SAVE THE DATE!

2026 MOA Spring Conference

April 14-17


Are you interested in presenting a future lecture or have a speaker/topic suggestion?


Contact MOA CME

CME Evaluations & Certificate Process               


Attendees, complete evaluations and claim your CME certificate at www.cmelearningcenter.com.


Please allow 7-10 days for AOA credits to be submitted. Need help getting started?


Click here for step-by-step evaluation instructions.


Speaker handouts and bios at www.moaspring.com


Spring Agenda


If you missed the in-person event, save $50 by pre-registering for the on-demand conference by June 10!

2025 SPRING CONFERENCE


Thank you to all who attended the recent Michigan Osteopathic Association (MOA) Annual Spring Conference in Troy, the state’s largest osteopathic medical conference for osteopathic physicians, residents, and medical students seeking to expand their knowledge by attending informative and clinically relevant educational sessions.


The annual spring conference is planned by the MOA Education Committee and this year’s conference offered 32 AOA Category 1-A Credits and 32 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit(s)™.  Osteopathic physicians, interns, residents and students meet throughout the year to discuss relevant topics of interest to develop the educational program. Thanks for all you DO!



Committee Co-Chair’s

Lawrence Prokop, DO, FAAPM&R, FAOCPMR-D, FAOASM

R Taylor Scott, DO

 

Department Co-Director’s

Kyra Powers, OMS II, Student Doctor Trustee

Chad Kovala, DO, FACOEP, FACEP, Trustee

Adam Wolfe, DO, Trustee


Education Committee Members & Staff

PRESIDENT'S RECEPTION

The MOA Spring Conference featured the annual President’s Reception, a memorable evening celebrating leadership, community, and the osteopathic profession. Attendees gathered to honor MOA President Dr. Kevin Beyer, network with colleagues, and enjoy an evening of camaraderie and appreciation. Thank you to all who joined us in making the reception a highlight of the conference!

As an in-person attendee of the MOA Spring Conference, you have access to an Implicit Bias Training lecture worth 1 CME credit. This lecture, presented by Nya Todd from the Michigan Health Council, is available through the MOA On Demand Learning Center.

(meets 1-hour MI LARA implicit bias training requirement)

Congratulations!

Terrie E. Taylor, DO


We are proud to announce Terrie E. Taylor, DO as this year’s Women of Excellence Award honoree. A renowned physician-scientist and global health leader, Dr. Taylor is celebrated for her groundbreaking work in malaria research and her unwavering commitment to advancing healthcare in underserved communities. Her dedication, leadership, and impact embody the spirit of this prestigious award. Please join us in congratulating Dr. Taylor on this well-deserved recognition!


To learn more about the Women of Excellence:

Andrew Taylor Still Award $1500

Poster #23 Clinical Medicine Research

OMT as Treatment for Intractable Hiccups: A Case Series

Submitted by Derek Bowman


The Andrew "ANDY" Taylor Still, D.O. Achievement Award may be presented to an outstanding exhibit that reflects the principles of osteopathic medicine in research during the MOA spring conference. The ANDY Award, which includes an exquisitely carved crystal piece and a $1500 cash prize, is not awarded every year. 

First Place $1000

Poster #31 Basic Science Research

Ablation of TRPV1-Expressing Sensory Neurons Attenuates Cisplatin-Induced Kidney Injury and Inflammation

Submitted by Gayoung Yang

MSUCOM PhD Award $500

Poster #25 Basic Science Research 

Loss of TBX4 and TBX5 causes excess and ectopic smooth muscle differentiation in the embryonic lung

Submitted by Kaylie Chiles

Second Place $500

Poster #3 Clinical Medicine Research

Empowering Peer Responders: The Impact of Opioid Overdose Training among University Greek Life Students

Submitted by Dana Simon

Third Place $250

Poster #28 Clinical Medicine Research  

Impact of Timing of Labor Induction on Labor Duration: A Retrospective Study

Submitted by Cara Detrie

Honorable Mention $100

Poster #5 Basic Science Research

Genome-Wide Screens in Macrophages Identify Host Genes Required for Brucella Infection

Submitted by Thomas Kim

Case Report $250

Poster #20 Case Report

Atypical Presentation of Miller Fisher Syndrome: A Case of Diagnostic Dilemma and Successful Treatment

STARTS JUNE 11

Approved for 4 AOA & 4 AMA credits!  

AFTER June 11, register at: 

Meets MI LARA Pain & Symptom Management Requirements

Meets Opioid and Controlled Substance Awareness: 0ne-time training

Qualifies toward 8-hour DEA MATE Act Training Requirement 

 

Faculty



Timothy Gammons, DO, FASAM  Handout  Bio


Elizabeth Haberkorn, DNP, FNP-BC  Handout  Bio


Joseph M. Masternick, DO, ASAM, ABAM  Handout   Bio


Juliette Perzhinsky, MD, MSc, FACP, FASM  Handout  Bio

 

Big News: Margaret Anderson Named President of HAP

Effective Immediately

We’re excited to share a major milestone for HAP (Health Alliance Plan): Margaret Anderson has been named the new HAP President.

Update - Skin Substitute Grafts

Skin Substitute Grafts, Cellular and Tissue-Based Products for the Treatment of Diabetic Foot Ulcers and Venous Leg Ulcers Policy

Preferred Provider for Home Infusion of Specialty Medications for HAP Commercial Members

Effective August 1, 2025, HAP Commercial members residing in Macomb, Oakland and Wayne counties, must receive specialty medications professionally administered at home from our preferred specialty provider – Henry Ford Home Infusion.

Sleep Management Studies Prior Authorization Requests Platform Change Coming Soon!

Effective July 1, 2025, you will submit prior authorization requests for specific sleep management studies to EviCore using the CareCore National portal.

Education is a Lifelong Journey

School will be out soon for children as they begin a summer break before the next school year begins. They may look forward to a family vacation, a summer camp, or just hanging out in the backyard. Oh, to be young again and have that kind of freedom. As adults it is important to make use of our time off for fun activities for sure! But learning new skills whether it be through hobbies or continuing education for our occupation or volunteer work or expanding our career opportunities all help with the lifelong learning that fosters personal growth.


At Practice Transformation Institute (PTI) we are almost at the last session of our Advancing the Patient Experience of Care six-part series. Overall, this six-part series was designed to identify and develop the skills essential for providing a positive patient experience of care within the clinical setting. A patient’s experience is enhanced through effective communication, obtaining patient feedback, interacting with diverse generations, using the spirit of motivational interviewing (MI) and MI tools, and exhibiting cultural competency and humility. Using survey data results obtained in determining areas for quality improvement in the patient experience of care will be explored in Part Six.


Part Six: Using Data to Create Excellence in the Patient’s Experience of Care

Wednesday, June 25, 2025


This activity will identify ways in which to measure a patient’s experience of care and use the results to improve care within the clinical setting. Common tools used to measure patient experience of care will be identified. Motivators and barriers related to completing experience of care surveys/questionnaires will be explored with potential ways to resolve barriers.


This is a live virtual activity lasting 90 minutes with two choices for attendance, either from 7:30 AM – 9:00 AM or 12:00 PM – 1:30 PM. Each of the six-part series activities could be taken separately for 1.5 AMA PRA Category 1 Credits™ if not registered for all six. Please see the link below for registration for this activity.


https://transformcoach.org/learning-solutions/advancing-the-patient-experience-of-care-series/


Target Audience: Physicians, advanced practice providers, nurses, social workers, pharmacists, CHWs, and other members of the healthcare team

 

Continuing Medical Education (CME):


Statement of Accreditation

The Practice Transformation Institute is accredited by Michigan State Medical Society to provide continuing medical education for physicians.


AMA Credit Designation Statement

Practice Transformation Institute designates this live course for a maximum of 1.5 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit(s)TM. Physicians should claim only the credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.

 

Community Health Worker Program


Community Health Workers (CHWs) can change a person’s life. We will have a new CHW Program starting in September. You have the summer to think about what you’d like to do with that information. Have you thought about hiring a CHW or training a staff member to become a CHW for the value they provide for your patients/clients? Have you thought about becoming a CHW yourself?


Practice Transformation Institute (PTI) is an approved entity by the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) to provide training for individuals seeking Community Health Worker (CHW) certification. We are the only CHW program in Michigan that is accredited by the International Accreditors for Continuing Education and Training (IACET) and able to award CEUs for each activity. PTI’s program includes a robust curriculum of 103 hours of virtual classroom learning that meets the requirement of the National C3 Council. Topics include communication, motivational interviewing, action planning, social determinants of health, community resources, chronic conditions, healthy lifestyles, health promotion and disease prevention, and more.


The next CHW Program will begin on September 25, 2025 and conclude on February 19, 2026. Live virtual webinars will be on Thursdays from 9 AM – 4 PM. PTI is authorized by IACET to offer 0.6 CEUs for each individual session. IACET CEUs are recognized by a wide range of organizations including universities, regulatory boards, corporations, and professional organizations.


Stay tuned for registration details for this next CHW Program coming soon.


Please visit PTI’s website at www.transformcoach.org or by contact yyang@transformcoach.org or hkinkle@transformcoach.org for more information.


PTI offers a wide range of educational programs for all types of health care professionals. We know the benefits of working collaboratively on interprofessional teams and how they help improve patient outcomes. 

MOA on-demand CME programs are available 24/7/365 at CMELearningCenter.com.


The MOA Learning Center delivers over 200 hours of on-demand CME courses, all qualifying for AOA Category 1-A and AMA PRA Category 1-A Credit(s)™ to help you meet state licensing requirements. 

MI LARA License Renewal Cycle: 3-years


150 hours - A minimum of 60 hours must be earned through MI LARA Category 1 programs, and 40 hours must be AOA approved. 


 Implicit Bias Training: 3 hours per cycle

Medical Ethics: 1 hour per cycle

Pain and Symptom Management: 3 hours per cycle

(1 hour must include controlled substance prescribing)


One-Time Training ONLY


 Human Trafficking

Opioid and Controlled Substances Awareness

Useful Linkes

The Michigan Osteopathic Association partners with several health care organizations to provide resources and job opportunities for physicians at any point in their career. This section offers links to health care organizations and associations who provide information and job postings for DOs.

At McLaren Health Care, our employees help our communities, make life-changing discoveries, and facilitate positive change in health care as a whole. By working for McLaren, you are part of a leading team of talented professionals across many areas of expertise that create a positive difference every day for those we serve.


Mackinac Strait Health System is one of the area’s largest employers, with over 330 team members serving their patients and residents throughout the MSHS organization. Besides offering competitive wages, they also offer an excellent benefits package for full and part time team members, which includes affordable Blue Cross/ Blue Shield Health, Dental and Vision plans, prescription drug plans, generous paid time off, and a defined pension program for your retirement.


At Corewell Health, clinical opportunity intertwines with a commitment to exceptional and personalized care at all levels. Join a clinical team focused on the personalized experience, driving innovation through new technology and achieving national recognition for quality and excellence, all while maintaining the reason you joined this profession—to help people.

Roy A. Hills, D.O. | May 5, 2025

Dr. Hills was a Life Professional who joined the MOA in 1954.

Link to local obituary


Kirk Herrick, D.O. | March, 2025

Dr. Herrick was an MOA Past President and Life Professional who joined the MOA in 1961.


Gladstone A. Payton, D.O. | Mar 30, 2025

Dr. Payton was a Life Professional who joined the MOA in 1969.

Link to local obituary


Robert J. Stomel, D.O. | Feb 21, 2025

Dr. Stomel was an MOA Past President and Life Professional who joined the MOA in 1985.

Link to local obituary


David K. Best, D.O. | Feb 12, 2025

Dr. Best was an MOA Past President and practiced Family Medicine in Traverse City, MI.

Link to local obituary


John E. Thornburg, D.O. | Feb 9, 2025

Dr. Thornburg was a Life Professional who joined the MOA in 1978.

Link to local obituary


William F. Stanley Jr., D.O. | Feb 9, 2025

Dr. Stanley was a Life Professional who joined the MOA in 1964.

Link to local obituary

David A. Schwartz, D.O. | Jan 26, 2025

Dr. Schwartz was a Life Professional who joined the MOA in 1977.

Link to local obituary



Kenneth J. Kobes, D.O. | Jan 22, 2025

Dr. Kobes was a Life Professional who joined the MOA in 1956.

Link to local obituary



David Leszkowitz, D.O. | Jan 17, 2025

Dr. Leszkowitz practiced Family Medicine and joined the MOA in 1992.


Denis L. Gibbs, D.O. | Jan 2, 2025

Dr. Gibbs practiced Radiology in Niles, MI

Link to local obituary


Ronald G. Baker, D.O. | Dec 10, 2024

Dr. Baker was a Life Professional who joined the MOA in 1957.

Link to local obituary



Jerald Gach, D.O. | Dec 7, 2024

Dr. Gach was a Life Professional who joined the MOA in 1972.

Link to local obituary

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