At the Pennsylvania Osteopathic Family Physicians Society Symposium this past July in Hershey, Sweeney received the society’s Family Physician of the Year award, for which she was nominated by three current residents in the family medicine program.

Sweeney said she was made aware that she had been selected for an award. But she did not know what award she would be receiving until she attended the annual meeting this summer.

“To be honest, I cried,” Sweeney said of her reaction upon hearing that she received the Family Physician of the Year award, adding she’s been to previous ceremonies where the award was given out to other recipients and she was always “wowed” by their achievements.

Sweeney said being nominated by her residents — Dr. Jefferson Adams, Dr. Clayton Vasey and Dr. Megan Thompson — made the honor that much more special for her because they know her flaws and strong points better than anyone.

Dr. Kathleen Sweeney, associate director of the UMPC Altoona Family Medicine Residency, received the Family Physician of the Year award in July at the Pennsylvania Osteopathic Family Physicians Society Symposium in Hershey. Mirror photo by Matt Churella

The residents recognized Sweeney’s “unwavering commitment” to advancing osteopathic medicine, her ability to provide “exceptional” education and deliver patient-centered care by nominating her, according to a press release.

Dr. David Burwell, chief medical information officer and vice president of clinical quality and compliance at UPMC West Central Pennsylvania and Maryland, said the recognition reflects the “deep respect” Sweeney has earned across her profession.

“Her dedication to osteopathic education has not only strengthened our residency program but also inspired a culture of excellence that continues to shape the future of family medicine,” Burwell said.

Sweeney said she believes the award is more reflective of the residency program’s overall success than it is of her personal accomplishments.

The family medicine residency trains medical students — medical doctors and doctors of osteopathic medicine — to become full-scoped family physicians.

It’s a three-year program that trains residents to provide office procedures in dermatology, gynecology, musculoskeletal ultrasound, joint injections and osteopathic manual medicine, she said.

Residents have seen patients of all ages while practicing in local emergency rooms, their own private practices and group practices, Sweeney said.

“Our residents are equipped to take care of extremely sick patients with complex medical conditions in the hospital and outpatient settings. They are able to care for patients with both straightforward and complicated psychiatric issues,” she said.

According to Sweeney, more than 70% of UMPC Altoona’s family medicine department are graduates of the residency program.

“Our program has been key to supplying primary care for this region,” Sweeney said. “Without it, I don’t know where we would be because it’s sometimes hard to recruit to rural areas, and we’ve been able to supply over 70% (of family physicians in the area).”

Sweeney moved to the area after graduating from the Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine and had completed a rotating internship at Grandview Hospital in Dayton, Ohio.

Sweeney said a friend who was a graduate of Temple Medical School told her there were many family medicine residencies in Pennsylvania who were looking for postgraduate year two osteopathic residents.

At that time, Sweeney’s parents lived in Canfield, Ohio, and she was looking for a location that would be within driving distance of their home. She interviewed at Altoona Family Physicians, where she completed the residency.

Sweeney worked in State College for 2.5 years before she was recruited to join UPMC Altoona Family Physicians in 1990. She’s served in a variety of leadership roles within osteopathic education since then.

Sweeney is the UPMC Altoona Family Medicine Residency’s associate director. She is also the director of the Transitional Year Residency program and the Osteopathic Education for Graduate Medical Education at UPMC Altoona.

She is a fellow of the American Academy of Family Physicians and the American College of Osteopathic Family Physicians.

According to Sweeney, the opportunities she has to grow as a physician and serve patients throughout the region have been made possible because of her clinical and administrative staff.

“My team is the greatest. I would never have gotten this award without them,” Sweeney said, noting her staff helps her pull off amazing projects that she wouldn’t be able to do without their support, help and guidance.

“Our staff have created a care team that my patients love and trust,” she said. “Without them I could never provide the level of personalized clinical care that I am able to offer my long-standing patients.”

Throughout her career, Sweeney has touched the lives of countless residents and patients, said Mike Corso, president of UPMC Altoona and UPMC Bedford.

“Her passion is ensuring that the next generation of osteopathic providers are prepared to advance the profession, while delivering outstanding care to their patients,” Corso said. “We are so fortunate to have her on our team and caring for our community.”

Mirror Staff Writer Matt Churella is at 814-946-7520.

The Sweeney file

Name: Kathleen Sweeney

Age: 67

Residence: Hollidaysburg

Family: Husband, Tom Reese; children, Patrick and Michael Reese; stepchildren: Evan Reese, Meridith Guffey, Justin Reese and Alex Reese; grandchildren: Lilly, Aaron and Theo Reese and Grace and George Guffey

Education: Villa Joseph Marie High School, Bucks County; LaSalle College, Philadelphia; Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine, Philadelphia; residency at Grandview Hospital, Dayton, Ohio; family medicine residency at Altoona Hospital

Work: Was in State College for 2.5 years before being recruited in 1990 to work at UMPC Altoona to start the osteopathic internship and teach in the family medicine residency.

Hobbies: Swimming, hiking, cross country skiing and anything outdoors