Faculty and alumni of the University of North Texas Health Science Center brought home a “grand slam” from the annual American Osteopathic Association convention last week.

UNTHSC faculty members, which include two UNTHSC alumni, brought home the “Big 3” of the American Osteopathic Foundation awards, presented at the annual convention.

Dr. Mark Sanders, Dr. John Licciardone and Dr. Christine Estrada were each honored.

Dr. Mark Sanders, a 1998 Texas College of Osteopathic Medicine graduate and assistant professor of family and community medicine, received the Wyeth Emerging Leader Award. This award is given to osteopathic physicians in practice fewer than five years who have a strong commitment to the osteopathic profession and exhibit the exemplary characteristics of emerging leaders within the profession.

Dr. John Licciardone, professor of manipulative medicine and director of clinical research at the Osteopathic Research Center, received the Gutensohn-Denslow Research Award, which is given to a researcher who has proven accomplishments in research, education and service.

Dr. Christine Estrada, who earned her master of public health degree here and is currently a palliative medicine fellow in our Department of Family and Community Medicine, received the Merck Outstanding Resident of the Year Award. This award is given to osteopathic physicians currently in their second through last year of an American Osteopathic Association-approved residency program who go above and beyond to bring a sense of pride to the osteopathic profession. The chosen recipients have a strong commitment to osteopathic philosophy, compassion and patient care, and have strong leadership skills, as well as a commitment to education and the enrichment of self and others.

  In July, the AOF presented Dr. Bruce Dubin, associate dean for academic affairs and associate professor of internal medicine, its Educator of the Year award. The AOF Educator of the Year Award honors an individual who not only emulates the osteopathic profession's high standards of excellence in teaching, but also exemplifies a significant and long-standing contribution to the academic advancement of osteopathic students and the profession. 

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