HONORS



HONORS
OSMA president installed
Dr. James M. Sudimack, president of Forum Health Trumbull Memorial Hospital medical staff and chief of the TMH Center for Emergency Medicine, was installed last week as president of the Ohio State Medical Association at the organization's annual meeting in Cleveland.
Dr. Sudimack, a past president of the Trumbull County Medical Society, is the first member of the county medical society to become OSMA president. His father, Dr. Joseph Sudimack Jr., also served as OSMA president in 1972, but he was from the Columbus area.
"He acutely understands the complex balance between economic pressures and the health-care delivery system," said Kevin M. Spiegel, executive vice president and chief operating officer for TMH. "Dr. Sudimack will work vigorously to advocate change for innovative health-care initiatives and bring awareness to the difficulties physicians face throughout our state."
Dr. Sudimack has been a member of the TMH staff since 1987 and serves as the hospital's medical director for emergency services. Additionally, he is the chief medical officer for the Eastern Region of Emergency Professional Services Inc. and a fellow of the American College of Emergency Physicians.
A board-certified emergency medicine physician, Dr. Sudimack has been involved with the OSMA since 1981, having served in various capacities with the organization.
LAWYERS
Sworn in by high court
Mark Kafantaris was recently sworn in as a lawyer by the Ohio Supreme Court. He is a magna cum laude graduate of Capital University Law School and The Ohio State University. He has clerked for Ohio Supreme Court Justice Evelyn Stratton, U.S. District Judge Algenon L. Marbley and Columbus City Attorney Richard Pfeiffer. Kafantaris is 2000 graduate of Warren G. Harding High School.
Juris Doctor degree
Robert V. Good Jr., son of Teresa and Robert Good of Boardman, has received his Juris Doctor degree from the University of Akron School of Law.
A member of Akron's Nationally ranked Mock Trial Program, Good competed as an advocate in the Case Western Reserve University Invitational Trial competition in Cleveland, where he received the Outstanding Advocate Award. He also competed in the National Civil Trial Competition at Loyola University held in Los Angeles, where he was a national semifinalist, as well as participating in the Association of Trial Lawyers of America/Regional Trial Competition in Youngstown.
Good is a 1999 graduate of Boardman High School and received his bachelor's degree from Ohio University in communications systems management.
PH.D
Neuroscience degree
Amy A. Overman, daughter of Nancy Walsh Overman of Poland, has received her doctorate degree in cognitive neuroscience from the Center for the Neural Basis of Cognition at the University of Pittsburgh.
A 1995 graduate of Saegertown (Pa.) High School, Overman received her bachelor's degree in neuroscience from Allegheny College in 1999 and earned her master's degree in cognitive neuroscience from Pitt in 2002.
Her awards and honors include being a nominee for the Elizabeth Baranger Excellence in Teaching Award and Provost Development Fund Fellowship, both from Pitt; fellow at Summer Institute in Cognitive Neuroscience, Dartmouth College; and neuroscience faculty prize for best senior independent research project, Allegheny College.
She is a member of Omicron Delta Kappa, Psi Chi, Phi Sigma Iota and Lambda honor societies.
Overman has been hired as a professor at Denison University.
She is married to Joseph D.W. Stephens, who also just completed his Ph.D in cognitive neuroscience from Carnegie Mellon University. He has been hired as a post-doctoral researcher at Ohio State University.
DOCTORS
Earned podiatric degree
Dr. Kyle Wire of Boardman, son of Robert and Dana Wire of Boardman, has earned a doctor of podiatric medicine degree from the Ohio College of Podiatric Medicine, Cleveland.
A 1995 graduate of Boardman High School, he received his bachelor's degree as a biology major from Olivet College in Michigan, and spent two years as a graduate assistant in the Youngstown State University biology department.
He has completed externships over the past year at the Coatesville Veterans Administration Hospital in Pennsylvania, St. Vincent's Hospital in Toledo, Ohio State University Medical Center in Columbus, Forum Health in Youngstown and the Wade Park VA Hospital as well as The Foot and Ankle Clinic in Cleveland.
Dr. Wire has accepted a residency position at University Hospitals Health System in Cleveland, where he will train in both general podiatric medicine and surgery.
Degree in pharmacy
Amanda M. Stuber has received her doctor of pharmacy degree at Duquesne University in Pittsburgh. She is a 2000 graduate of Poland Seminary High School, where she was a valedictorian. She also attended the 1999 Miami University Italian Language Program in Urbino, Italy.
Dr. Stuber has accepted a position with Walgreens in Phoenix, Ariz. She is the daughter of Ron and Ann Stuber and the granddaughter of Elena Marchionda, all of Poland.
SCOUTS
Received Eagle award
Bradley Alan Griffiths, son of Mr. and Mrs. Kenneth Griffiths of McDonald, recently received his Eagle Scout award at a court of honor ceremony at the National Shrine of Our Lady of Lebanon.
Bradley joined Boy Scouts in the spring 1999 and has earned 22 merit badges. He is a member of Troop 85. He is a brotherhood member of the Order of the Arrow, Wapashuwi Lodge.
He has served the troop as chaplain, librarian and assistant patrol leader. His scoutmaster is Fred Piersol.
For his Eagle service project, members of Troop 85 and others involved, with him as leader, built benches for the National Shrine of Our Lady of Lebanon.
He is attending McDonald High School and will graduate in June. At school, he participated in baseball, basketball, bowling and was on the school paper. After graduation, he plans to attend Youngstown State University and major in accounting.
Eagle award recipient
Cody Wheeler, son of Mark and Hope Wheeler of Boardman and a senior at Boardman High School, recently received his Eagle Scout award at a court of honor at Boardman United Methodist Church. His scoutmaster is Eric Grabman.
He joined scouting in kindergarten as a Tiger Cub and later joined Troop 46 at the church. He has held the positions of den chief, assistant patrol leader, patrol leader, quartermaster and troop instructor. His scouting honors are Arrow of Light, World Conservation and God and Country religious award. He has earned 32 merit badges.
His Eagle service project was making a rabbit cage for the Mahoning County Environmental Farm.
At school, Cody is a member of its award-winning chorale and a four-year member of its football team. He is a member of Emmanuel Community Church Youth Group and has participated in its annual benefit car show.
He has been awarded a scholarship to Northwestern Preparatory School in California and has been accepted into the Air Force Academy.
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