December 15, 2017
Friday, Dec. 15, 2017
LANSING, Mich. – Gov. Rick Snyder today announced appointments of Venkat Rao of Grand Blanc and Eric Stocker of Marysville as well as the reappointments of Michael Chafty of Kalamazoo, Renee Johnston of Saginaw, Paul Sophiea of Dearborn, and Terri Tahnoose of West Bloomfield to the Michigan Board of Medicine.
Housed within the Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs, the board oversees the practice of medicine and serves as the state's licensing board. It includes 19 members: 10 doctors, one physician's assistant and eight public members.
“I thank these individuals for serving on this board and I am confident their combined experience will be an asset," Snyder said.
Appointments:
Rao is a physician at Chest and Sleep Consultants. He previously served as a member of the Pharmacy and Therapeutics Committee, and is a current member of the Genesee Medical Society, the Michigan State Medical Society, the American Medical Association, and is a fellow of both the American College of Chest Physicians and the American Sleep Disorders Association. Rao holds a medical degree from Andhra University. He will represent physicians and replace Peter Graham.
Stocker is a constituent relations associate in the Executive Office of Governor Rick Snyder. He previously served as a substitute teacher through PCMI Services, and was an assistant site manager for the Port Huron Museum. Stocker holds a bachelor’s degree in political science from Michigan State University and a master’s degree in diplomacy and foreign policy from Lancaster University. He will represent the general public and fill the vacancy created by the resignation of Dominic Policicchio.
Reappointments:
Chafty is the director of Kalamazoo Anesthesiology Pain Management and the Western Michigan University School of Medicine Pain Department. He also serves as a clinical professor and chair of WMU’s Pain Curriculum Committee. Chafty holds a bachelor’s degree from Albion College, a law degree from Wayne State University and a medical degree from Michigan State University’s College of Human Medicine. He will continue to represent physicians.
Johnston has served as the president and CEO of the Saginaw Community Foundation for the past 12 years. She also serves on The Saginaw Club, the Junior League of Saginaw Valley, and the Council of Michigan Foundations. Johnston holds a bachelor’s degree in history and pre-law from Alma College and a juris doctor from Valparaiso University of Law. She will continue to represent the general public.
Sophiea is a business consultant and the founder of IMA, and previously served as a teacher with Pro Educational Service Group at Dearborn Public Schools. He holds a bachelor’s degree from the University of Michigan and a master’s degree from Central Michigan University. He holds a bachelor’s degree from the University of Michigan and a master’s degree from Central Michigan University. He will continue to represent the general public.
Tahnoose is the vice president of global product marketing for Lear Corp., where she directs consumer market research, advertising and public relations, and supports OEM programs in the Americas, Europe and Asia. She previously served as the director of design and senior designer for the General Motors account at Guilford Mills. Tahnoose holds a bachelor’s degree in printmaking and color design from Wayne State University and a master’s degree of business administration from Michigan State University. She will continue to represent the general public.
Stocker will serve the remainder of a four-year term expiring Dec. 31, 2019. All other members will serve four-year terms expiring Dec. 31, 2021. Their appointments are subject to the advice and consent of the Senate.
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