COM Outlook - Winter 2016

34 Nova Southeastern University Alumni in the News Alia Abdulla , D.O. (’07), recently accepted a position as the medical director of surgical oncology at North Shore Medical Center (NSMC) in Miami. She currently practices at NSMC and Palmetto General Hospital in Hialeah as part of the Center for Advanced Surgical Oncology. Ronald P. Cramer , D.O. (’90), serves as the program director of the gastroenterology fellowship at Arnot Ogden Medical Center in Elmira, New York. The osteopathic specialty training program takes three years and accepts two residents per year. Victoria M. Dreisbach , D.O., DFAPA (’97), traveled to Vienna, Austria, in July to present a lecture titled, “Regret, Retraumatization, and Hopelessness as Barriers to Discharge,” at the International Academy of Law and Mental Health. She also presented a similar lecture at the 24th Annual Conference of the International Association of Forensic Psychotherapy at Yale University in New Haven, Connecticut. Dreisbach is employed as a forensic psychiatrist at Connecticut Valley Hospital, Whiting Forensic Division, and serves as president-elect of the medical staff. Claude L. Jones , D.O., M.P.H., FACOI (’05), who was elected to serve as a member of the NSU Health Professions Division Board of Governors last summer, was selected to participate in the Health Policy Fellowship, which is a yearlong program designed for individuals who are preparing for leadership roles in the osteopathic profession and positions of influence in health policy. The New York Institute of Technology College of Osteopathic Medicine sponsors the program in collaboration with the Ohio University Heritage College of Osteopathic Medicine and the American Osteopathic Association, the American Association of Colleges of Osteopathic Medicine (AACOM), and AACOM member colleges. Bret T. Ackermann , D.O., FAAEM, FACEP (’92), relinquished control of the 18th Medical Command (Deployment Support)—the U.S. Army’s Medical Theater Enabling Command for the Indo-Asia Pacific region, on July 10. Ackermann, a colonel and a past president of the Association of Military Osteopathic Physicians and Surgeons, now serves as the deputy command surgeon for U.S. Army-Pacific. In recogni- tion of his service, he was awarded the Army’s Legion of Merit. His wife of 27 years, Donna B. Ackermann, was recognized with the Commander’s Award for Public Service and the Department of the Army Outstanding Civilian Service Award for her volunteer service to the soldiers and families of the 18th Medical Command. Inaki Bent , D.O. (’09), was selected by Legacy South Florida as one of South Florida’s Top Black Health Care Professionals in October. The publication, which is distributed through partnerships with the Miami Herald and the Sun Sentinel , provides people of color in South Florida’s professional community with insightful information on business, careers, politics, lifestyle, education, religion, culture, and social commentary. Doede Donaugh , D.O. (’04), has accepted a full-time position with a new clinic called Mango Medical in Ocean View, Hawaii. She is officially the southernmost D.O. working in the United States. Fred Fridman , D.O. (’12), is serving as chief resident in the Sinai Hospital of Baltimore Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Residency Program in Maryland, which trains physicians to care for people with disabling conditions. Michael Jackowitz , D.O., CPT (’90), who has carved out a successful dual career as an osteopathic internist and savvy Broadway producer, has two plays hitting both the Broadway and Off-Broadway stages in New York. Daddy Long Legs opened Off-Broadway on September 28 at the Davenport Theatre, while Tuck Everlasting is opening on Broadway at the Broadhurst Theatre on April 17, 2016. In addition, he is developing The Hawaiian Goddess musical for the Hawaii Opera Theater in 2017. Gregory James , D.O., M.P.H., FACOFP dist. (’88), who is the senior medical director for Optum Care for Florida, was elected treasurer of the American Osteopathic Board of Family Physicians, which certifies all D.O. family physicians in family medicine and osteopathic manipulative treatment. Will Kirby , D.O., FAOCD (’00), who has crafted a multifaceted career in medicine, television, and business, hosted the jury roundtable discussion on the season finale of CBS’ Big Brother 17 reality program on September 23. Kirby rose to national prominence in 2001 when he was named the winner of Big Brother 2 . Will Kirby and Big Brother host Julie Chen mug for the camera.