West Virginia School of Osteopathic Medicine (WVSOM) alumni received national awards during the largest U.S. conference recognizing the osteopathic medical profession.
The 2024 American Osteopathic Foundation Honors Gala took place in San Antonio, Texas, in conjunction with the American Osteopathic Association’s (AOA) Osteopathic Medical Education Conference.
John Diefenderfer, D.O., a WVSOM 2015 graduate, received the National Emerging Leader Award. The award honors an outstanding new osteopathic physician whose leadership inspires others, whose accomplishments motivate those around them and whose medical knowledge, combined with patient empathy, enrich the lives of those they serve.
Diefenderfer works at Maine-Dartmouth Family Medicine Residency, a nonprofit partner of MaineGeneral Health based in Augusta, Maine. He specializes in family medicine, sports medicine and osteopathic neuromusculoskeletal medicine. He said he is humbled to be recognized nationally in a career he is just beginning.
“There is tremendous opportunity for osteopathic physicians to lead by example when it comes to caring for patients and communities. I have tried to live this through my own practice and leadership roles,” he said. “It is important that we don’t lose sight of our values and philosophy as we adapt to the demands of the modern health care system. We must encourage others to be as engaged and excited as we are about osteopathic medicine. Whether it’s in the exam room or the boardroom, a positive and supportive environment built on mutual trust and respect is imperative to be successful in the long term — and my goal has been to foster that environment and bring out the best in my patients, colleagues and learners.”
Seth Moomaw, D.O., a WVSOM 2020 graduate, was named Outstanding Resident of the Year for addiction medicine. The American Osteopathic Foundation partnered with osteopathic specialty associations and hospital programs to highlight outstanding physician residents in training programs across the country. Residents who were recognized consistently provide exemplary patient care and serve as osteopathic ambassadors, raising awareness of the quality care osteopathic physicians provide.
Moomaw, who works at WVU Medicine Psychiatry and Behavioral Health, is an addiction psychiatry fellow at West Virginia University in Morgantown, W.Va. He said he the award is meaningful to him as an osteopathic physician and a West Virginian.
“Addiction medicine and treatment was the main reason I went to medical school to give back to the community that has given so much to me. My dream is for West Virginia to no longer lead the country in overdoses but to lead the country in treatment for substance use disorders and be a role model to all providers,” he said. “Osteopathic medicine teaches us to treat holistically, including the mind, body and spirit, but also to look at the social determinants of health and other factors that are impacting patients to promote their healing and strengthen our communities."
The awards are proof of the incredible work the school’s alumni are carrying out across the nation, said Shannon Warren, WVSOM’s executive director of alumni relations.
“Our alumni always amaze me. We have a tight-knit community of graduates who remain connected to their alma mater and who are making an impact in their communities across the country, with alumni practicing in all 50 states in the U.S.,” she said. “It’s exciting to see our youngest group of alumni — those who began practicing within the last decade — already making great strides in the osteopathic profession. These national awards are a testament to the successful physicians WVSOM produces.”
The Donna Jones Moritsugu Memorial Award recognizes an osteopathic medical student’s spouse or partner. The recipient exemplifies the role of a professional’s partner in providing support to their family and the osteopathic profession. This year’s recipient was Courtney Sutphin, spouse of Stephen Sutphin, D.O., a WVSOM 2024 graduate.
Additionally, Lorenzo Pence, D.O., a WVSOM Class of 1985 graduate, received the Mentor of the Year award from the American Osteopathic Association. The award is one of the AOA’s most prestigious honors and is presented to a member of the osteopathic medical profession who has dedicated their time, talent and expertise toward shaping the future of osteopathic medicine.
The organization recognized him for mentorship qualities that demonstrate an unparalleled commitment to fostering growth and learning. Pence was acknowledged for offering guidance, support and encouragement to mentees. The AOA stated that Pence’s integrity makes him the ideal mentor.
Outstanding Affiliate awards are given annually to recognize osteopathic organizations helping to advance the AOA’s key initiatives through innovation. The West Virginia Osteopathic Medical Association (WVOMA) was a 2024 recipient of the award. The WVOMA worked with nearly 30 organizations in West Virginia to persuade the state’s governor to veto the West Virginia legislature’s effort to weaken the state’s immunization laws. The organization also worked with the AOA and other specialty colleges to argue for the veto of a bill that would have eliminated the West Virginia Board of Osteopathic Medicine. Accepting the award on behalf of the WVOMA were WVSOM alumni Michael Antolini, D.O., and Matthew Davis, D.O.