highlights ealth care - Owens Community College

Fall 2005 

ealth care 

highlights 

School of Health Sciences 

A 

Note 

from the Dean 

Volume 5 • Issue 2 

Janell Lang, Ed. S. 

Back to the Future 

In 1985, Michael J. Fox and Christopher 

Lloyd brought to theatre screens across 

the country the wonderfully nostalgic 

adventures of a teenager who was able 

to activate his manic mentor’s device 

for time travel. These actors afforded 

audiences the vicarious thrill of returning 

to the past while in the present and, in 

subsequent films, a glimpse of the future. 

As we are celebrating the 40th anniversary 

of Owens Community College, the faculty 

and staff of the School of Health Sciences 

thought it an appropriate time to depart 

from our traditional newsletter, focusing 

upon current initiatives and projects, to 

journey back in history to rediscover 

our roots, to study our origins, to examine our 

evolution and perhaps, if we are lucky, 

foresee our future. 

When I arrived at Owens in 1971, the 

only health program in existence was the 

Registered Nursing Program. Today, one 

of every three students attending Owens is 

enrolled in the School of Health Sciences. 

In 1974, both the Dental Hygiene and 

Radiography Programs were inaugurated. 

The Surgical Program followed in 1978. 

In 1985, the LPN to ADN Progression 

Program was implemented. 1988 saw the 

start of the Dietetic Technician Program. 

The Physical Therapist Assistant Program 

began in 1990, and the Occupational 

Therapy Assistant Program followed in 

1996. Health Information Technology was 

realized in 2000, and the Practical Nursing 

Certificate Program was launched in 2003. 

In addition, several other programs, majors 

and certificates were added over the years. 

These include Hospitality Management, 

Food Service Management, Diagnostic 

Medical Sonography, Nuclear Medicine, 

Dietary Manager, Medical Coding, Medical 

Transcription, Medical Reimbursement 

Specialist, Restorative Supervision, Mental 

Retardation / Developmental Disabilities, 

Expanded Functions for Dental Auxiliaries, 

Sterile Processing, the International Nursing 

Program and the State Tested Nursing 

Assistant Program. 

As for the future, we are busy planning new 

programs, including a Paramedic to RN 

Bridge Program and a Certified Medical 

Assisting Program, both scheduled to 

begin in January 2006. However, through 

all of its growth, the guiding principle-the 

mission-of the School of Health Sciences 

has remained constant: to provide quality 

education to students, which meets their 

needs as well as the standards of care 

mandated by employers and consumers of 

health care. 

A new column, “Growing Our Own,” 

will feature Owens graduates: their 

accomplishments, their dedication and 

their commitment to return to the School 

of Health Sciences to teach and prepare 

upcoming health care practitioners. 

So, in this issue of Health Care Highlights, 

we will focus upon our yesterdays in order 

to chart our tomorrows. In the words of 

Dr. Emmett Brown, “. . .we’re sending you 

back to the future.” 

Janell Lang, 1975. 

Health Building under construction, 1974. 

Bicentennial Hall under construction, 1976.

Nursing Program 

Health Care Highlights is published 

each Fall and Spring Semester by 

the Office of Public Relations and 

Marketing in conjunction with the 

School of Health Sciences. 

Dean, School of Health Sciences 

Janell Lang 

Contributing Writers 

Caroline Allinder Marty Johnson 

Peggy Bensman Beth Ann Kneisley 

Anne Britt Janell Lang 

Katie Camp Tekla Madaras 

Kristine Flickinger Linda Myers 

Catherine Ford Beth Tronolone 

Bonnie Hemp 

Edited by: Janell Lang 

Kristin Kaufman 

Designed by: Jill Strong 

Alumni News 

Email your accomplishments to 

janell_lang@owens.edu or call 

(567) 661-7206. 

Mission Statement 

The mission of the School of Health 

Sciences is to provide quality education 

to students enrolled in its programs, which 

meets their needs as well as the standards of 

care mandated by employers and consumers 

of health care. The academic programs are 

designed to prepare graduates to succeed 

in health careers and to make a positive 

contribution to society. These graduates are 

able to initiate change as well as support and 

adapt to evolving health care issues. 

Table of Contents 

Nursing Program..................................2-6 

Dental Hygiene Program.........................7 

Medical Imaging Technology..................8 

Surgical Program.....................................9 

HRI Technology....................................10 

Dietetic Technician................................ 11 

Physical Therapist Assistant..................12 

Dietary Manager Certificate Program...12 

Occupational Therapy Assistant............13 

Health Information Technology.............14 

Alumni Accomplishments................15-16 

The Early Years 

Dr. Peggy A. Bensman, 

the first Nursing 

Chair at Owens 

Community College, 

was asked to record 

a history of the 

early years. 

The program actually began in Lima, Ohio, 

at what is now Rhodes State College. Owens 

Community College began in 1965 as a part 

of Penta Vocational High School. This was 

typical of the technical colleges in Ohio 

at that time. We were called Penta 

County Vocational and Technical Institute. 

The early staff were part of both the 

college and the high school, including the 

president who was also superintendent of the 

vocational high school. The first president 

was Dr. William Ramsey, who had been 

superintendent of the high school prior to 

the inauguration of the college. The college 

used the high school facilities, and the only 

buildings unique to the college were an old 

farm house and two army barracks, one of 

which housed students. 

In 1967, the Ohio Board of Regents 

allocated one million dollars to Lima to 

inaugurate technical programs. The Ohio 

State University had a branch campus in 

Lima, Ohio, and the Board of Regents 

assumed that they would offer the technical 

programs. But Ohio State was not interested 

in doing so; therefore, OBR requested 

Penta County Vocational and Technical 

Institute to come to Lima to offer these 

programs. Keep in mind the college was 

Alyce Walden 

Louise Gallaway 

The “Seventies” (Back Row, L to R): Karen 

Booth, Janell Lang and Mary Thibault. 

(Front Row, L to R): Joyce Rhegness and 

Patricia Wilcox. 

only two years old in the Toledo area 

and offered limited programs in business 

and engineering technologies. However, 

Dr. Ramsey and the Board of Trustees 

agreed to the OBR request and sent Daniel 

Brown, who was a counselor on both the high 

school and college staff at Penta, to Lima to 

determine community needs. As many of 

you are aware Daniel Brown later became 

the President of Owens, and he immediately 

preceded Dr. Christa Adams, who is 

President today. 

The Chamber of Commerce had completed 

a survey of the Lima vicinities, and one area in 

which there was a high degree of interest was 

the health field. Therefore, upon his arrival in 

Lima, Mr. Brown met with a group of health 

professionals from the medical, nursing and 

health communities, and administrators of 

the two hospitals. 

Barb Jagielo 

2 health care highlights


At that time, I was the Assistant Director of 

Nursing Education at St. Rita’s School of 

Nursing and attended this meeting. Interest 

was expressed in a nursing program even 

though the associate degree programs were 

fairly new nationally and certainly in the 

state, and there were no Associate Degree 

programs in Northwest Ohio. 

A study committee was appointed on which 

I served. We visited Cuyahoga Community 

College, the first associate degree program 

in Ohio and also Henry Ford Community 

College in Michigan. The committee was 

impressed with the programs at Henry Ford, 

as well as its Chair, Eleanor Turtlelott, and 

invited her to come to Lima to meet with 

community groups. She met with nursing and 

medical staffs as well as with other groups 

in the community. Following her visit, the 

committee recommended that an Associate 

Degree Program be started by Penta. The two 

hospitals agreed to phase out their programs 

and graduated their last classes in 1971, at 

which time Penta graduated its first class. 

I was hired by Penta in November 1968 to 

chair the program. 

Between that time and its inauguration in the 

fall of 1969, I had to hire faculty. There were 

only a few Master’s programs in the state 

at that time, and they graduated minimal 

numbers. There were none in Northwest 

Ohio, and the Baccalaureate programs at 

Bowling Green State University and The 

University of Toledo, in conjunction with the 

Medical University of Ohio, were in infancy 

stages. However, two of the faculty at St. 

Rita’s Diploma Program came on full-time, 

and one from nursing services came on 

half-time. They did not come on board until a 

Joyce Rhegness 

Nursing Program month before the program 

started. However, they 

met with me on numerous 

occasions to develop the 

curriculum and to plan 

the program. During the 

planning period, I met with 

many community groups, 

since there was very little 

understanding of the 

programs at that time. 

There certainly was some 

resistance to the program, 

but there was also a 

great deal of cooperation. 

So, we started the 

program in the fall of 

1969 in The Ohio State Announcement in the Toledo Blade, 1971. 

University facilities. 

They had given us a large room for our 

lectures and labs. We had acquired beds and 

equipment from the hospitals. We started 

with 40+ students and were the only Penta 

program to be inaugurated that year on the a program. 

Lima campus. 

During that year, a technical building was 

under construction, and in 1970, we 

moved into the new building and had 

our own small nursing lab, which the faculty 

and I had developed. Shortly after starting 

the program on the Lima campus, the Board 

of Trustees felt that we should investigate 

starting a program on the Toledo campus. 

At that time, there were six diploma programs 

in Toledo, but one of these, Maumee Valley, 

was phasing out since the Medical College 

had taken over Maumee Valley Hospital. 

The other five diploma programs were going 

strong, and there was not the interest in the 

health care highlights 3 

associate degree program as there had been in 

Lima. However, a few hospitals, particularly 

those that did not sponsor their own diploma 

programs, were very interested in our starting 

I remember that St. Charles 

and St. Luke’s (which at that time had not 

yet moved to Maumee, but was located in 

the Old West End) were very supportive. 

The Director of Nursing Education at 

Riverside School of Nursing was 

also supportive since she believed that 

nursing education should take place in 

educational institutions. Also, the Medical 

University of Ohio had hired Dr. Elsa 

Brown as Dean of Allied Health, whose 

background was associate degree nursing. 

She was very supportive of us and did a 

lot to gain community support. In fact, Penta 

and the Community and Technical College 

(Comm Tech) of The University of Toledo 

each started a program in the Toledo area 

in 1971, and Dr. Brown served as acting 

continued on page 4 

Carolyn Keiswetter 

Barbara Rood 

Patricia Wilcox 

Virginia Steagall


Chair of Comm Tech’s program for several 

years since they were unable to find a chair 

of their own. 

So, during the 1970-1971 year, in addition to 

chairing the program in Lima, I also planned 

the program for the Toledo Campus and 

spent a great deal of time going back and 

forth between the campuses. I again had to 

hire faculty. Fortunately, the curriculum was 

developed since we used the program from 

the Lima campus. 

The “Eighties” Connie Hill (Back Row, R), 

with 2005 nursing students Charlotte Lechner 

(Back Row, L), Miranda McHugh (Front Row, 

L) and Tracy Donovan (Front Row, R). 

Typical of the time, our program was based on 

Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs. We had also 

developed and integrated a science course in 

Lima. We had hoped that the OSU faculty 

would offer the sciences, but they could not 

fathom an integrated science course. They 

felt that students needed several quarters 

of chemistry, anatomy, and physiology 

and microbiology, which, of course, was 

unreasonable in an associate degree program. 

We were fortunate in that Shawnee High 

School, near Lima, employed an excellent 

instructor, Jim Dudley, who understood how 

this could be done. He developed the science 

curriculum that served as the basis for the 

integrated science curriculum, which Owens 

offers today, not only for nursing students, 

but also for all the health programs. So, again, 

finding faculty was difficult, but we were 

fortunate in hiring Louise Galloway, who had 

completed her, master’s program at OSU, 

Barbara Rood who had taught in the practical 

nursing program and Molly Tyler, who had 

recently moved to Toledo. Barbara Rood 

remained in the program until her retirement. 

Louise Galloway stayed until the early 1980s, 

when she moved to Lourdes College and 

developed the BSN completion program. 

Molly Tyler’s husband was transferred to 

Cleveland at the completion of the first year, 

but she later returned to Toledo and taught for 

us for several years until transferring to the 

Medical University of Ohio. 

Another interesting development occurred 

toward the end of the 1970-1971 academic 

year. The Board of Regents felt that the Lima 

branch had reached the level of maturity to 

be able to be an independent college with 

its own Board of Trustees. Therefore, at the 

completion of the 1970-71 year, the Lima 

branch was turned over to a local board. 

So, Penta graduated its first and only nursing 

class from the Lima Campus at that time. In 

fact, nursing was the only Lima program to 

graduate from Penta since students entering 

in the fall of 1970 became transfers to Lima 

Technical College. 

When the decision was made to turn over 

the Lima Campus, I decided to remain with 

Penta and moved to Toledo. However, the 

other Lima faculty remained with the Lima 

Technical College and the three originals 

stayed until their retirements. 

During the early years, Penta did a lot of name 

changing from Penta County Vocational and 

Technical Institute, to Penta County Technical 

Institute, to Penta Technical College and then 

to Michael J. Owens Technical College. 

It eventually became Owens Community 

College, which is its title today. 

The “Barracks,” Administration and 

Faculty Halls 

The “Nineties” (L to R): Cyndi Hotaling, 

Julia Popp, Bev Baney, Lynda Glanz, 

Anne Helm and Laurie Erford. 

In the fall of 1971, we admitted our first 

class of 54 students to the Toledo Campus. 

These students did not graduate until 1973. 

Therefore, Penta had no nursing graduates 

in 1972. In the fall of 1971, we were still 

operating out of the high school facilities. 

Construction of College Hall had begun 

during the 1970 -71 year, but was not 

completed until later in the 1971-72 year. 

Again a nursing lab, similar to the lab in 

Lima, was included on the second floor of 

College Hall, but when we started in the fall 

of 1971, we had our lectures and labs in a 

Penta lab, which I think must have been a 

nurse’s aid or home health lab since beds 

were available. Although the room was fairly 

large, it did not accommodate 54 students 

for lecture very well. They sat around large 

tables, some with their backs to the lecturer. 

In addition, the Penta staff apparently did the 

laundry at the end of each day because we 

frequently had to compete with the sounds 

of the automatic washer. The students had 

to practice, and the evaluations were done 

after the afternoon classes or after 3 p.m. on 

days that we had no class. Many of the skills 

that did not require beds were practiced and 

evaluated in the developmental reading lab, 

which was located in one of the old barracks 

below the nursing faculty offices. Janell 

Lang, the current Dean of the School of 

Health Sciences, was director of the lab and 

frequently served as the patient for blood 

pressure, TPR, etc. 

Eventually, we moved into College Hall, 

which contained a small nursing lab, as 

well as lecture rooms. But the nursing 



faculty offices, which consisted of one for 

the faculty and one for me, remained on the 

second floor of the barracks. . Even before we 

moved into College Hall, we realized that 

the nursing program would soon outgrow 

the College Hall facility. Also, the College 

was investigating the implementation of 

other health programs. Community interest 

had been expressed in several other health 

programs, particularly Dental Hygiene 

and Radiologic Technologies. Both of these 

programs opened in 1974. 

We began planning for a building to house 

the nursing, dental hygiene and radiologic 

technology programs, as well as other 

potential health programs. Also at that 

time, federal funds were available for 

construction of nursing facilities. Therefore, 

we applied for state funds and prepared the 

grant proposal for the fifth and sixth floors 

More “Nineties” (Back Row): Lynda Glanz, 

Jamie Taylor and Julie Lohse. (Front Row): 

Janet Pinkelman and Bev Baney. 

of Health Technology Hall, which was to 

house the nursing department. We sent this to 

the Division of Nursing. The state approved 

and funded the building; the proposal that 

we had submitted to the Division of Nursing 

was approved but was not funded. Rather 

than waiting for possible funding in the future, 

we began construction of Health Technology 

Hall, thus negating our proposal to the 

Division of Nursing. However, state funds 

were sufficient for a five-story building, and 

the fifth floor housed the nursing department. 

So, the nursing faculty and I again had the 

opportunity to plan another nursing lab, 

this one much larger than the prior two. 

The “Oughts” (L to R): Pearl Manion, Sara 

Webb, Karen Wehman, Diane McDougle, 

Elizabeth Martin, Cindy Hall (Interim Chair) 

and Melanie Scherdt. 

We moved into Health Technology Hall 

in 1973. We immediately prepared a new 

grant, which we again submitted to the 

Division of Nursing, for a two-story addition 

to Health Technology Hall. This time the 

proposal was approved and funded, and thus 

the construction of Bicentennial Hall began. 

So, once more we had the opportunity of 

planning not only a nursing lab, but also for all 

of the other facilities, including an auditorial 

lab, lecture rooms and faculty offices. 

Bicentennial Hall was dedicated in 1976, 

its title coming from the Bicentennial 

Anniversary of our Country. We were very 

fortunate to have a state-of-the-art building 

that enabled us to greatly expand the nursing 

program. We had to guarantee a certain 

number of students for a period of 20 years for 

the federal grant. This expired in 1996, and 

each year we surpassed the required numbers. 

As the numbers in the program increased 

and as the diploma programs phased out and 

community demands increased, we started 

admitting students twice a year. Then we 

added the LPN Progression Program because, 

at that time, hospitals were decreasing their 

use of LPNs. We had always had proficiency 

tests for LPNs from our beginning days in 

Lima; however, the progression program 

built upon the skills and knowledge that the 

LPNs had already acquired. 

Typically, in associate degree programs, many 

of the students are older and have family and 

work responsibilities. In response to their 

needs, an evening program was inaugurated. 

In 1982, Owens opened a campus in Findlay, 

and today the nursing programs are also being 

offered on that campus. 

Many changes have and are continuing to 

occur in the nursing programs offered by 

Owens, but the basis for the success was laid 

early, first in Lima in 1969 and in Toledo in 

1971. Many people and groups were involved 

in the success. First, the Board of Trustees, 

administration and community who took a 

chance on going to Lima and then in starting 

as its first program in Lima, one of the most 

expensive and one in which the College 

had no experience. Shortly after the College 

made the commitment to Lima, Dr. Jacob 

See was hired to succeed Dr. Ramsey. He 

frequently said that one of his first thoughts 

was, “what are we doing in Lima at a time 

when the Toledo Campus is a still a fledgling 

institution?” However, the commitment had 

been made, and he vigorously supported 

this as well as his continuing support for the 

nursing program. 

Secondly, the early faculty must be 

commended for taking a leap of faith to start 

a new program, which was not well accepted 

nationally, much less in Northwest Ohio. 

However, most of the credit must go to the 

early students. Those in Lima did not have 

an option of any other RN program since 

the two diploma programs were phasing 

out, but those in Toledo had many options. 

continued on page 6 

Diane McDougle working with nursing 

students Kenneth Georgia and Michelle 

Mason in the Human Patient Simulator Lab. 

health care highlights 5

Nursing Program August 1985 

There were five diploma programs, which were 

firmly entrenched, as well as new baccalaureate 

programs in the area. The fact that they came 

to Owens, or Penta at that time, is amazing 

since we were a new college with no facilities 

of our own and a new program, which still was 

looked upon with skepticism by many. 

However, they not only came and persevered, 

but upon graduation, they passed state boards 

and were competent practitioners. We sent 

evaluations to the first employers a year after 

graduation, and the results were very positive. The 

graduates’ competence more than anything else 

made the program accepted by the community and 

helped its progress to the successful program that 

it is today. 

Thank you for the opportunity to share 

my thoughts on the early years of Owens’ 

nursing program. 

Editorial Note: 

Thank you, Dr. Bensman, for your vision and 

leadership. In addition to the RN and LPN/ADN 

Progression Programs, Owens now offers a Licensed 

Practical Nursing Certificate Program, an International 

Nursing Program and is about to launch a Paramedic 

to RN Bridge Program. 

Dr. Bensman served as Chair from 1968 until 1979 

when she became Dean of the School of Health 

Sciences. In 1985, she served as Vice President of 

Academic Services until her retirement in 1992. 

Barbara Jagielo succeeded Peggy as Chair in 1979 

and served in that capacity until her retirement in 

1993. Liz Ream was Chair from 1993-1999 at which 

time Dawn Wetmore succeeded her until 2004 when 

she became Associate Dean of Academic Services. 

Cindy Hall currently serves as Interim Chair of the 

Nursing Department. 

History of 

The Owens Community College 


May 1969 

Nursing program approved by State 

Board of Nursing Education and 

Nurse Registration for Lima Campus. 

April 1971 

Nursing program approved by State 

Board of Nursing and Education and 

Nurse Registration for Toledo Campus. 

February 1972 

Program moved to College Hall. 

July 1974 

College received construction grant 

from Department of Health Education 

and Welfare for nursing annex. 

December 1974 

Program received full accreditation 

from National League for Nursing. 

February 1977 

Continuing Education program 

endorsed by Ohio Nurses Association 

(first college in Ohio to receive endorsement). 

June 1987 

LPN/ADN Program launched on the 

Findlay Campus. 

September 1969 

First class admitted to Lima Campus. 


First class admitted to Toledo Campus. 

June 1973 

First graduating class from Toledo campus. 


Nursing program moved to Health 

Technologies Hall. 

October 1976 

Dedication of Bicentennial Hall. 

The Licensed Practical Nurse/Associate 

Degree Nursing (LPN/ADN) Program 

started on the Toledo Campus. 

August 1991 

The Registered Nursing Program accepted 

its first class on the Findlay Campus. 

Dawn Wetmore, 

Associate Dean, 

Academic Services 

Cindy Hall 

Interim Chair, 

Nursing Department 

January 2003 

The Practical Nursing Certificate 

Program began on both the Toledo and 

Findlay Campuses. 

August 2004 

The International Nursing Program was 

implemented on the Toledo Campus. 


Dental Hygiene Program 

Then 

Polly Schmidt, Governor 

Richard Celeste and President 

Daniel Brown. 

1995 Commencement (Back Row): Faculty Members 

Becky Cable, Christopher Simmons, Jayne Klett and 

Deborah Mille. (Front Row): Linda McCutchan and 

Chair Trudy Palmateer. 

Clinic Session, 1976. 

In 1973, Mr. Brown recruited Pauline 

Schmidt, RDH (a.k.a. Polly) from the 

University of Kentucky to serve as the 

Director of the Dental Hygiene Program. 

At the time, U.K. had the premier dental 

hygiene program in the country. 

Polly was sought for her pioneer 

endeavors in dental hygiene. She started 

an Expanded Functions Dental Auxiliary 

(EFDA) Program and administration of 

local anesthesia at U.K. with a state grant 

to improve access to care for the under 

served population in Kentucky. 

She was also a visionary with the EFDA 

Program at Owens Community College. 

The Owens Dental Hygiene Program is 

the only two-year dental hygiene program 

in the state that offers EFDA as part of its 

undergraduate curriculum. 

Soon after she started her Owens tenure, 

Polly recruited Trudy Palmateer, RDH, 

to leave the University of Tennessee 

to serve as Owens’ First Year Clinic 

Coordinator because Trudy had “golden 

And Now... 

(L to R): Faculty Janice Darah 

and Clinical Instructors Katie 

Camp, Laura Abbott, Kelly 

Bardwell and Brenda Wurzell. 

(L to R): Chair Beth Tronolone, 

Dr. James Kwasniak, Susan 

Wannemacher, Laura Morgan, 

and Katie Camp. 

hands” when it came to teaching 

instrumentation technique. 

By 1976, Owens Community College 

graduated its first Dental Hygiene class. 

At the time, the following people served at 

Owens: Chairman Pauline Schmidt, RDH; 

Glenn Fausz, DDS; Deborah Rainey, RDH; 

Tina O’Neal, RDH; Trudy Palmateer, 

RDH; and Deborah Wilson, RDH. 

In 1986, Polly was the recipient of a 

$150,000 Program Excellence Award for 

the Dental Hygiene Program from the Ohio 

Board of Regents and supported by then 

Governor Richard Celeste and the Ohio 

General Assembly. The funds were used 

to enhance the program by developing a 

computerized system for use in instruction, 

evaluation and clinical efforts. 

In 1989, the entire college community was 

saddened by Polly’s death when she lost 

a valiant two-year battle with cancer. A 

year later, the Toledo Dental Hygienists’ 

Association (TDHA) presented a plaque 

to the Dental Hygiene Program that read: 

Student Theresa Kania. 

Pauline Schmidt 

September 13, 1934 – January 7, 1989 

A Great Leader and True Pioneer 

Willing to Try New Things 

For the Advancement of the 

Profession Of Dental Hygiene 

It graces the clinic entrance to this day. 

Trudy Palmateer became the next 

Chairman serving from 1989-2001. 

During Trudy’s tenure as Chair, health 

care saw changes in universal precautions, 

and faculty and students started wearing 

scrubs, gloves, masks and glasses. 

In 2002, Gwen Welling became the next 

Chairman serving from 2002-2005. Gwen 

was a previous Chair at Edison Community 

College in Fort Meyers, Fla. She taught 

at Loyola University and Northwestern 

University in Chicago before moving 

to Florida. 

Gwen completed the huge renovation 

project of the sterilization area, dispensary 

area and office/reception area. Gwen left 

to take a position at the American Dental 

Association in charge of Accreditation of 

Dental Hygiene Programs. 

Currently, Beth Tronolone is the Chair of 

the Dental Hygiene Program. She is a 

graduate of Marquette University where 

she earned a Bachelor of Science Degree 

in Dental Hygiene. She has held both 

part-and full-time positions at Owens for 

13 years. She is currently working on 

her Master’s Degree in organizational 

leadership at Lourdes College. 


Medical Imaging Technology 

The Department of Medical Imaging 

Technologies of Owens Community College 

began in the Fall of 1973. The Medical 

University of Ohio, St. Charles Hospital 

and the Wood County Hospital met with 

the Owens administration and requested 

that a Radiography Program be started. 

In March of 1974, Linda Myers was hired 

to begin curriculum development and in 

September of 1974, 15 individuals became 

the first class of radiography students. 

Eleven of those students comprised the first 

graduating class in 1976. The Radiography 

Program sponsored by Owens Community 

College received full accreditation by the 

Joint Review Committee on Education in 

Radiologic Technology in 1976, and has 

maintained maximum accreditation since 

that time. 

“The willingness of each 

and every area hospital to 

provide clinical educational 

experiences for the Medical 

Imaging students has 

consistently been a strength 

of our programs...” 

In 1980, the Radiation Therapy Program was 

initiated and 12 students began the program. 

The program served the community for several 

years, and in 1998 the last class of students 

graduated. The program has since been placed 

on inactive status. 

The Medical Imaging Department continued 

to expand by offering a Diagnostic 

Medical Sonography Program in 1981. 

The Sonography Program is one of the most 

competitive of the selective admissions 

programs with only 12 students accepted 

of the more than 80 interested applicants. 

This program continues to serve the area 

by allowing students to pursue an active 

role as allied health care professionals and 

supplying the community with quality 

entry-level graduates. 

In 1983, a collaborative program between 

Owens Community College and the Nuclear 

Medicine Institute allowed students to earn 

a certificate in nuclear 

medicine from NMI 

and an associate degree 

from OCC. This program 

continues to flourish 

and Owens along with 

the Nuclear Medicine 

Institute continue to work 

Linda Myers toward a common goal 

Radiography Faculty (L to R): Susan Welling, 

Linda Homolka, Catherine Ford (Chair), 

Christine Smith and Joan Berger. 

for these area students which allows them 

professional success. 

In response to a request made by the 

Radiography Advisory Committee, in 

1991 the Radiography Program added 

an additional start date. This allowed the 

College to graduate qualified entry-level 

radiographers in both May and December. 

To keep current with the profession, 

curriculum has been evaluated regularly and 

resulted in the addition of sectional anatomy, 

quality assurance labs, computerized imaging 

and digital imaging to name just a few. 

Currently, the Medical Imaging Department 

is working on a completely online Computed 

Tomography (CT) certificate program that 

will be available to registered technologists. 

The department looks forward to developing 

additional online programs to serve imaging 

professionals in the immediate community 

and across the country. 

Diagnostic Medical Sonography Faculty (L to R): Heather Duval-Foote, Carol Ghareeb, 

Susan Perry and Karen Laston. 

This is an appropriate time to reflect on the 

past 32 years that the Medical Imaging 

Department has been part of Owens 

Community College. This department has 

been extremely fortunate to have excellent 

and continued support from the community. 

The willingness of each and every area hospital 

to provide clinical educational experiences for 

the Medical Imaging students has consistently 

been a strength of our programs and for 

that we are very grateful. We look forward 

to many more years of educating those in 

the community to enable them to become 

imaging professionals. 


Surgical Program First class to graduate from the Owen’s Surgical Program in 1979. 

The Surgical Program was first introduced 

to the community in 1978. Operating Room 

Technician (ORT) was first recognized as 

a career in 1967 under the auspices of the 

Association of Perioperative Nurses (AORN). 

During WWII, a shortage of nurses prompted 

the beginnings of necessary ancillary help in 

the operating room (OR). The local hospitals 

began their own on-the-job training programs, 

but soon recognized that a formal education 

would be valuable. As a result, in 1978, 

Michael J. Owens Technical College initiated 

the first ORT class as a certificate program 

under the direction of Dr. Peggy Bensman, 

Dean, Health Technologies. 

Changes in the certification process prompted 

the change from a certificate program 

to an associate degree in 1979. Leadership 

provided by Annette Jones, Chairman, and 

Dr. Bensman provided the expertise to 

successfully convert and rename the program 

to Surgical Assisting Technology. In July 

1980, after graduating the first class with an 

Associate Degree and successful completion 

of the certification process, the College 

submitted its request for accreditation. The 

name of the program was again changed 

to better reflect the career and certification 

process to Surgical Technology in the Fall of 

1980. Initial accreditation was obtained after 

the site visit in February 1981. 

The Surgical Program continued to flourish 

with the help of the hospitals in the community 

during the 1980s under the direction 

of Annette Jones and Peggy Bensman. 

Ms. Jones was active in the Association 

of Surgical Technologists and often reviewed 

new textbooks. In 1991, Annette Jones left 

the College and the program came under the 

direction of Janell Lang and Kris Flickinger. 

During the 1990s, they steered the program and 

maintained its reputation in the community. 

The Sterile Processing Certificate Program 

was developed in 2003 to meet the increasing 

demand for trained personnel in vital areas of 

the health care community. 

“Current facilities allow students 

to gain critical skills in a more 

realistic setting.” 

Renovation of the laboratory facility occurred 

under the leadership of Dawn Wetmore and 

Kris Flickinger in 2003. Current facilities 

allow students to gain critical skills in 

a more realistic setting. Students are active 

today in the community participating 

in the Relay for Life and Blood Drive 

held annually on campus. Students and 

graduates of our program are recognized in 

the local community 

for their expertise in 

the surgical field. 

Surgical Program students Kris Shake and Toby Bean volunteering for the Bloodmobile. 

Kris Flickinger 


HRI Technology 

On March 7, 1974, The Toledo Blade 

carried an article entitled “Owens Tech 

Woos Students,” and began by stating 

“Michael J. Owens Technical College is 

seeking applicants for next September for 

its two-year degree programs in restaurant 

and food-service management and in hotelmotel-resort 

management.” The Restaurant 

and Food-Service Management Program 

(now known as Foodservice Management) 

began in 1968, and the Hotel-Motel-Resort 

Management Program (now known as 

Hospitality Management) began in 1973. The 

Coordinator of the two programs was John 

B. Knight. 

Helen Winters, faculty and later Program 

Coordinator until the late 1980s, raised 

the programs to a new level. “The world 

was our oyster during the 1970s,” stated 

Caroline Allinder, who was an instructor in 

the programs during that time. “Candidates 

took jobs because they were trained. We had 

a stove and a dishwasher in the Barracks. 

It was the only time I taught around a corner,” 

added Ms. Allinder. 

Clippings from the Blade, found in a folder 

labeled “Publicity,” highlighted students 

receiving scholarships, preparing and serving 

a meal to then Toledo Mayor Donna Owens as 

a final exam project, and working alongside 

chefs at several Blade Food Fairs. Many of 

Helen Winters (right). 

the articles were written by food Editor Mary 

Alice Powell. Ms. Powell is now a member of 

the HRI Technology Advisory Committee. 

A graduate of the program, Dolores 

Dobelbower replaced Helen Winters 

as program faculty and facilitator. Ms. 

Dobelbower was instrumental in placing 

co-op students in country clubs and the fastgrowing 

industry of fast food. 

In the mid-1990s, the HRI Technology 

Program was moved from the Business 

Division to the Health Division. Marty 

Johnson, M.Ed., RD, LD, Chair of Dietetic 

Technology, took on the responsibility of 

this growing program. Tekla Madaras, M.Ed., 

RD, LD, replaced Ms. Johnson as Chair in 

the late 1990s. 

The Culinary Lab area, located in College 

Hall, consists of a production kitchen and a 

dining room that opens onto a bricked and 

beautifully landscaped terrace. Marking the 

37th anniversary of the program, the dining 

room (newly named the Terrace View Café), 

has undergone some renovations and will 

soon display student art work. 

With a charge by Dr. Paul Unger, Provost, to 

seek accreditation with the American Culinary 

Federation, many changes in the program 

are occurring. The one-year Foodservice 

Dolores Dobelbower (center). 

Certificate Program will have a name change 

to Culinary Arts Certificate beginning 

Summer 2006. The culinary classes are now 

being taught by chefs who are graduates of 

accredited culinary programs and hold a 

current ACF credential. Creative curriculum 

revision includes the focus on culinary skill 

competencies, layering of classes to create 

a more realistic industry environment, and 

addition of CPR / AED / basic first aid training 

in the Sanitation and Safety class. 

Chef Bill Powell has been instrumental in 

locating community industry leaders to serve 

as faculty and advisory committee members 

to the program. Amanda Noascono, MBA and 

hospitality trained, manages food purchasing 

and sales as the culinary labs resume serving 

faculty and staff at open luncheon labs and 

special functions. 

On October 5, 2005, the Terrace View 

Café joined restaurants across the country 

to prepare and serve a luncheon meal 

for “Dine for America.” Using voluntary 

contributions from local purveyors, all 

proceeds from the luncheon went directly 

to the American Red Cross in support of 

Hurricane Katrina and Rita victims. 

Visit the HRI Technology website at: 

www.owens.edu/academic_dept/health_ 

tech/hri/index.html to follow student success 

as changes occur in the next few years. 


Dietetic Technician 

In 1988, the Dietetic Technician Program 

was granted initial approval by the American 

Dietetic Association. Under the direction 

of Marty Johnson, M.Ed., RD, LD, 

the first class of six dietetic technician 

students graduated from Owens Technical 

College in 1990. 

During the early 90s, students were 

placed in area health care facilities, 

using volunteer registered dietitians as 

preceptors for the required 450 hours of 

supervised practice. The program was 

granted reapproval in 1993. 

Mary Beck, M.Ed., RD, LD, full-time 

faculty member, who was named Program 

Coordinator after Marty’s retirement in the 

late 1990s, was followed by Tekla Madaras, 

M.Ed, RD, LD. In addition to Mary 

Beck, other current faculty include 

Carol Schwisow, Marilyn Gilroy, Donna 

Pushka, Sally Elsea and Dawn Muns, 

all of whom are registered dietitians. 

Several act as clinical lab instructors and 

now accompany the students to their 

supervised practice sites. These sites have 

expanded beyond the boundaries of health 

care facilities to include service learning 

activities at Headstart, migrant education 

schools, food banks, city missions, Mobile 

Meals, WIC, health departments and 

cooperative extension. 

Several dietetic technician students have 

been recognized through awards and 

scholarships: Carol Meidt, DTR- Recognized 

Dietetic Technician of the Year / Ohio Winner 

/ American Dietetic Association, 1998; 

Paula Holt- All Ohio Academic Team 

/ Phi Theta Kappa / Third Team, 

2004; Sandy Moening, DTR- Ohio Space 

Grant Consortium Scholarship, 2004; 

Ashley Brough- American Dietetic 

Association / EcoLab Scholarship, 2004; 

Ashley Brough- Ohio Space Grant Consortium 

Scholarship, 2005; Ashley Brough- All Ohio 

Academic Team / Phi Theta Kappa / Third 

Team, 2005. 

opportunities in hospitals, long term 

care, community agencies and other 

employers of dietetic professionals. 

Approximately 10 percent of the graduates 

have chosen to continue their education 

by pursuing a baccalaureate degree in 

dietetics or a related health field. The 

program has articulation agreements with 

Bowling Green State University, Bluffton 

University and will soon sign with Eastern 

Michigan University. 

The program was granted initial accreditation 

in 2005 and has a present enrollment of 

11 students in the graduating class of 2006 

and 12 students for graduation in 2007. 

The Dietetic Technician Program prepares 

dietetic professionals who are critical 

resources for promoting the optimal health 

and nutritional status of the public. 

Marty Johnson, the first Chair of the Dietetic 

Techician Program. 

There have been 164 graduates of the 

program, many of whom are employed 

in Northwest Ohio. They have found 

Dietetic students with Tekla Madaras (far left) meeting Senator Randy Gardner in Columbus. 


Dietary Manager 

Certificate Program 

In the mid-1990s, the Dietary Manager 

Certificate Program was established in 

the Health Technologies Division. Marty 

Johnson, M.Ed., RD, LD, then Chair of 

the Dietetic Technician Program, became 

the Program Director and integrated the 

curriculum into Dietetic Technologies. 

Students who completed the program were 

offered a seamless transition into the Dietetic 

Technician Program, if interested. 

When Ms. Johnson retired in the late 90s, 

the program was moved under the Center 

for Development and Training. Dr. Joseph 

Conrad became the program director and was 

responsible for obtaining program approval 

through the Dietary Managers Association. 

In 2004, the program was moved back to 

the Health Division and was placed under 

Tekla Madaras, M.Ed., RD, LD, Chair of 

Dietetic and HRI Technologies. Using the 

curriculum provided by the Dietary Managers 

Association, the courses and field experiences 

(practicums) in Nutrition, Human Resource 

Management, Food Safety & Sanitation, and 

Foodservice Management are approved for 

16 hours of college credit. The program is 

offered on both the Toledo-and Findlay-area 

campuses, and is a three-semester, 10 month 

program. Open enrollment into the program 

is permitted during any semester. 

A unique feature of the Owens Dietary 

Manager Program is that classes are taught 

by registered dietitians, licensed in the 

State of Ohio. These instructors also are 

employed in health care facilities and are 

used as preceptors during field experiences 

that require a preceptor to be an RD. Students 

who are employed by agencies, schools, 

etc., who do not have an RD on staff, can 

successfully complete the program without 

changing positions. This makes the Dietary 

Manager Certificate Program unique among 

other programs throughout the state. 

Physical Therapist Assistant 

In 1988, Owens Community College was 

approached by Dr. Patricia Yarborough, 

Dean of the School of Allied Health at the 

Medical University of Ohio, regarding the 

need for a Physical Therapist Assistant 

Program in Northwest Ohio. We explained to 

her that several years earlier, the College had 

initiated discussion regarding the feasibility 

of this program, but had decided not to 

pursue it due to resistance from the physical 

therapy community. 

Resistance evolved to acceptance, to 

encouragement and support, once the role and 

function of the Physical Therapist Assistant 

was clearly defined and the community 

realized how helpful the PTA Program would 

be to the physical therapist. 

In 1990, the charter class entered the College 

and graduated in 1992. That same year saw 

initial accreditation from the Commission on 

Accreditation for Physical Therapy Education 

(CAPTE) of the American Physical Therapy 

Association (APTA). 

The program’s founding Chairman was 

Michael Schoen, 1989-1993, followed by 

Dr. Pamela Bensman, 1993-1998, and Lee 

Grinonneau, 1998-2005. A search is currently 

underway for the next PTA Chair. 

The program has enjoyed a strong and 

collaborative relationship with the Medical 

University of Ohio. For the past 12 years, 

Owens students have had the rare opportunity 

to utilize the cadaver lab at MUO for their 

Functional Anatomy and Kineseology course. 

Typically, this setting is reserved exclusively 

for medical students. In addition, Dr. Lloyd 

Jacobs, President of the Medical University 

of Ohio, has graciously provided classroom 

space to Owens students in both the Health 

and Arts & Sciences arenas. Plans for the 

future include sharing of faculty and students 

together for combined lecture / lab segments. 

Bringing students together will only 

strengthen their working relationships both 

as clinicians and health care team members. 

Finally, the online PTA Program is nearing 

completion with hopes of implementation 

next year. 

OTA and PTA students and campers at MDA summer camp. 

Nancy Rupp helping a patient in Honduras. 


Occupational Therapy Assistant 

The development of the Occupational 

Therapy Assistant (OTA) Program was 

initiated in October of 1994. Dr. Stephen 

Heater, Associate Dean, School of Allied 

Health at the Medical University of Ohio, 

was the Program’s consultant. Chair, Beth 

Ann Kneisley was hired in July 1996. The 

OTA Program was granted “Development 

Program Status” in August 1996. The charter 

class was screened and admitted in 

December 1996. Twelve charter member 

students were accepted into the OTA 

Program and classes began in January 

1997. The initial self-study report was 

submitted April 1, 1997. The OTA Program 

was initially accredited in March 1998. 

The OTA Program received a five-year 

accreditation. The 12 members of the 

charter class graduated in May 1998. 

The self-study report for re-accreditation was 

submitted November 2004. The on-site visit 

for the OTA Program was in February 1995. 

The OTA Program received re-accreditation 

in March, 2005. The program received a 

10-year re-accreditation. 

Since May 1998, there have been 

119 OTA graduates. The OTA Program has 

partnered with approximately 75 clinical 

sites. In December 1998, ACOTE updated 

the educational standards for accredited 

educational programs for the occupational 

therapy assistant to include non-traditional 

or emerging practice clinical sites. As a 

result of these non-traditional partnerships, 

the OTA Program students have had the 

opportunity to experience clinical rotations 

Occupational Therapy Assistant first alumni reunion, October 2000. 

at summer camps with individuals diagnosed 

with spina bifida and muscular dystrophy; 

residential homes with individuals with AIDS; 

non-profit program for individuals with 

autism; and residential homes for individuals 

with Alzheimer’s. 

Seven graduates of the OTA Program have 

earned Master degrees-six of these degrees 

are in occupational therapy. Three graduates 

of the program have returned as lab instructors 

and/or lab assistants. 

Service learning, as defined by Stanton 

(1981), is “an approach to experiential 

learning…it is service to others, which 

determines the purpose, nature and process 

of social and education exchange between 

learners (students) and the people they 

serve, and between experiential education 

programs and the community organizations 

with which they work.” The Occupational 

Therapy Assistant students have been 

involved in service learning activities since 

1998- the same year that the Occupational 

Therapy Assistant (OTA) Program earned 

its initial accreditation. 

The OTA Program has developed two 

major community partnerships with the 

Muscular Dystrophy and the Northwest 

Ohio Spina Bifida associations. Both 

associations provide a week-long summer 

camp for children and adolescents with 

varying degrees of muscular dystrophy 

and spina bifida. This past summer, 

students spent a week at Camp Miakonda 

in Sylvania working with individuals with 

muscular dystrophy (MD). They also went 

to Recreation Unlimited in Columbus to 

work with individuals with spina bifida. 

The following reflections about camp were 

shared by the OTA students: 

” 

I’ve learned that anything is 

possible. I didn’t think some of 

the campers in wheelchairs 

could do some of the activities, 

but they proved me wrong. 

All the campers worked 

together GREAT…” 

” 

MDA camp has made me 

appreciate what I have in 

life. My complaints are so minor 

compared to what the kids have 

that I met at camp.” 

Occupational Therapy Assistant graduating class of 2001. 


Health Information Technology 

The Health Information Technology Associate 

Degree Program was developed after a needs 

assessment conducted within the community 

indicated the need for health information 

management professionals. 

The first class started in Fall of 2000 and 

graduated students in 2002. The program was 

accredited in 2002 by the Commission on the 

Accreditation of Allied Health Education 

Programs in cooperation with the Council 

on Accreditation of the American Health 

Information Management Association. 

The students are eligible to apply to 

write the national qualifying examination 

for certification as a Registered Health 

Information Technician (RHIT). 

The HIT Program has a state-of-theart 

laboratory with 25 computer stations 

and the latest software that is used in the 

industry. The curriculum consists of courses 

in general education, biomedical science, 

information technology, health data content 

and structures, health care delivery systems, 

organization and supervision, health care 

statistics and data literacy, clinical quality 

assessment and performance improvement, 

clinical classification systems, reimbursement 

methodologist, and legal and ethical issues. 

The program, through selective admission 

criteria, accepts 25 students each fall semester. 

The class has been at capacity enrollment in 

2004 and 2005 with a waiting list for 2006. 

The Medical Coding Certificate Program 

was initiated in 2002 to meet the needs of the 

community in the area of coding specialists. 

This is a one-year certificate program that 

graduates between 10 and 15 students each 

year. These students are eligible to apply 

to write the national qualifying examination 

through the American Health Information 

Management Association for certification 

as a Certified Coding Associate (CCA). 

Many of these students apply and are 

accepted into the Associate Degree for Health 

Information Technology. 

Bonnie Hemp, 

Chair, 

HIT Program 

Teresa McGaharan, 

full-time faculty, 

HIT Program 

The Medical Transcription Certificate 

Program was initiated in 2002 to meet the 

growing needs of the transcription industry. 

This is a one-year certificate program that 

is offered totally online with the use of a 

program through Career Steps. The students 

receive an education in medical terminology, 

anatomy & physiology, disease processes, 

applications and pronunciations. The students 

practice their listening and transcription 

skills through typing more than 500 reports 

during the year-long course. The students 

are eligible to apply to take the national 

exam through the American Association for 

Medical Transcription to become a Certified 

Medical Transciptionist (CMT). 

The Medical Reimbursement Specialist 

Certificate program began in 2004. 

This program focuses on educating the 

students in the assigning of the appropriate 

diagnosis / service codes, completing billing 

forms, to appealing denial of medical 

insurance payments. The students receive 

education in coding, insurance bills and 

reimbursement and legal concepts. By 

applying for the national exam through the 

American Medical Billers Association, the 

students may become a Certified Medical 

Reimbursement Specialist (CMRS). 

Administrators 

of the 90s 

Alumni 

We welcome alumni news. 

Where are you? 

What are you doing? 

Please send information about your 

professional accomplishments to: 

Dean Janell Lang 


Owens Community College 

P.O. Box 10,000 

Toledo, OH 43699-1947 

Call: (567) 661-7398 

Email: janell_lang@owens.edu 

(Front Row, L to R): Pam Bensman, Barb Hetrick, Marty Johnson and 

Beth Ann Kneisley. 

(Back Row, L to R): Trudy Palmateer, Liz Reom, Linda Myers and Janell Lang. 

School of 

Health Sciences 


Alumni 

Accomplishments 

Our Own 

As will become readily apparent, one of the best strategies for securing faculty, staff and administrators to educate Nursing and Allied Health 

students is to foster a sense of commitment in our current students to return to their roots and give back to the learning communities in which 

they prospered. Therefore, this new column will highlight the numerous graduates of the School of Health Sciences who have done just that: 

support and enhance their professions, certainly not for financial gains, but to care for future health care practitioners, for the future of health 

care and, most importantly, for the people they serve. 

Nursing 

Owens Graduates/Full-Time Faculty Members: 

Barbara Frommer, Professor, Nursing 

Department, held a baccalaureate degree in 

education and taught in the Toledo Public 

School system for several years. After the 

birth of her third child, she thought it time to 

explore different options. The next step she 

took was to Owens Community College, and 

the associate degree she obtained in 1983 was 

the springboard that changed her career in 

education to a different venue. While working 

as an RN, Barb earned an MSN degree, which 

provided her the opportunity to teach in the 

Nursing Program at Owens. 

Barbara Miller, Clinical Teaching Associate, 

graduated from Owens in 1990 and then 

graduated from Lourdes College with a BSN. 

Working in almost every CCU in the city of 

Toledo as well as at the University of Michigan, 

a friend noticed how well she taught students 

in their clinical rotations. Now, she is where 

she should be, teaching at Owens, working on 

an MSN, and loving it! 

Owens Graduates/Part-Time Faculty Members: 

Beth Aungst, ’00, RN 

Sandra Clifton, ’93, RN, BSN 

Lacey Davis, ’00, RN, BSN 

Kathy DeCavith, ’86, RN 

Julie Duslak, ’98, RN 

Barbara Duwve, ’85, RN, BSN 

Kathie Eck, ’00, RN, MSN 

Karen Franks, ’96, RN, MSN 

Deborah Galliers, ’84, RN, BSN, MBA 

Pamela Gaskins, ’94, RN 

Janet Gill, ’96, RN 

Vickie Grimm, ’00, RN 

Marcia Grizzard, ’92, RN, BSN 

Sandra Hatch, ’87, RN, MSN 

Erin Jaynes, ’85, RN, MSN 

Denise Kaufman, ’94, RN, BSN 

Karla Markle, ’91, RN, BSN 

Patricia Mowrey, ’78, RN 

Debra Nash, ’82, RN, BSN 

Darrah Okeke, ’94, RN, BSN 

Kristin O’Neail, ’92, RN, BSN 

C’Shalla Parker, ’01, RN, BSN 

Cindy Reinhard, ’79, RN, BSN 

Colleen Rhoads, ’98, RN 

Stacey Rosenbalm, ’91, RN 

Terrill Saldana, ’89, RN, BSN 

Michelle Shephard, ’96, RN 

Danita Smith, ’95, RN 

Deanna Truitt, ’91, RN, B.Ed. 

Kara Wollenweber, ’93, RN, BSN 

Kimberly Zaleski, ’87, RN, BSN 

Dental Hygiene 


Janice Darah, Associate Professor, graduated 

from Owens in 1978. She continued her 

education, earning a Bachelor of Science Degree 

from the University of Toledo and a Master’s 

Degree from The Ohio State University. 

She has 27 years of clinical experience and 

has taught at Owens for the past 15 years. 


Miriam Armstrong, ’00, RDH, B.S. 

Kelly Bardwell, ’79, RDH, EFDA, B.S. 

Katie Camp, ’77, RDH 

Paula Johnson, ’84, RDH, EFDA, B.S. 

Cindy Mahler, ’93, RDH, EFDA 

Erica Main, ’99, RDH 

Debbie Manore, ’83, RDH 

Sue Nichols, ’83, RDH, EFDA 

Ann Tincher, ’87, RDH, EFDA 

Brenda Wurzell, ’78, RDH, EFDA 

Medical Imaging 


Catherine Ford, Chair of Medical Imaging 

graduated from Owens Community College 

with an Associate of Applied Science Degree, 

in Radiography in May 1979. Three years 

later, she returned to Owens Community 

College as a part-time clinical instructor. 

In 1993, she accepted a full-time position 

as a Teaching Associate and earned the 

position as Department Chair in August 2000. 

She is currently working on a Master’s 

Degree in Higher Education at the University 

of Toledo. 

Susan Welling, Teaching Associate in 

Radiography, graduated from Owens 

Community College in 1981. She went on 

to work in medical imaging in a variety of 

modalities, including diagnostic, CT and 

special procedures until 1991 when she came 

to Owens as a part-time lab and clinical 

instructor. In 1996, Susan earned a Bachelor 

of Arts Degree from The University of 

Toledo. She began her full-time position at 

Owens in 2004. 

Rose Warner, Secretary of the Medical 

Imaging Department, graduated from Owens 

with an Associate Degree in Applied Business 

(Microcomputer Business Systems) in 1991. 

She completed a second degree in Office 

Administration in 1998. Rose was hired by 

Owens in 1990 in the JOBS Program, but 

found her “true calling” when hired by the 

Medical Imaging Department in 1992 where 

she continues to work to the present day. 


Fall 

2005 


Tamara Aldrich, ’93, RDMS (AB OB) 

Kristen Ayers-Crossgrove, ’97, RT(R) 

John Blaylock, ’82, RT(R) 

Linda Bollinger, ’98, RT(R) 

Carrie Burk, ’00, RT(R) 

Jill Collins, ’87, RDMS (AB BR OB) 

Heather Duval-Foote, ’98, RDMS (AB OB) 

Jill Glore, ’00. RT(R) 

Kathy Klempner, ’99, RT(R) 

Sue Litten, ’79, RT(R) (CT) (MR) 

Connie MacAllister, ’03, RT(R) 

Laurie Stimmel, ’95, RT(R) (CT) 

Terri Swint, ’90, RDMS (AB OB) 

Mary Tansey, ’94, RT(R) 

Surgical Program 


Kristine Flickinger, Coordinator of the 

Surgical Program, graduated from Owens 

Community College in 1973 with an Associate 

Degree in Registered Nursing. For the next 11 

years, she worked in various departments at 

Parkview Hospital and preceptored surgical 

students from 1980-82. Because of her great 

teaching skills, she began employment at 

Owens in 1982 as a lab assistant and in 1984 

joined the full time faculty ranks as a surgical 

instructor. However, she has never left the 

critical arena of surgery, serving as a surgical 

nurse in OR, ER, PACU, ICU/CCU in almost 

all of the medical institutions in the city. 

Currently, she works at St. Charles Hospital in 

Perioperative Services and PACU. She earned 

certification as a CNOR in 1995 and is about 

to graduate from Spring Arbor College in June 

2005 with a Bachelor’s Degree. 


Kathleen Lagger, ’75, RN 

Kris Shaw, ’89, CST 

Joseph Stevens, ’03, CST 

Dietetics/HRI 


Mary Beck, Professor, graduated from Owens 

in 1976 with a degree in Law Enforcement. 

After working for the State Highway Patrol 

for a number of years, Mary changed direction 

and earned a Bachelor of Science Degree in 

Dietetics from Eastern Michigan University 

and a Master of Education Degree in Health 

Education from the University of Toledo. 

She has many years of clinical practice 

experience and has been a Dietetics faculty 

member since 1995. 


Nancy Abraham, ’04, Foodservice 

Management 

Loreene Pettaway, ’83, Foodservice 

Management, B.S. 

Bradley Teaderman, ’96, DTR, CEC, 

American Culinary Federation 

Occupational Therapy 

Assistant Program 


Kathy Adkins, ’74, Early Childhood 

Education, COTA, B.I.S. 

Jessica Keeler, ’98, COTA, M.Ed. 

Physical Therapist 

Assistant Program 


Angela Lewandowski, ’05, PTA 

Health Information 

Technology 


Marjorie Huff, Secretary, Medical Imaging 

Department, graduated from Owens 

Community College in 1990 in Security 

Administration. She then earned state 

certification from the Basic Police Officer 

Training Program, and in 1993 Marge 

earned a second degree from Owens in Law 

Enforcement. She has been with Owens since 

1980 when she worked part-time in the 

Library. Then she took a full-time position in 

the President’s Office in 1981. In 1990, Marge 

joined the School of Health Sciences, and in 

2002 she became the secretary for the Health 

Information Technologies Department. 


Annette Estep, ’03, RHIT 

Stacie Kreinbrink, ’04, RHIT 

Lynnette Lemke, ’03, RHIT 

Loretta Schultz, ’04, RHIT 

Nilgun Sezginis, ’04, RHIT, CCS-P 


P.O. Box 10,000 

Toledo, OH 43699-1947 

PRESORTED 

NON-PROFIT 

ORGANIZATION 

US POSTAGE 

PAID 

TOLEDO, OH 

PERMIT NO. 122

highlights ealth care - Owens Community College

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