Certification Test WIPT Alternate Biographies

Kenneth Edwards (DC – Alabama) has worked in private practice for his entire career. He holds a doctorate in chiropractic and chiropractic radiology. Dr. Edwards is a diplomate of the National Board of Chiropractic Examiners. He is certified by the Nationwide Testing Association as a certified collector of urine for Department of Transportation (DOT) drug testing. His wife, who works with him, is a certified Breath and Alcohol Technician. He currently provides a variety of services for more than 100 truckers and their companies to include random drug screen pools. He brings a background in performing disability, impairment rating, orthopedic and neurological examinations and pre and post surgical rehabilitation. He currently conducts more than 650 CMV driver physical examinations annually.

Karen Ferrey (PA – Pennsylvania) currently works as a physician assistant in the WorkCares Division of Coordinated Health, a multi-specialty occupational health clinic in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, that operates four occupational health clinics. Ms. Ferrey has worked as a physician assistant in several environments, including corporate, family practice, hospital, and urgent care. She also worked for 19 years as an athletic trainer and served as a Captain in the Medical Services Corps of the United States Army Reserves. Ms. Ferrey also served as adjunct faculty for the Graduate Physician Assistants Program at Desales University. She is a certified member of the American Academy of Physician Assistants, a member of the Pennsylvania Society of Physician Assistants, and worked for the United States Olympic Committee as an athletic trainer. She has extra course work in emergency management of adult injuries and illnesses and has a background in provision of educational programs for both patients and healthcare workers. She brings an awareness of the diversity of interpretation of Federal regulations and guidelines in performing CMV driver physical examinations among the providers in her organization. Ms. Ferrey conducts approximately 800 CMV driver physical examinations annually.

Laura Gillis (MD – Virginia) is Director of Occupational and Environmental Medicine at Amherst Family Practice, where she is the only board certified occupational medicine physician in three counties. Her duties include primary care, injury care, fitness-for-duty examinations, regulatory and compliance physical examinations and wellness programs. She also consults with and provides on-site services for local companies. Dr. Gillis was a flight surgeon in the United States Navy, where she received several military honors including the National Defense Service Medal. She obtained her master’s degree in public health from Johns Hopkins University in 2000. Dr. Gillis serves as both an FAA Medical Examiner and a Medical Review Officer. She has been appointed to the Statewide Coordinating Committee for Peer Review of Medical Costs in Virginia, and is a member of the American Medical Association, the American College of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, and the American College of Preventive Medicine. Dr. Gillis conducts 750 CMV driver physical examinations annually.

David McKinney (MD – California) is currently in solo occupational medicine practice in rural northern California. Dr. McKinney’s practice provides occupational health services for more than 100 companies serving 12,000 employees. He is the only board certified occupational physician in his geographical area. He conducts employment physicals, fitness-for-duty evaluations, drug testing, and health surveillance and wellness programs. He has worked in health center, emergency medicine, and outpatient clinic environments. He has both his doctorate in medicine as well as his master’s in public health, and serves as a senior FAA Medical Examiner. Dr. McKinney is a certified Medical Review Officer and has certifications from the American Board of Independent Medical Examiners and the American Board of Preventive Medicine (Occupational Medicine). He has a particular interest in improving certification standards in rural communities. Dr. McKinney performs more than 180 CMV driver physical examinations annually.

Roger Nevling (PA – Iowa) is owner and physician assistant at Corporate Medical Services of Southeast Iowa, P.C., a solo practice that provides injury care and the evaluation of industrial health issues. Prior to his work at this facility, Mr. Nevling worked as a physician assistant at Healthwest Clinic as well as for the Public Health Service of the Federal Bureau of Prisons. Mr. Nevling holds a certificate in occupational and environmental medicine from Duke University, which he completed in 2000. In 2006, he was awarded a certificate in comprehensive industrial hygiene from the Harvard School of Public Health. Mr. Nevling is a fellow with the American Academy of Physician Assistants and serves on the Legislative Committee of the Iowa Academy of Physician Assistants. He conducts approximately 1,100 CMV driver physical examinations annually.

Wendy Paracka (APN – Florida) is the founder and owner of Remise Health Solutions in Tarpon Springs, Florida, an urgent care facility that provides occupational health services, including industrial employment physicals, Occupational Safety and Health Administration surveillance exams and DOT CMV driver physical examinations, as well as care for acute and chronic patient conditions. Ms. Paracka has worked in a variety of clinical settings, including a hospital, a medical center, and as the director of a cardiac catheterization laboratory. She brings a background in urgent and primary care, internal medicine, rheumatology, and sports medicine. Ms. Paracka is a member of the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners, the American College of Nurse Practitioners, the Florida Nurses Association, and the Florida Nurse Practitioner Network. She conducts 125 CMV driver physical examinations annually.

Patrick Pennington (APN – Indiana) currently works as a family nurse practitioner at Business Health Plus, a 5,000-patient occupational medicine practice in Clarksville, Indiana. Mr. Pennington is responsible for all aspects of office operations and patient care. He has worked in family practice, university, hospital, home health, medical center, and health center environments, working in management, research, family nursing, critical care, surgical oncology, and emergency medicine. Mr. Pennington is certified as an emergency nurse by the Emergency Nurses Association and obtained his masters in nursing from Spalding University in Louisville, Kentucky. He also has 20 years of service as a commissioned officer in the United States Army. Mr. Pennington conducts more than 1,000 CMV driver physical examinations annually.

Jerry Szych (DC – New Jersey) is a practicing chiropractic physician with more than 15 years of experience in multi-disciplinary outpatient clinics where he has experience working closely with medical doctors, psychologists, and physical therapists. He currently co-owns and provides chiropractic services at Brunswick Health and Therapy Center and Somerset Hills and Medical Associates, PC, in New Jersey. Dr. Szych is Adjunct Assistant Professor of Clinical Sciences at the University of Bridgeport College of Chiropractic and College of Naturopathic Medicine where he has co-taught differential diagnosis courses. He also serves as an elected board member of the American Clinical Board of Nutrition’s Examination Committee. He is licensed as a nutritionist/dietician in the State of New York, and is a diplomate of both the American Academy of Pain Management and the American Board of Forensic Examiners. He conducts approximately 1,100 CMV driver physical examinations annually.

Terry Wolff (DO – North Dakota) is board certified in occupational and environmental medicine and family practice. He is a certified Medical Review Officer. He currently works as a consultant to companies, municipalities, and agencies in occupational and environmental medicine. Prior to his work as an independent consultant, Dr. Wolff worked as occupational medical director of a clinic. He previously worked for CIGNA Health Plan. His varied appointments include serving as the Physician Advisor to the American Red Cross, as a member of the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, on the Physician Panel of the Department of Energy, and as Physician Advisor for the Workers Compensation Bureau. He has held several leadership positions in various organizations, including past president of the state osteopathic medical organization and past president of the North Dakota Board of Medical Examiners. Dr. Wolff also contributed to the Federation of State Medical Boards Professional Conduct and Ethics and Internet Prescribing Guidelines. He brings a background in musculoskeletal medicine, insurance medicine, and disability evaluation. Dr. Wolff conducts approximately 50 CMV driver physical examinations annually.