The Connection

“We’re all interconnected, within our own bodies and as a community, and medicine should reflect that. “ ~Dr. Schuster

I don’t believe patients get the care they deserve from big health systems. These systems are forced into high overhead costs by insurance companies. They cannot provide personalized, focused care. It takes weeks or months to get an appointment that ends up being quick and generalized. None of that serves the patient’s best interest. I chose to become a Doctor of Osteopathic medicine (DO) because it focuses on the whole person.

With a Direct Primary Care (DPC) practice, I have the time to really get to know a patient. I can figure out how to improve their overall health and well-being. This is what primary physicians are called to do, but it takes quality time with a patient. It takes time to build a relationship and to fully discover the root cause of a medical issue. Treating just the symptom is not the best way to care for someone. With a DPC practice, I am always available to my patients. I offer same-day and next-day appointments. Patients can meet when they need help via phone, tele-health, or in-person appointments. It is my belief that combining osteopathic medicine and a DPC practice is the best and most effective way to serve my patients.

  • Education
    • Primary Care Sport Medicine Fellowship: 1997-1998, Sports Care at the Toledo Hospital, Toledo, Ohio.
    • Family Medicine Residency: 1995-1997, Firelands Community Hospital, Sandusky, Ohio.
    • General Rotating Internship: 1994-1995,Firelands Community Hospital, Sandusky, Ohio.
    • Pre-doctoral Osteopathic Manipulative Medicine Fellowship: 1993-1994, Ohio University College of Osteopathic Medicine, Athens, Ohio.
    • Medical School: 1989-1993, Ohio University College of Osteopathic Medicine, Athens, Ohio.
    • Undergraduate Degree: 1983-1987, Bachelor of Arts, Kenyon College, Gambier, Ohio.
  • Previous Experience
    • 2018, January-April, Associate Program Director, Community South Osteopathic Family Medicine Residency Program, Greenwood, IN.
    • 2017, Program Director, Community South Osteopathic Family Medicine Residency Program, Greenwood, IN.
    • 2016, Medical Director, Speedway Family Physicians and Pediatrics, Family Medicine Residency Clinic, Speedway, IN.
    • 2015-2016, Associate Program Director, Community Westview Family Medicine Residency, Indianapolis, IN.
    • 2014-2017, Director of Medical Education, Community Westview Hospital, Indianapolis, IN.
    • 2013-2015, Chair, Primary Care, Marian University College of Osteopathic Medicine, Indianapolis, IN.
    • 2013 February-May, Associate Professor, Department of Osteopathic Manipulation, Marian University College of Osteopathic Medicine, Indianapolis, IN.
    • 2012 August-2013 January, Interim Chair, Department of Family Medicine, Des Moines University, Des Moines, IA.
    • 2008 October-2012 August, Assistant Professor, Department of Osteopathic Manual Medicine, Des Moines University, Des Moines, IA.
    • 2008 May-Aug: Chairman, Discipline of Osteopathic Manipulative Medicine, Virginia College of Osteopathic Medicine, Blacksburg, VA.
    • 2006-2008: Director, Neuromusculoskeletal/Osteopathic Manipulative Medicine Plus One Residency, Firelands Regional Medical Center, Sandusky, Ohio.
    • 2006-Present: Associate Clinical Professor, Ohio University College of Osteopathic Medicine, Athens, Ohio.
    • 2005-2008: Osteopathic Site Director, Sports Care at the Toledo Hospital, Toledo, Ohio.
    • 2002-2008: Associate Director, Sports Care at the Toledo Hospital, Toledo, Ohio.
    • 2002-2008: Associated Team Physician, University of Toledo, Toledo, Ohio.
    • 2001-2008: Private Practice in Family Medicine, Sports Medicine, Osteopathic Manipulation, Erie
    • Osteopathic Clinic. Hospital privileges: Firelands Regional Medical Center, Sandusky, Ohio.
    • 2000-2001: Division Officer, Sports Medicine and Rehabilitative Therapy, USS TRANQUILITY, Branch
    • Medical Clinic 1007, Recruit Training Command, United State Navy, Great Lakes, Illinois.
    • 1998-2000: Medical Department Head, USS FRANK CABLE (AS-40), United States Navy, Apra Harbor, Guam.
  • Honors, Awards & Publications
    • Turfler Family Memorial Lecture, American Academy of Osteopathy, 14 Mar 2019
    • Gold Humanism Honor Society, Faculty Member, Marian University College of Osteopathic Medicine, 2017.
    • Gold Apple Award, Community Westview Family Medicine Residency, for outstanding family medicine instructor, 2015-2016.
    • Gold Apple Award, Community Westview Family Medicine Residency, for outstanding family medicine instructor, 2014-2016.
    • MU-COM Advisor of the Year, 2013-2014.
    • MU-COM Most Outstanding Clinical Faculty, 2013-2014.
    • AOA Mentor of the Year Finalist, 2013.
    • Dean’s Award for Outstanding Faculty Advisor/Mentor, 2010, Des Moines University College of
    • Osteopathic Medicine, Des Moines, Iowa.
    • Outstanding Family Physician Preceptor Award, 2005, Firelands Regional Medical Center, Sandusky, Ohio.
    • Outstanding Preceptor: Family Medicine Residency Class 2003, Firelands Regional Medical Center, Sandusky, Ohio.
    • Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal: for service aboard USS FRANK CABLE (AS-40), 2000.
    • Lieutenant Commander: United States Navy, 1999.
    • Outstanding Resident Writing Award, 1998: American College of Osteopathic Family Practitioners, for “Who are you? A Question of Osteopathic Identity.”
    • Lieutenant: United States Navy, 1994.
    • Osteopathic Heritage Award, 1994: Ohio University College of Osteopathic Medicine, Athens, Ohio.

     

    1. 1“Functional technique”: in Principles of Manual Sports Medicine, Karageanes SK, editor, Lippincott,
    2. Williams and Wilkens, Philadelphia, PA, 2005, pages 7-12.
    3. “Who are you? A question of osteopathic identity,” Family Physician, April-May, 1998, vol. 2, number
    4. 4-6.
    5. Selected Writings of Carl Phillip McConnell, DO, Edited by Jordan TJ, and Schuster RG, Squirrel’s Tale Press, Columbus, Ohio, 1995
    6. “To find health: an osteopathic thought,” Buckeye Osteopathic Physician, November, 1992.
  • Certifications, Organizations & Accolades
    • Past President, American Academy of Osteopathy
    • Board of Trustees, American Academy of Osteopathy
    • Peer Reviewer, Journal of the American Osteopathic Association
    • American Osteopathic Conjoint Sports Medicine Education and Evaluation Committee
    • Indiana Board of Medicine License,
    • Ohio State Medical Board License
    • American Osteopathic Board of Neuromusculoskeletal Medicine
    • American Board of Osteopathic Family Practice
    • American Academy of Osteopathy
    • American College of Osteopathic Family Practitioners
    • American Osteopathic Academy of Sports Medicine
    • American Osteopathic Association
    • Indiana Osteopathic Association
    • Turfler Family Memorial Lecture, American Academy of Osteopathy,
    • Gold Humanism Honor Society, Faculty Member, Marian University College of Osteopathic Medicine,
    • Gold Apple Award, Community Westview Family Medicine Residency, for outstanding family medicine instructor,
    • Outstanding Family Physician Preceptor Award
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