June 2004
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Paul Peter Koro, D.O., dies June 6
Served as interim dean, professor of surgery
Paul Peter Koro, D.O., professor of surgery and former interim dean of the OSU medical school, died June 6 in Tulsa, after a brief illness. He was well-known to the College faculty, staff, students and alumni, and to the local medical community.
Koro, who served as chairman of the department of surgery and professor of surgery from 1976 to 1988, returned to OSU in 1999 as senior associate dean for academic affairs and professor of surgery.
A longtime cardiothoracic and vascular surgeon, Koro was in private practice at the Heart Institute of Tulsa from 1974 until 1994. He served as Chairman of the Department of Surgery at the Center for Health Sciences in Kansas City, Missouri, and (1970 - 1974).
In 1994, Koro moved to Iowa to focus on academic medicine at the University of Osteopathic Medicine and Health Sciences in Des Moines. He was promoted from Associate Dean for Clinical Affairs to Interim Dean to Executive Vice President for Academic and Health Affairs (Provost). Koro returned to OSU in 1999 to oversee clinical and academic affairs at both the medical school and its teaching hospitals, Tulsa Regional Medical Center and St. Michael and Saint Anthony Medical Centers in Oklahoma City.
Board certified in General Surgery, Thoracic Surgery, and Cardiovascular Surgery, Koro graduated Summa Cum Laude from the Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine. He is past president of the American College of Osteopathic Surgeons and a ten-year member of its Board of Governors. The College awarded Koro its two most prestigious awards, the Most Distinguished Surgeon Award in 1995 and the Oral F. Martin Medal for Distinguished Service in 1997.
During his academic tenure, Koro has received numerous other teaching awards including the Oklahoma Osteopathic Association's Outstanding and Distinguished Service Award (1992) and the A.T. Still Award of Excellence (2001). The Council of Student Council Presidents of the American Association of Colleges of Osteopathic Medicine honored Koro in 2001 with its Student Advocate Award.
He received the Outstanding and Distinguished Service Award at the 105th Oklahoma Osteopathic Association annual conference in May. The award was given in recognition of his dedication to protecting the integrity of the osteopathic medical profession while serving as Interim Dean for the College of Osteopathic Medicine. His leadership provided faculty and students stability in an environment of change. He was applauded for his challenge to focus on the greater good of the osteopathic medical students.
Memories of Dr. Koro:
Loren Martin, D.O ., a former faculty member, says “Dr. Koro was truly a saint” who always supported the College. Martin was course coordinator for the old Systems Biology courses (clinical presentations to 3rd and 4th year students) and recalls when support was needed from clinical areas to keep the young school open. “As you might imagine, Dr. Koro was one of the first to step up to the plate to help us save the day!! We're all so very lucky that he was an important part of our lives.” Richard Perry , director of OKAHEC, remembers: I am deeply saddened by the death of Paul Koro. He was a supporter of AHEC and was always encouraging us to "do more." One memory is particularly strong. A couple of years ago I was writing a grant - last minute as usual. It was due on Monday and I was still writing late Friday night. It was really late, but it was under control. Dr. Koro had told me that I could bring it to him on Saturday morning and he would sign it. I could still get it to Fed Ex in time.
As the night wore on, it started to snow - hard. I wasn't finished yet, but it was under control. I knew that I would have to work on it some the next day, so I decided to stay the night in my office and finish it off the next morning. When I woke up it had snowed 11 inches! I finished the proposal, made all the copies, called Dr. Koro and started over to his home. It took me forever to get there, but when I arrived I was stunned! Dr. Koro had fixed me breakfast - eggs, fried potatoes, bacon, fruit, coffee and a coffee cake! (Understand, I looked like - well, you can guess). We talked for a long time and then I went back out into the weather and finally found a Fed Ex that was open. I sent the proposal - and we got it - the Burdick Rural Interdisciplinary Training Program. I’ll never forget his grace toward me that morning.”
Tom Campbell , former public relations director for TRMC, tapped into the history of the hospital for this excerpt:
In 1976 Oklahoma Osteopathic Hospital (OOH) was given permission to offer cardiac catheterization and open heart surgery, becoming the first osteopathic institution in the southwest to offer these services.
Dr. Koro moved to OOH from Kansas City at the invitation of Larry Dullye, D.O, head of cardiovascular surgery.
Dr. Koro says: "After I moved here from Kansas City, Larry (Dr. Dullye) went to Cleveland for several months of refresher work. When he returned, I went to Houston for more training." He notes, "It was amazing when we did our first case, which was a young lady on whom we performed a valve repair. There was a staff meeting that night and after the surgery we went down to the meeting and the staff members stood up and applauded...."
Campbell adds that OOH's cardiac surgery program grew from about 30 cases in 1976 to some l50 cases in 1991 and 1992.
Teamwork benefits patients, students in interdisciplinary training program
Oklahoma Rural Interdisciplinary Training Program
coordinator, Toni Hart and fourth-year student,
Marta
Greer look over information for Greer’s
rotation in
Talihina
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For OSU medical students in the Oklahoma Rural Interdisciplinary Training Program, teamwork is the best medicine.
It is how they learn what other health professionals do, and how it affects patient treatment, says program coordinator Toni Hart. “It is gratifying to
see how much the students get out of it,” she says.
The Oklahoma Area Health Education Center coordinates the program, which has trained four osteopathic medicine students in rotations in Enid
and Talihina in its first few months. Disciplines
include dietetics, medicine, nursing, occupational therapy, optometry, pharmacy, physical therapy, physician assistant, public health and social work. Students from OSU College of Osteopathic Medicine, OSU Stillwater, the University of Oklahoma, Northwestern Oklahoma State University, Northeastern State University, and Southwest Oklahoma State University are currently working together.
Hart says the students get a real-world view of
health professions. At the Choctaw Nation Health Center in Talihina, students explore diabetic
wellness issues like podiatry, dentistry, dietetics, physical therapy, social services, behavioral health and patient education. In Enid, they study
geriatrics or cardiovascular disease. Weekly team meetings give students a chance to discuss case studies and patient needs.
Marta Greer, MS IV, begins her rotation in Talihina in July. “I look forward to this educational opportunity and the chance to work with students from other disciplines,” she says.
“Students tell me they can see how much more patient care is accomplished with a team approach,” Hart says. “They also like working directly with other professions to learn their challenges, and experiences.” She says the openness and willingness to listen and learn among the disciplines is considered a major strength of the program.
Each team completes a community project. A recent Talihina team produced a paper about the importance of a team approach at the Choctaw Nation Health Care Center, where students learned to better care for and manage diabetic Native American patients. The Enid team created a chronic pain management presentation and brochure for physician’s offices, and a flyer for “Kids in Health,” a rural health project. Other projects include the use of tobacco products by patients at the health care center, and vaccinations in type II diabetes.
For more information: www.healthsciences.okstate.edu/ahec.html
CHS Staff Appreciation Day and Picnic
Library staff members
Sheila Pete,
Jan Hughes,
Mahalia Hawkins,
Jeff Maxwell
and Jamey Lamb,
in matching scrubs,
with Ryan Miller’s
1941 Ford pickup.
The Fifties were nifty, and so was the 2004 Staff Appreciation Day and Picnic. Participants enjoyed the Fifties theme, which included a car show, food, prizes, awards, Fifties garb, and a vendor fair.
Cathy Shaddox (left) and Debbie Martin are
excellence award recipients. Martin also
received the Clyde B. Jenson
Leadership award
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Debbie Martin was the recipient of the Clyde B. Jensen Leadership Award, and
also the Award of Excellence-Administrative/Professional staff. Cathy Shaddox earned the Award of
Excellence – Classified staff. Nominees included Christina Barnaby, Chris
Brasel, Susan Eubanks, Janet Forth, Goldie Freeman, Thom Garrison, Bavette Leeper, Christy McCall, Lisa McCutcheon, Ryan Miller, Linda Mills, Ginny Murphy Swanson, Don Pressnall, Diana Price, Lisa Riggs, Crystal
Sanders, Cathy Shaddox, and Bruce Singer.
Student Appreciation Awards went to Thom Garrison, Kim Hart and David Money.
Service pins were awarded as follows:
5 Years
John M. Beal D.O., Cynthia D. Chambers, Darlene A. Darby, H arvey A. Drapkin D.O., Bobby G. Garlett, Richard T. Glass, DDS, Ph.D, Jeff H. Glore , John C. Glover D.O., Stanley E. Grogg D.O., David F. Hitzeman D.O., James E. Jones, Robert J. Ketchum, Ph.D., the late Paul Peter Koro D.O., JoAnn Lee, Barbara B. Leeper, Debra J. Martin, Christy McCall, John J. McCarthy, Sandra L. McFadden, Larry D. McKenzie D.O., Joni Morton, Catherine A. Newsome, Richard R. Perry, Verna D. Reed, G. Denise Senger, MPH, Harold Smith.
Robert S. Conrad, Ph.D.
was honored for
30 years of service |
10 Years
Don Pressnall, Wes Horton.
15 Years
Gene C. Bates, Beth Freeman, Phil Parker, Wila M. Petsche, Virginia E. Swanson.
20 years
Clifford E. Whipple
25 years
Janet F. Hughes, G. David Money
30 Years
Robert S. Conrad, Ph.D. and Kirby L. Jarolim, Ph.D.
Rex the dog gets a pat from
Amanda Summers. Rex
accompanied Scott Coats
who displayed a racer
belonging to his wife,
Dr. Rhonda Casey.
Round of Applause
Dr. John Fernandes spoke at the Tulsa Press Club’s Page One luncheon June 9. He discussed the emerging problems of healthcare in rural Oklahoma. A short question and answer session was held after his presentation.
Janice Giacomo, coordinator of continuing medical education, received the “Local Hero” award from the City of Tulsa – Mayor’s Office, for her role in helping to bring conventions, meetings and events to Tulsa. She was one of eleven honored at a recent luncheon.
A total of 17 medical students helped perform 888 pre-participation sports physicals for local and area high schools and middle schools in April and May, according to Jason Sims, MS III.
