The MSU College of Osteopathic Medicine will recognize four distinguished leaders with its highest honor, The Walter F. Patenge Medal of Public Service, on May 13.
The winners, who will be honored for their commitment to excellence in medicine, government and public service, are Tressa K. Gardner, Sandra Kilbourn, Mark Notman and Terrie Taylor.
Gardner, an alumna, is a fellow of the American College of Osteopathic Emergency Physicians and the American College of Emergency Physicians. She serves as director of McLaren Greater Lansing’s emergency department and is founder and president of DeGarA, PLLC, a physician services company. She is president of the Michigan division of American Physician Partners. Gardner is widely recognized as a tireless champion of access to health care for underserved populations.
Kilbourn has served the college for over 45 years and is the executive director for external programs. She has dedicated her career to advancing issues around social justice and cultural competence within the university and throughout the broader community. She has influenced generations of osteopathic physicians and the individuals who support the osteopathic profession.
During Notman’s distinguished 30-year career at MSU, he has served the College of Osteopathic Medicinein numerous capacities. For the last eight years, heserved as associate dean of planning, finance and administration and as chief technical officer. His steady guidance has been indispensable to the college in good times and bad.
Taylor, a University Distinguished Professor and an internationally recognized scientist and physician, has waged a 33-year battle against malaria. She spends six months of the year in Malawi, conducting malaria research and treating patients, the majority of whom are children. She co-founded the Blantyre Malaria Project to carry out outstanding research and patient care in the area of pediatric cerebral malaria. Taylor has been the recipient of countless honors and awards, has authored or co-authored well over 200 peer-reviewed publications and has received over $35 million in grant awards.
The award is named for Walter F. Patenge, the first president of the Michigan Osteopathic Medicine Advisory Board.