FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

January 30, 2025

Contact: [email protected]

Governor Whitmer Makes Appointments to Boards and Commissions

LANSING, Mich. — Today, Governor Gretchen Whitmer announced appointments to the following boards and commissions: Michigan Board of Occupational Therapists; Michigan Board of Osteopathic Medicine and Surgery; Michigan Board of Psychology; Michigan Board of Veterinary Medicine; Michigan Board of Real Estate Appraisers; Michigan Board of Physical Therapy; Barrier Free Design Board; Michigan Domestic and Sexual Violence Prevention and Treatment Board; Crime Victim Services Unit; Michigan Board of Massage Therapy; Michigan Board of Interpreters for the Deaf, Deafblind, and Hard of Hearing; Michigan Board of Chiropractic; and the Michigan Board of Licensed Midwifery.

Michigan Board of Occupational Therapists

Cristian LaBar, of Howell, is an occupational therapist with the Livingston Educational Service Agency Early On program. LaBar holds a Bachelor of Health Sciences and Master of Occupational Therapy from Baker College. Cristian LaBar is reappointed as an occupational therapist for a term commencing January 30, 2025, and expiring December 31, 2028.

The Michigan Board of Occupational Therapists works with the Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs to promulgate rules for licensing occupational therapists and ascertaining minimal entry level competency of occupational therapists and occupational therapy assistants.  The Public Health Code mandates certain responsibilities and duties for a health professional licensing board. Underlying all duties is the responsibility of the Board to promote and protect the public’s health, safety, and welfare.

This appointment is subject to the advice and consent of the Senate.

Michigan Board of Osteopathic Medicine and Surgery

Dr. Ronald Bishop, of East Lansing, is the director of urgent care medicine for Memorial Healthcare Center. Dr. Bishop holds a Bachelor of Arts in biology from Miles College and a Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine from Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine. Dr. Ronald Bishop is reappointed as an osteopathic physician for a term commencing January 30, 2025, and expiring December 31, 2028.

The Michigan Board of Osteopathic Medicine and Surgery was originally formed with the enactment of Public Act 162 of 1903. This Act regulated the practice of osteopathic medicine and surgery in the State of Michigan; provided for the examination, licensing and registration of osteopathic physicians and surgeons; and provided for the discipline of offenders against the Act. On September 30, 1978, this authority was transferred to the Public Health Code, Public Act 368 of 1978, as amended. The practice of osteopathic medicine and surgery, as defined in the Public Health Code, means a separate, complete, and independent school of medicine and surgery, utilizing full methods of diagnosis and treatment in physical and mental health and disease, including the presentation and administration of drugs and biologicals, operative surgery, obstetrics, radiological and other electromagnetic emissions, and placing special emphasis on the interrelationship of the musculoskeletal system to other body systems. The Public Health Code mandates certain responsibilities and duties for a health professional licensing board. Underlying all duties is the responsibility of the board to promote and protect the public’s health, safety, and welfare. This responsibility is implemented by the Board by ascertaining minimal entry level competency of health practitioners and verifying continuing medical education during licensure. The Board also has the obligation to take disciplinary action against licensees who have adversely affected the public’s health, safety, and welfare.

This appointment is subject to the advice and consent of the Senate.

Michigan Board of Psychology

Harper West, of Rochester Hills, is a psychotherapist at Great Lakes Psychology Group. West holds a Bachelor of Arts in journalism from Michigan State University and a Master of Arts in clinical psychology from the Michigan School of Professional Psychology. Harper West is reappointed as a nondoctoral psychologist for a term commencing January 30, 2025, and expiring December 31, 2028.

Dr. Melissa Grey, of Monroe, is a staff psychologist at Integrative Empowerment Group and a psychology professor at Monroe County Community College. Dr. Grey holds a Bachelor of Science in clinical and community psychology from the University of Michigan-Flint, and both a Master of Science and a Doctorate in clinical psychology from Eastern Michigan University. Dr. Melissa Grey is reappointed as a psychologist for a term commencing January 30, 2025, and expiring December 31, 2028.

The Michigan Board of Psychology was created to work with the Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs to promulgate rules and grant licenses to professionals in the field of psychology. The Board has a duty to promote and protect the public’s health, safety, and welfare. The Board implements this responsibility by ascertaining minimal entry level competency of health practitioners and by taking disciplinary action against licensees who have adversely affected the public’s health, safety, and welfare.

These appointments are subject to the advice and consent of the Senate. 

Michigan Board of Veterinary Medicine

Gabriel Kleinschmidt, of Ada, is a licensed veterinary technician at Blue Pearl Pet Hospital. Kleinschmidt holds an associate of applied science in veterinary technology from Baker College of Jackson. Gabriel Kleinschmidt is appointed as a veterinary technician for a term commencing January 30, 2025, and expiring December 31, 2028. Kleinschmidt succeeds Joanna Pennebaker, whose term has expired.

The Michigan Board of Veterinary Medicine was originally formed with the enactment of Public Act 156 of 1956. The Public Health Code mandates certain responsibilities and duties for a health professional licensing board. Underlying all duties is the responsibility of the Board to promote and protect the public’s health, safety, and welfare. This responsibility is implemented by the Board by ascertaining minimal entry level competency of health practitioners. The Board also has the obligation to take disciplinary action against licensees who have adversely affected the public’s health, safety, and welfare. The Board works with the Department to oversee Veterinarians and Veterinary Technicians.

This appointment is subject to the advice and consent of the Senate.

Michigan Board of Real Estate Appraisers

Michael Gerendasy, of Bloomfield Hills, is a real estate appraiser, broker, and the principal of Gerendasy Valuation. Gerendasy earned a Bachelor of Arts in political science and economics and a Master of Business Administration in finance and accounting from the University of Michigan. Michael Gerendasy is appointed as a certified real estate appraiser for a term commencing January 30, 2025, and expiring June 30, 2028. Gerendasy succeeds Delbert Denkins, whose term has expired.

The Michigan Board of Real Estate Appraisers works with the Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs to oversee the practice of approximately 6,011 limited real estate appraisers, state licensed appraisers, certified general appraisers, and certified residential appraisers.

This appointment is subject to the advice and consent of the Senate.

Michigan Board of Physical Therapy

Dr. Benjamin Eggleston, of Grand Rapids, is a physical therapist and regional director at The Center for Physical Rehabilitation. Previously, Eggleston practiced as a licensed physical therapist assistant. Dr. Eggleston holds a Bachelor of Science in biomedical science from Grand Valley State University, an Associate of Applied Science for physical therapist assistants from Baker College of Muskegon, and a Doctor of Physical Therapy degree from the University of Findlay. Dr. Benjamin Eggleston is appointed as a licensed physical therapist for a term commencing January 30, 2025, and expiring December 31, 2028. Eggleston succeeds Nora Cascardo, whose term has expired.

The Michigan Board of Physical Therapy was originally formed with the enactment of Public Act 164 of 1965. The Public Health Code mandates certain responsibilities and duties for a health professional licensing board. Underlying all duties is the responsibility of the board to promote and protect the public’s health, safety, and welfare. This responsibility is implemented by the Board by ascertaining minimal entry level competency of health practitioners. The Board also has the obligation to take disciplinary action against licensees who have adversely affected the public’s health, safety, and welfare.

This appointment is subject to the advice and consent of the Senate.

Barrier Free Design Board

Jamie Glenn, of Marquette, is an ADA coordinator and accessibility advocate at Superior Alliance for Independent Living. Glenn holds a Bachelor of Arts in creative writing and journalism from Northern Michigan University. Jamie Glenn is reappointed as a member who is physically limited and a wheelchair user for a term commencing January 30, 2025, and expiring October 10, 2027.

The Barrier Free Design Board has the responsibility to receive, review, and process requests for exceptions to the barrier free design specifications, and requires appropriate equivalent alternatives when exceptions are granted. The Board receives, processes, and makes recommendations for barrier free design rules.

This appointment is subject to the advice and consent of the Senate.

Michigan Domestic and Sexual Violence Prevention and Treatment Board

Megan Widman, of Beverly Hills, is a special instructor of social work and the director of the bachelor of social work program at Oakland University, and a project coordinator at the University of Michigan for a large research study examining campus sexual assault. Widman holds a Bachelor of Arts in psychology and Spanish from the University of Michigan and a Master of Social Work from Wayne State University with a concentration in community practice and social action. Megan Widman is reappointed to represent persons with experience handling the problems of domestic violence and/or sexual violence for a term commencing January 30, 2025, and expiring December 4, 2027.

The Michigan Domestic and Sexual Violence Prevention and Treatment Board coordinates and monitors programs and services for the prevention of domestic and sexual violence and the treatment of victims of domestic and sexual violence. The Board administers grants awarded under the Violence Against Women Act, the Family Violence Prevention and Services Act, and other governmental and non-governmental grants.

This appointment is subject to the advice and consent of the Senate.

Crime Victim Services Unit

Karen Gray-Sheffield, of Detroit, is the corporate director at Henry Ford Southeast Michigan Community Health and serves as director of the Open Arms Crime Victim Services Program. Gray-Sheffield holds a Bachelor of Science in human development and relations and a Master of Arts in counseling education from Wayne State University. Karen Gray-Sheffield is reappointed to represent Democrats and community-based victim advocates for a term commencing January 30, 2025, and expiring September 27, 2027.

The Crime Victim Services Commission provides reimbursement expenses to innocent crime victims who suffer a physical injury. The Commission is the state agency charged with overseeing a wide range of funding and services for victims of crime. Its goal is to promote services and supports that protect and enhance the health, safety, dignity, and rights of victims of crime across the state of Michigan.

This appointment is subject to the advice and consent of the Senate.

Michigan Board of Massage Therapy

Rebecca Bartholomew, of Gladstone, is the owner of Human Anatomy Acadamy in Escanaba, Michigan and a licensed massage therapist. Bartholomew holds a Bachelor of Science in mathematics education, a Master of Arts in education guidance counseling for K-12 from Northern Michigan University, and a post-secondary degree in educational leadership in counseling from Colorado State University-Pueblo. Rebecca Bartholomew is appointed as a licensed massage therapist for a term commencing January 30, 2025, and expiring December 31, 2028. Bartholomew succeeds Jason Bacchus, whose term has expired.

The Michigan Board of Massage Therapy ascertains minimal entry level competency of health practitioners and verifies continuing education during licensure. The Public Health Code defines the practice of massage therapy as the application of a system of structured touch, pressure, movement, and holding to the soft tissue of the human body in which the primary intent is to enhance or restore the health and well-being of the client. Underlying all duties is the responsibility of the board to promote and protect the public’s health, safety, and welfare.

This appointment is subject the advice and consent of the Senate.

Michigan Board of Interpreters for the Deaf, Deafblind, and Hard of Hearing

Mitchell Holaly, of Grand Blanc, is a self-employed interpreter. Holaly holds a Bachelor of Arts in interdisciplinary studies and social science from Michigan State University, a Master of Arts in interpreting studies and communication from St. Catherine University, and a certificate of achievement from the Sign Language Interpreter Program at Lansing Community College. Mitchell Holaly is reappointed as a certified deaf persons’ interpreter and an owner of or employee for an interpreter referral agency for a term commencing January 30, 2025, and expiring December 31, 2028.

April Davidson, of Grand Ledge, is the lead faculty for the Interpreter Training Program at Lansing Community College and a freelance sign language interpreter. Davidson holds a Bachelor of Applied Science in sign language interpreting from Siena Heights University and a Master of Science in ASL/ English interpreting pedagogy from the University of North Florida. April Davidson is reappointed as a representative of an institution or other organization responsible for education of interpreters or interpreter standards for a term commencing January 30, 2025, and expiring December 31, 2028.

The Board of Interpreters for the Deaf, Deafblind, and Hard of Hearing was created to help streamline the sign language interpreter certification process and will advise the Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs on all matters related to the certification of interpreters and the administration of the Deaf Persons’ Interpreters Act.

These appointments are not subject to the advice and consent of the Senate.

Michigan Board of Chiropractic

Dr. Cecil Forbes, of Bloomfield Hills, is a chiropractor at iCare Spine and Rehabilitation Center and the lead pastor at Christian Tabernacle Church. Dr. Forbes earned a Bachelor of Science in biology and physical therapy from Jackson State University and a Doctor of Chiropractic from Palmer College of Chiropractic. Dr. Cecil Forbes is reappointed as a chiropractor for a term commencing January 30, 2025, and expiring December 31, 2028.

The Michigan Board of Chiropractic was originally formed with the enactment of Public Act 145 of 1933. On September 30, 1978, this authority was transferred to the Public Health Code, Public Act 368 of 1978, as amended. The “practice of chiropractic” means that discipline within the healing arts that deals with the human nervous system and the musculoskeletal system and their interrelationship with other body systems. The Board also has the obligation to take disciplinary action against licensees who have adversely affected the public’s health, safety, and welfare. The board works with the department to oversee the practice of approximately 2,863 chiropractors.

This appointment is subject to the advice and consent of the Senate.

Michigan Board of Licensed Midwifery

Celeste Groenenberg, of Chelsea, is a licensed midwife with Gentle Mama Holistic Midwifery. Groenenberg holds a Bachelor of Science in midwifery from the Midwives College of Utah. Celeste Groenenberg is reappointed as a midwife for a term commencing January 30, 2025, and expiring December 31, 2028.

Sarah Andrews, of Rockford, is a licensed midwife and the owner of Grand Rapids Midwifery. Andrews holds an associate of social work from North Idaho College. Sarah Andrews is appointed as a midwife for a term commencing January 30, 2025, and expiring December 31, 2028. Andrews succeeds Heather Robinson, whose term has expired.

The Michigan Board of Licensed Midwifery is housed within the Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs. The Board works with the Department to establish and implement the licensure program for the practice of midwifery in the state.

These appointments are subject to the advice and consent of the Senate.