Valuing Health

Photo by Robert Hall

HEALTH CARE MENTORSHIP
Stephanie Goike, M.D.

Stephanie Goike, OUWB ’15, wanted to be a doctor for as long as she can remember. Fascinated with pedagogy and learning styles, she taught eighth-grade science before focusing on her dream career in medicine. Drawn to the innovative curriculum, teamwork and hands-on experiences offered by the Oakland University William Beaumont School of Medicine (OUWB), Dr. Goike earned a spot in its inaugural class. Her capstone project focused on a pre-clinical tutoring program, and she continued to seek out teaching opportunities.

After joining the medical staff at Corewell Health Beaumont Troy Hospital, Goike became the site director for OUWB Troy, where she oversees medical student clinical rotations, recruits physicians for faculty at OUWB, and serves as a mentor for third-year medical students.

“I love getting to share my passion and knowledge with students, to be able to help them understand how we apply facts and knowledge to unique clinical experiences, and to truly teach the art of medicine,” says Goike.

More Than a Medical School
Goike says that her work as an emergency room physician provides perspective into the fragility of life and reminds her to live each day to the fullest. “OUWB was more than just a school; it was, and is, a family to me, both figuratively and literally,” Goike says.

As one of 50 inaugural students at OUWB, Goike formed relationships that became her support system. She met her husband, Joseph Goike, DPT, at OU while he was completing his Doctor of Physical Therapy. She also graduated from OUWB with her brother-in-law, Jonathan Goike, M.D., and sister-in-law, Laurie Bossory, M.D.

“I guess you could say that OU is in the family,” says Goike.

Photo by Robert Hall

Photo by Robert Hall

TRAUMA SURGEON
Kevin Morton, D.O.

In 2007, Kevin Morton, CAS ’11, was working his way through school as an undergraduate student when his life was forever changed. Shot in the abdomen by a would-be robber, he was transported to Detroit’s St. John Hospital, where trauma surgeon Dharti Sheth, M.D., was able to stop his internal bleeding. During his long and grueling recovery, Dr. Morton, inspired by Dr. Sheth’s skill and compassion, along with his family’s support, decided to become a surgeon himself.

“I just wanted to pay it forward and positively impact my community, not only through medical care but also through emotional care for patients who are in need,” says Morton.

Morton graduated from OU in 2011 with a degree in biology and later attended medical school at Michigan State University. Now part of Oakland Macomb Surgical Group, Morton went from trauma patient to trauma director, managing day-to-day operations at Ascension Hospital and performing procedures as a critical care and general surgeon.

Paying It Forward
After being shot, Morton was given just a 10% chance to live through the night when he was taken to the hospital. Thanks to his surgical team, however, he was able to beat those odds, and their lives were forever linked by that fateful night. Sheth was among the first to congratulate Morton when he graduated from medical school, attending the graduation ceremony alongside Morton’s wife, daughter and other family members.

Morton continues to pay it forward by helping not only his patients but also future surgeons by allowing medical students to shadow him in the operating room and the clinic.

Photo by Robert Hall

Photo by John McTaggart

PHYSICAL THERAPY
Michael Fahmy, P.T., DPT, OMPT

Michael Fahmy, SHS ’06, started his career in 1995, working for physical therapy clinics where he was concerned that patient care was not a priority. It wasn’t until 2006, though, when he attended Oakland University for a post-graduate certificate and obtained his transitional Doctorate of Physical Therapy (DPT) that he tapped into his entrepreneurial side to implement his own treatment philosophy.

“I took the knowledge and skills that I obtained during the Orthopedic Manual Physical Therapy (OMPT) post-graduate program at OU, combined with my love for patient care, and that is how my business, OMPT Specialists Physical Therapy, began,” Dr. Fahmy says.

Focused on continuity of care, Fahmy opened his first clinic in Southfield, Michigan, to offer patients one-on-one treatment with the same physical therapist each visit. Now overseeing 12 clinic locations across Michigan, Fahmy prioritizes hiring OU graduates and finds fulfillment in having a positive impact on patient health and wellbeing.

Golden Grizzly and Community Connections
Fahmy feels strongly about the quality education that he received at OU and maintains close ties with the university and the communities he serves. In fact, 95% of his staff earned their DPT degree from OU and are either enrolled or are graduates of OU’s post-doctoral OMPT program. This specialized, two-year program is one-of-a-kind and helps physical therapists elevate their clinical practice skills through advanced courses in orthopedics with a manual therapy focus.

A majority of Fahmy’s physical therapists also serve as faculty for OU’s entry-level and post-doctoral programs and host OU students for clinical rotations and internships. He also created the OMPT Specialists Foundation to address food and educational insecurities for all children based on the belief that “every kid deserves a success story.”

Photo by John McTaggart

Photo by John McTaggart

MENTAL HEALTH
Tara Michener, M.A., LPC, NCC

Tara Michener, SEHS ’12, is passionate about reducing the stigma surrounding mental health in children and adolescents. Equipped with a Master of Arts in counseling from Oakland University, she founded TMI, LLC, a business aimed at promoting diversity through books, speaking engagements and training curriculum, as well as established the Michener Associates Counseling Center. Her work as a licensed professional counselor, speaker and author includes one-on-one counseling, group counseling, speaking engagements, author visits and more.

Profoundly affected by the bullying that she experienced during middle school, Michener started the Students Against Bullying club as an OU student to explore the impact of bullying on campus and to educate others about relational aggression. She continues to be driven by a mindset to give back to the community.

“It’s important to have a plan to figure out what population needs your talent helps the most,” Michener says. “Whether it’s speaking, helping or volunteering, you have to care about your community in order to build it up. It’s all about balance.”

Making Mental Health More Accessible
With a goal to make mental health more accessible for children and teens, Michener counsels but equally prioritizes writing, speaking and training on mental health topics locally, nationally and globally. As someone who found solace in reading and journaling as a child, it’s easy to see why Michener’s efforts to reach others are tied in with sharing books, working with library groups and developing school curricula.

“Not everyone wants, or is able to, have their child in counseling,” Michener says. “Books are key, and we can also look at counseling-led programs that include mindfulness, building empathy and kindness, treating each other well, breathing and even yoga. These programs are helpful, they are out there, and they go a long way toward improving mental health.”

Photo by John McTaggart

Photo by John McTaggart

PURE FITNESS
Amanda Fylan, M.Ed.

Fitness aficionado Amanda Fylan, SEHS ’10 and ’14, is the owner of Pure Barre and Clean Juice in Grand Blanc, Michigan. Her journey to small business ownership began as a student at OU, where she took barre classes at the Oakland University Recreation and Well-Being Center. Benefiting from the stress relief provided by the workout, she decided to become a certified instructor. “I knew if I needed this type of outlet to escape, so did other people, which motivated me to open a studio,” says Fylan.

Just four months after opening, Pure Barre was forced to close its doors during the pandemic. But, thanks to a quick shift to virtual classes combined with a fully supportive member base, the business remained active and found new, innovative ways to connect with its members.

To further nourish the overall wellness of her community, Fylan also opened a Clean Juice franchise just two doors down from her barre studio, providing healthy, convenient food to fuel both body and mind.

Finding Connection Virtually
Within 24 hours of closing its doors, Fylan successfully introduced virtual classes and later hosted a variety of virtual events, including happy hours, book clubs, workshops, shopping and more. “We were nonstop with virtual connections keeping our members motivated and engaged,” she says.

Months later, when outside gatherings were allowed by state orders, the company transitioned to outdoor classes held in members’ yards, followed by a social hour. “The silver lining of lockdown was that it rooted our community even stronger,” says Fylan. “If we didn't have a virtual community, we would have never survived.”

Photo by John McTaggart