PURSUiNG MEdicAl cAREERS AFtER SERviNG thEiR cOUNtRy

Magazine of Western University of Health Sciences Summer 2012Pursuing medicalcareers after servingtheir country

M i s s i o n S t a t e m e n tTo produce, in a humanistic tradition,health care professionals and biomedical knowledge that willenhance and extend the quality of life in our communities.

S U M M E R 2 0 1 2WESTERNUViewCHANGINGUNIFORMSProfiles of four WesternU students who decided to pursue careers in thehealth sciences after serving their country in the U.S. military.Pg 12FEATURECommencement2012A selection of imagesfrom WesternU’sCommencementExercises which saw 749students from sixcolleges graduate duringa two-day ceremony.Pg 38WesternU ViewA publication of the Public Affairs Department of UniversityAdvancement at Western University of Health Sciences, Pomona,CA. Copyright 2012. Reproduction or other use of the contents ofthis publication are only by express permission of WesternUniversity of Health Sciences. All rights reserved.Jeff Keating, EditorRodney Tanaka, Senior WriterJeff Malet, Writer/PhotographerJess Lopatynski, Contributing PhotographerPaul Gettler, Graphic DesignerPhilip Pumerantz, PhD, President, Western University of Health SciencesThomas G. Fox, PhD, Senior Vice PresidentCONTENTSThe Board of Trustees....................................................2Message from the President..........................................3Message from the Provost.............................................4Message from the Senior Vice President.......................5CO Eye Care for Montclair Underserved .......................6Becoming a U.S. Citizen.................................................8The Ray Symposium.....................................................10Changing Uniforms......................................................12New Endowed Scholarship Created .............................16East West Scholarship Dinner......................................17The Austin Lectureship ................................................18Exploring the Mind: Dean Michel Baudry....................20Message From the Dean (COMP) .................................22Message From the Dean (CAHP)..................................23Message From the Dean (COP) ....................................24Message From the Dean (CGN)....................................25Message From the Dean (CVM) ...................................26Message From the Dean (CDM) ...................................27Message From the Dean (CO) ......................................28Message From the Dean (CPM) ...................................29Message From the Dean (GCBS) ..................................30Keeping and Finding WesternU Alumnus....................32A Fond Farewell ...........................................................34Top Doctors..................................................................36Commencement 2012..................................................38The Proposal ................................................................40Dr. Mom .......................................................................42Health’s Angels of WesternU Fight AIDS .....................45Two Sides of WesternU ................................................46COMP-NW Commits to the Community ......................48Towne & Gown Golf Tournament ................................50GNP/ICP Golf Tournament...........................................51Alumni Class Notes ......................................................52Alumni Events ..............................................................55Alumni Benefits Update...............................................56WesternU View Summer 2012 1

Board of TrusteesWarren Lawless, LHD(Hon.), ChairmanPhilip Pumerantz, PhD, LHD(Hon.), President (ex officio)John A. Forbing,SecretaryEthan R. Allen, DO,DSc (Hon.), TreasurerGene Barduson,MMathRichard A. Bond, DO, FAAFP, DrPH,Vice ChairmanTony L. Chan,PharmDLinda L. Crans,BSMaureen Duffy-Lewis,JDJohn T. McGwire,DDSVincent J. Naimoli,BS, MS, MBA, LHD (Hon.)Mike QuickDavid Sadava,PhDDerek A. Samuel,MPT2 Western University of Health Sciences

Message from the PresidentHello everybody:I take it as a sign that WesternU is staying on the right track when, afterI’m asked to compose one of these messages for the latest WesternUView, I immediately feel as though we’ve turned yet another corner inour progress as a University, and want to write about it. That’s a prettygood feeling to have several times each year.Arguably the most visible sign of WesternU’s development this time outis the fact that our University will celebrate its 35th anniversary onSeptember 6, the day after Labor Day. On that very day three and halfdecades ago, I and my secretary first opened the door to what became the College of OsteopathicMedicine of the Pacific. While the memories and accomplishments from all those years certainlyjustify their passage, it nevertheless is remarkable to me how quickly the time has gone by.Yet more remains to be done. This coming academic year, we will watch as three of our newestcolleges – Dental Medicine, Optometry, and Podiatric Medicine – give a fourth and final year oftraining to their inaugural class of students, and will watch with pride next May as those inauguralclasses graduate. Meanwhile, a second class of 107 students will join the ranks at COMP-Northwest,as our Oregon campus reaches the halfway point to full enrollment and continues to build on thestrong foundation it has established in the mid-Willamette Valley.We also have turned a corner of a different kind the past few months, as we bid farewell to ourvisionary provost, Dr. Benjamin L. Cohen, the architect behind WesternU’s physical andprogrammatic expansion the past five years. Here was a man aggressive and audacious enough tomake such a bold endeavor into reality, but also able to prove -- through his personal style and senseof teamwork -- that it is possible to be both audacious and thoughtful. He is succeeded by Dr. GaryGugelchuk, a longtime COMP/WesternU educator and leader with no small knack for boldness andaudacity himself.We have been, and remain, in good hands.My best to you all,Philip Pumerantz, PhDWesternU View Summer 2012 3

Message from the Provostand Chief Operating OfficerWestern University of Health Sciences takes great pride in being an educationaland health-care resource. We are committed to serving our communities inwhatever way is of most benefit, be it through the health sciences/professionseducation programs offered here, the community partnerships we have developedwith hundreds of agencies and institutions, or as the result of our patient careservices.All three things come together in one place on campus: the Patient Care Center(PCC). The PCC is home to seven specialty centers – Medical, Dental, Eye Care,Foot & Ankle, Pharmacy, the Travel Health Center, and the Western Diabetes Institute – which taken as a wholeoffer a broad spectrum of care under one roof.The PCC also is where WesternU’s innovative Interprofessional Education (IPE) program really takes flight.The program, which brings together students from all of the University’s disciplines to study patient cases andrecommend courses of treatment, is designed to mimic how modern health care is taking shape. In the PCC,this translates the earlier classroom curriculum into actual patient care delivered by a multi-professional team.Our belief at WesternU is that future generations of health-care professionals will be consulting with, andrelying on, one another’s expertise more than ever to determine the best ways of caring for patients. IPE ishelping them develop the professional skill set to make those relationships smooth and effective.Looking ahead to the best ways to care for patients, and offering a wide variety of services in one locale, is astrong measure of WesternU’s commitment to serving the Pomona community and all the communities ofSouthern California.Gary Gugelchuk, PhD4 Western University of Health Sciences

Message from theSenior Vice PresidentThis summer is a time of transition for Western University of Health Sciences.Dr. Benjamin L. Cohen, who has been with the University since 2003, retired onJune 30 as Provost and Chief Operating Officer. Clearly, the University owesDr. Cohen a major debt for his vision and leadership. He and Dr. PhilipPumerantz were a dynamic team, and during the years Dr. Cohen was with theUniversity, it became a very different place.We added Colleges of Dentistry, Optometry, and Podiatry, as well as the GraduateCollege of Biomedical Sciences here in Pomona, and opened a new campus inLebanon, Oregon, for the College of Osteopathic Medicine of the Pacific. The growth during this period wasdramatic - more than doubling the number of students, tripling the number of employees, and dramaticallyincreasing the operating budget of the University. But perhaps Dr. Cohen’s biggest contribution will not bemeasured in bricks and mortar or in the head-counts of students, employees, and faculty. Rather, it was the tonehe set in how we need to interact with each other, valuing our differences and respecting the uniqueness ofeach of us.As I think about his impact on the University, both while he was here and moving forward, I’m reminded of theclosing lines of the 1908 poem “Alumnus Football,” by Grantland Rice. The poem closes, “When the one greatscorer comes to mark against your name, he writes not that you won or lost, but how you played the game.”As Dr. Benjamin L. Cohen goes off into retirement, we wish him nothing but the best, and thank him forshowing us how the game should be played.Thomas G. Fox, PhDWesternU View Summer 2012 5

College of OptometryProvides Eye Care forMontclair UnderservedSecond-year CO student, Nehal Verma performs avision screening on Alexis Cardenes, 10.AAt a Montclair apartment complex for lowincomefamilies, children and teenagers werebrought over in small groups to the communitycenter to have their vision examined. They hadanxious and inquisitive looks on their faces asthey spied the WesternU team members and allthe optometric equipment they brought.Most of the children were part of Hope ThroughHousing Foundation’s after-school program,which offers youth at the low-income sites asupervised venue and resources for studying.Fifty-nine children received complete eye healthand vision screenings from seven WesternUniversity of Health Sciences College ofOptometry students and Kristy Remick, OD,FCOVD, Director of Community Outreach.“The goal is to provide low-income childrenwith greater access to eye health care andtreatment,” Dr. Remick said. “We’ve found thatthere is a correlation between children whostruggle in school and visual deficits. Ourscreening is comprehensive, and we can identifya wide range of vision problems.”One-third of the children screened wereidentified as requiring further care and werereferred to the Eye Care Center at WesternU.6 Western University of Health Sciences

CO students Nehal Verma, left, Connie Tsai, Vincent Cano, Director of Community Outreach Dr. Kristy Remick, studentsHarrison Tsang, Amanda La, Alaina Levine, Director of Assessment and Program Development Miki Carpenter, andstudent Christine Pham.Once they have completed the program, the childrenwill receive free comprehensive exams and any neededservices such as vision therapy, corrective glasses, andprescription or non-prescription medications.This extensive vision care program for children wasmade possible through a grant -- $15,000 per year fortwo years -- from Inland Empire United Way.According to Prevent Blindness America, 5 to 10percent of school-age children in the U.S. are affectedby vision disorders. Amblyopia, or “lazy eye,” is theleading cause of monocular blindness in children,even though the disorder is preventable.“The partnership with WesternU’s Eye Care Centerenhances and supports the goals of our after-schoolprogram,” said Hope Executive Director George Searcy.“If a child is suffering in school due to visionproblems, we can identify and help the family correctthe issue. This is a substantial benefit to the child andfamily.”“This funding from the Inland Empire United Way isso important, because many of these kids have nevereven had a comprehensive exam. We also know thatif kids who require eye care services get the care theyneed, they can even perform better in school,” saidMiki Carpenter, MPH, PhD, Director of Assessmentand Program Development for the College ofOptometry.WesternU optometry students will get to witnessfirsthand how children’s vision can be improved frombeginning to end.“This is a great part of community service because weget to work more closely with every vision therapypatient that comes through,” said fourth-year studentConnie Tsai. "We have the opportunity to personally“The goal is to provide low-incomechildren with greater access to eyehealth care and treatment.— Kristy Remick, OD“introduce each patient to the benefits of visiontherapy and watch their transformation as they movethrough the program. It'll be an amazing progression."Fourth-year students Alaina Levine, Christine Pham,Harrison Tsang, Amanda La, Connie Tsai, VincentCano, and second-year student Nehal Verma,participated in the Jan. 31, 2012 screening. A secondscreening took place on Feb. 7. Plans are in the worksfor additional screenings at other Hope ThroughHousing locations as the program continues.– Jeff MaletWesternU View Summer 2012 7

Becoming a U.S. CitizenWael Khamas, DVM, PhD, MS, Professor for the College of Veterinary Medicine, third from left,with his son, Ashraf, far left, Ehab, his wife Afaf, to his right, daughter Halla and son Ebaa.(Courtesy of Scott Land Photography)Western University of Health Sciences College ofVeterinary Medicine Professor Wael Khamas’story of attaining U.S. citizenship begins withhis four children.“I always think of myself like a mother cat whocares for her kittens,” he said. “If she sees thatthere is danger, she moves them. She picks themup by the skin of their neck and moves them toanother place.”This parental drive took him from Iraq to Jordanto the United States, all with the safety andprosperity of his children in mind.Khamas, BVM&S, MS, PhD, earned his Bachelorof Veterinary Medicine & Surgery degree fromthe University of Baghdad in 1973. He receiveda scholarship from Iraq’s Ministry of HigherEducation to earn his master’s and doctoratedegrees in veterinary anatomy from Iowa StateUniversity.He returned home to Baghdad because of hissense of duty. Iraq’s government paid for hishigher education, and he showed his gratitudeby teaching at the University of Baghdad from1984 to 1993, earning the rank of professor.But the political and military turmoil aroundhim forced him to change course. He didn’t seea future for his children in Iraq, so he took a jobat Jordan University of Science and Technologyin 1994 and worked there for nine years.“I thought when I returned to Iraq I could makesome changes, I could make some difference,”Khamas said. “Unfortunately, I was not able toinfluence people not to go to war, not to fight,not to have a problem with neighbors. Iinfluenced the people around me, but thecountry was going from one war to another toanother.”He then joined the College of VeterinaryMedicine at Purdue University as a FulbrightScholar in 2003. He was earning less than hemade in Jordan and had to spend from hissavings, but the opportunity to move his familyto the U.S. was worth the temporary sacrifice.“I didn’t mind, provided I know my childrenwill get a better education,” Khamas said.“They will live peacefully in this beautifulcountry.”After he took a job at WesternU in 2005,Khamas received assistance from former and8 Western University of Health Sciences

present College of Veterinary Medicine deans ShirleyJohnston and Phillip Nelson, along with the universityattorney.He received his green card within 10 months.“I was relieved that my children will not go back toIraq. I’m afraid they would get killed,” Khamas said.“There’s no prospect in the near future that Iraq willsettle and be peaceful. There’s lots of fortune, lots ofmoney, and greedy people from around the world willcome and compete for it.”Dr. Khamas is a wonderful talent and a kind andgentle person, and the College and University arefortunate to have him as a member of the faculty, saidCollege of Veterinary Medicine Dean Phillip Nelson,DVM, PhD.“We all need to feel that we and our families are safe,if we are to give the best of ourselves at work,” Nelsonsaid. “Dr. Khamas’ U.S. citizenship was a necessarystep in allowing him to reach his full potential atWestern University of Health Sciences. For him it is avalidation that he has successfully provided for thesafety of his family. For us, it was recognized as anecessity if we ever expected him to be comfortable inthis environment, and could believe his options withthe College are indeed unfettered.”Now Khamas feels secure. He and his wife are U.S.citizens, his oldest son is married to an Americanwoman, and his daughter has always been a U.S.citizen, having been born in the U.S. during Khamas’graduate studies at Iowa State University. His twoyoungest sons will likely become citizens within ayear.“I feel very comfortable now that all my immediatefamily is here,” he said.He is also grateful for his WesternU family. Hiscolleagues in the College of Veterinary Medicinesurprised him with a citizenship celebration.“Everybody was hugging me and kissing me. Inaddition to my happiness, I see the happiness in theirfaces,” Khamas said. “The college is a small family, andthe university is a big one. I feel it so much. I amtrying to match that by working more and more.”He was sworn in as a U.S. citizen at Fairplex inPomona, along with thousands of other people, onJan. 18, 2012. He then rushed to Los Angeles to get hispassport. With U.S. citizenship, he is able to moreeasily travel overseas for conferences and otheracademic pursuits.But he has not forgotten his homeland, and neitherwill his students. He describes to them the Iraq heremembers growing up.“It’s very fertile,” he said. “Civilization started to shineon the rest of world. I give them pictures of the freeeducation they used to have, the free health care.”His students get a taste of a larger world view in hisclasses.“It takes the world millions of dollars and tens of yearsto control one disease, but you can spread that diseasein one day,” Khamas said. “Any place that has war, asa veterinarian your bigger role is to educate people,even soldiers.“We have to protect our cities. When I travel, I will bemore careful not to bring anything with me to thiscountry to jeopardize the fortune and wealth wehave,” Khamas said. “I ask my students to be vigilantwhen they travel. Think what you are dealing with,how they’re handling their animals. Think aboutdisease prevalence. Veterinarians are the best to beable to help. They know both sides -- they knowanimal diseases and the health side of human beings.”Khamas will not likely return to Iraq. He is gratefulthat he moved to the U.S. in 2003, because he mighthave been killed had he been in his homeland.“I always say I tried to save my children, but in factthey saved me,” he said.– Rodney TanakaWesternU View Summer 2012 9

Focus on healthcare reformMax Ray, MS, PharmD, addresses the audience duringthe 2012 Ray Symposium held on April 12, 2012.Joshua Benner, PharmD, ScD, challenged WesternUniversity of Health Sciences students to make adifference in health care reform in his keynotemessage at the annual Ray Symposium.The Ray Symposium, held April 12, 2012 onWesternU’s Pomona, Calif. campus, is organized bythe College of Pharmacy and the InterprofessionalEducation Program in honor of Max Ray, MS, PharmD,Dean Emeritus of the College of Pharmacy. He joinedWesternU as Professor of Pharmacy Practice andDirector of the Center for Pharmacy Practice andDevelopment in 1996, and served as Dean of theCollege of Pharmacy from 1999 to 2006.The 2012 Ray Symposium was sponsored byAmerisourceBergen, Comprehensive PharmacyServices, CVS and Ralphs Grocery Company.Benner, president and CEO of RxAnte, Inc., andvisiting scholar at the Brookings Institute, outlined thecurrent state of U.S. health care, major themes ofhealth care reform, and the role students will play inthe health care system during his presentation,“Reforming Health Care: Policy, Politics, and PatientCare.”The U.S. spent $2.4 trillion on health care in 2009 and$2.6 trillion in 2010. Spending is expected to increaseto $4.4 trillion by 2018. The country is in a state ofunsustainable spending growth, Benner said.The U.S. needs to “bend the curve,” or change thetrajectory of projected health care spending as apercentage of the country’s gross domestic product(GDP), he said.“We want to keep health care spending in reasonableproportion of GDP,” Benner said. “The projected rateof growth of health care spending will reach almosthalf of GDP in 2082. What we spend on health care isa big problem, and its rate of growth is a big problem.”Health care spending varies by region, and higherhealth care spending does not yield better quality, he10 Western University of Health Sciences

said. About 55 percent of patients get care that’srecommended to them by best practice guidelines,according to a study that appeared in the NewEngland Journal of Medicine.Health care reform is challenging because of thedichotomy of how health care is perceived. About 70percent of Americans believe the current health caresystem meets their family’s needs. But only 24 percentbelieve the system meets the needs of most Americans.“This is the paradox of reforming health care,” Bennersaid. “We all think the health care system meets ourneeds well, but we mostly all express frustration inhow it meets the needs of other people. Imaginetrying to make policy in this environment.”The Brookings Institute, a nonprofit think tank,convened leading health economists to come up withhealth care reform recommendations. Their suggestedsteps to reduce health care spending growth andimprove quality include:• Invest in better information and better tools formeasuring and improving care.• Restructure some of the inefficiencies in theinsurance market.• Transition to accountable payment systems, whichmeans paying health care providers and cliniciansbased on the value they deliver, not for volume ofservice.• Provide direct support that would encourage betterindividual choices by patients.The Affordable Care Act (ACA) includes some of theserecommendations. It establishes a mandate that mostlegal residents in the U.S. need to buy healthinsurance or pay a penalty. It creates insuranceexchanges through which certain individuals andfamilies may receive federal subsidies. It significantlyexpands eligibility for Medicaid, and includes no fewerthan 45 reforms aimed at changing how health care isdelivered, Benner said.Two years after it was signed into law, the ACA looksprimarily like a coverage expansion bill with new rulesabout how insurance markets work, Benner said. Thesame experts who suggested how the bill should looksaid it is helpful, but is not enough to bend the costcurve and ensure high-quality innovative care gets toeverybody who needs it, he said.“No matter what happens with the Affordable CareAct, health care reform will continue because it hasto,” he said. “We have a lot more work to do. Realhealth care reform has to happen.”He concluded by giving students advice as theycontinue their training and begin their careers.“It’s important as a health professional to keep anopen mind and embrace … change,” Benner said.“Recognize that it’s healthy and it’s needed. Viewchanges like the Affordable Care Act and otherchanges to law or policy as opportunities to improvehealth care.”This health care system students are entering is goingto reward professionals who seek accountability forpatient outcomes and cost, he added.“Take responsibility for that patient. If things go well,you benefit. If things don’t go well, you're on thehook. That’s what accountability means in the healthcare system of the future,” Benner said.Part of what’s happening in health care is a shakeoutto determine who is going to be accountable for thequality and value of care in our country.“As you finish your training and move on intopractice, engage in and think about the health caresystem at all levels - the ‘sausage making,’ the policy,the politics,” Benner said. “Ask yourself once everyyear, ‘What am I doing to improve health care?’ And ifyou don’t have a good answer to that question, findone, and work for it. Because the health care system oftomorrow will reward you for it.” – Rodney TanakaWesternU View Summer 2012 11

FEATURECHANGINGUNIFORMSStudents Look to Become Health CareProfessionals After Serving in the Military12 Western University of Health Sciences

Seth Mercurio didn’t always want to be a nurse,but seeing the many faces of death duringOperation Iraqi Freedom changed his career goal.“I wanted to help people after that,” said Mercurio,a 2012 graduate from the Master of Science-FamilyNurse Practitioner program in the College ofGraduate Nursing at Western University of HealthSciences.Currently a part-time neonatal intensive care unit(NICU) nurse at Loma Linda Children’s Hospital,Mercurio said he’s probably the only formerMarine Corpsrifleman who hasturned into aNICU nurse.Mercurio joinedthe Marine CorpsReserves in 1999while attendingAzusa PacificUniversity (APU)because hethought hiscollege life was“mundane.”After completing his tour, hereturned to APU and got hisbachelor’s degree in biblical studies,but knew that the war had changed him.The value of life intensified for him, and hewanted to make a difference in people’s lives.“I value the human life, and I work in thisspecialty because I think it’s mostly joyfulmoments,” he said. “I think babies are the mostinnocent patients, and they didn't deserve that(being in NICU). I’m grateful to have a part in theirlife.”Mercurio is one of 24 WesternU students whoreceived U.S. Department of Veterans Affairseducational benefits for the 2011-12 academic year,which include the GI Bill and Educational andVocational Counseling.The majority of veterans on campus are in thePhysician Assistant program, according toKimberley M. de Kruif, MBA, assistant vicepresident of Enrollment Management andRegistrar.Six of nine WesternU colleges have at least oneveteran.“It’s growing every year,” said de Kruif. “In fouryears, veterans on campus have multiplied fivetimes, and more will behere next year duringthe 2012-13 academicyear.”After the Sept. 11terrorist attacks,Mercurio’s unit wasactivated, serving a yearof duty at CampPendleton as a quickreaction force, whichSeth Mercurioassists local lawenforcement in theevent of a terrorist attack in the U.S.In 2001, his battalion guarded variousbases in Kuwait until it was deployed toIraq in 2003.“In Iraq, we went up the middle by 7-ton trucks,called Light Armored Vehicles,” as part of TaskForce Tripoli in 2003, Mercurio said. “We went toTikrit, Sadaam Hussein’s hometown, and clearedthat area.”His unit also helped rearm the Iraqi Army andhelped train them.Mercurio was under fire outside of Nasiriya whileclearing the town, identifying remaining regimes,and rescuing POWs, including Army soldier JessicaLynch. Continued on page 14WesternU View Summer 2012 13

Securing the United Nations building in Baghdad wasone of Mercurio’s most memorable times as a Marine.“By the time we got there, the walls had been stripped.It took some time to clear the hundreds of looters outof the building andclaim it as our(temporary)headquarters,”Mercurio said.He said the entireoperation fromKuwait to Tikrit tookabout 23 days.Mercurio choseWesternU because ofthe uniqueinterdisciplinaryapproach the schooloffers and becausebecoming a familynurse practitionerStephen Dolinkowill allow him more vocational freedom. He usesvocational rehabilitation to help pay for his education.★ ★ ★ ★Along with Mercurio, Stephen Dolinko, DVM ’13,Lawrence Ebel, DMD ’14, and David Gordon Otis,DO ’14, all see the military as a place they learnedresponsibility, and that has helped them to succeed asgraduate students at WesternU.Dolinko joined the Navy in 1997, straight out of highschool, because he couldn’t afford college. He tookenough course work while in the Navy to get a degreein electrical engineering, but “While I enjoyelectronics, biological systems appealed to me more,”he said.Dolinko received degrees in neuroscience andpsychology before becoming a student at WesternU.He said the Navy wanted him to become a nuclearengineer, but he did not want that type of life, so hepursued medicine. The Navy has corpsmen, but doesnot offer veterinary medicine.Dolinko was deployed to Iraq in 2003, part of theinitial invasion of Operation IraqiFreedom. He was an ET3(electronics technician thirdclass) saying his “positionwas considered realimportant.”He was in charge of makingsure battle groups communicatedand that ground forces got correctmessages and traffic information. He alsorepaired equipment and had the clearanceto interpret messages.The military taught Dolinko how to dealwith people in stressful situations and notbe distracted while many things are goingon, he said. He was honorably dischargedin September 2004, exhausted his GI Bill,and has been using vocational rehabilitation funding.“I chose WesternU because I like the third and fourthyears. I like doing things that are more hands-on. I likeinteracting with patients the first weeks we are here,”he said.★ ★ ★ ★Third-year College of Dental Medicine studentLawrence Ebel finished his eight years in the ArmyReserves as a captain in February 2012.At the end of 2005, Ebel went through the OfficerBasic Course, worked for six months while thinkingabout dental school, then worked on his prerequisiteswhen he was deployed in September 2006 to Iraq,where he stayed for one year.Ebel says they were in a pretty “hot area” in Ramadi,west of Baghdad, where he was a support platoonleader, part of a route-clearing battalion that droveContinued on page 1514 Western University of Health Sciences

oads looking for IEDs, picked up parts, and assistedthose with broken-down vehicles.“It wasreally coolto be thereat thattime,” Ebelsaid. “Itchanged alot in thetime wewerethere.”DuringEbel’s timein Iraq, hesays theimams gottogether,decided they were tired of fighting, and startedhelping the U.S. get rid of Al Qaeda and the otherforeign fighters.“By the time we left, it was a pretty safearea,” Ebel said. “I think when we left,there had not been an attack or IED onthe street in probably a month.”He chose WesternU, even though theCollege of Dental Medicine hadn’topened yet, because the faculty wanted totreat him as a professional from day one.“That appealed to me, especially comingfrom the military and being inleadership,” he said. “It had been awhilesince I was a student, so I felt like thiswould be a real good place to fit in, workwith teachers and have that relationship.”COMP Dean Clinton Adams, DO, aretired rear admiral in the Navy, says theLawrence EbelDavid OtisUniversity has done a good job of not turning its backon transitioning military, and there is no reason tochange that record.“We have constantly had our radar on forapplicants with military service history,”Adams said of applicants to COMP.“Consequently, we have enjoyed theenrichment of our academic cultureby having several veterans each year inclass.”★ ★ ★ ★Third-year COMP student David Gordon Otisjoined the Air Force in 2004 as a munitionsspecialist at age 19, assembling non-nuclear bombsand missiles.“Every type of bomb, missile or other non-nuclearmunitions that went on a plane, we assembled,stored, inspected and transported,” he said.The military is part of the Otis family. Hisgrandfather was in the Army Air Corps, serving in theEuropean theatre during WWII as an aircraft enginemechanic. His fatherwas a musicianin the Navybandduring hisfirstenlistment,and was an inflightmechanicduring his secondenlistment. His olderbrother was inlightweightmechanic school inthe Army duringSept. 11, thenvolunteered tobecome a Ranger.His youngest brotherlater enlisted as a medical material specialist in the AirForce.Continued on page 16WesternU View Summer 2012 15

Otis’ first permanent duty station was Davis-MonthanAir Force Base in Arizona, where he supported thetraining operations of the 355th Fighter Wing whilecontinuing his military and non-military studies.When the 355th unit was preparing for a tour toBagram Air Base in Afghanistan, Otis volunteered andtrained for the deployment. Days before the 355thunit departed for Bagram, he received orders to go toOsan Air Base, Korea.“Osan was an interesting place, the work hours werevery long and the training was tedious at times, butlooking back now I’m am very fortunate to have spentthat year of my life there,” Otis saidOtis was discharged from active duty in April 2008.“The military taught me respect on a level most peoplewouldn’t understand. It showed me what my limitswere, and it showed me how to surpass those samelimits,” Otis said. “I am fortunate for my time inservice, and I possess the utmost respect for those menand women who have served in Afghanistan, Iraq, andall other foreign conflicts.”Otis says his time at the doctor’s office as a childconvinced that him he wanted to become a doctor.“I was always at the clinic, and there was this guy thattook care of me,” Otis said. “He wore a white coat andknew all the answers, and always impressed me. Hewas super cool and gave me assuring taps when I camein, and I could talk to him just about anything. Ilooked at him and was like “wow, I want to do that.”– Jeff MaletRear Admiral Clinton E. Adams, DO, Medical Corps,United States Navy, Endowed ScholarshipThrough a generous donation of $200,000 from 1991 College of Osteopathic Medicine of the Pacific(COMP) alumnus Dr. James M. Lally, the Rear Admiral Clinton E. Adams, DO, Medical Corps, UnitedStates Navy, Endowed Scholarship was created.Lally, MMM, DO, President & Chief Medical Officer of Chino Valley Medical Center, thought thatthrough this endowed scholarship, he’d be able to offer support and recognition to veterans of allbranches of service who are enrolled in COMP.“Part of living is giving back,” Lally said, “If it were not for Dr. Pumerantz’s dream to build anDean Adams and James Lally, DO osteopathic college in Pomona, who knows where I might have ended up. Education, particularlymedical education, has helped me to provide myself with a nice lifestyle, so it is only appropriate thatI give back to any school that I attended, to the community that supports me, and to the profession that has made this all possible.”During COMP’s 14th annual Armed Forces Commissioning Ceremony and Recognition Dinner at the Pasadena Convention Center May 14, 2012, Lally said hewanted to name the scholarship in honor of COMP Dean Clinton Adams because “you need to respect those who are ahead of you. You need to honor those thatare behind you.”He said Admiral Adams has embraced COMP as his family and that the endowed scholarship needed to be named after the person that best represents the virtuesand qualities that make a military officer, especially a military medical officer.Adams recognized Lally by presenting him with a special wounded warrior statue from the Franklin Mint in recognition of Lally’s endowed scholarshipcommitment.“I think Dr. Lally -- not only carrying on his back the patients that he cared for in the military, but also the residents, the students and the profession -- canremember and relish in the fact he’s made a difference for a lot of people, one at a time,” Adams said.– Jeff Malet16 Western University of Health Sciences

EAST WEST SCHOLARSHIP DINNER 2012The sixth annual East West Scholarship Dinner, held April 21, 2012 at the Hilton San Gabriel, raised money to providescholarships to WesternU students in several programs, including graduate nursing, osteopathic medicine, pharmacy,physical therapy, physician assistant, optometry, podiatric medicine, dental medicine and veterinary medicine.Anthony Hoang-Xuan, DO ’91 was this year’s honoree.The 2012 East West Scholarship Dinner honoree was College of Osteopathic Medicine of the Pacific alumnus Anthony Hoang-Xuan,DO ’91. He was selected and trained as a United States Army Flight Surgeon and served at various overseas assignments beforebeing selected to be the very first recipient of a prestigious Joint Service assignment as a U.S. Army officer at the Naval MedicalCenter, San Diego for his dermatology residency. He was given an honorable discharge after 10 years of volunteer active servicein the Army and now operates a private dermatology practice in the Chino Hills area.WesternU View Summer 2012 17

Austin Lectureshipfocuses on childvision careDeborah Klein Walker, EdDThere is a public health emergency with respect tochild vision care. Millions of children are notreceiving essential eye care services that canprevent eye disease, ease developmental delays,improve school achievement and, alleviate othersocial problems.The country needs to provide all children withcomprehensive vision care to ensure optimal healthoutcomes.That was the message from Deborah Klein Walker,EdD, the keynote speaker at Western University ofHealth Sciences’ third annual Dr. Robert L. AustinEndowed Lectureship in Pediatric Medicine andPediatric Health Policy on March 15, 2012.Walker is a Vice President, Senior Fellow and thePractice Leader for Public Health and Epidemiologyin the Health Division of Abt Associates, Inc. Shehas more than 40 years of experience in developingand implementing programs, policies and systemchange, research and evaluation on a broad rangeof health policy issues. She examined child visioncare from a public health perspective at the AustinLecture.Child vision care in this country is abominable, shesaid. Undetected and untreated eye disorders suchas amblyopia, strabismus and uncorrected refractiveerrors are major child health problems that areassociated with poor reading and poor schooloutcomes.“Shame on us, because many of these can beprevented,” she said.Twenty-five percent of school-age children sufferfrom vision problems that could have beeneliminated or addressed with appropriate screeningand referral in place, Walker said.Early detection and treatment is essential foraddressing child vision problems, but one challengeis the U.S. does not have uniform regulations.Professional optometry and ophthalmologyassociations support screening and examinationsbut the recommendations are not consistent. Staterequirements for vision screenings for preschooland above are not consistent across the country.In 2007, 16 states had no vision requirement forchildren entering school or throughout the school18 Western University of Health Sciences

years. Most states require some vision screening inpublic school settings but do not set standards forscreenings or follow up, Walker said.Those people with the biggest unmet need gaps arethose in racial and ethnic minority groups, lowerincomehouseholds, and households with noinsurance. Twenty-three percent of kids withouthealth insurance for more than a year had unmetvision care needs as compared with 5 percent ofchildren who were insured for a year or more, Walkersaid.The country needs to act to ensure all children getcomprehensive services, she said. To this end, Walkerrecommends a uniform standard of care for allchildren from birth through adolescence. This requirespublic health experts andclinicians to work together.“Public health is thecatalyst, the convener,” shesaid. “Public health can donothing without reallyoutstanding clinicians, butclinicians need to work withpublic health and vice versaand all be part of oneteam.”To build a comprehensive child vision care system,Walker recommends:• Including child vision health in key pieces oflegislation at the federal and state levels.• Ensuring adequate comprehensive coverage ofchild vision care services by all public and privateinsurers and payers.From left, Gloria Austin, Debra Klein Walker, andCollege of Optometry Dean, Elizabeth Hoppe• Developing a national set of children’s visionguidelines for screening and examinations andensure that these guidelines are adopted by allstates in school health codes and mandates• Implementing and funding a nationalclearinghouse or center for child vision health• Enhancing and fully funding an ongoing nationalcampaign to make people aware of childhoodvision problems.• Developing and facilitating a broad coalition ofchild-oriented stakeholder groups to work towardthe establishment and maintenance of acomprehensive child vision system across thecountry.Any time you want to change something, you needthree things: a knowledgebase, social strategy andpolitical will, Walker said.“The problem is today inmany areas, especially inchildren’s health, we have afantastic knowledge base butwe don't act on it,” she said.“You need both socialstrategies in how to do it, andyou need political will. Itneeds to come from all of us, especially people whoare really committed to child health coming together.”The Austin Lectureship is presented by Clinton E.Adams, DO, FAAFP, FACHE, dean of the College ofOsteopathic Medicine of the Pacific (COMP), and byElizabeth Hoppe, OD, MPH, DrPH, dean of the Collegeof Optometry.• Ensuring a “point of accountability” in the U.S.public health system through the establishmentof a child vision health categorical programlinked to the Title V Maternal and Child HealthBlock Grant.• That each state hire a child vision carecoordinatorThe lectureship was established in Austin’s memory byhis wife, Gloria, their children, Charles, Douglas andLynette, and their families, and is designed to honorand perpetuate his lifelong love of medical practiceand his pursuit of pediatric knowledge in the healthprofessions. He was a faculty member at COMP untilhis retirement in 1981. – Rodney TanakaWesternU View Summer 2012 19

PROFILEExploringthe MindDean Michel BaudryA fascination with the inner workings of thebrain, memory and learning brought Dr. MichelBaudry from France to the U.S. and recently toWestern University of Health Sciences.Michel Baudry, PhD, became dean of theWesternU Graduate College of BiomedicalSciences in January 2012. He looks to grow thecollege and create a PhD program in biomedicalresearch while also continuing his renownedresearch into the brain.The Graduate College of Biomedical Sciencesincludes three programs: Master of Science inMedical Sciences, Master of Science inBiomedical Sciences, and Master of Science inPharmaceutical Sciences (currently administeredthrough the College of Pharmacy).Baudry wants to create a unique and innovativePhD program that would be attractive tostudents. Some graduates would continue inacademia and perhaps become faculty members,but others would get jobs in industry.“We have to find a new way to train PhDstudents,” Baudry said. “That’s the attractionhere.”Research drives innovation and innovationdrives the economy, Baudry said. That’s whereNobel Prizes are won and where patents arefiled. Research also has strong implications forteaching.“If you don’t have research, your teachingremains static,” he said. “For universities this isalso very important, to have this symbiosisbetween research and teaching. You want to beable to teach students the latest findings. Thegreat universities are also places where there’sgreat research.”He also wants to stimulate translational researchso WesternU can rapidly transform discoveryinto applications.“We are able to make discoveries that we cantranslate into applications and generate fundingso we can fund research based on thesetranslations,” he said. “The research componentis not only a driving force intellectually, but I20 Western University of Health Sciences

think in the future it will be a driving force financiallyfor the institution.”Baudry succeeds Steven Henriksen, PhD, foundingdean of the Graduate College of Biomedical Sciences,who remains with WesternU as vice president forresearch and biotechnology. They have beencolleagues for 25 years.He moved to the United States in 1978 for apostdoctoral period with Professor Gary Lynch at theUniversity of California, Irvine. He stayed in Irvine 11years, during which time they investigated themechanism for long-term potentiation and thereforethe mechanism for certain forms of learning andmemory. They published a landmark paper in Sciencein 1984.WesternU is fortunate tohave attracted Dr. Baudry, aninternationally recognizedneuroscientist, as dean,Henriksen said.“As a personal friend andresearch colleague for manyyears, I feel personallyprivileged to have him leadthe further development ofthe College, including thedevelopment of a trulyinnovative doctoral program to complement thehighly successful master’s programs extant,”Henriksen said. “Dr. Baudry’s international scientificreputation, technology transfer experience andgraduate program mentorship will allow the college togrow to its full potential under his stewardship.”Dean Baudry, lab technician, Erin Lee, andpostdoctoral fellow, Dr. Yi Li.After graduating from the prestigious EcolePolytechnique in Paris in 1971, Baudry obtained aPhD in biochemistry at the University of Paris VII in1977, under the direction of professors J.C. Schwartzand J.P. Changeux, two of France’s most distinguishedneurobiologists.For his doctoral dissertation he demonstrated thathistamine was a neurotransmitter in the brain. Hethen moved on to studying long-term potentiation, along-lasting strengthening of synapses between nervecells due to stimulation.“People knew the hippocampus was involved inlearning and memory, so quite early on peopleinferred long-term potentiation might be amechanism for learning and memory,” Baudry said.“People recognize we were wayahead of our time,” Baudrysaid.He then studied long-termpotentiation at the Universityof Southern California.“We’re still missing pieces ofthe puzzle. but we are closingthe gaps, so I think it’s quiteexciting,” Baudry said. “Withintwo to three years we’ll havepretty much a complete explanation at themolecular/cellular level of the way the brain storesinformation.”He has expanded his studies from mechanisms oflearning and memory to disorders of learning andmemory. He recently co-authored publications onpotential treatments for Alzheimer’s disease andAngelman syndrome. His passion for seeking newknowledge continues to drive him in the lab.“Once you get the research ‘virus’ it never leaves you,”Baudry said. “I still get as excited seeing a new result asI was 40 years ago. You have a few of these ‘Eurekamoments,’ but when it happens, it is so enthrallingthat it’s like a mystic experience. All of a sudden yousee things that nobody has seen before.“To me this is the great joy and great stimulation to doresearch. You discover a thing that nobody has seenbefore, discovered before, understood before. And tobe able to make this small increment into ourunderstanding of the world is great. I still get excitedby it.” – Rodney TanakaWesternU View Summer 2012 21

MESSAGE FROM THE DEANCollege of OsteopathicMedicine of the PacificCommencement 2012 is just behind us, and I’m thrilledto report that our graduates continue to be selected at themost sought-after residencies, both allopathic andosteopathic, across the country.Clinton E. Adams, DO, MPA, FACHEThis year was a milestone in our answer to the clarioncall for more primary care physicians. As we face theenduring impact of the Accountable Care Act, regardlessof its legislative status, we are engaging in a paradigmthat is clearly explained by pop philosopher Yogi Berra:“The future ain't what it used to be.” The role of theprimary care physician has moved front and center, andthis year more than 60 percent of our graduates selectedprimary care as their specialty. We had 60 select familymedicine, 41 internal medicine, and 12 pediatrics.Simultaneously, we were able to increase specialty careresidencies in our Osteopathic Postgraduate TrainingInstitute to include two dermatology residencies -- one inUtah and one in Salem, Oregon -- and an ophthalmologyresidency at Arrowhead Regional Medical Center inColton.I wish to express my considerable gratitude to the manyalumni who have been generous with their gifts to thecollege. Your financial support enables me to offerscholarships, enhanced Honors Days awards, and travelassistance for students to attend Capitol Hill day andother academic and professional meetings. In particular,I'm both humbled and grateful to Jim Lally, DO ’91, forhis generous commitment of $200,000 to establish theRear Adm. Clinton E. Adams, DO endowed scholarshipfor veterans enrolled in COMP who are in good standingand in need of financial aid.22 Western University of Health Sciences

MESSAGE FROM THE DEANCollege ofAllied Health ProfessionsIn the CAHP, service learning is our way of giving back to thecommunity.The PA students have provided vision checks and informationon educational topics for students from grades K-12 in theClaremont Unified School District. Sports physicals wereprovided to youths and sports groups in the Inland Empire,and the Department of PA Education was recently awarded afederal grant to purchase a van to transport equipment forcommunity health screening events.Health Sciences students and faculty held NIH/NLM diabetesinformation sessions at Pomona Public Library for theHispanic population, which included an overview of diabetes,medication/glucometer use, nutrition and exercise.Participants also were shown some basic computer skills,including how to navigate MedlinePlus.Stephanie D. Bowlin, PA, EdDStudents manned an information booth for National GetReady Day, which promoted disaster preparedness strategiesand highlighted earthquake safety. Twenty-eight hours oftutoring were completed at Barfield Elementary School inPomona, and students participated in a Chino 5K Mud Runto raise awareness for physical activity/fitness in youth. A 5Kwalk/run raised money for the Ronald McDonald Housesupporting Camp Good Times, and more than 30 hours werespent serving food to homeless persons/families via thePomona Homeless Outreach Program.Physical therapy students raised money for the FreeWheelchair Mission, which builds and provides wheelchairsfor the disabled in developing nations; participated in aChallenged Athletes/Team JJ triathlon to help those withphysical challenges pursue an active lifestyle through fitness/athletics; hosted a speaker from the Wounded Warrior Project;and volunteered at the largest running clinic in the nation,sponsored by OSSUR prosthetics. The clinic assisted peoplewith amputations in learning how to run/improve theirbalance.WesternU View Summer 2012 23

MESSAGE FROM THE DEANCollege of PharmacyChange is inevitable. The changes we are seeing in healthcare are happening because everyone recognizes thatspending associated with our current health care systemis unsustainable. Recent Ray Symposium speaker JoshuaBenner, PharmD, ScD, president and CEO of RxAnte, Inc.and visiting scholar at the Brookings Institute, told acrowd of nearly 200 that health care spending couldeventually reach half of GDP if left unchecked. As greatminds contemplate the merits of the Affordable Care Act,the CMS has continued to move ahead with the HealthCare Innovation Challenge Awards, which generatednearly 3,000 applications from health care providers todevelop models to reduce costs, extend access andprovide bundled payment mechanisms.Daniel Robinson, PharmDThere is little doubt that many changes in health carewill bring great opportunity for our WesternU graduates.At long last, the U.S. health care establishment, federaland state governments are recognizing that pharmacistshave been dramatically underutilized in dealing with thechallenges of cost and access to health care services. TheCenter for Medicare & Medicaid Services issued new rulesthat now allow hospitals to give nonphysicianpractitioners such as advanced practice nurses, physicianassistants and pharmacists medical staff privileges toincrease the number and types of practitioners who areoverseeing and protecting the health and safety ofpatients. Earlier this year, in a landmark report to the U.S.Surgeon General, there was widespread support forimproving patient and health system outcomes throughadvanced pharmacy practice and for full recognition ofpharmacists as health care providers.I would usually use this space to share wonderful newsabout the College of Pharmacy. Instead I have decided toshare wonderful news about the world of pharmacy andthe exciting opportunities that lie ahead as long aspharmacists continue to focus on providing the best inhealth care services for their patients.24 Western University of Health Sciences

MESSAGE FROM THE DEANCollege ofGraduate NursingThis academic year for the College of Graduate Nursing hasbeen noteworthy and a tribute to the good work of ourfaculty and students. The College continues to be a leaderfor the profession of nursing in our state and beyond.Enrollment in all programs is strong despite the impact ofthe recession, the launching of new competing programs,and constraints in the workforce for new graduate nursesto secure jobs, as they are competing with experiencednurses.Karen Hanford, EdD, MSN, FNPTwo strategic key accomplishments this year includeprofessional accreditation of our Doctor of Nursing PracticeProgram by the Commission on Collegiate NursingEducation (CCNE) and securing our first endowed chair forQuality and Safety in Nursing Education. This endowedchair position was sponsored by the Fletcher JonesFoundation, a visionary foundation that understands theimportance of advancing patient safety.Dr. Jan Boller, Director of CGN's Health Systems Leadershipprograms, including the Doctor of Nursing Practiceprogram, is the recipient of this position. The recognitionand additional funding from the endowment will assistCGN in leveraging additional resources throughnetworking, grants, and sponsoring an annual conferencefor our regional community. This is key, due to thenational focus on advancing nursing education, improvingpatient care outcomes, and preparing nurses to assumeleadership roles to meet the challenges of health carereform.WesternU View Summer 2012 25

MESSAGE FROM THE DEANCollege ofVeterinary MedicineThe “family” of the College of Veterinary Medicinewelcomes you to this edition of WesternU View. This isboth a time of reflection and anticipation for us. TheCollege celebrated the successful graduation of its sixthclass in May, and we are preparing for the arrival of theclass of 2016, who will be a part of our 10th adventure.We are proud of our accomplishments, and strive toconsistently improve. Our students continue to surpassour expectations. They are energetic, professional,intellectual, socially concerned, and excellentambassadors for the University. So it stands to reasonthat our alums have demonstrated the same qualities,and are beginning to distinguish themselves in ourprofession.Phillip Nelson, DVM, PhDOur faculty and staff continue to provide superlativeleadership and support for our college programs. Theirwork is the core reason for the success in implementingsuch a novel program. I am pleased to acknowledge theunparalleled commitment of both groups to theestablishment of a nourishing academic environment.This year we will host our first alumni reunion, onSeptember 7, 2012, in honor of the charter class of 2007.We are feverishly putting plans in place. We promise theevent will be fun and educational. We also are invitingthe founding faculty and staff to make this celebrationcomplete. If you were a member of our “family” duringthe early years, or contributed to our success, contact us.We would love to see you there.I hope you enjoy this edition of WesternU View.26 Western University of Health Sciences

MESSAGE FROM THE DEANCollege ofDental MedicineAlong with our curriculum on the WesternU campus, theCollege of Dental Medicine has a growing presence outsidethe campus walls.Dental Medicine students participate in Service Learning,Clinical Service Learning and Community-Based DentalEducation experiences at more than 50 sites throughoutCalifornia. Beginning this summer term, DMD 2013 studentswill be providing the full scope of oral health servicesto patients in Federally Qualified Health Centers,“look-a-like” centers, and in school based programs.Steven Friedrichsen, DDSThrough a three-year grant from First 5 LA, students areproviding valuable screening, referral and oral health carefor children ages 0-5. Care for the very young and mostvulnerable patients is often not part of the dental educationprocess. Our students are acquiring skills and attributesthat will help them deliver effective care at an earlierage – preventing significant oral disease, as well as reducinghealth disparities.The community-based service learning components ofthe curriculum have helped the College of Dental Medicineassist our community partners with meeting theirpatient care needs while enriching the education of ourstudents.WesternU View Summer 2012 27

MESSAGE FROM THE DEANCollege of OptometryHow’s the “view” out there? It’s looking very sunny at theCollege of Optometry!The College has completed a number of milestone eventsthis past year, including the successful completion of theacademic year for three full classes of students. Ourinaugural class began its final-year rotations on May 29through a disseminated network of externship sites.Elizabeth Hoppe, OD, MPH, DrPHOur students have been very busy honoring the University’scommitment to community engagement. A recent review ofthe College’s level of community engagement found thatduring the 2010-11 academic year, the College performed 52community-based vision screenings, which accounted for160 faculty hours and 432 student hours. The College’soutreach program touched the lives of 8,790 adults andchildren, including 350 people who were screened in Haiti,1,853 in Mexico, and 1,000 in Peru. Local outreach targetedchildren, athletes from Special Olympics, veterans, and thehomeless, in addition to members of the general public.It is our hope that, through our outreach efforts, improvedvision and eye health will impact independence,employability, and the ability to learn, and may ultimatelylead to a higher quality of life for those served.28 Western University of Health Sciences

MESSAGE FROM THE DEANCollege ofPodiatric MedicineExcitement and enthusiasm abound from everyoneinvolved in making our College of Podiatric Medicine atrue center of educational excellence. Our inaugural class,DPM 2013, makes us proud! They achieved a 100 percentpass rate on their Boards Part I, and are now onexternships around the country. Feedback indicates thatthey are well prepared for the clinical experience andknow how to learn.CPM is on the threshold of full accreditation, with oursite visit scheduled for late August 2012.Lawrence Harkless, DPMStudent recruitment is 75 percent ahead compared to lastyear, and applicants have impressive qualifications. Ourfoundation is solid, built on an innovative curriculumand supported by a noted faculty that is well trained andpassionate about educating students to be lifelonglearners.The seed has been planted and is growing stronger everyday. The work is hard -- for students, faculty andadministration -- but we all can see what lies on thehorizon, and we are inspired to meet the challenge thatwill lead us to success.Four years ago, CPM was only words on a piece of paper.Today it is a vibrant community of educators andstudents, and a model for the future of podiatricmedicine.WesternU View Summer 2012 29

MESSAGE FROM THE DEANGraduate College ofBiomedical SciencesThese are exciting times.Scientific advances are moving at an unprecedented pace,and it is now conceivable to think that the next generationof graduate students will revolutionize the way diseases aregoing to be treated, as well as the way health care is going tobe delivered. The Graduate College of Biomedical Sciences(GCBS) is committed to training this next generation ofstudents and to providing them the experience, backgroundand skills they will need to be the leaders in this revolution.These are challenging times.Michel Baudry, PhDWe are entering what some call the knowledge economy,and there is a need to develop new ways of educating andtraining graduate students who will combine theunderstanding of the basic research process with the skillsand tools to translate fundamental discoveries into realworldapplications. GCBS is proposing innovative programsdesigned to address these challenges.The GCBS will train highly skilled, dedicated and caringbiomedical researchers and future practitioners for entry intoacademia, industry or the medical professions. Threeindividual programs are offered: MSBS, MSPS and MSMS.We are also working diligently to create a new PhD programin Translational Biomedical Sciences.The objectives of the College are:• To provide top-quality education to enable graduates toobtain the best career opportunities, and• To link medically relevant educational and medicalsciences research programs in a learner-centeredenvironment.I invite you to explore our website to learn more aboutbiomedical research, our programs and our College.30 Western University of Health Sciences

WesternU View Summer 2012 31

Patient goes to extreme lengths tofind and keep WesternU alumnusClaremont resident Ellie Teran has wet maculardegeneration and needs injections in her right eyeevery six weeks to help her see.Recently shewent toextremelengths totrack downCollege ofOsteopathicMedicine ofthe Pacific(COMP) atWesternUniversityAyaz Khan, DO and patient Ellie Teran.of HealthSciencesalumnus Ayaz Khan, DO ’04, because he gives the bestand least painful injections she’s ever had.Teran sought out Khan because he no longer workedat the clinic where she had last seen him in November2011, and she was tired of having painful injectionsfrom other doctors.Wet macular degeneration affects the center part ofvision and is caused by abnormal blood vessels in theretina that leak and bleed and eventually lead toscarring. Without eye injections, vision continues todeteriorate and patients often become legally blind.Doctors have different methods for pre- and postinjections.Before Khan, her medical group sent her to a clinic inTorrance for injections, and she recruited her daughterto drive her because she always had discomfortafterward. Then the group brought in Khan to thefacility in Glendora. She received only two injectionsfrom Khan before he left and they brought in adifferent doctor.“Before I knew it, we were doing the injection, lookdown there (to the bottom left, he would say), BINGO,I was done and on my way,” Teran said about the firstinjection she received from Khan. “I said that’s justamazing and so much better than anything I’ve hadbefore.”Ellie was not happy with the new doctor’s injections.She wrote a letter to the medical group requesting theyreturn Dr. Khan. In the letter she states, “If there issome reason you cannot return Dr. Khan to any one ofyour offices, please tell me where he is now working asI would like to rearrange my insurance in order to betreated by him.”She heard nothing from them.She asked a friend to look in her phone book for anyKhans she could find. No luck. She searched theInternet and found out he graduated from WesternUniversity of Health Sciences in Pomona.Teran visited WesternU’s campus, and AlumniRelations Director Russel Heskin helped her get incontact with Dr. Khan.“It’s always wonderful to hear that our graduates aredoing well and are sought-after health care providers,”Heskin said. “That is especially true when a patientgoes as far as making a visit to the doctor’s alma materto try and track him down.”The two were able to meet up again at his new office,California Laser Eye Associates, in Pomona, but hedidn’t have the equipment there to do the injections,so he referred her to La Mirada Eye & Laser Center,32 Western University of Health Sciences

where he works one day a week and where he learnedhis tools of the trade from his mentor, Dr. JeffreyWinston.Dean Clinton Adams, DO, provided a tour of thePatient Care Center and Health Education Center.Khan also was able to meet with Elizabeth Hoppe, OD,MPH, DrPH, founding dean of the College ofTeran said she has paid for three visits out of pocket tocontinue seeing Khan. Medicare did not approve hervisits to Khan as part of her medical group, so she hassince switched medical groups, where her new primarycare doctor would refer her to Khan. She believes herfourth visit will be covered by insurance.Optometry.“Based on my visit and tour, I would love to beinvolved with the school,” he said. “The faculty isyoung and excited about the College of Optometry.The Eye Care Center facilities are outstanding and theexam lanes areKhan said it was a giftequipped top of theand exciting to beline. The communitytracked down and heophthalmologist couldsaid Ellie’s not theonly dream of havingonly one looking forthis variety and depthhim or wanting hisof diagnostic equipmentsecret. He saidavailable to them.”colleagues and retinalspecialists are callinghim to find out whathe does. He’s been ina unique position,treating thousands ofFrom left, Clinton Adams, COMP alumna NaNotchka M.Chumley, DO ’93, MPH, Beverly A. Guidry, and Ayaz KhanKhan said he would bedelighted to work withthem treating retinalconditions there, andhelping teach students.patients a year, andhaving the ability to refine his procedure, and he saidthat Ellie's appreciation motivated him to finallypublish his technique.“The WesternU campus has come a long way,” he said.“Historically, optometry and ophthalmology have hada competitive spirit, but being a WesternU graduate, Ihave a special soft spot for my new optometry“Patients regularly tell me that they are very pleased colleagues.”with the injections they are receiving,” he said. “Thosewho have experienced these injections elsewhere aremy most grateful patients, as they have something tocompare to. However, the lengths Ellie went throughto track me down, were a pleasant reminder to me weDr. Khan said Ellie's story is a good reminder of thatwhat graduates do in the field every day is importantto people, and thought it was wonderful that sheassociated a good outcome with WesternU.have to do our best for our patients. They really doThis exemplifies that importance of Khan’sappreciate it.”osteopathic-upbringing, looking to treat the patient asIn February 2012, Khan visited WesternU for the firsttime since graduation. Since working in Pomona, hehad heard that the College of Optometry opened anda whole. His family physician while growing up in SanDimas – one he still calls his physician – is WesternUalumnus Steven Davis, DO ’85 and MSHPE ’98.was very interested in seeing what was happening atthe school.“Dr. Davis made a great impression on me, and even Iassociated him with where he went to medicalCollege of Optometry Director of Communityschool,” Khan said. “He is the reason I applied toOutreach Kristy Remick, OD, FCOVD, and COMP WesternU.”– Jeff MaletWesternU View Summer 2012 33

A FondFarewellDr. Cohen is congratulated by University PresidentPhilip Pumerantz, left, and wife, Regan.WWestern University of Health Sciences held back-to-On Wednesday, more than 100 friends, family,back celebrations Wednesday and Thursday, June 20and 21, to bid a fondfarewell to Benjamin L.Cohen, DO, WesternU’slongtime provost and thearchitect of theUniversity’s recentexpansion and addition offour colleges.WesternU administrators and staff were on hand for aspecial retirement dinnerheld in the HealthProfessions Center Commonson the WesternU campus. Dr.Philip Pumerantz, presidentof WesternU and a longtimefriend of Dr. Cohen’s, bidhim farewell by observingthat his way of dealing withDr. Cohen – who steppedpeople “is what humanism isdown as provost inall about.”February 2012 and had College of Podiatric Medicine Dean, Lawrencebeen serving as an adviserto the president the pastHarkless greets Dr. Cohen.Dr. Thomas Fox, WesternUsenior vice president and alsoseveral months – announced his retirement in May. a longtime colleague of Dr. Cohen’s, quoted legendary34 Western University of Health Sciences

sportswriter Grantland Rice’s famous 1908 poem,“Alumnus Football,” in honoring his friend: “ ‘Whenthe one great scorer comes to mark against your name,he writes not that you won or lost, but how youplayed the game.’ As Dr. Benjamin L. Cohen goes intoretirement, we wish to thank him for showing us howto play the game,” Dr. Fox said.Dr. Cohen also received several gifts, including tokensof appreciation from the colleges of VeterinaryMedicine and Dental Medicine, a medal from theCollege of Osteopathic Medicine of the Pacific, acrystal bowl, and a rocking chair. A COMP scholarshipwill be established in his name, and in a proclamationfrom the WesternU Board of Trustees, he was namedProvost Emeritus of the University.Wednesday’s dinner was followed by a celebration onthe West Esplanade of the WesternU campus onThursday afternoon. As rock ‘n’ roll classics played,hot dogs, funnel cake, candy and ice cream wereserved while Dr. Cohen mingled with WesternU staffduring a casual farewell party. – Rodney TanakaA WesternU rocking chair was among many giftsgiven to Dr. Cohen.Dr. Cohen and wife, Regan.35 Western University of Health Sciences

TopDocTorsTThe College of Osteopathic Medicine of the Pacifichas produced three of the top doctors in SouthernCalifornia, according to a recent publication.Castle Connolly Top Doctors: Southern California,published by Castle Connolly Medical Ltd., drawsfrom hundreds of thousands of physicians whowere asked to nominate those theybelieve to be amongthe very best in theircommunities across thenation.Surveys are conducted bymail, online and viathousands of phone callsto identify excellentdoctors and reinforce thesurvey responses, accordingto the magazine. Physiciansdo not and cannot pay to beon the list.Cat Dang, DO ’04, is listed inthe Psychiatry category. Sheowns a private practice,Insightful Minds Inc., in OrangeCounty. Two classmates from the inaugural COMPClass of 1982 were named in the Family Medicinecategory: Richard Bond, DO, DrPH, FAAFP, andThomas Horowitz, DO.Bond, who is vice chairman of the WesternUniversity of Health Sciences Board of Trustees, ispart of a six-physician team at Pavilion FamilyPhysicians in Orange, Calif. The “Top Doctors”honor was unexpected but appreciated, he said.“I’m really very honored that I wasrecognized for providing progressive,state-of-the-art health care,” Bondsaid.Western University of HealthSciences Founding PresidentPhilip Pumerantz, PhD, made anexcellent choice in selecting thefirst COMP class, findingstudents who were motivated todo the best they could for theirpatents, Bond said.“COMP works at providingphysicians who reach thewhole patient,” he said.“That’s where primary carereally shines, taking care of the wholepatient.”COMP continues to train highly-skilled primarycare physicians. Nearly 70 percent of the COMPClass of 2012 matched into primary care residencyspecialties.36 Western University of Health Sciences

“Tosee many COMP graduates going intoprimary care speaks to their perspective onthe effectiveness a physician can have andtheir role in the community.– Richard Bond, DO, DrPH, FAAFP““To see so many COMPgraduates going intoprimary care speaks totheir perspective on theeffectiveness a physiciancan have and their role inthe community,” Bondsaid.Bond and classmateCat Dang, DOThomas Horowitz werepleased to see each other recognized as outstandingfamily physicians.“He is an excellentphysician who is veryprogressive in caring forhis patients,” Bond said.“He’s carrying on thetradition of his family forproviding care to thecommunity.”Horowitz is a secondgenerationosteopathicRichard Bond, DO, DrPH, FAAFPphysician, and hispractice in downtown Los Angeles is a continuation ofthe practice started by his father, Fred Horowitz, DO.“He was the stereotypical family doctor from an erawhen the family doctor did a little of everything well,”Horowitz said. “As medicine progressed, heprogressed.”He encourages hispatients to be teamplayers in their healthcare decisions, and thecornerstones of hispractice are high-qualitycare, genuine concern,kindness and humor. Healso gives a lot of creditto his staff, who becomeThomas Horowitz, DOa reassuring presence inpatients’ lives.“I think I could be replaced, but the staff couldn’t,”Horowitz said. “They build personal relationships withpatients. Patients know the staff is here to take care ofthem.”Horowitz said he could have gone into severalspecialties, but he chose family medicine.“I grew up with the concept that you’re there to takecare of the patient and family, and to be pigeonholedinto one group of diseases or procedures didn’t seemlike the concept of a physician I have,” he said. “I goback to the Norman Rockwell image where thephysician is taking care of patients and thecommunity, and that’s why I’m involved incommunity projects as well. We’re there for all ofsociety.”– Rodney TanakaWesternU View Summer 2012 37

Commencement2012WesternU held its Commencementceremonies on May 17-18, 2012 at thePasadena Civic Auditorium in Pasadena,Calif. Six colleges welcomed 749 graduatesinto the ranks of health professionals.Photos by Jeff Malet and Jess Lopantynski38 Western University of Health Sciences

WesternU View Summer 2012 39

The ProposalOn a rainy night inMarch of 2011, Ijoined a group offriends for a night offun in Hollywood’srenowned nightlife.That night a friend ofmine had highlyanticipatedintroducing me to this person who she believed wouldbe the perfect match for me. I went out thinking“Right. As if it could possibly be that easy to meet mysoul mate.” Little did I know, Babak Eshaghian wouldbe my Prince Charming.Babak and I connected instantly, and spent the nightchatting away. We had plenty in common, including ashared passion for the medical field. By the end of thenight we locked hands, for the first time. The momentwe held hands I felt what I had learned so much aboutthroughout my pre-pharmacy undergraduate classes,chemistry. I felt a jolt of energy travel up my spine,and the feeling was unique to me. A few months intoour relationship, Babak and I were talking about ourfuture plans and goals. That night he told me that heknew he would marry me one day. I felt the same wayinside, but was not brave enough to say so.I asked, “How areyou so sure about usin this short timethat we’ve knowneach other?” “I knewthe first night when Iheld your hand. Youshocked me, but in agood way,” heresponded. I kept thinking, “I can’t believe he felt thattoo.” I gazed into his loving eyes and knew he wasgoing to be the special man in my life.Around the time of my graduation, I noticed Babakwas restless and a tad nervous. When I asked about hiscondition, he just brushed it off and mentioned thathe was just excited about my accomplishment ofgraduating pharmacy school. I thought, geez, he sureis a lot more excited than I am. The idea of himproposing at my graduation never even crossed mymind.Graduation day arrived, and I was most excited aboutmy parents hooding me onstage and my grandmotherbeing there to share the special day with us. I alsolooked forward to greeting my handsome thenboyfriendBabak and our families after the ceremony.40 Western University of Health Sciences

PROFILEWhile taking pictures, I noticed Babak was missing fora while. The next thing I knew, my sister Marjanstarted leading me toward Babak. As I walked throughMy grandmother, parents, uncles, siblings, and Babak’sfamily were there to witness the proposal, and we allcontinued the celebration over dinner.“...the first word out of my mouth was ‘YES!’ I couldnot have asked for a more perfect proposal or fiancé.— Nooshin Niknam“We are excited for the futurecelebrations but there is noset wedding date yet. We aregoing to take our time andindulge in the joy of beingengaged for now.a crowd I noticed everyone around me smiling andthen I spotted Babak holding a dozen of the longeststemmedred roses I’ve seen pointed up towards thesky. I looked up and saw a helicopter carrying a bannerreading: NOOSHIN JOOON* CONGRATS! I LOVEYOU! I thought, “Wow; he hired a helicopter tocongratulate me. That must be why he has been sonervous this past week.” But then I looked at Babakand saw something shimmering in his hand – adiamond ring. Oh my, I thought as I looked up toconfirm what I had seen was real. I read the last part ofthe banner, “MARRY ME?” I was stunned, and before Iknew it, Babak was kneeling on one knee, asking formy hand in marriage. Once I was able to compose myjaw, which was dropped open, the first word out of mymouth was “YES!” I could not have asked for a moreperfect proposal or fiancé.Professionally, though, we are both excited to haveaccomplished our respective levels of education, Babakhas his medical degree as well as completed anInternal Medicine residency at USC, and I have myDoctorate of Pharmacy degree. We both plan tocontinue our education at prestigious institutions.This upcoming year, Babak will start the Pulmonaryand Critical Care fellowship at UC Irvine, and I willstart the PGY1 residency at Glendale AdventistMedical Center. We are both very excited to take ourrelationship and professional aspirations to the nextlevel. We anticipate challenges in balancing timebetween our professional and personal lives but with aromance seasoned with patience, respect, andadoration, we remain confident and look forward toall that awaits us.– Nooshin Niknam*Joon- means life in Farsi, but is also used as a suffix to thename of someone who is very dear to the addresser.WesternU View Summer 2012 41

Dr. MomBecoming a doctor is prettydifficult to top. Karla Pivik founda way – by also becoming a mom.From left, COMP Dean Clinton Adams, DO, Karla Pivik, DO ’12, andCOMP-Northwest Executive Associate Dean, Paula Crone, DO ’92.Karla Pivik, DO ’12, walked across the Pasadena CivicAuditorium stage to receive her Doctor of OsteopathicMedicine degree from the College of OsteopathicMedicine of the Pacific on May 18, 2012. As part ofthe COMP-Northwest Track, she came to SouthernCalifornia for the ceremony and planned to return toOregon to deliver her baby, due on May 22.She went into labor at Bob Hope Airport in Burbankthe day after the commencement ceremony.Undaunted, she boarded her plane and returnedsafely home to Bend, Ore. and gave birth to her son,Finn, on May 21.Pivik and her husband, Eric Snider, had a whirlwindmonth of activity. They attended a wedding inWashington, D.C., four days before commencement.Then, less than three weeks after Finn’s birth, theymoved to Arizona for Pivik’s residency at theUniversity of Arizona, which started June 18.“Everything isgoing to workout just fine,”Pivik said. Husband, Eric Snider, Karla, and son, Finn.“We have beenmentally prepared since we found out the due date. Ihave a great husband helping me a whole lot.”Snider received the American Osteopathic Foundation– Donna Jones Moritsugu Memorial Award, presentedto the spouse of a COMP graduate who bestexemplifies the role of a professional’s partner bymaintaining their own individual identity while beingsupportive of their mate, family, and profession.As with most new moms, Pivik isn’t getting a lot ofsleep, but it’s all worth it.“I think I’m happier than I ever have been my entirelife,” she said.– Rodney Tanaka42 Western University of Health Sciences

A GUARANTEED INCOMEFor the rest of your life, Western University of Health Sciences will send you acheck every 90 days or once a year. While the economy may rise or decline,your payments areGUARANTEED. You can count onthis because we back ourcommitment with the full assetsof WesternU.The total amount of money you willreceive is determined in advance anddepends on several things, includingyour age, whether you want to includea second income recipient, and theamount you give to establish thecontract. For example, if you’re 65years old, you’ll receive more thansomeone 10 years younger who givesthe same amount.“I’m pleased to have completed a charitable gift annuity with WesternU that supports its mission ‘toproduce, in a humanistic tradition, health care professionals and biomedical knowledge that willenhance and extend the quality of life in our communities’ while providing income to me during mylifetime,” said Martha Walker, a long-time friend of the University.Here are the ratesWesternU currentlyoffers for one-lifeCharitable GiftAnnuities:AgeRate*EffectivePayout Rate65 4.7% 6.63%70 5.1% 7.41%75 5.8% 8.63%80 6.8% 10.35%85 7.8% 12.27%90+ 9.0% 14.56%*Effective rate reflects the resultof tax savings and assumes a28% marginal tax rate.PLEASE COMPLETE, DETACH AND MAIL THIS CARDDear Friends at WesternU:o Please send me free information on charitable gift annuities.o Please send me free information about other planned giving opportunities.o Please contact me by phone. The best time to call is ____________________.Name........................................................................................................................Address.....................................................................................................................City ......................................................................State............ZIP.............................Phone number............................................................................................................Age(s) .......................................................................................................................

For the rest of your life, you will enjoy the satisfaction that yourCHARITABLE GIFT ANNUITY will someday provide the University andits students with needed financial resources. By allowing WesternU to helpyou with lifetime financial support, you enable us to educate futuregenerations of health-care providers who will save lives and change lives.The IRS favors these arrangements and provides the donor with a charitablededuction. Year in and year out, it is the most popular life income plannedgiving vehicle available.Would you like to learn more about CHARITABLE GIFT ANNUITIESand how they can benefit you and WesternU? Just fill out and return theresponse card provided. If you include your age or ages, a sample scenariowill be prepared for you. Olive Stephens, WesternU’s administrator forplanned giving, will provide you with a free information packet.A GUARANTEED INCOME YOU CAN’T OUTLIVE?YOU CAN MAKE IT HAPPEN AT WESTERNU!BUSINESS REPLY MAILFIRST-CLASS MAIL PERMIT NO. 46500 POMONA CAPOSTAGE WILL BE PAID BY ADDRESSEEPLANNED WESTERN GIVING UNIVERSITYADMINISTRATOR309 OF E. HEALTH SECOND STREET SCIENCESPOMONA CA 91766-1854309 E 2ND STPOMONA CA 91766-9907WESTERN UNIVERSITY OF HEALTH SCIENCESNO POSTAGENECESSARYIF MAILEDIN THEUNITED STATESOlive B. StephensPlanned Giving AdministratorWestern University of HealthSciencesPhone: (909) 469-5211FAX: (909) 469-5215ostephen@westernu.edu

Health’s AngelsRiding Group Helps Wipe Out AIDSA group of WesternU students, staff and faculty rode theirbicycles 545 miles during the AIDS/LifeCycle, June 3-9,2012, from San Francisco to Los Angeles in an effort tohelp wipe out AIDS. Health’s Angels of WesternU fromleft, in above photo are Cassie Wright Jr., Director ofInformation Systems, Dental Center, first-year optometrystudents Aaron Peterson and Brian Walton; College ofOptometry third-year student Jen Buell, her husband,Trevor Buckley (black hat), a master’s student at Cal PolySan Luis Obispo, Bennett McAllister, OD, Chief of PrimaryCare Optometry; Steven Friedrichsen, DDS, Dean,College of Dental Medicine; Elizabeth Schilling, DVM,Assistant Professor, College of Veterinary Medicine. Checkout this link http://www.tofighthiv.org/goto/HealthsAngelsto learn about supporting Health’s Angels team.Their team goal is to raise $40,000. As of June 4, 2012,the team had raised $30,344.90.WesternU View Summer 2012 45

Two Sides of WesternUMSHS Student-employee Jayzona AlbertoEach day I step on the WesternU campus, I findmyself inspired by this institution, the values itwas founded on, and the people who make up itscommunity. As a student-employee, I’mfortunate to experience two different sides toWesternU that not many people can witness, andboth roles have truly enriched the journey I’mcurrently on. I’m a strong believer in the motto,“Everything happens for a reason,” and I feel thatthis phrase could not resonate with me more as Itransition into the third semester of my Master ofScience in Health Sciences program. I like tothink that the reason I’m at WesternU is due tofate or even serendipity, but whatever it was, mypurpose is unfolding exactly as it should.Being a student in the MSHS program can be, attimes, challenging. Since our classes are typicallyin the evening, we have a very small chance tointeract with students in the other programs. Iwas excited to begin a work-study position withthe Dean’s Office at the College of OsteopathicMedicine of the Pacific because it felt morenatural to come to school during the day, insteadof strictly from 6-9 p.m. two days a week. My jobmade me feel more like I was a part of thiscommunity. Besides being introduced to peoplewho never fail to amaze me, I gained a betterperspective on WesternU, its vision, and itsvalues.The administration, faculty, and my fellowstudents have shown through example theimportance of compassion in the health carefield. In a society that can easily lose touch withthe humanistic component of health care,WesternU sets the standard for producingprofessionals committed to improving thequality of care individuals deserve to receive. As astudent and employee, I’ve had the opportunityto observe and participate in projects gearedtoward improving our health care system. Underthe leadership of Dean Clinton Adams, DO,COMP is truly paving the way for osteopathicphysicians across the country. The studentfocusedcurriculum, community service learningcomponents, and dedicated and knowledgeablefaculty and staff have made our medical schoolworld class. Nevertheless, this already exceptionalDO program continues to produce doctors whomake major contributions to their workplaces,communities, and to the health care field.46 Western University of Health Sciences

COMP’s administrationobstacles that could deter us fromalone is quite an impressiveour goals, but we should never letgroup. From a recentlythem obstruct our purpose.appointed medical schooldean to the OSPC’sThroughout our academic careers,Physician of the Year, thesewe experience times when we feelindividuals are true rolediscouraged or overwhelmed. Wemodels for their students.are constantly challenged by ourEven though I’ve beenrigorous academic schedules andemployed at COMP for lessimmense workloads. There maythan a year, it has been acome a point for many of ustremendous privilege toduring our time at WesternU inwork for both Dean Adamswhich we have difficulty seeingand Senior Executivethe light at the end of the tunnel.Associate Dean GregoryWe must be mindful of theMcQueen, PhD. They areprogress we have made thus far,unbelievably dedicated toand use it as motivation to moveCOMP and never seem to be off the clock. They haveforward. One of the most discouraging times in my lifeaccomplished such phenomenal achievements in theirwas when I faced my future with uncertainty. I amlives. One can’t help but be inspired by them. Thoughmore confident now than I was when I graduatedI don’t necessarily plan to be in medical schoolfrom the University of San Diego just one year ago,administration, I aspire to be just like these twothat my life would take me to exactly where I belong.individuals— great leaders, goal seekers and changeLuckily, most of us don’t have to face the uncertaintymakers.of our purpose; most of us know, and that’s why we’re“here.They remind me...this already exceptional DO program continues tothat while we allMy parents notdecide at some produce doctors who make major contributions to their only taught me,point in our lives workplaces, communities, and to the health care field. but also showedto follow our– Jayzona Albertome, that whencalling, only ayou make asmall few of uspositive impactactually do. To live a life driven by purpose isin another person’s life, you also make a positivesomething people across the world could only hopeimpact in your own. Each of us has a calling to dofor. Many of us at WesternU have found our purpose.something greater than ourselves, to make a positiveWe work diligently, prepare unceasingly, and findimpact, to help someone be happy or suffer less. As weourselves forever motivated by this purpose. We wantapproach the beginning of our health care careers, weto be great leaders, goal seekers, and change makers,are entering a profession that we love, one that canand WesternU is providing us with the education andbring us great joy and success. But success is nottraining to do so. Each of us has the potential to bemeasured by the accomplishments in our lives; ratherextraordinary, to live a purpose driven life, to humblyit’s about how we inspire others. Always remember:serve our communities as health care professionals.Your life is your message to the world. Make sure it’sBut, the road to this end goal never promised to beinspiring.easy. We must face the challenges ahead of us and the– Jayzona Alberto“WesternU View Summer 2012 47

COMP-Northwestcommits to thecommunityCOMP-Northwest students at the LebanonBoys and Girls Club.CCOMP-Northwest wants to create a lasting impressionon the community it calls home. The college, whichopened in July 2011, made a five-year commitmentwith four local organizations to provide volunteerassistance as part of first-year students’ communityservice requirement.COMP-Northwest students take a service learningcourse where they learn about epidemiology, publichealth, community health and research methods.They are required to perform 24 hours of communityservice. At the end of the course, they write areflection paper telling how the experience hasaffected their life.COMP-Northwest is partnering with four areaprograms: the Boys & Girls Clubs of the GreaterSantiam, Lebanon High School, Mennonite Village,and the Lebanon Health Career Ladder. About 15students volunteer with each program.“It’s demonstrating that we care about thecommunity,” said Louise Muscato, CHES, MEd, PhD,COMP-Northwest Assistant Dean of MedicalEducation and Service Learning Course Director.“We’re not just there as a school, we’re there to makea difference in the community. We want to impactthe children. It’s very much a partnership.”COMP-Northwest is part of Western University ofHealth Sciences in Pomona, Calif. Founding PresidentPhilip Pumerantz, PhD, started the College ofOsteopathic Medicine of the Pacific in 1977, whichlater became WesternU. Partnering with the Boys &Girls Club of the Greater Santiem (Lebanon andSweet Home) provides a direct link to COMP’sorigins.“The Boys & Girls Club was Dr. Pumerantz’s first pickfor service learning in Pomona, so we wanted tocontinue that as one of our legacy projects,” Muscatosaid.COMP-Northwest students helped the Boys & GirlsClubs in Lebanon and Sweet Home launch theSMART (Skills, Mastery, And Resistance Training)Moves program, equipping children with anunderstanding of threats and harm, and refusal skillssuch as learning to say no to drugs.At Lebanon High School, COMP-Northwest studentsare organizing alternative exercise programs such asyoga, tai chi and ultimate Frisbee, nutrition training,tutoring and mentoring, said Karen Hill, MEd,COMP-Northwest Learning Skills & AccommodationsSpecialist.Lebanon High School students visited the COMP-Northwest campus in April and May to learn moreabout higher education, especially in the medical48 Western University of Health Sciences

think of things other than yourself,” Harnish said.“Community outreach in Lebanon is essential. Inevery age range, there’s a need for education in healthcare and healthy living.”The Lebanon Health Career Ladder is a programpatterned after one started at WesternU in Pomona.COMP-Northwest is partnering with pharmacy andveterinary medicine students from Oregon StateChildren from the Sweet Home Boys and Girls Club learnabout the Sweet Home fire and ambulance district. University to introduce younger students to the healthcare professions.field. They learned how to use a stethoscope andblood pressure cuff, CPR and first aid techniques, andthey watched a demonstration of osteopathicmanipulative medicine (OMM) techniques.“We want to make a difference in the community andyour organization,” Muscato said. “Our first-yearstudents will pass these projects on to next year’sincoming class. Second-year students do not haveMennonite Village in Albany is one of the largest longtermcare facilities in the state. Five COMP-Northwestservice learning projects, but they can continue tovolunteer in these organizations on their own.”students volunteer atLydia’s House Alzheimer’sand Dementia Carewithin MennoniteVillage, interacting oneon-onewith residents.They held a cookiebaking and decoratingparty for Valentine’s Dayand plan to go on walksand participate in dailyThree new collaborations willbegin in the fall with theincoming Class of 2016: MightyOaks, a school in Albany fordisabled children; Albany HelpingHands, providing shelter for thehomeless; and Planting Seeds ofChange, where children will learnabout nutrition while growing andharvesting food in communityactivities.COMP-Northwest student Gregory Emfield gardens. COMP-Northwestand his dog, Bigsby, visit Mennonite Villagestudents will also provide recipe“Working with elderly in Albany.demonstrations at farmers marketspeople has a special placeto promote healthy eating.in my heart. I’ve done it since I was little,” saidCOMP-Northwest student Valerie Harnish, DO ’15.“Now that we’re in medical school, we can look atthings a little differently. We are able to see deficitsBefore the projects started, COMP-Northwest invitedfour local doctors renowned for their communityservice to speak to students.such as access to care problems. We’re at a good placeto notice those areas we can help fill.”“They shared their service for their community andinternational experiences with our students,” MuscatoThe work allows students to touch on many differentsaid. “So the purpose is really to motivate them andareas of health care - not just medical needs, but socialexpose them to service. Being a doctor is a higherneeds. Other potential projects include music therapycalling. There are multiple ways to serve. For some itand taking oral histories of the residents.comes naturally. We teach them the importance of“You’re removed from the school setting and forced to serving and how to serve.” – Rodney TanakaWesternU View Summer 2012 49

Nearly 100 golfers participated in the second annualWestern University of Health Sciences Towne & GownGolf Classic, helping raise more than $28,000 tobenefit the University Scholarship Fund thanks to thegenerosity of sponsor T. F. Chen, DDS, whounderwrote the entire golf fundraiser.The scramble-format tournament was held onMonday, June 18, 2012 at the Glendora Country Club.“Our students usually come out of school with acouple hundred thousand dollars’ worth of debt,” saidWesternU Senior Vice President Thomas G. Fox, PhD,during the reception dinner. “Every dime we can getfor a scholarship is important.”Dr. Fox was impressed with the growth of this year’stournament from its inaugural tournament in 2011.Dr. Chen, who helped revive the event in 2011, saidhe would be sponsoring the event for another eightyears, totaling 10 years of underwriting the golfclassic. He thanked everyone for coming to thefundraiser and said he looks forward to doing betterevery year.New to this year’s tourney was the golf ball drop,where a helicopter dropped 165 numbered golf balls ata designated flag on the driving range from about 80feet up.About $1,300 worth of golf balls were sold. Dr. Fox,who bought balls numbered 10-19, won the 50-50raffle with ball No. 13. He immediately donated hisportion back to the scholarship fund.“It sends a message that this outing is aboutscholarships,” he said.Like last year, golfers purchased five feet of string,mulligans, and free tosses that gave them specialadvantages to improve scores, all helping raise moneyfor student scholarships.Symes Cadillac of Pasadena also sponsored the holein-onecompetition for a chance to win a 2012Cadillac. No one won the Cadillac SRX that was ondisplay at the putting green.Following a dinner reception, golfers were awardedtrophies for closest to the pin and longest drive formen and women; reverse Stableford scoring for thefour teams that scored the highest gross scores; andfour winning teams that had the lowest gross scores.Dr. Pumerantz and WesternU Board of Trusteesmember John T. McGwire, DDS, drove a beverage cartaround the golf course, meeting and talking witheveryone for a second year.This year, Dr. McGwire took home the ‘longest drive’trophy for literally being the one who had the longestdrive by driving around the course four times.Dr. Fox said Susan Terrazas, director of annual givingand her associates Austin Braunwalder and JenetteMuhar did a great job with the event. – Jeff Malet50 Western University of Health Sciences

A Decade of Successfor GNP/ICP TourneyMore than 140 golfers from all over SouthernCalifornia hit the links at Robinson Ranch Golf Clubin Canyon Country on Wednesday, June 13 for the10th annual – and final – Good NeighborPharmacy/Institute for Community PharmacyScholarship Golf Classic.The 2012 tournament, themed “A Decade of Success,”celebrated 10 years of GNP/ICP fundraising for theColleges of Pharmacy at Western University of HealthSciences and the School of Pharmacy at University ofSouthern California. More than $1.5 million has beenraised for scholarships at those schools through thetournament, which started in 2003.Mike Quick, National Vice President of Developmentfor Good Neighbor Pharmacy – and the tournament’sfounder and honorary chairman – said the scholarshipmoney raised over the past decade has assisteddeserving students interested in communitypharmacy.“We’ve raised over $1.5 million for scholarships forWesternU and USC pharmacy students who want togo into independent pharmacy, through theentrepreneur program. I couldn’t be more proud ofthese 10 years. So I feel a little bit of sadness, becauseit’s the last one, but a ton of pride for what we’ve beenable to do in 10 years,” he said.“About 65 percent of the pharmacy owners ofindependent pharmacies today in this country are 55or older,” Quick continued. “It makes a lot of sense forus to have these young new pharmacists come out andbuy the businesses, so the chains don’t purchase themor they don’t go away. There’s a tremendous need forgetting these young people to where they can buy abusiness and be a doctor of pharmacy … I think that’svery, very important.”David Breslow, PharmD, Chief Executive Officer of theInstitute for Community Pharmacy, said thetournament and the $10,000 individual scholarshipsits proceeds sponsored have gone a long way towardmaking community pharmacy a viable option for newpharmacy graduates.“Our intent when we started out was to try and fosterthe development of the next generation of storeowners for independent pharmacies, and we’ve donethat,” he said. “We’ve got graduates now that aregoing out and buying stores and assuming ownership,so we think it’s been an incredible success, and wethink we’ve made an impact on the future ofcommunity pharmacy.“A few years back, when we started, the general feelingamong the students was, ‘This is not an option.Community pharmacy is going away – we’ve got to gointo hospital or chains.’ That pendulum has definitelyswung back to community pharmacy,” he said.Daniel Robinson, PharmD, Dean of WesternU’sCollege of Pharmacy, had nothing but praise for theGNP/ICP tournament and the ways it has helpedWesternU students.“This has been helping us with scholarships andbenefiting students for 10 years, and we’re sorry to seeit end, but it’s been a great run and we’ve had afabulous time,” Robinson said.Though the GNP/ICP tournament has ended its run,WesternU’s College of Pharmacy plans to have a newscholarship tournament of its own starting in 2013.Date and location are still being determined.– Jeff KeatingWesternU View Summer 2012 51

Alumni Class NotesCollege of Osteopathic Medicineof the PacificCharter class members Richard Bond, DO ’82, andThomas Horowitz, DO ’82, were joined by Cat Dang,DO ’04, in Castle Connolly Medical Ltd’s Southern CaliforniaTop Doctors publication for 2012. Drs. Bond and Horowitzboth practice Family Medicine, while Dr. Dang practicesPsychiatry.During the Osteopathic Physicians & Surgeons of California(OPSC) 51st annual convention in San Diego in February,Associate Dean David Connett, DO ’84, was selected2012 Physician of the Year, and he was inducted as OPSC'svice president. In May, Dr. Connett and Jane Xenos, DO’90, were appointed by Governor Brown to the OsteopathicMedical Board of California.Susan Melvin, DO ’84, has been named the chief medicalofficer at Long Beach Memorial Hospital in Long Beach,Calif. She is board-certified in family medicine and a fellowof the American Academy of Family Physicians.William Henning, DO ’86, was keynote speaker atCOMP’s first annual “Student Clinician Ceremony,” acelebration breakfast/ceremony marking the transitionfrom preclinical to clinical education held on campus onApril 30.John Gray, DO ’88, is a commissioned officer in the U.S.Public Health Service with the rank of commander. Heserved in the USPHS from 1997 to the present in IndianHealth Service, and is currently serving as clinical directorof Schurz Service Unit which consists of five tribal clinics innorthern Nevada.Ernesto Cortez, DO ’89, is practicing with PioneerMedical Group in Bellflower, Calif.Debra Arsenault, DO ’91, is now approaching 21 yearson active duty in the Navy, and anticipating retirementin 2013.Tuan Hoang-Xuan, DO ’91, was the 2012 East WestScholarship Dinner honoree. Dr. Hoang-Xuan is a boardcertifieddermatologist, and serves as a dermatologyconsultant for the Osteopathic Medical Board of Californiaand Chino Valley Medical Center, a COMP-affiliatedresidency training program.The American Osteopathic Foundation board of directorsvoted unanimously to rename its annual Emerging Leaderaward for James M. Lally, DO ’91, MSHPE ’93, theimmediate past president of the AOF and an AOA boardcertifiedfamilyphysician.Dr. Lally wasalso awardedthe Order ofthe BlueCross forlong-termcontributionto the sportby the International Shooting Sport Federation (ISSF) inLondon in May 2012. He has been the team physician forthe USA Shooting Team since 1993 and was a member ofthe Board of Directors (1998-2012) and President of USAShooting, (2004-2008). He has also been the Chairman ofthe ISSF Medical Committee and a member of the ISSFAdministrative Committee since 2004.Susan Mackintosh, DO ’92, recently returned to COMPas associate dean of academic affairs. For the past threeyears, she has served WesternU in the capacity of director ofinterprofessional education.Geraldine O’Shea, DO ’93, was presented with the 2012Lifetime Achievement Award by the Osteopathic Physicians& Surgeons of California (OPSC). The award was presentedon Saturday, February 11 at the Hyatt Regency Mission Bayin San Diego during the President’s Banquet held inconjunction with OPSC’s 51st Annual Convention. She ismarried to and joined in practice with Mark Eastman,DO ’93.Gabriel Chiu, DO ’96, was named one of LA’s bestcosmetic surgeons in the April/May 2012 issue ofLA Confidential magazine.Patrick Cook, DO ’98, did four combat deployments;three to Iraq and one to Afghanistan. He currently serves aschief, department of surgery at William Beaumont ArmyMedical Center and is a staff vascular surgeon.(Continuted on page 53)52 Western University of Health Sciences

Alumni Class NotesHenry Watkins, DO ’98, is board certified in emergencymedicine. His wife, Jennifer Benjamin-Watkins, DO’98, completed her residency in radiology. Together theyown and operate Asheville Medical Aesthtics in Asheville,N.C. Dr. Henry Watkins still practices emergency medicinelocally, although hair restoration surgery is his new passion.Sean Siler, DO ’99, is currently the chief, resuscitativetechnologies division for Entegrion, Inc, a biotechnologydevelopment firm in Research Triangle Park, N.C. that iscreating spray dried plasma and platelet solutions as well asmedical diagnostic devices for the Department of Defenseand the healthcare market. Clinically he works and teachesfor George Washington University, and is transitioning to ateaching position in the emergency department atUniversity of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, N.C. He iscompleting the MBA for executives at the Kenan-FlaglerSchool of Business, University of North Carolina, ChapelHill. He just passed the 20 year mark in the army, and spentnine years on active duty. He is in the reserve now, and is aLt. Colonel (and was promoted to that rank below the zone,a year ahead of schedule).Atul Bembi, DO ’00, started West Point Medical Center inFontana, Calif., in October 2005 in a new state of the artbuilding designed specifically for the needs of an urgentcare facility. West Point Medical Center is serving the needsof more than 2,000 patients every month from all three oftheir locations in Fontana, Rancho Cucamonga and SanBernardino.Erik Austin, DO ’01, is owner/operator of AustinDermatology Center in San Diego, Calif. Dr. Austin is aboard certified dermatologist & dermatologic surgeon and isan osteopathic physician listed in Who’s Who in Medicineand Health Care.Renee Perry, DO ’02, is board certified in obstetrics andgynecology, and is currently practicing at KaiserPermanente in Oakland, Calif.Francisco Merino, DO ’03, is currently with West PointMedical Center, where his ability to speak Spanish fluentlyallows him to work closely with Spanish speaking patientswho are less familiar with the English language. He alsoprovides a variety of aesthetic and corrective skintreatments.Vu Dinh, DO ’06, is now a general surgeon at LewisCounty General Hospital in Lowville, N.Y.Ryan Armour, DO ’07, will be joining the Mercy HospitalMedical Group in Sacramento on August 1, 2012. Hecompleted his neurology fellowship on June 1.Jake Hollingsworth, DO ’07, is an active duty Air Forcecaptain and staff psychiatrist. He graduated last year fromthe psychiatry training program at Lackland Air Force Base.Since graduation, he passed the psychiatry boardcertification exam and became the medical director of theRandolph Air Force Base Mental Health Clinic. In June ofthis year he was deployed to Afghanistan in support ofOperation Enduring Freedom.Sarah Vaughn, DO ’07, was deployed to Afghanistan forOperation Enduring Freedom from December 2011 untilJune 2012. She served as part of an outpatient services flightfor a main hospital facility in the region. She providedurgent care services for the American & coalition forces, andhas helped to diagnose such conditions as Barrett’sesophagitis, emphysema and dissecting aortic aneurysm.She will achieve Air Force major in 2013 and now holds thetitle of major-select.Pei Chi Wu, DO ’08, is specializing in family medicine atMarathon Medical Group in Anaheim Hills, Calif.Cynthia Wilson, DO ’08, and Mary Tran,DO ’09, are currently in the family medicine residencyprogram at UC San Diego.College of Allied Health ProfessionsRoy Guizado, PA ’94, MSHPE ’97, was reappointed toCAPA’s student affairs committee. Some of his dutiesinclude selection of student ambassadors for the PAconference, selection of scholarship awardees, and workingclosely with the CAPA student rep to assist students in PAprograms.Graciela Buonavita, PA ’94, and Maria Del CarmenTorres, MSPA ’04, are practicing at Bella Aesthetica inOntario, Calif. Ms. Buonavita enjoys the prestigious honorof being the first physician assistant to be hired by the SanBernardino County Hospital emergency room.Bruce O’Brien, MPT ’94, is currently practicing at KaiserPermanente in Antioch, Calif.Raminder Dosanjh, MPT ’96, is practicing orthopedicswith SOL Physical Therapy in Oakland, Calif.(Continuted on page 54)WesternU View Summer 2012 53

Alumni Class NotesNgoc Nguyen, PA-C ’99, is a newly established preceptorfor the PA program.Tim Wood, MSPA ’02, is the new director of CAPE(Center for Academic and Professional Enhancement) atWesternU.Liz (Gillem) Duncanson, MPT ’02, is currentlypracticing as a physical therapist, certified athletic trainer,and certified strength and conditioning specialist inOakland, Calif.Carol Sussman, DPT ’06, recently announced the 4thedition of her textbook: Wound Care, A Collaborative PracticeManual for Health Professionals.College of PharmacyGregory Collins, PharmD ’00, spoke to the 2012pharmacy class during PIC (Pharmacists in Charge) reviewweek. His topic was “Self Assessment – Community.”Meighan Bartholomew, PharmD ’07, gave a talk on“Leadership and Management” to the 2012 students whowere back on campus for PIC (Pharmacists in Charge)review week.Micah Hata, PharmD ’07, was the speaker at an alumniCE dinner in Pasadena at Roy’s Hawaiian Fusion on March31. Dr. Hata spoke on Medicare Part D.College of Veterinary MedicineVenaya Jones, DVM ’11, is currently practicing at WestGeauga Veterinary Hospital in Chesterland, Ohio. Herspecial interests include internal medicine and soft tissuesurgery.Veronica Bingamon, DVM ’11, is an intern at PetEmergency & Specialty Hospital in Thousand Oaks, Calif.,which recently received two puppies who were in a housefire in Northern California. The puppies were transferred tothe hospital for medical therapy and hyperbaric oxygentherapy where world renowned and founder of GrossmanBurn Centers, Dr. Richard Grossman, and his physicianassistant Kurt Richards, PA ’98, provided extensive carefor the puppies.In MemoriamLawrence Glass, DO ’85John LaMarca, DO ’93President Pumerantz poses with some of the attendees at the Bay Area Alumni Brunch on Sunday, April 29, at thehistoric Claremont Hotel in Berkeley, Calif.54 Western University of Health Sciences

Alumni EventsAugust 2-5: American College of Osteopathic FamilyPhysicians of California’s Annual Scientific Medical Seminar inAnaheim, Calif. WesternU/COMP Exhibit Table (#37) onAugust 2-3 in the Disneyland Hotel’s Magic KingdomBallroomAugust 4: COMP-Northwest Convocation and White CoatCeremony at 1:00 p.m. at the First Assembly of God Church inLebanon, Ore. A Reception and Open House will immediatelyfollow the ceremony at the COMP-Northwest CampusAugust 4-7: American Veterinary Medical Association’sAnnual Convention in San Diego, Calif. WesternU Receptionon Monday, August 6, 7:00-9:00 p.m. in the ManchesterGrand Hyatt San DiegoAugust 8: Alumni Networking Mixer, 6:00-8:00 p.m atMcCormick & Schmick’s, 321 W. Katella Avenue, Anaheim,Calif.August 11: WesternU Convocation and White CoatCeremonies at Fairplex in Pomona, Calif., at 8:30 a.m.President’s Welcome Lunch and Vendor Faire will follow theceremonies on the WesternU campus, 11:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m.September 7-9: WesternU CVM Alumni Reunion Weekendon and around campus … save the date!September 14-16: Osteopathic Physicians and Surgeons ofCalifornia’s Annual Fall Conference in Monterey, Calif.WesternU/COMP Exhibit Table on September 14-15 in theIntercontinental Hotel – The Clement MontereySeptember 20-23: Osteopathic Physicians and Surgeons ofOregon’s Annual CME Conference in Portland, Ore.WesternU/COMP Exhibit Table on September 20-21 in theEmbassy Suites Portland – Downtown; and a WesternU/COMPReception in the Gevurtz Room, on the hotel’s Mezzaninelevel, on Saturday, September 22, 5:45-7:30 p.m.September 27: Pumerantz Lecture at 5:30 p.m. in the HealthEducation Center on the WesternU campus featuring CliffordE. Holland, Corporate Vice President, Worldwide GovernmentAffairs & Policy for Johnson & JohnsonSeptember 28-29: California Physical Therapy Association’sAnnual Conference in Santa Clara, Calif. WesternU ExhibitBooth on September 28-29; and a WesternU Reception onFriday, September 28, 6:00-7:00 p.m. in the Hyatt RegencySanta ClaraOctober 4-7: California Academy of Physician Assistants’Annual Conference in Palm Springs, Calif. WesternU ExhibitBooth on October 5-6, in the Palm Springs ConventionCenter; and a WesternU Reception on Friday, October 5, 6:00-8:00 p.m., in the Renaissance Hotel’s Andreas RoomOctober 7-11: American Osteopathic Association’s OMEDConvention in San Diego, Calif. WesternU/COMP ExhibitBooth on October 7-9 in the San Diego Convention Center(Booth #1801); Class of 1982 30th Reunion Dinner at thehome of Michael Rosenblatt, DO ’82, on Sunday, October 7;and a WesternU/COMP Reception on Tuesday, October 9,5:30-7:30 p.m. at the Marriott San Diego Gaslamp Quarter’sALTITUDE SkyLoungeOctober 18-20: Department of Physical Therapy Education20th Anniversary Celebration on campus. CEU Seminars onOctober 18-19; a Department Open House with campus toursand a reception on Friday, October 19, 6:00-8:00 p.m.; and aWestern-themed BBQ on Saturday, October 20, High Noon-3:00 p.m. RSVP by September 1 to Assistant Professor MaryHudson-McKinney at mhudson@westernu.eduOctober 18-21: California Society of Health-SystemPharmacists’ Seminar in Las Vegas, Nev. WesternU Dinner onFriday, October 19, at 6:00 p.m. at Battista’s. To RSVP, contactLigaya Chan at lchan@westernu.edu or(909) 469-5501October 26: WesternU Reception with President Pumerantz,7:30-9:00 p.m., in the District Wine Lounge, Sheraton PhoenixDowntown Hotel in Phoenix, Ari.November 10: WesternU’s “A Tribute to Caring” scholarshipfundraising gala in Anaheim, Calif., at the Disneyland Hotel.For more information on tickets or sponsorship, go towww.westernu.edu/tributeDecember 2-6: American Society of Health-SystemPharmacists’ Mid-Year Meeting in Las Vegas, Nev. Alumnifunction to be announcedJanuary 19-23: North American Veterinary Conference inOrlando, Fla. WesternU Dinner with Dean Nelson on Monday,January 21February 17-21: Western Veterinary Conference in LasVegas, Nev. WesternU Reception in Dean Nelson’s MandalayBay Hotel Suite on Monday, February 18For the most up to date alumni event information, please go towww.westernu.edu/alumni-events. To RSVP for any of these alumnievents, contact the Alumni Office at (909) 469-ALUM oralumni@westernu.edu.WesternU View Summer 2012 55

Alumni Benefits UpdateAre you taking advantage of all your alumni benefits?NEWFree Membership in SALTThrough American Student Assistance’s SALT program,alumni can now access a variety of resources to help youmanage your student loans. Contact a real, live SALT LoanCounselor at (877) 523-9473 or loanhelp@saltmoney.org foradvice and guidance on:• Locating your student loan information• Understanding your loan payment options• What to do if you’re struggling to make payments• Using deferment or forbearance to postpone repayment• Whether loan consolidation is right for your situationLA Fitness Discounted MembershipSave approximately 50% off gym memberships with thesespecial WesternU rates:• Premier Single State Membership includes access to allclubs in California, except Signature clubs: $253/yearfor alumni; $179/year for family members• NEW Premier Multi State Membership includes accessto all clubs except Signature clubs and those located inthe state of New York: $299/year for alumni; $199/yearfor family members• NEW Signature Membership includes access to allclubs: $349/year for alumni; $249/year for familymembersThese rates are contracted for new or renewed membershipspurchased between August 1, 2012 and July 31, 2013. Anadditional $20 annual fee is required if you want to use theclubs’ racquetball courts.Pumerantz Library AccessAlumni maintain nearly all the same Library resources youhad as a student, if you come into the Library on campus.A limited number of resources are available remotely. Acomplete list of Library resources available to alumni can befound at http://westernu.libguides.com/alumni or bycontacting the Library directly at (909) 469-5323 orreference@westernu.edu.Access to Self-Service (BanWeb)Search the online alumni directory, order copies of yourtranscript or a replacement diploma, check your academicrecord, and more. From the WesternU home page(www.westernu.edu), choose “Self-Service (BanWeb)” fromthe Quick Links menu. For assistance logging in, contact theAlumni Office at alumni@westernu.edu or (909) 469-ALUM.Alumni Job PostingsAlumni job postings are free to browse and free to place.Alumni can search for a new job online atwww.westernu.edu/alumni-jobs. Employers can place a jobposting by emailing the job description and details toalumni@westernu.edu.Discounted InsuranceWesternU alumni receive preferred rates on auto andhomeowners insurance through Liberty Mutual's GroupSavings Plus. Find a local agent athttp://www.libertymutual.com/lm/find-sales-office andmention “Western University of Health Sciences” to receivea preferred rate quote.WesternU alumni receive a 5% discount on major medicalcoverage for their pets through VPI Pet Insurance. Insureyour pet for as little as $10/month. Coverage includes visitswith any licensed veterinarian worldwide, routine care andvaccinations to maintain your pet’s good health. For moreinformation, call 1-877-PETS-VPI or go towww.petinsurance.com/afi/w/westernuniversity.WesternU.edu EmailWesternU alumni may keep their westernu.edu emailaddress after graduating (or request one if you graduatedbefore 2000). Alumni must login to their account at leastonce every 12 months to maintain their westernu.edu emailaddress.For the most up to date information on or assistance withaccessing these alumni benefits and services, visitwww.westernu.edu/alumni-services, or contact the Office ofAlumni Relations at (909) 469-ALUM or alumni@westernu.edu.WesternU View Summer 2012 56

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