OU-COM graduates 104 new physicians at 30^th Commencement

 

June 6, 2009

By Richard Heck

 

Rachel Polinski received the ceremonial hood symbolizing her new Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine (D.O.) degree from someone special: her mentor, who also happens to be her father, William Polinski, D.O., (’82).

 

The younger Polinski was one of 104 graduates who crossed the threshold from medical student to physician at Ohio University’s College of Osteopathic Medicine’s (OU-COM) 30^th annual Commencement exercises at Templeton-Blackburn Alumni Memorial Auditorium Saturday, June 6.

 

A new feature to this year’s commencement was the participation of the graduates’ mentors – physicians who provided guidance and expertise to help the students advance their careers, enhance their education and build their professional networks. Previously, OU-COM Dean Jack Brose, D.O., hooded each graduate. Of the 104 graduates, 73 chose to receive their ceremonial hoods from their mentors, 23 of whom were OU-COM alumni, including William Polinski.

 

“It’s so cool, and I’m really proud,” the elder Polinski, who practices cardiology and internal medicine, said prior to Saturday’s ceremony. “I really wanted her to come to medical school here because I enjoyed going to school here.” He also earned his undergraduate degree from Ohio University.

 

For Rachel, having her father drape the hood over her shoulders was a moment filled with pride. “I’m often amazed at how well he is spoken about by his patients,” she said. “They have only great things to say about him. He really practices the osteopathic philosophy for caring for the whole patient, and since he went to school here, I had a real connection with the faculty.”

 

Rachel leaves OU-COM for an emergency medicine residency at Metro Health Hospital in Grand Rapids, Mich.

 

Another new physician, David J. Valent, Jr., D.O. ('09), also had someone special hood him during the ceremony: his fiancée Amy Miyoshi, D.O. ('08), who graduated last year. The couple met at OU-COM as first-year students, and when Valent selected to be a Family Medicine fellow, he stayed for a fifth year.

 

“I was honored that he asked me to hood him, because he is such a mentor to me in so many ways,” Miyoshi said.

 

Miyoshi, who currently is in an obstetrics and gynecology residency at Vanderbilt Medical Center, will transfer to a similar program at the University of Cincinnati Medical Center this summer to be closer to Valent, who will enter an ophthalmology residency at Grandview Medical Center in Dayton. They plan on marrying in the spring of 2010.

 

Delivering the keynote address was Athens physician Jay H. Shubrook, D.O. (’96), an alumnus of OU-COM who now serves as a faculty member for the college. Shubrook was the first commencement speaker in the college’s history to be chosen by the graduates themselves. Currently an assistant professor of family medicine, he will be promoted to associate professor this summer.

 

Shubrook was named “Young Family Physician of the Year” in March by the American College of Osteopathic Family Physicians. He is a noted diabetes researcher and has a private practice in family medicine with University Medical Associates of Athens.

 

“You have reached a great goal by being here today. But we scholars of medicine are quick to move on to the next problem, tackle the next challenge, learn the next lesson,” Shubrook said, asking them to “take a moment to stop, breath a few times, and look at where you are.”

 

Shubrook advised the new physicians to distinguish between their professional role as physicians and the other important roles they play in their personal lives. “Know when to wear you physician hat and when to wear your ‘parent’ or ‘spouse’ or ‘friend’ hats,” he said. “Being a physician does not excuse you from participating in these other very important and extraordinary roles. Do not rely on the physician identity as your only identity.”

 

In remarks to his classmates, Class President Ryan Mills, D.O. ('09), reminded his fellow medical students that although they began a journey when they came to OU-COM, graduation does not mark their journey’s end.

 

“We should also take time to remember our past and consider our futures,” Mills said. “I hope we will all continue to challenge ourselves to be the best, not only for ourselves, but -- most importantly -- for our patients and the communities around us.”

 

Distinguished guests who offered advice during the ceremony included two OU-COM alumni: Barbara A. Bennett, D.O. (’84), and Jeffrey A. Stanley, D.O. (’82).

 

“As (Dr.) Mills noted, this graduation is only the beginning of a professional life that you will dedicate to continuing education in your internship, your residency and various phases of your training,” said Bennett, president of the Ohio Osteopathic Association. “OU-COM has given you the foundation on which to build the process, and whichever path or specialty you pursue in medicine, you should remember that it all began here.”

 

Stanley, president of the OU-COM Society of Alumni and Friends, spoke about the opportunities – both professional and personal – facing these graduating physicians. 

“Throughout your career, you will have many occasions to learn from your patients, colleagues, friends and family,” Stanley said. “Take advantage of each one. Make it a continuous search. With each, you will strengthen your knowledge and wisdom as a person and as a physician.” 

Bringing the graduates greetings from the American Osteopathic Association was association trustee Robert S. Juhasz, D.O.,

 

“You will continue your clinical education in hospitals where D.O.’s have been a fixture, and others where you might be a pioneer,” Juhasz said. “I often say, ‘grow where you are planted.’ Now it’s your turn to do it your way, to feel the value of what you have done here and to take it to the next level.”

 

The 104 new graduates bring the number of OU-COM alumni up to 2,565. Seventy percent of the new physicians will enter residency programs in Ohio hospitals. More than 64 percent of OU-COM’s graduates practice in Ohio, with some 44 percent working in rural and underserved communities of fewer than 50,000 residents. In addition to providing health care, these alumni physicians also conduct research, scholarship and community service.