Date:	Nov. 3, 2008
Contact:	Ellen Averill (918) 561-8215

OSU Medicine names department chairs

Joseph R. Johnson, D.O.	Christopher Thurman, D.O.

TULSA, Okla. — Oklahoma State University College of Osteopathic Medicine has named Joseph R. Johnson, D.O., clinical assistant professor of obstetrics and gynecology, as chair of the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology and Christopher Thurman, D.O., assistant professor of family medicine, as chair of the Department of Family Medicine.

Dr. Johnson is board certified and a Fellow of the American College of Osteopathic Obstetricians and Gynecologists. He is a 1994 graduate of the University of Health Sciences College of Osteopathic Medicine in Kansas City, Mo. Dr. Johnson is a member of the American Osteopathic Association and the American Association of Gynecologic Laparoscopy, International Society of Laparoscopic Surgeons and the Tulsa Ob/Gyn Medical Society. He joined OSU in 2005.

Dr. Thurman has served as vice-chair of family medicine and associate program director of OSU’s family medicine residency program. He was chief resident at OSU from 2001-03 and chief intern at Tulsa Regional Medicine Center in family medicine in 2000-01. A 2000 graduate of OSU College of Osteopathic Medicine, Dr. Thurman received a bachelor’s degree in biology from Northeastern State University, Tahlequah. He is certified by the American Osteopathic Board of Family Physicians.

Oklahoma State University Center for Health Sciences in Tulsa offers programs in osteopathic medicine, biomedical sciences and forensic sciences. Since its beginnings more than 30 years ago, OSU-CHS has grown to offer nine graduate degrees. On-campus programs, distance learning and OSU partnerships train osteopathic physicians, research scientists and health care professionals with an emphasis on serving rural and under-served Oklahoma. OSU operates six clinics, five in Tulsa and one in Enid. More information about OSU Center for Health Sciences is available at www.healthsciences.okstate.edu.

The OSU College of Osteopathic Medicine has been nationally ranked by U.S. News & World Report as one of the top medical schools in the nation for the past seven years.