College honors Coaldale native for his osteopathic work

A local man was honored recently for his achievements in the field of osteopathic medicine.

The Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine honored Ronald Berezniak, Ph.D., with the 2018 John M. Ferretti, D.O., President’s Award at Commencement ceremonies June 3, at the Bradenton Area Convention Center in Palmetto, Florida.

The John M. Ferretti, D.O., President’s Award is presented to people who have distinguished themselves by demonstrating, advancing and honoring a manifest pledge to the Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine, to community and campus, and to the unflagging LECOM mission of preparing students to become first-rate osteopathic physicians, pharmacy practitioners, and dentists.

Berezniak was born to John and Helen Berezniak of Coaldale and is a 1968 graduate of Panther Valley High School. He is also the widower of Anne Marie Fejes and Hilda Richards, who were both from Coaldale.

He received his doctorate in science education from the University of Pennsylvania where he performed his doctoral research in microsurgical education and where he wrote a major microsurgical training manual and developed a model microsurgery training program that is used today throughout the world.

His training model is central in educating physicians in microsurgery; and his method assists physicians, both in microsurgery and in transplant surgery.

Berezniak has lectured extensively at colleges, hospitals and medical centers throughout the United States, offering presentation topics that include microsurgical education, medical curriculum development and assessment, osteopathic medical education, problem-based learning, and clinical and graduate medical education.

Prior to receiving a position as assistant dean for academic affairs and director of clinical education at Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine, a position that he has held since 2003, Berezniak served as associate dean for academic affairs, as director of clinical education, professor of health professions education, and as executive director of OPTI-West at Western University of Health Sciences, College of Osteopathic Medicine in Pomona, California.

In 2005, Dr. Berezniak was named a fellow in the Association of Osteopathic Directors and Medical Educators.

He has been recognized by Manatee County on numerous occasions for his volunteerism as a board member in the Health Council of West-Central Florida.

Berezniak retired as the assistant dean for academic affairs and director of clinical education at Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine Bradenton on May 4 and now lives in Lake Hauto.