A trendsetter in the American Osteopathic Association, a faculty member with 35 years of leadership, and an alumnus who has given extraordinary service to the Michigan State University College of Osteopathic Medicine – all have received the Walter F. Patenge Medal of Public Service, the college’s highest honor. The awards were given on May 9 at MSU’s Kellogg Hotel & Conference Center.
John Crosby, executive director of the AOA for 16 years, led the organization through an era of significant change and growth in the osteopathic profession. Under his guidance, the organization was able to provide assistance to struggling osteopathic state and specialty organizations, implement periodic unified OMED conferences, create the Osteopathic International Alliance to foster discussions among practitioners worldwide, conduct the Campaign for Osteopathic Unity to make “D.O.” a household word in the U.S. and design the branding initiative to establish AOA as the osteopathic professional family. The profession grew to more than 100,000 D.O.s and students and gained unlimited practice rights in more than 60 countries globally. He was cited for “his steady hand on the helm, his vision of excellence and ability to implement it, his leadership of staff and his partnership with the profession.”
James J. Rechtien was doing research at Argonne National Laboratory when he decided to become a D.O. After family practice in Rogers City, Michigan, he came to the Department of Biomechanics in 1980, and took a residency in physical medicine and rehabilitation in 1983. He had appointments in seven departments, often simultaneously, and chaired four of them: anatomy, biomechanics, physical medicine and rehabilitation, and osteopathic manipulative medicine. His research was significant, and included topics as far ranging as the internal friction of neptunium, renal hemodynamics and MRI studies of carpal tunnel disorders. He was cited for “his willing spirit, extraordinary adaptability, extensive knowledge and excellence in classroom, clinic and laboratory.”
Robert Lee Snyder has been a linchpin of excellent medical care at the center of Michigan. Born in Midland, he returned there after completing his D.O. at MSU to practice as an anesthesiologist and to become a driving force for enhanced health care in the region. A clinical assistant professor of osteopathic surgical specialties and now serving as an instructor for two courses, Snyder has been active in teaching his entire career. He served as a board member both the College of Osteopathic Medicine’s and MSU’s alumni associations and of the Michigan Osteopathic College Foundation. He and his wife Shelley are members of the Jonathan L. Snyder Society, individuals who have given between $100,000 and $249,999 to MSU. He was cited for “for his leadership, his demonstrated commitment to improving the health of his community, and his significant service to theosteopathic college and Michigan State University.”
Crosby, Rechtien and Snyder join a celebrated group of leaders in health care, education and community service who have received past medals, which are named for Walter F. Patenge, the Lansing industrialist who was the first president of the Michigan Osteopathic Medicine Advisory Board.