Two recent educational sessions offered through Kettering Health Continuing Medical Education (CME) provided clinicians with practical guidance on common challenges they encounter in patient care, from recognizing inflammatory arthritis to determining when imaging is appropriate for low back pain.

One session featured Dr. Chacko Alappatt, a board-certified rheumatologist whose expertise includes rheumatoid arthritis, psoriatic arthritis, gout and osteoporosis. During a Med Talk on inflammatory arthritis, Dr. Alappatt reviewed the diagnosis and management of rheumatoid arthritis, including key symptoms, diagnostic criteria, treatment options and strategies to help prevent long-term joint damage.

Another presentation was led by Dr. Phillip Porcelli, a neurosurgeon with Kettering Health Medical Group Brain and Spine. His Medical Group Connection Call examined the evaluation and management of low back pain, focusing on when imaging is appropriate, how to identify meaningful red flags and how evidence-based decision-making can help reduce unnecessary testing and interventions.

While the topics differed, CME presentations share a common goal: helping providers make informed clinical decisions grounded in the latest evidence and best practices. Participants came away with practical insights they could apply immediately in patient care.

Through speakers like these, CME helps physicians and other health care professionals stay current, sharpen their skills and meet licensure requirements. By connecting learners with expert faculty and relevant clinical topics, CME supports lifelong learning and high-quality care across the health system.

Q&A with a CME Committee Member

Dr. Ralph Vatner is a radiation oncologist with over 15 years of clinical experience. He joined Kettering Health after serving on the faculty of the University of Cincinnati College of Medicine.

Question: Tell me about your professional background and what brought you to Kettering Health.

Answer: I’m originally from the Boston area and was recruited by the University of Cincinnati and Cincinnati Children’s about 10 years ago to start their proton center. A radiation oncologist by training, I came to Kettering Health a couple of years ago following the closure of my lab after COVID and a few other things. It’s kind of a transition to start treating adults again and get into that world, but Kettering has been a great experience.

Q: Why did you say ‘yes’ when asked to serve on the CME Executive Committee?

A: I wanted to get more involved and I believe each of us has an obligation to give back to the community in which we work. It was a role that I could manage with my other obligations, an opportunity to serve, and my interest in education all led to my decision.

Q: Why is continuing education critical for physicians?

A: We basically have to become life-long learners. Most physicians feel an obligation to their patients and their need to remain informed and current. That’s where CME comes in and becomes critical.

Q: Are there any talks or direction that you’d like to see Kettering Health move toward when it comes to CME?

A: Doing a series on artificial intelligence, how to utilize it more effectively as well as the ethical aspects of its use in medicine is something I support. I’d also like to make it easier for physicians to get credit for the education that they’re already doing for themselves. For example, having a compendium of sorts so that all CME activity, no matter where it’s been obtained can be housed in one place and link up to a single CME transcript. Due to time constraints, I’d like to see CME events offered with lunch, perhaps so that physicians are able to multi-task and consolidate our schedules. An in-person lecture series once a week that provides lunch is one idea.

Upcoming CME events

Connections Calls (7-7:30 a.m., first and third Thursday of each month)

Sep. 17: Naturopathic Care at Kettering Health – Ryan Turnewitsch, ND, FMCP-M

Oct. 1: Beyond Fatty Liver, Recognizing & Diagnosing MASLD and MASH – Mauricio Carballo Montero, Md.

Oct. 15: Hummingbird Project Update – Teresa Randall

Med Talks – (12:15-1 p.m., third Tuesday of each month)

Sep. 15: Pediatric Hypertension (Leslie Grube, Cincinnati Children’s)

Oct. 20: GERD – Brittany Clark, APRN

Nov. 17: Behavioral Health – Glenn Armstrong, APRN

Annual Conferences/Single Events

Sep. 23: Fifth Annual Vascular Conference – Ammar Safar, MD/Sarah Sample-Eppinger, DPM/Deana Lewis, DPM/Julie Gilkeson, MD/Darrell Ballinger, DPM (Moderator)

Oct. 20- 21: Critical Care Obstetrics Conference

About us

Kettering Health is accredited through the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education by way of the Ohio State Medical Association, which ensures every CME activity is based on medical evidence and free from commercial influence. The CME Committee, a group of physicians, nurses and administrators, meets each month to review and guide these activities so they remain relevant, meaningful and helpful to the clinicians providing care every day.

To keep the network connected to what’s happening in CME, a monthly KNews update will share highlights, upcoming opportunities and the impact of ongoing education across Kettering Health. It’s designed to make it easier for teams to stay informed and engaged in the work that supports lifelong learning and better patient care.

This ongoing commitment to education supports Kettering Health’s mission to live God’s love by promoting and restoring health.