The University of Akron Wayne College Alumni Association is proud to recognize Dr. Marchelle Suppan as its 2008 Distinguished Alumni Award recipient. The award will be presented at the Wayne College academic and graduate recognition ceremony on May 9.
            Suppan, who is a doctor of podiatric medicine and surgery, is currently the senior vice president of medical affairs and chief medical officer at Dunlap Community Hospital, a position she accepted in January 2007. She also is an adjunct faculty member at Wayne College teaching basic pharmacology. Suppan previously was employed with Spine Matrix as vice president of market development and Theken Spine as vice president of business development. From 1981 through June 2004, Suppan was president and owner of Suppan Foot and Ankle Clinic, where she provided patient care in addition to her administrative duties.
            Suppan was one of the first students at Wayne College, attending during its opening year of 1972. She completed her bachelor’s degree at Kent State University. Suppan earned her Doctor of Podiatric Medicine degree from the Ohio College of Podiatric Medicine in Cleveland and completed her residency at Riverside Hospital in Toledo.   
            Suppan worked with Wayne College to develop its Alumni Association in 2000, and served as the organization’s first chair. She also spoke at the college’s 30th anniversary celebration and has volunteered at student recruitment events, speaking to prospective students about beginning their college careers at Wayne.
            Within the community, Suppan has served on the boards of many service organizations including the Orrville Area United Way, the Orrville Exchange Club and the Orrville Development Foundation. Professionally, she has served on the boards of the Ohio Podiatric Medical Association, in the capacities of vice president, president elect and president from 1992 to 1994; the American Diabetes Association – Professional Division; and the American Association of Women Podiatrists. She also served as secretary, treasurer, vice president, president elect and president of the Dunlap Hospital medical staff from 1988 to 1992 and as department chair of podiatric medicine and surgery since 1992.
            The Ohio Podiatric Medical Association twice recognized Suppan for her outstanding work in podiatry: in 1984 she was chosen Young Podiatrist of the Year, and in 1995 she was selected as Champion of Podiatry.
Suppan was nominated for The University of Akron Wayne College Distinguished Alumni Award by Nancy Bowman, who has known Suppan for 27 years.
            Wayne College Dean Jack Kristofco says Suppan is an excellent choice for the Distinguished Alumni Award.
           “Dr. Suppan is very deserving of this award. She has gone forward from her years as a student at Wayne to significant achievements in her professional life and within our community,” says Kristofco. “Beyond that, she has played a major role in the establishment and recruiting of our alumni organization – a group that continues to grow, linking our present to our past and helping to secure a successful future for our college. She has been a part of Wayne from the beginning, and she is most deserving of the Distinguished Alumni Award.”