Lawrence Memorial Hospital recently welcomed Dr. Emily Minderman to Lawrence OB-GYN Specialists, where she joins Drs. Kathy Gaumer, Phillip Moreano, Samantha Durland and Lisa Pazdernik in offering women’s health care services. Minderman completed her residency at the University of Washington in Seattle. Her medicine degree is from Vanderbilt University, and her undergraduate training occurred at Creighton University in Omaha, Neb.

¢ Dr. Tamara Oesterling, Lawrence, has joined Lawrence Veterinary Hospital.

She has been practicing since 1995, after receiving a doctor of veterinary medicine from Mississippi State University. Before joining Lawrence Veterinary Hospital, she had provided relief work for veterinarians in the Kansas City and Lawrence areas. She also worked in a feline-only practice for five years and conducted clinical trials for several pharmaceutical companies. She has a particular interest in feline medicine.

¢ Arthritis Center NEO Inc. has opened an office in Lawrence at 930 S. Iowa St., Suite 2.

The center is run by Dr. Bruce Rothschild, a board-certified rheumatologist, who specializes in treating rheumatic diseases such as arthritis, autoimmune disorders, fibromyalgia and other musculoskeletal problems. Rothschild works to relieve joint, muscle and bone pain by combining a course of both treatment and education.

Rothschild is a professor at the Northeastern Ohio Universities College of Medicine. He also is a research associate with Kansas University and the Carnegie Museum in Pittsburgh, Pa. He serves as an adjunct professor of biomedical engineering at the University of Akron in Ohio and is a Fellow of the Society of Skeletal Radiology as well as a member of the International Skeletal Society.

Those who are interested in more information or scheduling an appointment can call (785) 856-2889 or visit the center’s Web site www.arthritiscenterneo.com.

¢ Judy Bellome, chief executive officer of Douglas County Visiting Nurses and Hospice Care, presented a workshop at the National Association for Homecare & Hospice annual meeting Oct. 23-26 in Seattle. The program was “Claiming the Future of Health Care,” and the workshop was “Setting the Stage for Benchmarking Performance Management in Adult Day Services.”

The annual meeting was attended by more than 4,000 members, representing providers of home health, hospice, private duty and infusion therapy services, and dealers of equipment for home medical care.

Bellome has been elected as president-elect of the National Adult Day Services Assn. and will assume responsibilities in 2007. NADSA had its annual meeting with the American Association of Homes and Services for the Aging and will partner to support the growing Adult Day Service industry.

Bellome has been CEO at Douglas County Visiting Nurses and Hospice Care since Aug. 1.

¢ The Kansas New Practitioners Network installed its first officers and directors Sept. 17, during the 125th annual meeting of the Kansas Pharmacists Assn. The meeting was conducted in Lawrence.

Officers installed were Nicki Kehr, Lawrence, president; Erin Kirkland, Basehor, president-elect; and Beth Dwyer, Eudora, secretary/treasurer.

Student liaisons installed include Jason Barr and Corey McClain, both of Lawrence; and Jennifer Graveman, Tonganoxie.

The network, an active council of the Kansas Pharmacists Assn., was established this year to promote the professional activity of new practitioners within the association.

¢ The Kansas Society of Health-System Pharmacists installed its 2006 officers and district directors during the Kansas Pharmacists Assn. annual meeting in Lawrence. Jim Lichauer, Lawrence, was elected president-elect; and Jeff Pierce, Linwood, is past president.

District directors include Erin Kirkland, Basehor, and Todd Henderson, Lawrence.

The Kansas Society of Health-System Pharmacists is a council of the Kansas Pharmacists Assn. and a state affiliate of the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists. It focuses on issues and innovations in hospital pharmacy.

Officers and directors were elected by active members of the society and are voting members of the society’s Board of Directors. Their terms begin in January.

¢ Eric Finkbiner, Tonganoxie, owner of Country Mart Pharmacy, attended the Kansas Pharmacists Assn. annual meeting in September in Lawrence. Finkbiner, a graduate of Kansas University’s School of Pharmacy, opened Country Mart Pharmacy in January 2002.

¢ In recognition of World AIDS Day 2005 on Dec. 1, ArtFrames will present “Past the Compass: Posters in the AIDS Crisis” from Monday through Saturday at the gallery and frame shop, 912 Ill.

The collection belongs to Rich Crank, Lawrence, who started collecting AIDS awareness posters in 1994; his collection now features more than 100 posters, including some from other countries.

ArtFrames will have a reception at 7 p.m. Thursday. The gallery is owned by Fred Sack.

Honors and awards

KU Credit Union, a Lawrence Public Schools and Achievement Partner, presented the November “Class Act” Award to Pat Mansfield, a para-educator at West Junior High School since 2001. The credit union said that Mansfield’s advocacy for students and her supportive nature made her an asset to the educational program. Mansfield was honored for her patience, guidance and commitment to the school.

Coming events

Ron King, of American Family Insurance, along with Jeff’s Audio Video and Doctor Dave, will offer a holiday buying seminar from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. Thursday and from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday at the insurance agency, 3010 Four Wheel Drive.

The seminar will offer advice on best technology gifts as well as how to avoid traps and scams that can be common this time of year. Whether it’s a plasma TV, a new computer, or an iPod, attendees should bring their shopping lists. King will give advice on coverage and the limitations of such electronics.

¢ The Lawrence Chamber of Commerce announces the following upcoming ceremonies:

¢ Century 21 Miller & Midyett, ribbon cutting, 11:30 a.m. Friday, 1045 E. 23rd St.

¢ KU Credit Union, groundbreaking, 11:30 a.m. Dec. 8, 2221 W. 31st St.

¢ Googles of Learning, ribbon cutting, 11:30 a.m. Dec. 13, 4931 W. Sixth St., Suite 118.

¢ Internal Medicine Group, ribbon cutting and open house, 4:30 p.m. Dec. 15, 4530 Old Oak Court.