Western University Honors All Employees of Kal Kan Pet Care at Annual
Western University: A Graduate University of Medical Sciences, will bestow
its humanitarian award to the employees of a single corporation at the
university’s annual fundraising gala, “”A Tribute to Caring,”” Saturday,
November 4, at the Ritz Carlton Huntington Hotel in Pasadena.
Kal Kan Pet Care, a division of Mars, Incorporated, will receive the
university’s “”Corporate Humanitarian Award”” during the dinner. The 1,664
employees of the Vernon-based company are being honored for their service
to the community.
“”The people who work at Kal Kan very much exemplify the values inherent in
Western University’s philosophy of compassion,”” said Philip Pumerantz,
PhD, Western University president. “”The corporation and its employees are
also playing a leadership role in addressing the problems associated with
the overpopulation of animals. As we continue with our plans to open our
College of Veterinary Medicine, we felt it very fitting to honor a company
which takes so seriously its responsibility to the well being of animals.””
Western University has held “”A Tribute to Caring”” each year since 1980.
Proceeds from the event benefit the university’s student scholarship
program.
The university also will honor three graduates as “”Distinguished Alumni.””
They are: Angelyn Moultrie-Lizana, DO, MS, a 1987 graduate of the
university’s College of Osteopathic Medicine of the Pacific and a 1994
graduate of its Master of Science in Health Professions Education (MSHPE)
program; Michael S. Burney, MS, PA-C, who graduated from the university’s
Primary Care Physician Assistant Education program in 1982 and from the
MSHPE program in 1984; and Dusty J. Rippelmeyer, MS, ATC, IPNFAI, a 1994
graduate of Western University’s Master of Physical Therapy program.
Kal Kan Foods, Inc. has long been committed to the health and welfare of
animal companions and actively supports a wide range of programs to
encourage responsible pet ownership.
The company also has programs to support the education of veterinary
students and veterinary technicians. All Kal Kan brands support humane
societies and animal shelters across the country to promote responsible
pet ownership and to encourage the adoption of the millions of homeless
pets in the United States.
Since its founding more than 60 years ago, Kal Kan Foods, Inc. has
produced high-quality products for America’s cats and dogs. Today, as one
of the largest pet food manufacturers in the U.S., Kal Kan remains
committed to the pet owning population and will continue to support
responsible pet ownership while offering high quality products.
Western University/COMP alumna Dr. Moultrie-Lizana has been practicing
family medicine for more than 10 years. In March 2000, she was selected by
Department of Health and Human Services Secretary Donna Shalala to advise
the Health Care Financing Administration on physician payment issues as a
member of the Practicing Physician Advisory Council.
Dr. Moultrie-Lizana currently practices at the Mullikin Medical Center in
Artesia, California, and is on active status with the United States Navy
Reserve at Camp Pendleton.
She currently serves on the board of directors of the Osteopathic
Physicians and Surgeons of California and is president of the Los Angeles
County Osteopathic Medical Association. She served as president of the
Western University Alumni Association and is entering her fourth year as
chair of that organization’s continuing medical education committee. Dr.
Moultrie-Lizana received several academic awards during medical school and
post-graduate training and continues to be active in numerous professional
organizations.
Burney is the chair of Western University’s Master of Science in Health
Professions Education (MSHPE) program – a program from which he graduated
in 1995.
He graduated from Western University’s Primary Care Physician Assistant
program in 1992 and became vice chair of that program in 1996. He became
director of operations at the Western University Regional Office in Chico
in 1998 and was named chair of the MSHPE program in January 2000.
Since becoming department chair, Burney has created an online Master of
Science in Health Sciences-Licensed Physician Assistant Track (MSHS-LPAT)
program, a program designed for working PAs with baccalaureate degrees who
wish to obtain their master’s. The courses are multidisciplinary in
approach and delivered using technologies that take into consideration the
busy lives of working physician assistants.
Burney received a bachelor’s degree in exercise science from USC in 1984.
Since graduating as a member of Western University’s charter class of
Master of Physical Therapy (MPT) students in 1994, Rippelmeyer has gone on
to become an internationally renowned instructor in one of the most
dynamic of physical therapy techniques, Proprioceptive Neuromuscular
Facilitation (PNF).
Rippelmeyer undertook a three-month PNF training program at Kaiser
Foundation Rehab Center in Vallejo right after graduating from Western
University’s MPT program. She has since taught PNF in Japan, Korea and –
just this past May – in Brazil, as well as throughout California.
She currently works as rehabilitation supervisor at AltaMed Senior
BuenaCare in East Los Angeles.
Rippelmeyer also holds a master of science degree in athletic training
from the University of Arizona and a bachelor of science degree in
physical education from St. Cloud State University in Minnesota.
La Verne resident Sharon Williams is chair of this year’s “”A Tribute to
Caring.”” Donald J. Krpan, DO, FACOFP, university provost and president of
the American Osteopathic Association, will serve as master of ceremonies.
The gala also includes a silent auction with numerous items and a special
drawing for a for a framed gallery proof limited edition lithograph of an
original Thomas Kinkade painting. Tickets are $20 each; three for $50. In
addition, there will be a reverse drawing for a $5,000 grand prize.
Reverse drawing tickets are $100 each.
Major sponsors of “”A Tribute to Caring”” include: President’s Circle:
Elfrieda Nardulli, Pacific Hospital of Long Beach; Gold Sponsors: Caremore
Medical Group, the Hethumuni Family; Silver Sponsors: Banfield, The Pet
Hospital; Doug Bradley; Casa Colina Centers for Rehabilitation; Coast
Plaza Doctors Hospital; Vicenti Lloyd & Stutzman; and Westek Presentation
Systems, among others.
Tickets to “”A Tribute to Caring”” are $200 per person. For more
information, contact the Western University Events and Programs Department
at (909) 469-5359.
