1. Saluting all Members of the
The OOA Board of Trustees
established the Mentor Hall of Fame
in 2013. The recipient of the George L.
Eckert, Jr., DO, Mentor of the Year
award is chosen from each class of
nominees. Each year, students,
interns, and residents are invited to
submit nominations.
MENTOR HALL OF FAME

2. John R. Alway, DO
Dayton • Otolaryncology – Facial Plastic Surgery
Dr. Alway has been my key mentor…supporting me
and making graduation a reality. He has organized
rotations at other prestigious institutions to fill in
some weaker points in our specific programs. These
institutions are so impressed with the quality of the
ENT training program that Dr. Alway has built.
Class of 2013

3. Gregory P. Bloxdorf, DO
Cleveland • Family Medicine
In all of the years that I have been at St. John’s there is
no single person who has devoted more effort to the
students, interns, and residents than Dr. Bloxdorf. He
is my role model for how an Emergency Department
physician should be.
Class of 2013

4. Joni S. Canby, DO
Youngstown • Obstetrics & Gynecology
She is the perfect role model for a compassionate,
knowledgeable, and professional doctor. From my one-
month rotation with her, I amassed as much
information as I learned in my previous five months
combined. Not only did she teach me techniques,
procedures and surgeries, but she taught me empathy,
compassion and the business of medicine.
Mentor of the
Year 2011

5. Constance P. Cashen, DO
Toledo • General Surgery
Dr. Cashen models not only exemplary medical care
and decision-making, but also excellent bedside
manner and patient care. She is trusted by her
colleagues, loved by her patients, and looked up to by
her residents.
Class of 2013

6. Michael E. Dietz, DO
Cincinnati • Family Medicine
His passion for teaching students, the love he has for his
patients and the endless hours he devotes to
organizations across the state are only a sliver of the
things Dr. Dietz does. He treats students like family,
makes sure we are invited to Cincinnati Osteopathic
Academy meetings, and has an open door policy to
contact him with questions about life, practice or
otherwise. He has provided a model for which all aspiring
physicians should follow.
Class of 2014

7. Nicholas G. Espinoza, DO
Toledo • Family Medicine
Dr. Espinoza’s passion for his role as a physician
radiates when he walks in the room with his patients,
and greets them with a warm smile and professional
touch. He is always willing to take as much time as the
patients needs in order to truly get to know them
personally as well as their individual needs. He is a
prime example of the type of osteopathic physician that I
would like to become.
Mentor of the
Year 2014

8. Richard M. Garwood, DO
Cleveland • Family Medicine
Dr. Garwood has been a team player ever since his
days playing basketball at Catholic University in
Washington, DC. This fact is important as it
illustrates how he continues to emphasize the
importance of team as a cardinal rule in our Family
Medicine residency.
Class of 2013

9. Byan T. Grischow, DO
Columbus • General Surgery
Dr. Grischow is brilliant, highly proficient, and
confident. He treats every patient as a family member.
He gave me his time and uninterrupted attention, and
was readily available for patient case discussions and
academic principles. He has had a major influence on
me, helping to clarify my vision to become a surgeon.
Class of 2013

10. Dennis E. Kane, DO
Cleveland • Anesthesiology
I was able to turn to Dr. Kane for advice, direction,
and career opportunities. He patiently listened,
questioned my career goals, and ultimately directed
me towards a career in radiology (not his specialty).
His slogan “My door is always open” is proof that he
is available for all students and residents.
Class of 2013

11. Louis D. Leone, DO
Chardon • Family Medicine/Sports Medicine
As a clinician, Dr. Leone demonstrates compassion
while working with learners, staff, and most
importantly, patients. He is encouraging to learners at
all levels. He is caring, respectful, and thoughtful. He
is the very definition of integrity.
Class of 2013

12. Andrew C. Liu, DO
Cleveland • Pulmonology / Critical Care
Dr. Liu’s scope of training is outstanding and he
expects nothing less of his residents and students. He
is an amazing physician who cares about each person
he teaches.
Class of 2013

13. Eric E. Mast, DO
Sandusky • Family Medicine
His passion for teaching comes across in everything he
does. He is a constant advocate for osteopathic
principles and manipulative techniques. He challenges
students (one of his favorite phrases is “Let me play
devil’s advocate”) and teaches them the finer points of
patient care.
Class of 2013

14. Charles T. Mehlman, DO
Cincinnati • Pediatric Orthopaedics
Dr. Mehlman has gone above and beyond to educate
and guide me to achieve my goals, and he has done the
same for many before me. He genuinely cares for the
success of his students, residents, and fellows and
guides them. He is an outstanding mentor. The ideal
DO excels in all aspects of medicine with humbleness,
and offers guidance to students so they may achieve
the same success; Dr. Mehlman does just that.
Class of 2014

15. Joseph M. Novi, DO
Columbus • Urogynecology
He is not only an amazing attending, but a truly kind-
hearted and compassionate individual. He is
approachable and always willing to answer questions.
Every resident looks forward to getting the
opportunity to scrub with Dr. Novi in the OR because
he is so talented and patient. He exemplifies
everything that you would want in a physician taking
care of your family members.
Class of 2014

16. Ronald J. Russ, DO
Hudson • Family Medicine
Dr. Russ believes in a hands-on approach to
learning…he would allow me to diagnose, discuss
treatment plans and perform OMM. He models a
successful work/family balance and is active in the
community, coaching sports and offering a free sports
physical program every year.
Class of 2013

17. Dawn L. Sammons, DO
Athens • Dermatology
Dr. Sammons’ passion for dermatology is infectious.
During my first year of medical school, she gave a
crash course in skin disease during our Infection and
Immunity block. I felt inspired by her enthusiasm and
passion about her field. It gave me hope that I, too,
would feel the same way some day.
Class of 2013

18. Philip A. Starr, III, DO
Warren • Family Medicine
Dr. Starr has shown an abundance of compassion and
friendship not only to his patients, but also to the
residents, students, and staff. He is a wizard at OMM
and encourages it in clinic in order to ensure patients
experience the highest standard of care.
Mentor of the
Year 2012

19. Daryn R. Straley, DO
Athens • Family Medicine
He instilled in me as an intern the belief to challenge
myself in medicine, to not just be a referral machine or
doc-in-a-box, and then allowed me to grow as a
physician. He delivered the right amount of
paternalism when needed and the right amount of
autonomy as I’ve grown. If ever I am called a good
physician, it is because of the principles that Dr.
Straley has helped create.
Class of 2014

20. David L. Tolentino, DO
Cleveland • Family Medicine
His kindness and patience display his genuine
concern…a hug, kiss or sitting to hold hands with an
elderly woman who has just lost her husband are not
uncommon occurrences in his clinic. I have found a
friend and mentor to whom I will forever be connected
and grateful.
Class of 2013

21. Shannon C. Trotter, DO
Columbus • Dermatology
Dr. Trotter shared her passion for unifying the field of
dermatology and the osteopathic profession--including
OMM. She brings sunshine to our profession and
without her guidance, I really do not know where I
would be today.
Class of 2013

22. Geraldine N. Urse, DO
Columbus • Family Medicine
Her perpetual thirst for knowledge, in addition to
personal and professional achievement, is inspiring.
She always maintains an open-door policy. She
nurtures the concept of our residency being part of her
extended family by providing encouragement, opening
her home for social gatherings, and filling our
mailboxes with homemade sweet treats.
Mentor of the
Year 2013

23. Michael J. Valle, DO
Centerville • Neurology
He is a man who takes interest in his residents to
produce not only great neurologists but great
professionals. He exemplifies a model physician…kind,
caring, brilliant and always willing to take time to
make sure his patients understand the disease process
and treatment plan.
Class of 2013

24. Charles E. Wilkins, MD
Youngstown • Internal Medicine / Geriatrics
His strong personal commitment, compassion, and
understanding with his patients show in the trusting
relationships he has with them. Though not trained as
an osteopathic physician, he understands, respects,
and encourages use of OMM.
Class of 2013