Kara leads a multidisciplinary team in delivering innovative treatments that empower individuals to regain independence after life-altering injuries. Her specialties include vision therapy, cognitive-perceptual motor retraining, neuromuscular reeducation, and functional ADL/IADL training.

In addition to her clinical role, Kara is a passionate educator and mentor. She serves as a Certified Fieldwork Educator, preparing the next generation of occupational therapists by coordinating clinical placements and guiding students toward national board certification. She also created and teaches Vision Rehabilitation for Occupational Therapists, a comprehensive virtual continuing education course that has reached professionals worldwide.

Kara is a sought-after speaker and presenter, having delivered over 20 presentations at esteemed conferences, universities, and continuing education events. Her topics range from visual deficits following traumatic brain injuries to innovative interventions for driving rehabilitation. Her work has been published in respected journals and textbooks, reflecting her dedication to advancing the field.

Beyond her professional pursuits, Kara’s commitment to inclusivity shines through initiatives like "A Chance to Dance," a competitive dance program she developed for dancers with special needs.

Nathan Fitton DO, CAQ Sports Medicine Related Seminars and Products

Dr. Fitton received his undergraduate degree from Defiance College where he graduated Suma Cum Laude prior to medical school at Michigan State University College of Osteopathic Medicine. He completed his residency in family medicine at Metro Health Hospital in Grand Rapids serving as chief resident his senior year. He then completed a Sports Medicine Fellowship at Sparrow Hospital/Michigan State University. Dr. Fitton is currently board certified in Family Medicine with a Certificate of added Qualification in Sports Medicine. He is an associate professor.

Dr. Fitton is an associate professor and serves as a Team Physician with Michigan State University Athletics as well as community events.  He is also Associate Chief Medical Information Officer with MSU HealthTeam and participates as core Faculty for the Primary Care Sports Medicine Fellowship Program.   

Robert Fontana MD Related Seminars and Products

Mary Goldman DO Related Seminars and Products

Employed at Osteopathic Healthcare Associates, office of M. Shane Patteson, DO, Utica, Michigan to perform 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 teaching 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. 

Amber Gruber DO Related Seminars and Products

Dr. Amber Gruber, DO, is a board-certified family physician and Neuromusculoskeletal Medicine specialist who has been working at the Corwell Health East, Troy Beaumont Family Medicine program for 15 years. Dr. Gruber is passionate about keeping OMT alive in primary care and has extensive experience teaching and presenting on various topics related to OMT, exercise prescription, and integrative medicine. She has also completed training Regenerative Medicine, and neural therapy injections for  complex chronic pain. She has taught nationally on topics like Exercise Prescription, OMT treatment after injury, and Stress Management. She now has a private OMT practice in Rochester Hills and will be available to take students and residents interested in improving their OMT skills in the fall.

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.

Heather Henderson DO, FACP, FASN Related Seminars and Products

Heather Henderson, DO FACP FASN is a nephrologist in Detroit, Michigan.  She is the Program Director of the Nephrology Fellowship at Henry Ford St. John Detroit, Michigan and practices clinical nephrology with St. Clair Nephrology.  After completing undergrad at Western Michigan University, she attended medical school at Michigan State University College of Osteopathic Medicine where she was awarded the Outstanding Graduating Senior Award by the Michigan Osteopathic Association.   During internal medicine residency at McLaren Macomb Hospital her interest in Nephrology blossomed which led her to fellowship at Ascension St. John Hospital in Detroit, Michigan where she continues to practice today.  She is currently a clinical instructor for Central Michigan University School of Medicine, St. George’s University School of Medicine and Oakland University William Beaumont School of Medicine. Dr. Henderson also currently sits on the National Kidney Foundation Michigan Chapter’s Scientific Advisory Board as the past chair. Her areas of interest are home dialysis, resident and fellow education, and the patient care experience. 

Constance Hilliard PhD Related Seminars and Products

Brie Howerton DO Related Seminars and Products

Brianne (Brie) Howerton, DO, currently serves as the Postdoctoral Trainee member of the AOA Board of Trustees. She is currently completing a residency program at Corewell Health in Trenton, MI. She previously served as the Student Adviser to the Board of Trustees from 2022 to 2023.

Natasha Huffine MS, ORTL, CBIS Related Seminars and Products

Adam Hunt DO, MHS, FACEP Related Seminars and Products

Adam Hunt, DO went to medical school at Michigan State University College of Osteopathic Medicine and did his dual residency in Emergency Medicine and Family Medicine at McLaren Oakland in Pontiac, Michigan. Dr. Hunt also received a Masters Degree in International Health from The Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health. He currently practices Emergency Medicine at Covenant Emergency Care Center in Saginaw, MI and is core faculty for the Emergency Medicine residency program.

Joel Kahn MD, FACC Related Seminars and Products

Aaron Kemp JD Related Seminars and Products

Aaron Kemp is a Senior Attorney and Chair of the Professional Licensing & Regulatory Affairs Practice Group with Chapman Law Group, a national health care law firm, with offices in Troy, Michigan, Los Angeles, California, Miami and Sarasota, Florida, exclusively dedicated to defending the interests of physicians, nurses and other licensed health professionals. Aaron joined Chapman Law Group in 2015 bringing over a decade of experience in the defense of medical malpractice litigation along with representing physicians in credentialing and licensing matters and counseling physician practice groups. He focuses his practice on the defense of healthcare professionals in professional licensing, credentialing, peer review and NPDB dispute resolution matters.

Nashwa Khogali-Jakary DO Related Seminars and Products

CarePoint

J'Aimee Lippert DO Related Seminars and Products

J’Aimee Lippert, D.O., is a 2000 graduate of Michigan State University College of Osteopathic Medicine and completed a residency in Family Medicine and Neuromusculoskeletal Medicine at Metro Health in Grand Rapids, Michigan, in 2004.  She was a residency program director at Metro Health (now University of Michigan-West) for several years prior to moving to Green Bay, Wisconsin, where she served as an integrated family medicine and neuromusculoskeletal medicine physician with Prevea Health from 2010-2020.  In January 2020, she returned to her home state of Michigan and is now the Interim Chair of the Department of Osteopathic Manipulative Medicine at MSUCOM.  She enjoys working with the first- and second-year students, precepting students and residents in the clinical setting, and sharing Osteopathic medicine with her community through lectures, workshops, and service.  Dr. Lippert’s passion is sharing Osteopathic medicine with others in the hopes that this approach to health is available to all people.

Andrea Lirones OD, FAAO Related Seminars and Products

Dr. Andrea (Shank) Lirones attended Ferris State University and obtained a Bachelors in Vision Science. She then obtained her Doctorate in Optometry from the Michigan College of Optometry in 2017. She gained extra clinical experience during her education at WOW Vision Therapy, Great Lakes Eye Care, the Battle Creek Veterans Affairs Medical Center, and North Coast Eye Care in Amherst, Ohio. After the completion of her optometry degree, Dr. Lirones pursued a clinical residency to specialize in Pediatrics, Vision Therapy, Binocular Vision and Neuro-Optometric Rehabilitation. Her clinical interests include the following: Primary/Family Eyecare, Pediatrics, Vision Therapy, Neuro-Optometric Rehabilitation contact lenses, myopia control, and ocular disease. She practiced in East Lansing for four years before joining the Eyesite in Mount Pleasant in 2022. She currently resides in Mt. Pleasant with her husband, Dr. Luke Lirones and their son, Archie. In her free time, she enjoys spending time with her husband, son, and family, crafting, reading, hunting, fishing and playing/watching sports.

David Neff DO Related Seminars and Products

Karen Nichols DO, MA, MACOI Related Seminars and Products

Lance Owens DO Related Seminars and Products

University of Michigan Health-West

Lance M. Owens, DO, serves as the Chief Medical Information Officer for the U-M Health Regional Network, encompassing both UM Health-West and UM Health-Sparrow. He is a respected physician and dedicated servant-leader with a rich background in both healthcare and military service. As a former Naval Medical Officer and experienced physician, Dr. Owens has cultivated exceptional leadership skills and a commitment to both his colleagues and patients.

Dr. Owens plays a pivotal role at the University of Michigan Health-West, steering the organization toward a technologically advanced future. He has been instrumental in spearheading major innovative advancements, notably the seamless integration of cutting-edge technology in healthcare settings. 
As a strong proponent continuous improvement, Dr. Owens has been actively involved in strategic planning initiatives, focusing on the integration of new technologies like ambient voice recognition to revolutionize patient care and improve operational efficiency.

Dr. Owens has served as a member of the Hospital Board of Directors, the Clinical Integrated Network Board, and the Hospital Foundation Board. His insights as a physician representative have been crucial in initiatives aimed at boosting the patient experience and physician satisfaction.

Currently, Dr. Owens is pursuing a fellowship with the Academy of Wilderness Medicine, underscoring his commitment to lifelong learning and professional development. In addition, he serves as the Medical Director of a local expedition group, where he applies his medical expertise in dynamic and challenging environments.

As the Regional Chief Medical Information Officer, Dr. Owens is poised to bring a wealth of experience, innovative thinking, and a deep commitment to healthcare excellence. His leadership is expected to be a driving force in the continued success and advancement of our healthcare services.

Michael Patterson DO Related Seminars and Products

I have been practicing Internal Medicine and OMT since graduating from my residency program at Henry Ford / Bi-county in 2002. I also worked in urgent care and at Martha T. Berry Nursing home (long-term care facility) for 2 years as well as at St. Joseph, St John, and Henry Ford hospitals for 4 years while establishing my outpatient practice. I have been in practice for a total of 13 years. I have specialized in Osteopathic Manipulative Treatment (OMT) and do mostly musculoskeletal pain management thru OMT to reduce and permanently eliminate acute and chronic pain due to multiple different forms of injuries and disabilities. I provide thorough and complete medical care and education for all forms of ailments, not solely pain complaints. As a Board Certified Internist and an adherent to the Osteopathic Philosophy, I treat the whole patient, mentally, spiritually and physically. I am here to educate the person, identify the cause of their symptoms and treat them using individualized approaches that suit the person and not just statistics to help improve your life and prevent future problems. I believe in integrating proven medicinal treatments with hands-on manipulation and nutritional therapies to improve a person’s overall health and long-term well being.

Lawrence Prokop DO, FAAPM&R, FAOCPMR-D, FAOASM Related Seminars and Products

MSU Health Care

Dr. Lawrence Prokop, received his first Bachelors of Science degree in Anthropology, Cum Laude from Western Michigan University in 1974, and his second in Biology, with Distinction from Ferris State University in Big Rapids, Michigan in 1976. In 1980 he received his Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine and from Michigan State University. Dr. Prokop completed his residency at the The Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago Northwestern University in Chicago Illinois in Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation in 1984.

Dr. Prokop returned to Michigan State University to work as an Assistant Professor for two years in the area of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, and then he accepted a position at the National Rehabilitation Hospital in Washington, D.C.. While in Washington D.C. from 1986 to 1992 he was also an attending physician at the Washington Hospital Center, an Assistant Clinical Professor of Medicine at The George Washington University, and he was the Medical Director of the Amputee Rehabilitation and Musculoskeletal Rehabilitation Programs from 1990 to 1992. In 1992 he became a surveyor for the Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitating Facilities (CARF) and left Washington to open a private practice in Florida. From 1992 to 2003 he worked in his private practice as well as being the Medical Director for the Rehabilitation Transitional Care Unit in Santa Rosa Medical Center in Milton Florida, and the Medical Director for the Rehabilitation Institute of West Florida, West Florida Hospital in Pensacola Florida.

Dr. Prokop is the recipient of several Board Certificates and Honors and has lectured and published extensively on a variety of Medical Rehabilitation topics. He is actively involved on committees and with the professional organizations he belongs to.

Rachel Punke DO Related Seminars and Products

Rachel Punke is a proud graduate of MSUCOM.  She practices internal medicine as a Hospitalist at Bronson Methodist Hospital in Kalamazoo, Michigan.  She is also certified in functional medicine through the Institute for Functional Medicine.  She loves being able to share functional medicine tools with her patients and believes it helps her foster meaningful relationships.  She is on faculty at WMED and has taught functional medicine to family medicine residents at Bronson Battle Creek.  She is also a member of Osteopathic Women Leaders through the MOA.

Najibah Rehman MD, MPH, FACPM Related Seminars and Products

Marcy Schlinger DO Related Seminars and Products

Daniel Schulte JD Related Seminars and Products

Nya Todd BA, Michigan Health Council Related Seminars and Products

Nya Todd is a Michigan State alum who graduated with a degree in Comparative Cultures and a minor in International Development. Nya’s interests have always been concerned with the uniqueness of every individual, and she has taken that passion for uncovering the way the mind works to her research at Michigan Health Council. This is where she continued her education and became certified in Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion. Nya’s methods of teaching are created with the intention to recognize people’s experiences and give justice to the identities of individuals. You may contact Nya Todd at nya.todd@mhc.org or 517-908-8222

Ramona Wallace DO, IFMCP 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. 

Brooke Weingarden MPH DO Related Seminars and Products

Dr. Weingarden is Board certified by the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology. She earned her medical degree from Touro College of Osteopathic Medicine and Surgery in California. Dr. Weingarden completed her residency at Henry Ford Hospital and fellowship at Wayne State University. She received a Master’s in Public Health from Nova Southeastern University in Florida. She works at the Birmingham Maple Clinic where her areas of specialization include psychiatric evaluations and management of children and adolescents. This includes early childhood evaluations, disruptive behavior disorders, mood disorders, anxiety, thought disorders, and ADHD. Dr. Weingarden also works as an Oakland County school consultant, works once a month at a boys’ residential facility in Detroit and does some consulting work at a foster care home.

Joshua Wilda MPA, CHCIO, CDH-E Related Seminars and Products