Leadership at Northwest Osteopathic Foundation

Guiding the Future of Healthcare

Committed to fostering excellence in osteopathic medical education, the Northwest Osteopathic Foundation is proud to be a beacon of leadership within the Northwest, US healthcare community. Our distinguished team of leaders guides our mission with dedication and compassion. Together, we strive to empower the next generation of physicians and shape a brighter, healthier future for all communities through education and collaboration.

Board of Directors

Officers

Jennifer Ribar, D.O., President | Northwest, US | Northwest Osteopathic Foundation<br />

Jennifer Ribar, D.O., President

Dr. Ribar is excited to be in her hometown of Fairbanks, practicing Osteopathic Manipulative Medicine (OMM). Her grandfather was a physician in Fairbanks for many years, and hearing stories about his practice inspired her to become a physician. She loves to hear stories from patients and their family members who knew him. In practice, Dr. Ribar enjoys the bond that is developed with patients, getting to know each patient and their goals. She finds it extremely fulfilling to help people feel better at the time of treatment, as well as getting them back to the activities they love. In particular, she loves treating babies and children. She is a certified Lactation Consultant and particularly likes working with mother-baby dyads to help in their breastfeeding journey and goals.

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Dr. Ribar is one of eight physicians in the United States certified to teach seminars on the Fascial Distortion Model (FDM), which is a unique treatment that TVC OMM offers to our patients. FDM allows for effective manipulative treatment for pulled muscles, fractures and frozen shoulders. As one of the few, Dr. Ribar brings both experience as an osteopathic practitioner as well as a unique way of educating her patients about their bodies.

Interests

Dr. Ribar’s hobbies include outdoor activities, cooking and baking, reading, and binge-watching baking shows. Living in Alaska allows her to spend time doing anything outside – boating, fishing, hiking – the options are endless and “right at my fingertips”

Medical Education
  • Dr. Ribar earned her medical degree from the Pacific Northwest University of Health Sciences.
  • Internship at Sparrow Osteopathic in Lansing, MI, and ONMM residency at Michigan State University
Board Certification
  • Board-certified through the American Osteopathic Association.
Additional Certifications
Juliet Bliss, D.O., President-Elect | Northwest, US | Northwest Osteopathic Foundation

Juliet Bliss, D.O., President-Elect

Juliet Bliss, DO, is a board-certified family medicine physician who also offers obstetrics. She works for Franciscan Medical Group. She is passionate about diversity, equity, and inclusion, and enjoys partnering with diverse populations to provide equitable and exceptional care to all. Dr. Bliss practices compassionate, full-spectrum primary care, treating newborn infants to elders and everyone in between. Her approach is holistic and osteopathic, encompassing the mind, body, and spirit. She uses osteopathic (hands-on) techniques to treat many conditions, including headaches, sprains, sinus and upper respiratory infections, joint pain, and chronic body pain. She feels that getting to know everyone in the family is important for the best partnership in care, and she especially loves working with new parents.

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Interests

Away from work, Dr. Bliss enjoys camping, reading, family game nights, and bicycling.

Medical Education
  • Residency: The Wright Center for Graduate Medical Education/National Family Medicine Network, Auburn, WA
  • Medical School: A.T. Still University School of Osteopathic Medicine, Mesa, AZ
Board Certification
  • Family Medicine/OMT (Osteopathic Manipulative Treatment)
John Mozena, D.P.M., Treasurer | Northwest, US | Northwest Osteopathic Foundation

John Mozena, D.P.M., Treasurer

Diplomate, American Board of Podiatric Surgery Fellow, American Society of Podiatric Surgeons Fellow, American College of Foot and Ankle Surgeons Fellow, American College of Ambulatory Foot Surgeons. John Mozena, D.P.M. has staff privileges at Legacy Hospitals, Providence Milwaukee Hospital, Providence Hospital, Willamette Falls Hospital, and Portland Adventist Hospital

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Medical Education

Surgical Residency:

  • Hillside Hospital, San Diego, 1983-1984
  • Residency Director, Medical Center Hospital, 1985-1991
  • Director of Podiatric Surgery, Medical Center Hospital, 1989-1991
  • Consultant for Nike shoe company, Tahnu division, 1987
  • Team Doctor, Central Catholic High School Football, 1987-1990
  • United States Patent: Planter Surface Baseball Cleat Design, 1982
Features on Television and in Print
  • Who’s Who in the World, America, West, Executives and Professionals, Science and Engineering.
  • Health & Living, August 1996; “Summer Heel Pain & Pediatrics” and various other segments
  • AM Northwest, January 1994, April 1994, June 1995, November 2000
  • “Good Evening Show”, Channel 2 News
  • March 1994, ESPN, “Cold Pizza”, 2006
  • Channel News 2, “Orthosorb” Pins, June 1993
  • “Endoscopic Heel Surgery,”, September 1994
  • Featured in Oregonian newspaper article, “Great toe implants.”
  • Consulting Editor, Podiatry Today, national publication, 2000-current
  • Consulting Editor Podiatry Management Magazine, national publication 1994-1997
  • Adjunct Faculty, Heath Professional Section, Portland Community College
  • 1999 Clinician of the Year, Eastmoreland Hospital
  • 2000-2001 National Satellite Media Tour on Onychomycosis
  • 2003 National Spokesperson, Dermik Lab “Best Foot Forward” Marathon Program
  • 2005-2006 Legislative Chairman, Oregon Podiatric Medical Association, O.P.M.A.
  • 2000-2014 Clinical Associate Professor of Podiatric Medicine and Surgery: Western University of Health Sciences 2010-Present.
Doug Woerner, D.O., Immediate Past President| Northwest, US | Northwest Osteopathic Foundation

Doug Woerner, D.O., Immediate Past President

As a Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine, Dr. Woerner’s approach to care is a holistic one. He partners with patients to care for their whole person – mind, body, and spirit, with an emphasis on healthy living through diet and exercise. Dr. Woerner grew up in the Laurel area and has been caring for patients of all ages at Laurel Family Medicine for nearly ten years. He is pleased to partner with the excellent team at Laurel Family Medicine, and also the vast network of specialists in the SCL system. Dr. Woerner loves outdoor sports, especially hunting and fishing.

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Medical Education
  • Abrazo Central Campus
  • Residency, Family Medicine, 2008
  • Kirksville College of Osteopathic Medicine
  • Medical School, 2005
Board Certification
  • Family Medicine
  • American Board of Family Medicine, 2009

Board Members

Thomas Kincheloe, D.O.

Dr. Kincheloe earned a medical degree from Pacific Northwest University of Health Sciences. He completed an internship at Stony Brook University at Southampton Hospital and residency training at Michigan State University. As a board-certified physician in Neuromusculoskeletal Medicine, Dr. Kincheloe specializes in treating Neuromusculoskeletal injuries with hands-on treatments, also known as Osteopathic Manipulation, utilizing biomechanics, cranial techniques, and fascial techniques. He also has a medical interest in Regenerative Medicine, Ehlers-Danlos syndrome, Ringside Medicine, and Performing Arts Medicine. Dr. Kincheloe enjoys spending his spare time with his family, playing board games, and training in martial arts (Bujinkan Budo Taijutsu).

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Fields
  • Osteopathic Manipulative Medicine
  • Neuromusculoskeletal Medicine
  • Musculoskeletal Ultrasound
  • Medical Education
Areas of Expertise
  • Osteopathic Manipulative Treatment (OMT)
  • Chronic Pain
  • Interrater Reliability
  • Common Compensatory Pattern and Fascial Planes
  • Fascial Distortion Model
Methodological Expertise
  • Case studies​
  • Systematic reviews
Current Projects
  • Investigation in Sink’s Common Compensatory Pattern with Frequency, Variability, and Inter-rater Reliability
  • Use of Artificial Intelligence in Undergraduate Medical Education
Nancy Kragt, D.O.| Northwest, US | Northwest Osteopathic Foundation

Nancy Kragt, D.O.

Dr. Nancy L. Kragt (Loerke) is an emergency medicine physician in Anchorage, Alaska, and is affiliated with Alaska Regional Hospital. Dr. Kragt graduated from the Univ of North Texas Health Science Center Texas College of Osteopathic Med in 2004. She works in Anchorage, AK, and specializes in Emergency Medicine. Dr. Kragt is affiliated with Alaska Regional Hospital and has been practicing for 20 years.

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Specialties
  • Emergency Medicine
  • General Emergency Medicine

Richard Koss, D.O.

Dr. Richard Koss is more than a physician; he’s a healer dedicated to restoring balance and wellness through osteopathic principles. His journey in medicine began with a Bachelor of Science in Physical Education, earned with Summa Cum Laude honors from Springfield College, followed by a Fellowship in Anatomy & amp; Physiology. He graduated from A.T. Still University College of Osteopathic Medicine in 1982 and later served as a Flight Surgeon and Family Practice Chief in the U.S. Air Force.

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Driven by his dedication to holistic care, Dr. Koss returned to Kirksville to specialize in Osteopathic Manipulative Medicine (OMM), which remains his central practice focus today. Throughout his career, Dr. Koss has held influential teaching and leadership positions. He served as an Assistant Professor at A.T. Still University and as Vice Chair of the OMM Department at the University of North Texas Health Sciences Center. His accolades include Educator of the Year in 1997 and recognition as one of “Seattle’s Best Doctors” in 2002. Since 1999, Dr. Koss has dedicated himself to his Maple Valley practice, focusing exclusively on osteopathic manipulative treatments and sharing his knowledge

Certifications and Expertise
  • Board Certified in Family Practice and OMM
  • Certified in Medical Acupuncture
  • Osteopathic Manipulative Medicine (OMM)

Dave Miller, D.O.

As an Osteopathic Family Physician, I strive to treat the whole person through all stages of life. I enjoy seeing young kids and watching them grow up along with taking care of their parents and grandparents. This includes using Osteopathic Manipulation to treat a variety of problems from back pain and neck pain to sports injuries with fewer medications and often quicker return times. I look forward to helping take care of your family.

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Physician at Family Health Services

Family Health Services provides high-quality, culturally sensitive primary medical and dental care, behavioral health, and social services that are affordable and accessible to the people of South Central Idaho.

Medical Education
  • Pacific Northwest University of Health Sciences, College of Osteopathic Medicine, Yakima, Washington – Graduated 2014
  • Osteopathic Family Practice and Manipulative Treatment
  • Allegiance Health Residency Program, Jackson, Michigan – Completed 2017

Lisa Newton, D.O.

Dr. Lisa Newton, DO is a Family Medicine Physician in Portland, OR. Dr. Newton specializes in Family Medicine, has 28 years of experience, and is board-certified in Family Practice/OMT. Dr. Newton graduated from Michigan State University College of Osteopathic Medicine and is affiliated with Legacy Meridian Park Medical Center, Legacy Good Samaritan Medical Center, Providence Saint Vincent Medical Center, and Providence Portland Medical Center. Dr. Lisa M. Newton-Klucevek has expertise in treating anxiety disorders, arthritis, and hypertension, among other conditions.

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Specialty
  • Family Medicine

Kevin Wilson, D.O.

Dr. Wilson received his B.S. in biology from Oakland University in Rochester, Michigan before graduating from Michigan State University’s College of Osteopathic Medicine in 1988. He completed his internship and Internal Medicine residency at Detroit Osteopathic Hospital in Highland Park, Michigan. Dr. Wilson practiced inpatient and outpatient Internal Medicine from 1992-2017 in Cottonwood, Arizona at Verde Valley Medical Center. There, he developed the center’s Internal Medicine residency and served as the Director of Medical Education and Program Director

Staff

Jacqueline Forsythe, Executive Director

Phone: 971-491-5566
Email: jforsythe@nwosteo.org

Jacqueline Forsythe does not have voting privileges.

Together, let’s build a healthier future. Join us in creating positive change, fostering community well-being, & ensuring equitable healthcare for all.