The doctor is in: Alumnus devotes himself to advancing OHIO, its students

Timothy Law (second from right) celebrates receiving the Ohio Osteopathic Association’s 2015 George L. Eckert, Jr., DO, Mentor of the Year Award with his students. Photo courtesy of Timothy Law

When Timothy Law, DO ’94, came to Ohio University to pursue his medical degree, he never imagined his career journey would bring him back to Athens more than 20 years later to teach and serve as a board member for the OHIO Alumni Association.

“I never dreamt I would be on the board for the Association, especially for the main University. It means the world to me that I can represent the medical school,” said Law, an assistant professor of family medicine in the Ohio University Heritage College of Osteopathic Medicine.

The Association connects more than 220,000 living alumni worldwide with Ohio University and its current students. As a board member, Law consults with students, legislators, stakeholders and community leaders to celebrate and improve OHIO and the Heritage College.

His efforts to enhance the medical program extend well beyond his role on the Association board, however.

In addition to teaching, Law serves as the medical director of the Heritage College’s Clinical & Translational Research Unit, as well as the Science and Health in Artistic Performance Clinic (SHAPe Clinic), a unique collaboration between the College of Health Sciences and Professions and the Heritage College that treats injuries sustained by performing artists like dancers, actors and even members of the Marching 110.

“At the SHAPe Clinic, students gain valuable knowledge about the kinds of injuries they might see as doctors. Issues can range from concussions to muscle fatigue,” he said.

After earning his MBA in health care management from Indiana Wesleyan University while serving in the Army as a captain in the medical corps, Law started a private medical practice in Elizabethtown, Kentucky.

Then in 2011, former Heritage College dean John Brose approached Law about returning to Athens to teach. Law decided it was an opportunity he couldn’t pass up.

Timothy Law accepts the American Osteopathic Association’s 2014 Mentor of the Year Award. Photo courtesy of Timothy Law

“I wouldn’t have left my practice to teach for any other university than OHIO. Teaching was never a part of my plan. However, my mission to help other people aligned with OHIO’s mission, too. I couldn’t say no,” Law said.

Since joining the Association board in 2013, Law continues to use his expertise and mentorship to better connect the University with the Heritage College.

“So often, the medical school is separated from the rest of the University. It’s important for the board to equally represent every college and their needs. I’m honored that I am involved in the growth of both [the Heritage College] and the rest of the University,” Law said.

Law’s representation on the Association board also helps bring alumni and their resources back to the University to further the education of not only medical students, but those across all OHIO colleges.

Through all his work at OHIO, Law remains committed to serving as a mentor for the next generation of doctors, receiving both the American Osteopathic Association’s 2014 Mentor of the Year Award and the Ohio Osteopathic Association’s 2015 George L. Eckert, Jr., DO, Mentor of the Year Award.

“My main influencers came from this medical school. The former dean, John Brose, was a mentor of mine,” Law said. “The way he would communicate and build relationships with his patients is something I took into my own practice and way of teaching.”