COM Outlook Winter 2020

42 | DR. KIRAN C. PATEL COLLEGE OF OSTEOPATHIC MEDICINE Peggy M. Benzing , D.O. (’87), opened a new practice called Liberate Physicians of Venice— a medical marijuana consultation office in Venice, Florida. The practice provides detailed consultations and follow-up for patients who can benefit from using medical marijuana. It also helps patients navigate the complicated Medical Marijuana Use Registry and counsels them regarding safe and effective use. Hara Rosen Berger , D.O. (’11), who completed her internal medicine residency at Mount Sinai Medical Center in Miami Beach and her endocri- nology fellowship at the Univer- sity of Miami, joined Women’s Health Partners in Boca Raton, Florida. She will be practicing general endocrinology, with a special emphasis on women’s reproductive endocrine issues and thyroid disorders. Carisa Champion , D.O., J.D., M.P.H. (’16), was appointed as the resident adviser to the American Osteopathic Association Board of Trustees. Additionally, she has been working with the Florida Osteopathic Medical Association (FOMA) to attract residents to serve on FOMA committees. Emily Chang , D.O. (’03), joined the medi- cal team at the Cass Country Health System in Atlantic, Iowa, in November. Chang, an OB/GYN who completed her residency training at Mercy Hospital and Medical Center in Chicago, Illinois, cares for patients at Atlantic Medical Center and Cass County Memorial Hospital. Joanna Drowos , D.O., M.B.A., M.P.H. (’04), was named associate dean for faculty affairs at Florida Atlantic University’s Charles E. Schmidt College of Medicine in Boca Raton, Florida, but will also continue to serve as associate chair of the college’s Department of Integrated Medical Science. Ryan Garbalosa , D.O., FACC (’09), was named the Best Cardiologist for 2019 in the inaugural Best of Claren- don awards hosted by The Sumter Item , recognizing professionals in Clarendon County, South Carolina. He was also honored as one of the Top 20 Under 40 young professionals in the Sumter-Clarendon-Lee tricounty area. Garbalosa is the medical director of the cardiac rehabilitation and echocardiography departments at McLeod Clarendon Hospital and serves on the Prisma Health Tuomey Hospital Medical Executive Committee. Michael W. Gray , D.O., FACOS (’88), director of surgery at the Michigan Cosmetic Surgery Center, was named associate clinical professor of surgery at Central Michigan University’s College of Medicine. Addition- ally, Gray recently developed a new surgical technique for abdominoplasty—also known as a tummy tuck, called the Hourglass Tummy Tuck. Alumni in the News ALUMNI CORNER ALUMNI Corner