The Michigan State University College of Osteopathic Medicine will recognize three leaders with its highest honor, The Walter F. Patenge Medal of Public Service. The winners, who will be recognized for their commitment to excellence in medicine, government and public service on May 21, are William Falls, Patrick McClellan and Joanna Pease.
Falls is the associate dean of student services for the college. He has implemented student support services such as academic and career guidance, personal counseling and health promotion, and has chaired the college’s scholarship committee. He also serves as a professor in the Division of Human Anatomy, a unit within the Department of Radiology.
McClellan, who is now retired, practiced osteopathic medicine for more than 50 years and he remains committed to caring for the medically underserved. In 1995, he set out to build a mobile clinic that could treat uninsured patients at no cost. Through his hard work and fundraising efforts, the idea became reality. The Macomb Medical Outreach Clinic has served thousands of uninsured patients across Macomb County and serves as a training site for the McLaren Macomb Family Practice Resident Training Program. McClellan still volunteers with the organization weekly, training medical students and residents. He is also working to build a new mobile clinic to replace the original.
Pease is a clinical associate professor of medicine at MSU and a faculty member and instructor at the Henry Ford Macomb internal medicine residency clinic. She is also a vice president of medical affairs and chief medical officer at Henry Ford Macomb Hospital, as well as an assistant chief medical officer at Henry Ford Health System. Her service to osteopathic medicine extends to the national level. She was chair of the American Osteopathic Board of Internal Medicine and Bureau of Education, chair of the Council on Education and Evaluation of the American College of Osteopathic Internists and president of the board of the American College of Osteopathic Internists.
Falls, McClellan and Pease will receive their medals during a ceremony at the University Club of MSU.