Three Grants Presented at Osteopathic Foundation Dinner
OUTSTANDING PEOPLE: From left at the Osteopathic Foundation Dinner are Richard R. Polk, D.O., the Outstanding Tulsa Regional physician for 2005; Garrett Hughes Decker, recipient of the top scholarship of $l0,000; and Sheldon C. Berger, Chairman of the Osteopathic Founders Foundation.
Courtesy DR. TOM M. CAMPBELL
Three physicians-in-training with Tulsa backgrounds have been awarded scholarships by the Osteopathic Founders Foundation (OFF) in recognition of their academic excellence and strong involvement in college and community service activities.
They recently finished their junior years at the Center for Health Sciences College of Osteopathic Medicine at Oklahoma State University (COM-OSU).
Receiving grants of $10,000, $3,000 and $2,000 respectively were Garrett Hughes Decker, Angela “Nicole” Farrar and Raina Linn Shanks.
Decker, the son of Gary and Liz Decker of Tulsa, was graduated from Metro Christian Academy in Tulsa and Oklahoma State University, where he earned a B.S. degree. His scholarship was presented at a summer awards banquet by Richard R. Polk, D.O, who had been honored with the outstanding Physician Award at the Foundation’s Winterset Ball.
Sheldon C. Berger, D.O, the chairman of OFF, said that both Farrar and Shanks received their B.S. degrees from the University of Tulsa. Farrar and Shanks had earlier graduated from Booker T. Washington High School and Bixby High School. Their parents are Mark and Robyn Farrar of Tulsa and Debbie and Nathan Shanks of Leonard, OK.
Delineating the accomplishments of the three winners was Joseph Coffman, D.O, chairman of the scholarship committee. Other members of that group included Charles Henley, D.O, Jefferson Loyd, D.O. and Dr. Polk.
Sherri Wise, president of the Foundation, said that the writing of an essay exploring the topic, “Does Being a D.O. Make a Difference?” was part of the evaluation process.
Directors visiting with the awardees over dinner included Karen Callahan, J.D., Ross Cooper Jr., C.P.C.U., Tom M. Campbell, Ed.D. and Drs. Sharon Noel, Dean Fullingim, Kenneth Calabrese and J. Martin Beal.
They learned that Decker, the top awardee, has combined a family life with his many other activities. He and his wife, Samantha, have a son, Grant Wesley, born early in 2004.
As an undergraduate at OSU, and as a medical student, Decker has been on humanitarian missions to Russia, Mexico and the British Isles. He is an annual participant in the Tulsa Run. Other interests include road biking, oil painting, Russian literature and playing the guitar.
While he has not yet decided on a medical specialty, Decker believes he would like to practice in a small community.
Farrar played competitive soccer for 12 years and has coached youth teams. She was elected to Who’s Who in American Colleges and Universities in 2003-2004. Additionally, she has participated in the Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure and been active in many health fairs.
After graduation, Farrar hopes to complete a residency in either internal medicine or obstetrics/gynecology at Tulsa Regional Medical Center. She is married to Jefferson B. Davis, a Tulsa architect.
Shanks, the third scholarship recipient, plans to specialize in emergency medicine after completing medical school in 2006. She already has extensive experience at Tulsa Regional Medical Center, having served for several years as a patient care technician/certified nurse assistant.
She was elected to Who’s Who in American Colleges and Universities in 2002. Shanks has been secretary and vice president of the class of 2006, and took part in D.O. Day on the Hill in Washington, D.C.
Updated 07-25-2005
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