by Jennifer Kowalewski

Since graduation from OU-COM, Paige Gutheil, D.O. (’02), completed a  residency at Doctors Hospital Family Practice Clinic (FPC) and joined her father’s practice in Columbus. Recently she received the prestigious American Osteopathic Foundation “Outstanding Resident of the Year.”

“It was certainly quite a surprise and an honor to not only be nominated from my program, which has many great residents, but also to be one of four residents selected in the country,” Gutheil says. “It makes me very proud to be a part of the osteopathic family. I feel very grateful and encouraged by being recognized for the work that I do.”

“Paige’s service as chief resident,” says William Burke, D.O. (’88), FPC program director and associate professor of family medicine, “her interest and participation in community service events and her work representing Ohio osteopathic residents are just a few of the activities which exemplify her dedication to our profession.” Gutheil was nominated by Burke.

But Gutheil hasn’t been the only FPC resident to distinguish herself. Since 1998, five other FPC residents have earned the prestigious AOF award. This includes four other OU-COM alumni — (1998) Chau Pham, D.O. (’95); (2001) Wendy Wozniak, D.O. (’98); (2003) Tinisha Jordan, D.O. (’00); (2004) Jason Dapore, D.O. (’01) — and (2000) Inga Jolly, D.O.

“Each osteopathic residency program, any specialty, was eligible to nominate one resident,” Gutheil says. “I was informed of the award a few months ago and actually accepted it at an awards banquet sponsored by the AOF on October 23. The banquet was part of the unified American Osteopathic Foundation conference in Orlando, Fla.”

According to the AOF Web site, the program honors residents who have a 'strong commitment to osteopathic philosophy, display compassion and commitment to patient care, have strong leadership skills, show commitment to the education and the enrichment of self and others.'

The four recipients, including Gutheil, received an award of $5,000.

Gutheil, who did her internship and residency at Doctors Hospital in Columbus, and her father, Paul R. Gutheil, D.O., also help train OU-COM medical students in their role as Centers for Osteopathic Research and Education clinical faculty.

“I am in private practice in Columbus and plan to continue that,” she says. “I enjoy being part of my father’s practice and look forward to continuing and growing the practice to encompass more preventive and holistic health care. I also look forward to being more involved in activism for the osteopathic profession and medical education.”