Local doctor elected trustee at IOMA annual conference

Special to the Daily News DES MOINES — Elections for the Iowa Osteopathic Medical Association Board of Trustees were conducted this past weekend during the 110th IOMA Annual Conference and Scientific Seminar in Des Moines. Dr. Tamara S. Chance was elected for a two-year term as an at-large trustee to the IOMA Board of Trustees. Chance is a 1995 graduate of Des Moines University, College of Osteopathic Medicine in Des Moines. She practices emergency medicine at Skiff Medical Center in Newton. Also elected as trustees were Dr. Timothy Piearson of Greenfield for a two-year term for District 1 (western region of the state), Dr. Eric Dodson of Ottumwa for a one-year term for District 3 (eastern region of the state except Scott County), Dr. Gregory E. Peterson of Des Moines for a two-year term for District 5 (Polk County) and Dr. Gary Hoff of Des Moines for a one-year term in an at-large seat. Also re-elected to the position of speaker of house was Dr. Dana Shaffer of Exira. Elected president was Ronald R. Berges, D.O., a psychiatrist from Ottumwa; elected president-elect was Joseph E. Bergstrom, D.O., a family physician from Bettendorf; and elected vice president was Adrian L. Woolley, D.O., a family physician from Des Moines. Other representatives on the board that were not up for election this year were Dr. David Wensel of Mason City for District 2 (central region of the state except Polk County) and Dr. Conway Chin of Davenport for District 4 (Scott County), as well as immediate past president Charles Smith, D.O., and past president Dane Johnson, D.O. The Iowa Osteopathic Medical Association, headquartered in Des Moines, represents osteopathic physicians in Iowa. There are approximately 1,000 osteopathic physicians practicing in Iowa. There are approximately 61,000 D.O.s in the United States practicing in all areas of medicine from neurology to sports medicine to dermatology to emergency medicine. As complete physicians, D.O.s are able to prescribe medication and perform surgery. In addition, D.O.s have added training in Osteopathic Manipulative Treatment (OMT), a hands-on treatment tool that they can use to diagnose and treat injuries or illnesses. OMT can be used in conjunction with and sometimes in place of medication or surgery to restore mobility and function.