2026 Mentor of the Year
Henry L. Wehrum, DO
Dr. Henry L. Wehrum is a board-certified osteopathic physician specializing in nephrology. For over 25 years, Dr. Wehrum has been serving patients involved with nephrology through his clinical practice at Dennison Renal Care, Inc. In addition, he serves as medical director for Liberty Dialysis West.
Dr. Wehrum earned his undergraduate degree from Wittenberg University and is a graduate of Ohio University’s Heritage College of Osteopathic Medicine, where he currently serves as an assistant professor in internal medicine. Dr. Wehrum completed his internal medicine internship and residency at Brentwood Hospital and Cuyahoga Falls General Hospital, respectively, and completed a hypertension/nephrology fellowship at the Cleveland Clinic Foundation. He recently completed an Executive Master of Business Administration degree from Saint Joseph’s University.
Dr. Wehrum is an active member of several professional organizations, including the American Osteopathic Association, Ohio Osteopathic Association and Renal Physicians Association.
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2025 Mentor of the Year
John F. Ramey, DO
Dr. Ramey is a 1992 graduate of the Heritage College. He is board certified in Family Medicine and practices in Sandusky. Dr. Ramey completed his internship at Firelands Community Hospital. Dr. Ramey was the 2012 President of the Ohio Osteopathic Association.
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2024 Mentor of the Year
Paul M. Levy, DO
A general surgeon at Kettering Health Dayton, Dr. Levy goes the extra mile for his students and residents. He spends time with them after every case or after rounds to review key learning points. He encourages them to think about the social impact they can have on patients by educating and helping with resources that go beyond surgical issues.
He has helped residents find ways to participate in organized medicine and guided new attendings seeking FACOS designation.
In short, he wants to help his colleagues succeed. And, in the bigger picture, this fosters a sense of camaraderie and teamwork within osteopathic medicine and reflects positively on the reputation of the entire profession.
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2023 Mentor of the Year
Kristin Conrad-Schnetz, DO
Dr. Conrad-Schnetz leads teams effectively and gives all she has to the positions she has taken. And she has many. She is the program director for the osteopathic general surgery residency at South Pointe Hospital, the department chair for surgery, serves on an ACGME committee, and was recently installed as president of American College of Osteopathic Surgeons.
Her bedside manner is one for students and residents to emulate. She brings warmth and kindness to a specialty that is often seen as cold and impersonal and treats each patient as if they are the only ones to have her attention the entire day.
As a mentor, she encourages residents and students, demonstrates an appreciation for the care residents provide, and goes out of her way to acknowledge the work residents and students do beyond their requirements.
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2022 Mentor of the Year
Ronald J. Russ, DO
The medical student who nominated Dr. Russ said he inspires her to be the best person she can be—and that she aspires to be like him when she becomes a doctor. He is inclusive with students, staff, and patients, and carries himself in a way that exemplifies professionalism and inclusivity.
He is very enthusiastic with his students about learning, teaching, and the principles of osteopathic medicine.
Dr. Russ is a family medicine physician from Cuyahoga Falls.
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2021 Mentor of the Year
Shannon Trotter, DO
Dr. Trotter goes above and beyond for the students she mentors. She allows students to rotate with her at any time available. While the pandemic limited in-person interaction, her willingness and openness to guide the next generation of DOs continued. She helped medical students virtually through research projects, she texted them for updates on their lives, she fostered their growth and education, she encouraged them, she inspired them.
Dr. Trotter motivates her students to collaborate with her and others to build vital skills. When she published a book, she invited several students to contribute in varying ways. When she had an idea for a review article or interesting case to publish, she suggested them to her students. She reviewed students research and brainstormed ideas. One student noted: After six months working with Dr. Trotter, I had submitted eight papers for publication and accepted to present with her at the American Academy of Dermatology.
The award was presented virtually during the Ohio Osteopathic Virtual Symposium, April 24.
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2020 Mentor of the Year
Francis X. Blais, DO
According to the nominator, Francis X. Blais, DO, inspires students to be diligent with patients and thoughtful in their interactions. He has a standard expectation of excellence and helps students realize their potential to reach further intellectually and professionally. His raw critique of students’ work is appreciated because he has taught them to value feedback in order to better themselves.
As president of a free clinic serving Franklin County, Dr. Blais facilitates osteopathic medical student patient experiences and physician observation. More than that, he serves as a role model as a compassionate physician who advocates for his patients. He encourages his students to see beyond their lives to understand their patients.
Dr. Blais is clinical professor of Medicine/Infectious Diseases at Ohio University Heritage College of Osteopathic Medicine.
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