Welcome New Members!

Enzo A. Cento, MD	Diagnostic Radiology
Christopher C. Glisson, MS, DO	NeuroOphthalmology
Ebony R. Hoskins, MD	Gynecological Oncology/OBG
Jessica L. Keto, MD	Breast Surgical Oncology
Jay T. Morrow, MD, PhD	Diagnostic Radiology
Mark J. Rapoport, MD	Vascular and Interventional Radiology
E. Gaile Roddy, MD	Family Practice
William A. Slater, Jr., MD	Diagnostic Radiology
Jacqueline A. Tung, MD	Diagnostic Radiology
Roderick M. Urbaniak, MD	Plastic Surgery, Hand Surgery
Andrew J. Woodrow, MD	Diagnostic Radiology

Welcome KCMS New Residents!

Paul Abrams, M.D.
Sherley Aramath, M.D.
Lindy Babcock, M.D.
Jeanne Bohm, M.D.
Timothy Byon, M.D.
Iain Charnley, M.D.
Madiha Dar, M.D.
Juan Miguel Dela Cruz, M.D.
John Dinh, M.D.
Michael Dizon, M.D.
Mary Dugan, M.D.
Marina Dupree, M.D.
Armasabille Ermita, M.D.
Sukepma Giri, M.D.
Frigga Jacob, M.D.
Asra Khan, M.D.
Jennifer Kozak, M.D.
Theodore Liao, M.D.
Sameer Mehta, M.D.
John Rajlich, M.D.
Rebekah Rajlich, M.D.
Shireesha Sangineni, M.D.
Brian Scheeringa, M.D.
Christopher Shoemaker, M.D.
Dolly Singh, M.D.
Katrina Sink, M.D.
Chiniya Thapa, M.D.
Christian Vanderkaay, M.D.
Sridivya Veeravalli, M.D.
Parminder Wadhwa, M.D.
Gabriel Williams, M.D.

Welcome new KCMS Medical Students!

Eric Akopian
Payal Attowlao
Megan M. Roberts

Daniel Maison, MD

Daniel Maison, MD, a palliative care specialist with Spectrum Health medical group, was also included in the Grand Rapids Magazine article, which focused on relieving a patient’s suffering at end of life.

Gregory J. Forzley, MD

Dr. Gregory J. Forzley, Kent County Medical Society President, addressed electronic patient records and their effect on coordinating patient care and improved communication in the Grand Rapids Business Journal in the article, "Electronic patient records at heart of improved safety".

Christopher Glisson, DO

Neuro-ophthalmologist with Saint Mary’s Health Care’s Hauenstein Neuroscience Center, Christopher Glisson, DO, a new member to KCMS and also featured in the Grand Rapids Magazine article on sub specialists, was included on diagnosing disease through the eye.

Jamie Caughran, MD

Dr. Jamie Caughran was featured in the Grand Rapids Press in the Health Section in the Article titled “The Merits of Mammograms.” Dr. Caughran, medical director of the Comprehensive Breast Cancer at The Lacks Cancer Center at Saint Mary’s, recently spoke about her research and the importance of mammograms and self-breast exams in women younger than 50.

David Wohns, MD

Dr. David Wohns was featured in the Grand Rapids Press in which he discussed the prestigious heart cath accreditation received by Spectrum Health.

Bruce Springer, MD

Dr. Bruce Springer, of Pine Rest Addition Services and Dr. Bruce Baker, Medical Director of West Brook Recovery Center, were featured in an article of the Health Section of the Grand Rapids Press discussing addition to prescription drugs.

Emilie Collins, MD

Dr. Emilie Collins, an Endocrinologist with Saint Mary’s Health Care, explained Byetta and Victoza, new Type 2 Diabetes drugs.

Ebony Hoskins, MD

New Kent County Medical Society Member, Ebony Hoskins, MD; wrote an article for the Grand Rapids Press describing the link between obesity and cancer in the Health Section.

Marianne Melnik, MD

Dr. Marianne Melnik was featured in the Grand Rapids Press in the Health Section in the Article titled “Breast cancer awareness month.” Dr. Melnik held an online chat through Spectrum Health’s website on breast health, including breast cancer prevention and what to do if a person finds a lump. Dr. Melnik was also featured in MiBiz highlighting a Michigan team that battles breast cancer.

Glenn Van Otteren, MD

Dr. Glenn Van Otteren, of Spectrum Health’s lung cancer clinic was highlighted in a recent Grand Rapids Press Health Section which discussed Spectrum’s multi-specialty teams dedicated to lung cancer, breast, prostate and genitourinary cancer and melanoma skin cancer.

Physician Wellness Meeting

The KCMS, along with KCOA, Spectrum Health, Metro Health and Saint Mary’s Health sponsored a meeting highlighting Physician Wellness. Dr. Gerald Shiener, who is Board Certified in addiction, psychiatry, geriatric psychiatry, forensic psychiatry and psychosomatic medicine, presented the current challenges that physicians face while seeking a life-work balance. He was joined by Eric Achtyes, MD and Bruce Springer, MD for a panel discussion and open forum.


For a copy of Dr. Shiener's PowerPoint presentation please click here.

Drs. Diane Bigham and Jannah Thompson

Diane Bigham, DO and Jannah Thompson, MD, Members of KCMS and colleagues at Urologic Consultants, PC were featured on WZZM13's Live Healthy Segment titled: "Incontinence."

Robert H. Connors, MD

Dr. Robert H. Connors, a pediatric surgeon and President to Helen DeVos Children’s Hospital, has received the 2011 Chairman’s Medal from the National Patient Safety Foundation.

Phillip G. Wise, MD

Dr. Phillip G. Wise presented information on Prostate Cancer in the Grand Rapids Press’ Health section.

Paul R. Kemmeter, MD

Dr. Paul R. Kemmeter discussed Bariatric procedures offered to patients challenged by obesity. This was presented in the July 31, 2011 Grand Rapids Press’ Health Section.

Cruisin' with KCMS & KCMSA

The Kent County Medical Society with the Kent County Medical Society Alliance held a joint social event at the Classic Car Collectors and Good Friends Auto of Marty and Mark Campbell, Dee and Dom Federico, and Pat and Peter Renucci.  Almost 100 friends participated and dreamed of cruisin’ in one of the classic beauties.  

A special thanks to the owners of Classic Car Collectors and Good Friends Auto for sharing their special collections with members.

Donald Condit, MD, MBA

Governor Rick Snyder has appointed Donald Condit, MD, MBA to serve on the Crime Victim Services Commission.  This commission works to increase and enhance victim assistance in communities throughout Michigan.  Dr. Condit currently serves on the Kent County Medical Society and Project Access Boards.

Steven L. Bezinque, DO-ArtPrize

Kent County Medical Society member Steven L. Bezinque, DO was highlighted in the Grand Rapids Press.  Dr. Bezinque, a pediatric radiologist, was photographed with his ArtPrize entry "Reach" near the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Museum. His piece has 206 glass hands, which is the number of beds in the Helen DeVos Children's Hospital and the number of bones in the human body.

David J. Dobbie, MD

Dr. David J. Dobbie, featured in the Grand Rapids Press Health Section, addressed the importance of timely flu vaccines.

Steven L. Ringler, MD

Dr. Steven Ringler was named a Top Doctor in Plastic Surgery by U.S. News and World Report.

Eric Bouwens, MD

Dr. Eric Bouwens was featured in the Grand Rapids Press Health Section providing reminders to local patients about utilizing various programs and resources in managing reduced health care benefits.

Francis J. Verde, MD

Kent County Medical Society member Francis J. Verde, MD, was part of an article on Parkinson's Disease appearing in The Grand Rapids Press Health section on Sunday, July 17.  The article showed how the diagnostic test called a DaTscan, can determine whether someone has Parkinson's Disease.

Dr. Angela Oostema-The Grand Rapids Press

Angela Oostema, MD contributed to an article in the Health Section of The Grand Rapids Press on Sunday, July 3 concerning the benefits of taking a vacation.  She noted that taking a vacation goes hand in hand with good health.  She said, "We know individuals are less likely to suffer from a heart attack the more vacation they take."

Dr. Robert Connors

Robert Connors, MD, Helen DeVos Children's Hospital, received the 2011 Chairman's Medal from the National Patient Safety Foundation.

Drs. Rose Ramirez and John MacKeigan-The Grand Rapids Press

Rose Ramirez, MD and John MacKeigan, MD were featured in The Grand Rapids Press on Sunday, July 3 in an article about independent physicians and the Spectrum Health Medical Group working together.

Dr. Thomas H. Peterson

Thomas H. Peterson, MD appeared live on WOOD-TV8 on June 28.  He was speaking about an Associated Press statement on how the media and ads are influencing children today leading to their obesity.

Dr. John Collins

Dr. John Collins, vice president of clinical quality at St. Mary's is among 34 participants selected to join the Disparities Leadership Program for 2011-12.  This group of health care organizations from around the country seeks to develop strategies to eliminate racial and ethnic disparities in health care and provide equitable services consistent with the highest standards of care.  This appeared in the Health Section of The Grand Rapids Press, June 26, 2011.

Dr. Brad Irving

Metro Health Hospital has named Dr. Brad Irving its 2011 Nursing Chosen Physician of the Year.  The award is given by Metro Health's Professional Nursing Council to a physician who exemplifies best practices and support of the role of nurses as part of the health care team.

Dr. Robert Connors

Dr. Robert Connors received the 2011 Chairman's Medal for the National Patient Safety Foundation given at the recent NPSF Patient Safety Congress in Washington, DC.

Dr. Thomas H. Peterson-Grand Rapids Press

Dr. Thomas H. Peterson had an article in the Health Section of the Grand Rapids Press Sunday, June 12.  It was titled "A Health Check for America, Starting in West Michigan".  It focused on the sorry state of the health of Americans and what changes in lifestyle and culture need to be made to improve the situation. 

Tom Gribbin, MD; Thomas Peterson, MD and Paul Kemmeter, MD-Grand Rapids Press

Tom Gribbin, MD; Thomas Peterson, MD and Paul Kemmeter, MD were highlighted on the Obesity Epidemic article in the Health Section of the Grand Rapids Press (March 27, 2011).

Paul Farr, MD-Grand Rapids Press

In the Health Section of the Grand Rapids Press (March 27, 2011) was featured outlining the health benefits of colonoscopy tests.

Peggy Thompson, MD

Dr. Peggy Thompson, of Grand Rapids Medical Education Partners led the celebration of Michigan State University-College of Human Medicine Match Day held on March 17.

KMF-New Officers for 2011

The Kent Medical Foundation Board of Directors met for the 2011 Annual Meeting on February 15. New Officers for 2011 elected were:


                       Chair:     Patrick J. Droste, MS, MD


               Vice Chair:     Gregory J. Forzley, MD


 Secretary/Treasurer:     David Hammond, MD




Other Trustees include:


Shirley Daniels, KCMS Alliance Representative and Community Volunteer; Willard Stawski, MD; Jack Romence, MD; Timothy Waalkes,Verspoor, Waalkes, Lalley,Slotsema & Talen, P.C.


Newly elected to the KMF Board of Trustees is: David W. Whalen, MD.

The Kent County Medical Society -108th Annual Meeting

The Kent County Medical Society held its 108th Annual Meeting on January 11, 2011.


New KCMS Board Members are Donald P. Condit, MD, Director and Adrianne S. Tanner, MD, Director.


Elected as Alternate Delegates to the MSMS House of Delegates were Eric Larson, MD, Marcy Larson, MD and Yvan Tran, MD.


Committee Reports were read and Gregory J. Forzley, MD was sworn in as President for 2011.

CME Update-January 2011

Your Membership Dues at Work


Almost 50 physicians participated in the January 22 KCMS CME Update where topics included orthopedics, heart disease, allergies and childhood obesity. Special thanks to our speakers who gifted their time and knowledge to provide critical information at this half-day session.


The next KCMS CME Update will be held February 26 at the Prince Auditorium at Calvin College.

Larry J. Robson, MD-Michigan State Medical Society 2010 Community Service Award Winner

Dr. Robson was one of twelve physicians were recognized by their peers with MSMS Community Service Awards for their various volunteer efforts. Categories for nomination include volunteer medical service, overseas missionary work and volunteer health education projects, among other community service efforts. Awardees were nominated by their peers on the county level.


To read more click here.

Jaime L. Caughran, MD

Dr. Jamie Caughran, fellowship trained breast surgeon at the Comprehensive Breast Center at Saint Mary's was quoted in the GR Press on the recent certification earned by the Breast Center designated as "Breast Imaging Center of Excellence by the American College of Radiology".


For more information click here.

New Mentoring Program off to a great start!

Special thanks to the following doctors for participating in our first meeting:


Patrick Droste, MD
Willard Stawski, MD
Phillip Wise, MD

Chamber of Commerce Health Care and Human Resources Committee

The Health Care & Human Resources Committee of the Grand Rapids Area Chamber of Commerce asked physicians serving on the Committee to provide an overview and response on the topic of "Health Care services that may not always add value to the patient." The topic was prompted by a recent Newsweek article "This won't hurt a bit."


Participating in the panel discussion were:
Frank Belsito, DO
Donald Condit, MD, MBA
Paul Farr, MD
John MackKiegan, MD
Rose Ramirez, MD