Alumni

David F. Elliott, M.D., HS’77, officially retired from private practice 15 years ago, but now sees indigent patients only on a weekly basis in a local church clinic.

Andy Bonin, M.D., HS’78, retired almost two years ago and is loving his new job as being grandpa to two grandchildren (with two more on the way) and yard maintenance. His main pursuits are reading and exercise, and he still sees some patients at a TROSA clinic every month.

Albert Meyer, M.D., HS’78, recently co-authored the article “Decreasing Low Acuity Pediatric Emergency Room Visits with Increased Clinic Access and Improved Parent Education” in JABFM.  

Walt Larimore, M.D., HS’81, will release his 32nd book, "Fit Over 50: Make Simple Choices Today for a Healthier, Happier You,” in early August. He loves being able to write part time and still see patients part time, in addition to writing a quarterly column, “Vaccine News You Can Use,” for Colorado Family Physician, a bi-monthly “Ask Dr. Walt” column for Today’s Christian Living, and a two-to-three time a week blog at www.DrWalt.com/blog.

Mimi Benjamin, M.D., HS’95, won the Golden Stethoscope Award in September 2018 from the Alaska State Hospital and Nursing Home Association for “relentless advocacy for patient safety.”

David Quillen, M.D., HS’95, will be starting as Family Medicine Program Director at North Florida Regional Medical Center this March, after 20 years at the University of Florida. The program is a joint effort between HCA and the University of Central Florida, College of Medicine. He also reports that his son who was born at Duke University Hospital as a 32-week premi when he was a faculty development fellow will be starting his medical career as a first-year medical student at the University of Florida.

Ayaz Virji, MD, FAAFP, HS’03, will release his book “Love Thy Neighbor” in June.  

Tito Balbino, M.D., HS’14, was named Assistant Chief Medical Information Officer of Ambulatory Care at Baptist Health System in Jacksonville, Fla., which is the system where he is currently employed as a full time geriatrician, with AgeWell.

Alex Kaysin, M.D., HS’14, recently moved to Baltimore, Md., is working as assistant professor and core faculty at the University of Maryland Department of Family and Community Medicine, and also serves as the medical director of the Family Medicine Center.

Aaron George, DO, HS’15, was first author on the publication “Development, Value, and Implications of a Comprehensive Primary Care Payment Calculator for Family Medicine,” published in Family Medicine.

Everlyn Perez, M.D., MPH, HS’18, recently began working with Kaiser Permanente’s Cudahy Medical Offices in Cudahy, Calif. “The patient population is >90% Latino, 80% monolingual Spanish speaking and best of all it is only an 8 minute commute from home! I'm loving every minute of it."

Andy Bonin, M.D., HS’78, is enjoying his retirement and staying busy with friends, yardwork, trips to the YMCA and grandbaby daycare duties for two (and two more on the way). Bonin is also eight years removed from the completion of chemoradiation at Duke for his stage 4 squamous cell throat cancer, and he feels extremely lucky to be doing so well.

Albert Meyer, M.D., HS’78, currently works four to six days a week as a contract physician with the Lower Cape Fear Inpatient Hospice Center. On April 30, 2019, he presented a talk about hospice called “Talking About Death Won’t Kill You” to the Surf City Kiwanis Club. In the long-term, he plans to keep working and to recertify his medical license in 2024.

Michael Magill, M.D., HS’80, was selected as the Chair-Elect of the Board of Directors for the American Board of Family Medicine.

Walt Larimore, M.D., HS’81, is eagerly anticipating the release of his book, “Fit Over 50: Make Simple Choices Today for a Healthier, Happier You,” on August 6. He recently signed another three-book contract and enjoys writing part-time, in addition to seeing patients part-time.

Lloyd Michener, M.D., HS’81, recently released a new book, “The Practical Playbook II: Making Multisector Partnerships That Work.” The book can be purchased here. Michener was also appointed as co-chair of the UNC School of Public Health Practice Advisory Committee and as co-chair of a NIH/CTSA Workgroup on Health Disparities.

Kevin Broyles, M.D., HS’89, and his wife of 33 years, Noelle, moved back to the United States and are living in Atlanta, Ga. They continue to go back and forth to La Paz, Bolivia, to serve as medical missionaries. Broyles was recently promoted to the Global Medical Director of HOPE Worldwide. His youngest daughter, Brianne, got married last year and is working as a part-time school teacher and in her church’s campus ministry. Broyles’ oldest daughter, Candice, is working in Charleston with a real estate development company.

Michael Flanagan, M.D., HS’90, was first-author on a book, “The Regional Medical Campus: A Resource for Faculty, Staff and Learners,” published in November 2018. His son, Drew, recently graduated from the Ohio State University with degrees in political science and business and will begin OSU’s MPA program in the fall. Flanagan’s daughter, Coral, is working on her master’s degree in education policy at Brown University.

Harry Stafford, M.D., HS'05, was selected for inclusion in the Best Doctors of America 2019-2020 List. He also received the 2019 Humanitarian Award from Christ Saves Hearts, a non-profit organization that promotes and advocates for awareness of heart health disparities among racial and ethnic minorities and other at-risk and underserved populations in North Carolina. In addition, Stafford will complete his MBA at the UNC Kenan-Flagler Business School in October 2019 and has been recognized as one of Poets & Quants for Executive's Best & Brightest of 2019.

Beth Chisholm, DO, HS’14, and her husband, Dave, welcomed a son, Ethan James, on December 11, 2018. Ethan is doing well after arriving 9.5 weeks earlier and joined his big sister, Avery, at home on January 14, 2019.

Alex Kaysin, M.D., HS’14, and his wife, Smisha, welcomed a new addition to their family – Avrum Kaysin. Avrum was born on April 12, 2019 and weighed 7 pounds, 9 ounces.

Aaron George, DO, HS’15, recently co-authored multiple publications, including “Comments on ‘Work-Life Balance, Burnout and the Electronic Health Record’” and “Re-examining Access Points to the Different Levels of Heath Care: A Cross-Sectional Series in Austria.” These publications were published in the Journal of American Medicine and the European Journal of Public Health, respectively. In addition, the new residency that George is helping to build in Hagerstown, Md. received ACGME accreditation and welcomed its first class in June 2019.

Kathy Andolsek, M.D., HS’79, has been appointed to the ACGME Board of Directors.

Evan Ballard, M.D., HS’79, is retiring at the end of this year after 39 years at the Jonesville Family Medical Center in Jonesville, N.C., which he co-founded. In retirement, he plans to enjoy time with his wife, Marianne, and seven grandsons in Elkin, N.C. His eldest son, Will, practices at the clinic, where he has been a partner for 11 years; his middle son, Andrew, is an architect in Iowa City; and his youngest son, Grey, is a professor of computer science at Wake Forest University. Ballard would love to reconnect with old colleagues in retirement.

Loretta Stenzel, M.D., HS’89, and her husband, Tim, are moving to Maryland in January, where she plans to work with Johns Hopkins Community Physicians. For the past eight years, she has worked for Vista Community Clinic, a large FQHC with over 600 employees in Vista, Calif., most recently as Director of Adult Medical Services. She was named Clinician of the Year for the practice twice. Stenzel has been a member of both San Diego County and California state Prescription Drug/Opioid Abuse Task Forces. In February, she was an invited speaker for the UCSD Global Health Program’s “Quarterly Conversations in Global Health” on the topic of the opioid crisis. Stenzel’s eldest daughter, Elyn, graduated from the Duke Physician Assistant Program and is now working for a Duke Breast Center in Raleigh. Her younger daughter, Kira, is at UNC School of the Arts with concentrations in scenic painting and set design.

Victoria Kaprielian, M.D., HS’88, wrote an op-ed that was published in the Raleigh News & Observer: “Whatever happened to the American Dream?”

Kevin Yow, M.D., JD, MPH, HS’00, has been appointed medical director of the Emergency Department at Halifax Regional Medical Center in Roanoke Rapids, N.C. Yow has practiced full time emergency medicine since 2001 and is board certified by both the American Board of Family Medicine and the Board of Certification in Emergency Medicine. In addition, Yow continues to act as a medico-legal and health care consultant. He currently holds medical licenses in North Carolina, California and Arizona.

Jon Bonnett, M.D., HS’15, is celebrating the publication of his first co-authored book, “Lifestyle Medicine Handbook: An Introduction to the Power of Healthy Habits.”

Aaron George, DO, HS’15, will be building a new family medicine residency with Meritus Health in rural Hagerstown, Md., and has been appointed assistant program director and director of medical education. Additionally, George will be contributing a monthly column in Medical Economics.

Ita Killeen, M.D., HS’80, is enjoying the change of pace that retirement has brought to her life. Since retiring last year, she has spent time volunteering with the Citizens’ Climate Lobby, Missoula Medical Aid and her local Help Center Crisis Line. She has also enjoyed biking and hiking in her spare time this summer.

Michael Magill, M.D., HS’80, and his wife, Sherilyn, welcomed their third grandchild and continue to enjoy having four of their six children and their families in Salt Lake City. Their son, Matt, is a Ph.D. student in Seattle, Washington, and their daughter, Anita, is now living in Cleveland, Ohio. Magill recently ran his 31st half marathon and 9th marathon, and he already has his Alta-Snowbird pass ready for the 2018-19 ski season. He is excited to be returning to Duke as a visiting professor on Nov. 8, 2018, to present Grand Rounds for the Department of Community and Family Medicine.

Richard Nelson, M.D., HS’83, will retire on Sept. 1, 2018, from Concord Family Medicine in Concord, New Hampshire, where he has practiced for more than 20 years. He is the second of four Duke Family Medicine Residency doctors to retire from the practice, following Randy Hayes, M.D., HS’81, by three years. Nelson’s wife, Elizabeth Clardy, M.D., HS’85, and Gary Sobelson, M.D., HS’84, will continue to carry the torch of Duke Family Medicine compassion and excellence at the practice and hope to welcome new alumni in the future.

Michael Flanagan, M.D., FAAFP, HS’90, was inducted into the Penn State College of Medicine Chapter of Alpha Omega Alpha. He also presented a lecture, “Using Medical Humanities in American Medical Education,” at Tokyo Women’s Medical University in June. Additionally, one of his medical students from the Penn State College of Medicine — Clay Cooper, M.D., MBA — matched with the Duke Family Medicine Residency and began the program in July.

Erik Butler, DO, HS’07, joined the UNC Department of Family Medicine as an assistant professor. He will be seeing patients at the UNC Family Medicine Center and precepting residents.

Megan Adamson, M.D., HS’11, her husband and three sons have moved back to their hometown in Colorado. She recently started a new job as medical director at Clinica Family Health in Lafayette, Colorado. Clinica is a nonprofit Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC). 

Mark Sakr, DO, CAQSM, FAAFP, HS’11, recently became the Director of Sports Medicine in the Department of Orthopedics at Northside Hospital in Atlanta, Georgia.

Meshia Waleh, M.D., HS’11, recently began a new position as a family physician at Avera Holy Family Hospital in Estherville, Iowa, after taking a two-year hiatus to stay home with her twins. Her reflections about going back to work and taking on this new role were featured on the AAFP’s Fresh Perspectives blog. Read her full blog post.

Alex Kaysin, M.D., MPH, HS’14, recently co-authored two book chapters. The first, “Screening for Chronic Disease,” is included in the new family medicine textbook Chronic Illness Care. The second, “Overview of Prevention and Screening,” was written for the seventh edition of Essentials of Family Medicine with Anthony Viera, M.D., MPH, chair of the Department of Community and Family Medicine. Kaysin has also accepted a new position as assistant professor and core faculty member at the University of Maryland Family Medicine Residency Program in Baltimore, Maryland.

Lance Lang, M.D., FAAFP, HS’78, the chief medical officer for Covered California, was featured in an article about new quality targets for California hospitals included in Affordable Care Act networks.

 Stephen Spann, M.D., MBA, HS’79, was named founding dean of the University of Houston College of Medicine. Since his appointment as planning dean in 2015, he has worked to develop academic and financial plans for the College of Medicine, which will admit its first class in 2020. “Being named founding dean is a great honor and privilege, and it’s a great opportunity to do something significant that will ultimately have a major impact on health and health care of the population of this great city, our state and beyond,” Spann said. Read more about Spann and his plans for the College of Medicine.

 Michael Magill, M.D., HS’80, stepped down as chair of the Department of Family and Preventative Medicine at the University of Utah after 21 years of service. He is now focused on directing the Utah Area Health Education Center Program and conducting primary care workforce research. Magill will be a Duke Community and Family Medicine visiting professor in November.

 Larry Li, M.D., MPH, HS’82, has begun incorporating new approaches into his clinical care, including Korean Hand Therapy, the Feldenkrais Method and biomechanics. His interest in these approaches stems from his own musculoskeletal injuries associated with running.

 Jonathan (Jono) Quick, M.D., MPH, HS’82, released a new book, “The End of Epidemics: the Looming Threat to Humanity and How to Stop It.” Drawing on lessons from various epidemics and pandemics, the book presents seven critical actions for a safer world. In more personal news, Quick and his wife, Tina, recently moved back to Durham and became grandparents.

 Richard Elion, M.D., HS’83, was an author on the study “Recent Abacavir Use Increases Risk of Type 1 and Type 2 Myocardial Infarctions Among Adults With HIV.”

 Marla Tobin, M.D., HS’83, spoke at the Hawaii 43 meeting for UnityPoint Health Systems of Iowa, which was held in Wailea, Maui, in February. Her topic was sexually transmitted infections.

 Marc Rivo, M.D., MPH, HS’85, is now the proud father of a Duke University School of Medicine graduate. Rivo’s daughter, Julie, graduated in May and matched in family medicine at the University of California, San Diego.

 Kurt C. Stange, M.D., Ph,D., HS’86, will deliver a Duke Community and Family Medicine Grand Rounds presentation on Aug. 14. More information.

 Lelin Chao, M.D., HS’96, began a new position as a regional medical director for Aledade, Inc. In this role, she will help clinician leaders optimize their capabilities to practice value-based medicine using population health and performance improvement technologies. 

 Michele Hensley, M.D., HS’96, is now working in the emergency department at Hadassah Medical Center in Jerusalem, Israel.

 Megan Adamson, M.D., HS’11, concluded her term as new physician delegate to the AAFP Congress of Delegates.

 Meshia Waleh, M.D., HS’11, was elected as a new physician alternate delegate to the AAFP Congress of Delegates.   

 Teah Bayless, D.O., HS’13, along with other members of the Duke faculty, recently taught at the Open Medical Institute in Salzburg, Austria. Topics included geriatrics, community engagement and cancer screening in the community and office settings. She also presented at the American Geriatrics Society meeting in May.

 Aaron George, D.O., HS’15, was promoted to clinical associate professor at Penn State Hershey College of Medicine.

 Tiffany Cagle, M.D., HS’16, was featured as a guest writer on Huffington Post. Read her article “To the Man with a Megaphone Who Preached at Me as I Entered Planned Parenthood.”

Kevin Broyles, M.D., MHS-CL, FAAFP, HS’89, the country director of HOPE worldwide - Bolivia, reports that in 2017 the nonprofit welcomed more than 1,300 new patients, expanded its lending library to several locations, employed several Bolivian nationals in fields of expertise, hosted multiple volunteer teams, built relationships with hundreds of impoverished children and families, implemented a community ESL program, and continued to strengthen multiple community partnerships.“ God continues to do incredible things with our work in Bolivia. I am enjoying family medicine teaching and patient care in this developing country,” Broyles says. See the 2017 annual report from HOPEww – Bolivia.

 Michael Flanagan, M.D., FAAFP, HS’90, received the Dean’s Award for Excellence in Teaching at the Penn State College of Medicine where he serves as vice-chair for family and community medicine and assistant dean for student affairs at the University Park regional medical campus in State College, Pa. 

Aaron George, DO, HS’15, recently presented on Comprehensive Primary Care Payment at the STFM Conference on Practice Improvement and also was recently nominated as a fellow of the College of Physicians of Philadelphia, considered to be the oldest medical organization in the nation.

Lloyd Michener, M.D., HS'81, stepped down as chair of the Duke Department of Community and Family Medicine, effective Oct. 1, 2017. Read more about his time as chair and his future plans.

Jackson Downey, M.D., HS'86, was an author on the study "Efficacy of the Herpes Zoster Subunit Vaccine in Adults 70 Years of Age or Older."

Alan Ross, M.D., HS'90, has been elected to a three-year term as service chief for family medicine for the Moses Cone medical staff. He also enjoys spending time with his three grandchildren.

Karl Friedrich, M.D., HS’05, now working in urgent care in the Reno-Lake Tahoe area in Nevada, recently received some training and certification in medical aesthetics (Botox, facial fillers, skin peels, intense pulse light treatments, laser hair removal, facial resurfacing/rejuvenation with CO2 and Erbkum lasers).

William Blackley, M.D., HS’79, was recently awarded the North Carolina Order of the Long Leaf Pine. He is currently the chairperson of the Elkin Valley Trails Association, and recently published a book of poetry, “Lingering Fire,” that addresses his Vietnam War experience and the topic of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder. 

Ita Killeen, M.D., HS’80, was happy to retire on Dec. 31, 2016, from the Montana State University Student Health Service in Bozeman, MT, where she practiced since 2000. She is grateful to her fellow residents and faculty of 1977-1980 from whom she received a strong foundation in patient-centered care that has allowed her to continue to grow as a clinician for the last 37 years. In retirement, she is looking forward to more skiing, more bicycling, and a little more sleep.

Michael K. Magill, M.D., HS’80, stepped down from the role of chairman of the Department of Family and Preventive Medicine at the University of Utah on Jan. 1, 2017, a position he held for the last 21 years. Serving as the chairman was a great honor and a lot of fun for Michael, with an interdisciplinary department for which Duke prepared him well. Before coming to Utah, he had directed a community-based Family Medicine Residency Program in Tallahassee, FL, and prior to that led the Family Medicine Faculty Development Program at the University of Arizona.  He is now focusing on patient care, his research on teams in advanced primary care, the linkage between primary care and public health, and the development of the interprofessional health workforce through the Utah Area Health Education Centers Program that he founded and still directs. He previously served as president of the Association of Departments of Family Medicine and is now a member of the American Board of Family Medicine. He is also delighted to now have more time to take his grandson skiing.

Jeffrey Sonis, M.D., MPH, HS’83, was elected to the Alpha Omega Alpha Honor Medical Society as a faculty member at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. 

Richard Hays, M.D., HS’84, was recently hired as chief medical officer and designated institutional official at Wellington Regional Medical Center in Wellington, FL. He continues to practice part-time as well.

 W. Kevin Broyles, M.D., MHS-CL, FAAFP, HS’89, has been working with the Foundation HOPEworldwide Bolivia (FHWWB) to support and empower the impoverished population in Bolivia through various initiatives in health and social programs. The foundation’s clinic in La Paz, Bolivia has been instrumental in changing public health in the country of Bolivia. The clinic initiated tuberculosis and sexually transmitted disease screenings to comply with U.S. immigrant visa standards by creating collaborations with the National and Governmental Laboratory. With the purchase of new laboratory equipment and testing, there is now the ability to test for and track these diseases, which occur frequently in the country. It is the first instance of U.S.-standard tuberculosis screenings in Bolivia. He also presented on the topic of changes in public health in developing countries in Panama City, Panama at the International Panel Physicians Association, a group of physicians from all over the world who provide immigration exams for the United States, Australia, Canada and New Zealand.

 Michael Flanagan, M.D., FAAFP, HS’90, traveled to Japan in June 2017 with a group of medical students and another faculty member to help establish a Global Health Educational Exchange Program for students from Penn State College of Medicine and Tokyo Women's Medical University. 

Ayaz Virji, M.D., HS'03, was featured in the July 1, 2017, Washington Post article "Love Thy Neighbor?" Since the article published, Virji was also interviewed for the podcast It Takes Two with Jack and Amy.

Karl Friedrich, M.D., HS’05, is now working in urgent care in the Reno-Lake Tahoe area in Nevada.

Anna Doubeni, M.D., MPH, HS’98, an associate professor of clinical family medicine in Community and Family Medicine at the Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, was named Family Physician of the Year by the Pennsylvania Academy of Family Physicians (PAFP). The PAFP committee selected Doubeni based on a demonstrated commitment to high quality patient care, community engagement, service as a role model to patients and colleagues, and a devotion to making the world a better place as a family physician. Doubeni was nominated for the award by several of her colleagues. Doubeni completed medical school at Temple University, a family medicine residency at Duke University, and a preventive medicine residency/fellowship at University Massachusetts Medical Center. She is a member of the American College of Preventive Medicine, Society of Teachers of Family Medicine, and American Academy of Family Physicians. Read the full announcement on the Penn Medicine News website

Al Meyer, M.D., HS’78, will semi-retire in July and teach part-time through September at the family medicine residency in Wilmington, N.C. He will stop admitting patients to New Hanover Regional Medical Center and will stop delivering babies in June 2017 after 45 years and more than 10,000 hospital admissions and 1,000 deliveries. Meyer’s practice highlights include setting up a private practice in Thomasville, Ga., with fellow Duke graduate and lifelong friend Cal Reams; helping countless people die well with hope and dignity; and being the first family doctor with obstetrical privileges at Duke University Hospital to deliver a family medicine obstetrical baby in 1991. Teaching highlights include helping to train more than 200 family doctors over the past 29 years, being a faculty physician at Duke for 11 years (1988-1999) and at New Hanover (2002-present.) Meyer lives at Topsail Beach, N.C., with his wife of 21 years, Kim W. Meyer, PA-C, Duke Physician Assistant Program Class of 1995.

Richard Elion, M.D., HS’83, clinical professor of medicine at George Washington University School of Medicine and adjunct professor at the School of Public Health, recently gave the keynote presentation at the Creating Change Conference on the risk of HIV for LGBTQ youth. He is currently the co-director of HIV/HCV research at Providence Hospital in Washington, D.C.

Marla Tobin, M.D., HS’83, recently recertified as a Dartmouth Clinical MicroSystems Coach. In addition to coaching health system improvements, she has added physician coaching to her portfolio.

Lee Golusinski, M.D., HS’92, was named one of Atlanta’s Top Doctors of 2016 (http://www.atlantamagazine.com/business-category/topdoctors/?key=&loc=&bcat=family-medicine) by Atlanta Magazine. He has been in solo private practice in Atlanta since 2001 and has served as one of Emory University’s varsity athletics team physicians since 1994.

Matthew J. Tiefenbrunn, M.D., HS’96, recently transitioned to associate department chair for the Employer Health Solutions team for Mercy Clinic in Missouri. He most recently served as the medical director, regional primary care.

Karl Friedrich, M.D., HS’05, re-certified for family medicine, received board certification in urgent care, and now works in the Reno-Lake Tahoe-area. Friedrich is learning to snow shoe and ski.

Maria Portela Martinez, M.D., MPH, HS’13, was named one of the 2017 40 Under 40 Leaders in Minority Health by the National Minority Quality Forum.

Michele Fass, M.D., HS’15, welcomed daughter Hazel Rose on Jan. 19.

Aaron George, DO, HS’15, joined the faculty at Penn State University College of Medicine as an assistant clinical professor, was elected vice chair of the young physicians section to the Pennsylvania Medical Society, and was elected as an alternate delegate for the American Medical Association though the Pennsylvania Medical Society.

Job Changes/Promotions

Ita Killeen, M.D., HS'80, retired Dec. 31, 2016, from the Montana State University Student Health Service in Bozeman, MT, where she practiced since 2000.

C. Alan Ross, M.D., HS'90, has been selected to serve as chief of family medicine for the Moses Cone provider group in Greensboro, NC, a three-year commitment.

Mignon Benjamin, M.D., HS'95, is the medical director of a new hospitalist service at Bartlett Regional Hospital in Juneau, Alaska, effective Jan. 1, 2017.

Karl Friedrich, M.D., HS'05, recently moved to Reno/Lake Tahoe-area of Nevada to work in urgent care with Renown Health.

Honors/Awards

Kathy Andolsek, M.D., MPH, HS'79, was elected chair of the Association of American Medical College's Group on Resident Affairs at the 2016 annual meeting.

J. Lloyd Michener, M.D., HS'82, was honored with a Grand Decoration of Honor for services to the Republic of Austria for his merits in connection with the Open Medical Institute in Salzburg, Austria. The honor comes from the Austrian National Council.

In the News

Lisa Nadler, M.D., HS'88, was interviewed for a News & Observer article about Senior PharmAssist.

Celebrations

Jonathan Fountain, M.D., HS'87, and his wife moved to Fleming Island, Florida, in September 2015 to be closer to their younger daughter. The couple welcomed three grandchildren this summer — one newborn to his younger daughter, and two by adoption to his older daughter.

C. Alan Ross, M.D., HS'90, is the proud grandfather of two girls and one boy.

Aaron George, DO, HS'15, married Taylor DesRosiers in May 2016.

Professional

Since becoming medical director of UNC Family Medicine at Hillsborough in January 2015, Stephanie Foley, MD, Class of 2012, has completed the first year of leadership training from the NCMS (6/16), started the controlled substance collaborative for which she will help guide and support all 42 clinics (7/16) and headed one of the medical director task force teams for the UNC Physicians Network.

Andrew Bonin, MD, Class of 1978, retired from family medicine in Durham on Friday, July 1, 2016, almost exactly 38 years after completing the Duke Family Medicine training program.

In March 2016, Michael P. Flanagan, MD, Class of 1990, was nominated by medical students in the Class of 2016 for the Arnold P. Gold Foundation, Leonard Tow Humanism in Medicine Award. In June 2016, he completed Harvard Macy Institute’s Program for Educators in Health Professions, at Harvard School of Medicine, Boston.

After 18 years at Fairview Health System in the Twin Cities, David Johnson, MD, Class of 1993, has moved to Allina Health, dropped his hours to 0.75 FTE and added two clinical assistants to help with documentation. In addition, he has become a fellow of the American Academy of Family Physicians.

Jane Higgins, MD, Class of 1985, retired last year from a 27-year career in college health at Colorado State University. She continues to work as a relief physician for several northern Colorado clinics. Since retirement, she has lived in northern Sweden and Sydney, Australia, while her husband, Dan, worked as a visiting professor. In January 2017, Jane and Dan will sail the world with Semester at Sea, a global study abroad program for college undergraduates. Dan will teach environmental science and Jane will be the voyage physician.

Alex Kaysin, MD, MPH, Class of 2014, an assistant professor in the department of family medicine at UNC-Chapel Hill, was named interim medical director of the Orange County Health Department in July 2016. He also received a 2016 Junior Faculty Development Award for a project to study maternity care practices and training pathways of informal and traditional birth attendants in Benin, West Africa.

Publications

Scott Eden, MD, Class of 1983, had an article published in Family Practice Management's May/June issue titled "Maximizing Your Medical Assistant's Role". It discusses how practitioners can build their support team and increase their efficiency.

Personal

Maria Portela Martinez, MD, MPH, Class of 2013, got married on July 2, 2016.

Job Changes/Promotions

Bret Powell, DO, Class of 2015, will be joining Mercy Medical Center in Des Moines, Iowa, as a geriatrician after serving as a Geriatric Medicine Fellow at Duke Health.

After 20 years as chairman of Family and Preventive Medicine at University of Utah, Michael K. Magill, M.D., Class of 1980, will be stepping down to return to full-time faculty, focusing on implementation, research and teaching on advanced primary care practices.

Sumer Hayat, M.D., Class of 1998, was living in Malawi as part of a UNC Global Heath program, but upon the unexpected death of her sister 18 months ago, she and her family have returned to California, where she is now working at Avecinia Wellness Center in Clovis, Calif., doing acupuncture. Her husband still returns to Malawi for five months each year to operate and train locals.

Hershey S. Bell, M.D., MS, FAAFP, Class of 1986, has served as the vice president of academic affairs and dean of Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine’s School of Pharmacy since 2009. In 2014, he was presented with a Certificate of Appreciation for outstanding contributions to the profession of pharmacy by Acting U.S. Surgeon General Boris Lushniak.

Publications

Mary Kane Goldstein, M.D., Class of 1980, professor of medicine, Center for Primary Care and Outcomes Research, at Stanford University and director of Palo Alto Geriatrics Research Education and Clinical Center, has recently published three papers: “Development of the Tool to Reduce Inappropriate Medications (TRIM): A Clinical Decision Support System to Improve Medication Prescribing for Older Adults,” “A Delphi process to address medication appropriateness for older persons with multiple chronic conditions,” and “Dynamically evolving clinical practices and implications for predicting medical decisions.”

Matthew G. Kanaan, DO, Class of 2012, was on the cover of the April 2016 issue of The Triangle Physician. The article discussed how Kanaan, founder of Wake Sports Medicine, is leading the Triangle in using nonsurgical orthopedic treatments to help patients with shoulder, knee, hip, ankle and foot problems.

Celebrations

Beth Chisholm, DO, Class of 2014, and her husband, Dave, are expecting their first child in August.

Andrew Bell, the son of Hershey S. Bell, M.D., MS, FAAFP, Class of 1986, graduated cum laude from Clemson University in 2015 with a degree in abstract science and is now working as a data analyst at MDRC, a nonprofit educational research organization in New York City. Dr. Bell’s daughter, Audrey, was named Female Scholar-Athlete of the Year at Mercyhurst Preparatory School and will graduate soon as an IB diploma candidate. In the fall, she will attend Villanova University as a Hispanic studies major.

Professional News

In August 2015, after 26 years of private practice, Patsy Daniels, MD, Class of 1985, relocated to a new office and became affiliated with the UNC Physicians Network as the medical director at UNC Family Medicine at North Raleigh.

Alex Kaysin, MD, Class of 2014, has taken a position as clinical assistant professor in the Department of Family Medicine at The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and is also attending on its maternal-child health impatient service.

Bruce Nash, MD, Class of 1981, joined Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts as its chief physician executive.

Connie T. Hixson, MD, Class of 1982, was promoted to associate professor, Department of Family Medicine, Quillen College of Medicine, East Tennessee State University, in 2015.

Michael K. Magill, MD, Class of 1980, will return to the faculty of the Department of Family and Preventive Medicine at the University of Utah, after serving 20 years as chairman.

In February 2016, Teah Bayless, MD, Class of 2013, will begin a Geriatric Fellowship at Duke University.

Megha Shah, MD, Class of 2012, is assistant professor in the Department of Family and Preventive Medicine at Emory University School of Medicine, after completing the Robert Wood Johnson Clinical Scholars Program in July of 2014 and earning a master’s degree in health care and health care research.

Stephen P. Arles, MD, Class of 2000, was promoted to the rank of captain in the US Navy Medical Corps, and currently is enrolled in an executive MBA program through the Naval Postgraduate School, in Monterey, CA.

Marci Yoss, MD, Class of 1983, recently completed extra training in dementia care and has been certified as a Dementia Consultant.

Mignon Benjamin, MD, Class of 1995, is leaving private practice in February and will continue to live in Juneau, Alaska. She will be working in Nome, Alaska in March and April.  

Mary Kane Goldstein, MD, Class of 1980, is now board-certified in clinical informatics after sitting for the Fall 2015 board exam offered by American Board of Preventive Medicine in conjunction with other specialty boards.

William Blackley, MD, Class of 1979, retired at age 67 and is currently the chairman of the Elkin Valley Trails Association.

Victoria Kaprielian, MD, Class of 1988, recently received tenure at Campbell University.

After 18 years at Fairview Clinics-Eden Prairie, David S. Johnson, MD, Class of 1993, moved to Allina Health Plymouth Clinic in Minnesota.

William K. Broyles, MD, MHS-CL, MRO, FAAFP, Class of 1989, recently opened a Primary and Urgent Care Center in Bolivia, as part of a four-year medical missionary effort. 

Honors/Awards

Marc Rivo, MD, MPH, FAAFP, FACPM, Class of 1985, and his network of community health centers based in Miami, Florida, received renewal of their previous level 3 NCQA Patient Centered Medical Home recognition.  

Victoria Kaprielian, MD, Class of 1988, received a Real. Strong. Women. of Distinction award from Alpha Chi Omega.

Presentations

In May 2015, Albert Meyer, MD, Class of 1978, presented at the ROME conference in Hilton Head, SC, on his 30 years of interacting with patients infected with HIV.

Mary Kane Goldstein, MD, Class of 1980, will be presenting as part of an implementation panel at the American Medical Informatics Association Joint Summits meeting in March in San Francisco.

Publications

William Blackley, MD, Class of 1979, published a poetry book, Lingering Fire, in 2015 that is about a soldier’s view of war and Vietnam.

Ayaz Virji, MD, FAAFP, Class of 2003, had his article, “Enterococcus faecalis Septicemia and Vertebral Osteomyelitis after Transrectal Ultrasound Guided Biopsy of the Prostate,” published in Case Reports in Infectious Diseases.

Mary Kane Goldstein, MD, Class of 1980, recently co-authored several publications: “Longitudinal Cognitive Trajectories of Women Veterans from the Women's Health Initiative Memory Study,” “Prospective Analysis of Health and Mortality Risk in Veteran and Non-Veteran Participants in the Women's Health Initiative,” and “Defibrillator implantations for primary prevention in the United States: Inappropriate care or inadequate documentation: Insights from the National Cardiovascular Data ICD Registry.”

Celebrations

Christopher Post, MD, Class of 2002, and his husband, Paul, welcomed their second child, Janet Mei Post-Chin, Nov. 4, 2015.

Marci Yoss, MD, Class of 1983, and husband Barry are expecting their first grandchild while their eldest son, Jonathon, is planning a wedding at his fiancé’s family home in Raleigh in October. They are also excited to announce that their youngest son, Noah, is applying to business school after working for several years as an economic consultant in Boston.

Julie Rivo, the daughter of Marc Rivo, MD, MPH, FAAFP, FACPM, Class of 1985, and his wife Karen, is a second-year medical student at Duke University, in the Primary Care Leadership Track.

Jeffrey B. Roberts, MD, Class of 2007, and his wife recently welcomed son Harrison to their family. They also have another son, Bennington, 2 years old.

Megha Shah, MD, Class of 2012, and her husband recently celebrated the first birthday of their son, Arjun.

MeshiaWaleh, MD, Class of 2011, and her husband, are expecting twins in March.

Connie T. Hixson, MD, Class of 1982, and her husband, Clair S. Hixson, MD, are expecting the arrival of their first grandson in January 2016. They are the parents of four children and three granddaughters.

Job Changes/Promotions

After completing a geriatric medicine fellowship at UNC-Chapel Hill, Tito Balbino, MD, Class of 2014, began to work as a full-time geriatrician at the AgeWell Institute, a multi-disciplinary outpatient private clinic, part of the largest health system in Jacksonville, FL, Baptist Health.

In May 2015, Lance Lang, MD, FAAFP, Class of 1978, was named chief medical officer for Covered California. Dr. Lang will be responsible for working with present and future qualified health plans to ensure that the right care is delivered at the right time for Covered California enrollees.

After working for 18 years at Fairview EdenCenter Clinic in Eden Prairie, MN, David Johnson, MD, Class of 1993, moved to Allina Health Plymouth (MN).

In July 2015, Michael P. Flanagan, MD, FAAFP, Class of 1990, was named assistant dean for curriculum and students affairs at the University Park Regional Campus of Penn State, after serving as interim assistant dean for a year.

Honors/Awards

Michael P. Flanagan, MD, FAAFP, Class of 1990, was named to “Best Doctor’s in America” for 2015-16.

Albert A. Meyer, MD, FAAFP, Class of 1978, was named family medicine faculty preceptor of the year for 2014-15 by the graduating class of the New Hanover Regional Residency in Family Medicine.

Maureen Murphy, MD, Class of 1988, was named American Academy of Family Physicians 2016 Family Physician of the Year.

Presentations/Speaking Engagements/Other

David Johnson, MD, Class of 1993, conducted a podcast, Is Your Child Getting Enough Activity During The School Day?

Marla Tobin, MD, Class of 1983, chaired the AAFP Special Constituency Conference in the spring.

Albert A. Meyer, MD, FAAFP, Class of 1978, presented “The  Changing Face of HIV Infection, 1984-2014” at the May 1, 2015, Regional Osteopathic Medical Education, Hilton Head, SC.

Celebrations

Diane Roden Hudson, MD, Class of 1990, and her husband, Scott, recently celebrated 25 years of marriage.

Michael P. Flanagan, MD, FAAFP, Class of 1990, announces the recent graduation of his daughter from Penn State University. She won a Fulbright Scholarship to teach English in South Korea from July 2015 to July 2016. His son recently started college at Ohio State University.

Albert A. Meyer, MD, FAAFP, Class of 1978, and his wife, Kim W. Meyer, PA-C, Duke Physician Assistant Program Class of 1995, recently celebrated their 19th wedding anniversary. Meyer and his wife have six children, seven grandchildren, and are expecting three more grandchildren.

Michele Hensely, MD, Class of 1996, announces one of her sons recently graduated from the Technion-Israel Institute of Technology, and will join the Israeli Air Force in October. Her other son, who served three years in the Israeli Army, is in law school.