OSU College of Osteopathic Medicine named among nation's best

Journal Record, The (Oklahoma City), Apr 17, 2002 by Ray Carter

For the second year in a row the Oklahoma State University College of Osteopathic Medicine has been named one of the best medical schools in the nation for primary care and rural medicine. The rankings are from the recently released U.S. News & World Report 2003 Best Graduate Schools Guide.

"We are honored to be recognized again as Oklahoma's only nationally ranked medical school in these particular areas," said Dr. Tom Allen, vice president for health affairs and dean. "OSU has a long-standing tradition of preparing the majority of Oklahoma's primary care physicians who take care of people in towns and communities across our state."

The medical school received additional accolades for its program in rural medicine, ranking 18th in the nation.

To date, 1,734 physicians have graduated from OSU with 83 additional physicians to earn their doctor of osteopathic medicine degree this May.

Organ transplants

There were fewer deaths on the Oklahoma transplant waiting list in 2001 than in the previous three years, based on figures released by the United Network for Organ Sharing.

Forty-four Oklahomans died waiting for organ transplants in 2001. In each of the previous three years, 54 Oklahomans died waiting for a transplant.

"It is good news, but the shortage of organs available for transplantation is still a critical problem in Oklahoma and the rest of the nation," said Robert Turner, executive director of the Oklahoma Organ Sharing Network, the organization that recovers organs for transplantation in Oklahoma.

Half the deaths, 22, were Oklahomans waiting for kidney transplants. The other two categories recording the most deaths were those waiting for liver transplants and heart transplants.

"The good news is that 223 Oklahomans received transplants in 2001," said transplant surgeon Dr. Ron Squires, president of the network. "These are all lives that were saved or dramatically improved and it could not have been accomplished without the generous Oklahomans who decided to donate."

Oklahoma law does not require consent from the family if a person has indicated their desire to be a donor on a donor card or driver's license.

For more information, call 888-580-5680, Ext. 123.

Oklahoma Nurses Association

Jane Nelson, CAE, has been named the new executive director of the Oklahoma Nurses Association.

Nelson has over 18 years of association management and marketing experience with a variety of organizations. For the past eight years, she has been the assistant director of the Oklahoma Association of Career and Technology Education. Prior to that, she worked as a contractor to several associations in Oklahoma City and Washington, D.C. From 1988 to 1993, she was on staff at the National Conference of State Legislatures.

The Oklahoma Nurses Association is the professional organization for registered nurses in the state of Oklahoma and works to assure quality health care for all people by protecting and enhancing professional nursing in all environments.

Nelson holds a bachelor's degree from Purdue University and a master's degree from Michigan State University. She earned her Certified Association Executive certificate in 1999 from the American Society of Association Executives, which is a culmination of knowledge and association management experience.

Oklahoma State Medical Association

W. Frank Phelps, a family practitioner in Tulsa, will be inaugurated April 27 as the 97th president of the Oklahoma State Medical Association during the group's annual educational and policy- making meeting.

Phelps has been board-certified by the American Academy of Family Practice and was in family practice for over 32 years. He is currently senior vice president and executive director of CareMed, a subsidiary of the Saint Francis Health System. He has held several positions with the Oklahoma State Medical Association.

Several other awards will be presented at the association's annual meeting.

Sam Blackstock, executive vice president of the Oklahoma Academy of Family Physicians, has been selected by the Oklahoma State Medical Association to receive the Don J. Blair Friend of Medicine Award. The award recognizes a non-physician who has made outstanding contributions to the medical community. Blackstock was chosen for his efforts to ensure that Oklahoma's share of tobacco settlement monies were placed in a trust fund and his work to decrease youth tobacco use.

Ed Calhoon, a family practice physician in Beaver, will be the first recipient of an award named in his honor -- Ed L. Calhoon M.D. Leadership in Medicine Award. Calhoon is being recognized for his work as a member of the state medical association, the American Medical Association, and his county medical society. He joined all three groups in 1953 and has served in numerous leadership roles in those organizations.

Norman radiologist Chester Bynum will be honored with the association's Physician Award for Community Service. Bynum has served with a wide range of civic groups, including the Oklahoma Wildlife Federation and the Scenic Rivers Commission of the Department of Environmental Quality. He has also participated in medical mission trips of the United Methodist Church to Guatemala, Nicaragua and Kenya.