[June 9, 2020]

RVU has named Walter Buck, PhD, Professor of Structural Medicine, and Michael Tieman, MD, FACS, Professor of Specialty Medicine, Emeriti Chairs of the Department of Structural Medicine and the Department of Specialty Medicine, respectively.

For thirteen years, Dr. Buck has served on the RVU faculty as Chair and Course Director in the Department of Structural Medicine. During his time at RVU, Dr. Buck has made significant contributions, many of which are now woven into the fabric of the University’s academic programs and student life. He established a partnership between RVU and AirLife Denver, started the RVU portion of the Chaparral Medical Anatomy Program, and founded, with students, the Donor Memorial Ceremony.

Before RVU, Dr. Buck taught at the University of Health Sciences College of Osteopathic Medicine (also serving for a time as Associate Dean for Preclinical Education). He received a Doctorate degree in Human Anatomy from Ohio State University. He was recognized with the William Osler Award for Teaching Excellence in Biomedical Sciences in 2010 and with the RVU Presidential Award of Excellence in 2018. Currently, he is a member of the American Association of Clinical Anatomists.

Dr. Tieman came to RVU in 2012 when he volunteered to interview RVUCOM’s Inaugural Class of 2012. In 2013, he accepted the position of Professor in the Department of Specialty Medicine in which he taught gross anatomy, various systems courses, and medical ethics. Dr. Tieman also worked with the Department of Clinical Education in the third- and fourth-year curriculum and clinical externships. He also advised fourth-year students on their residency applications. Since he first came to RVU, Dr. Tieman has taken on the additional role of Director of the Student Advisory Program in the Department of Student Affairs, assisted in coordinating surgical clerkships, and has overseen the accreditation of RVU’s simulation program as an American College of Surgeons Accredited Educational Institute.

Prior to joining RVUCOM, Dr. Tieman practiced surgery primarily in small rural hospitals in Wisconsin and Arizona and served as a clinical preceptor at Arizona College of Osteopathic Medicine in Glendale, Arizona. He is a graduate of Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland, Ohio and completed his general surgery residency at Emory University in Atlanta, Georgia. Currently, he serves on the advisory council of Denver Pet Partners, a non-profit organization dedicated to advancing the Human-Animal Bond to improve quality of life, and is a member of the American College of Surgeons and American Medical Association.

Of their contributions to RVU, Thomas N. Told, DO, FACOFP dist., Dean of RVUCOM and Vice President of Academic Affairs, said: “Everybody knows how outstanding these two individuals are. Dr. Buck has been with us since the very beginning and Dr. Tieman has been instrumental in maintaining our great residency match rate. Thank you, Dr. Buck and Dr. Tieman,  for your years of dedicated service.”

“They have made a difference,” said Clinton E. Adams, DO, FACHE, President of RVU. “We could not be happier and prouder. We are indebted for the service that they have provided. A heartful thanks from [all at RVU].”