NYITCOM Honors Alumni and Friends

Pictured from left: NYITCOM-Arkansas Site Dean Shane Speights, D.O., Patrick O’Shaughnessy (D.O. ’99), Andrew Berner, Martin Diamond, D.O., President Hank Foley, Ph.D., Hala Sabry (D.O. ’07, M.B.A. ’07), Provost and Executive Vice President Jerry Balentine, D.O., Ted Triana (D.O. ’89), Raysha Crawford (D.O. ’14), NYITCOM Dean Nicole Wadsworth, D.O.

On May 2, the College of Osteopathic Medicine (NYITCOM) recognized seven alumni and supporters for their positive impact on the education of future physicians and significant contributions to the field of medicine at its annual Alumni Awards held at NYIT de Seversky Mansion on the Long Island campus.

When NYITCOM opened on the Long Island campus in 1977, it became the first osteopathic medical school in the state of New York, with just 38 students. Today, with locations in New York and Arkansas, NYITCOM is a force in medical education and innovation, with an alumni network of more than 9,000 osteopathic physicians (D.O.s). 

Dean Nicole Wadsworth, D.O., noted that many of NYITCOM’s achievements—including the 100 percent match rate achieved by the Class of 2023; robust, recognized research departments; and strong relationships with external clinical partners—would not be possible without the actions and support of NYITCOM’s network of alumni and friends.

“Your work inspires and supports each class of osteopathic medical students that come after you. Your commitment to those future physicians and to NYITCOM has helped shape our past, and I look forward to working with each of you to shape our future,” said Wadsworth.

Learn more about this year’s impressive honorees:

Distinguished Alumnus: Patrick O’Shaughnessy (D.O. ’99)

Catholic Health President and Chief Executive Officer Patrick O’Shaughnessy is an innovative leader who is transforming Catholic Health with an intense focus on quality and performance while advocating for prevention to bend the disease curve. He oversees a mission-driven $3.2 billion Long Island health system that encompasses six acute care hospitals, three nursing homes, home health services, hospice, a network of physician practices, and more than 16,000 employees.

In 2021, O’Shaughnessy was appointed to New York Tech’s Board of Trustees.

“New York Institute of Technology has been an important part of my life. Earning my medical degree from the College of Osteopathic Medicine prepared me for my professional journey,” O’Shaughnessy previously told New York Tech News at the time of his appointment. “Now, I want to give back and help steer the course of this prestigious institution as a trustee as our world enters a new era of technology and innovation. I see a future filled with enormous opportunity, and I want to help New York Tech grow and continue to produce new generations of leaders.”

Alumna of the Year: Hala Sabry (D.O. ’07, M.B.A. ’07)

Hala Sabry is a board-certified emergency medicine physician, the founder of the support network Physician Moms Group (PMG), and a mother of five—with two sets of twins. Sabry founded PMG in 2014. The collaborative and supportive network brings together physicians who are mothers and provides an open forum for members to share their medical expertise. 

In addition to working as an emergency room physician at two Los Angeles hospitals, Sabry partnered with UNICEF to start a program aimed at eradicating tetanus in developing countries. She also serves on the National Women’s History Museum’s L.A. Council, where she fundraises for their museum in Washington, D.C.

“The hope is it will honor the thousands of women who have contributed to history but are missing from history books,” she told New York Tech News in a past interview.  

Young Alumna: Raysha Crawford (D.O. ’14)

Family medicine physician Raysha Crawford, originally from Webster, N.Y., now calls Long Island her home. After receiving her medical degree from NYITCOM, she completed her residency training in family and community medicine at Mount Sinai South Nassau Hospital in Oceanside, N.Y. Following her residency, Crawford served as the associate medical director for CareNow Urgent Care in Dallas, Texas. Returning to her hometown in upstate New York, she served as an assistant professor of clinical family medicine at the University of Rochester.

After deciding to transition from academic medicine to a new role in telehealth with Amwell Medical Group, she is now able to provide access to care for medically underserved communities. She is also working to establish her own private practice.

In addition, Crawford previously participated in an NYITCOM Black History Month panel.

Excellence in Medicine: Ted Triana (D.O. ’89)

As a family physician, Ted Triana has made it a focal point to provide care for underserved communities. Throughout his notable career, he has worked with at-risk and underserved communities throughout the state of New York. Triana has worked in Medicaid clinics in Brooklyn, the Bronx, and Nassau County and has also been involved with underserved communities in the upstate New York counties of Oswego and Onondaga Counties at the Fulton Health Center, St. Joseph’s Westside Clinic, and the Syracuse Community Health Center.

He established Compassionate Family Medicine in 2004 to continue to treat the underserved in a private practice setting.

Community Partner: Andrew and Christina Berner

Andrew Berner is the president of Jetton General Contracting, a wholly owned, independent contractor based in Jonesboro, Ark. As president, he oversees and guides the company—whose clientele includes companies like Sam’s Club, Wal-Mart, Dollar General, and AutoZone—and has completed jobs in more than 25 states across the country, maintaining growth and success in the general contracting field.

In 2018, Berner’s family created the first endowed scholarship at NYITCOM-Arkansas: the Gregory William Berner Memorial Scholarship.

He was also appointed to New York Tech’s Board of Trustees in 2021.

Honorary Alumnus: Martin Diamond, D.O.

Diamond is a 1962 graduate of the College of Osteopathic Medicine and Surgery, Des Moines, Iowa. Prior to attending medical school, Diamond served in the United States Navy from 1951 to 1955 as a medical corpsman.

He has held numerous professional leadership roles, including member and chair of the New York State Board for Medicine, director and president of the New York State Osteopathic Medical Society, chair of the American Osteopathic Foundation, and trustee of the American Osteopathic Association.