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Organization

Our Board of Directors is a diverse group of volunteers united by a common mission.

Stacy P Ardoin, MD
Board Member

CMRF Board Member since 2018

Dr Ardoin is Associate Professor of Rheumatology at The Ohio State University Medical Center, Chief of the Division of Pediatric Rheumatology at Nationwide Children's Hospital, and Staff Physician at Rainbow Babies Hospital. Dr Ardoin is a past receipt of grants from the Rheumatology Research Foundation, the Lupus Foundation of America, and the National Institute of Health. She served as the elected Systemic Lupus Erythematosus Committee Chair for the Childhood Arthritis and Rheumatology Research Alliance for three years and has published numerous articles.

Thomas J Bonasera
Board Member

CMRF Board Member since 2002

Tom is a Partner in the Corporate Department at Dinsmore & Shohl LLP and past member of the firm’s Board of Directors and firm’s Executive Committee. He has been a board member of numerous community and bar association organizations, including being past president of the Ohio State and Columbus Bar Associations. He was a member of the Ohio Supreme Court’s Commission on Racial Fairness Task Force and the Racial Fairness Implementation Task Force. He is a frequent lecturer and has been consistently selected for the Ohio Super Lawyers List and recognized in the Best Lawyers award designation.

Stacey Maham
Board Member

CMRF Board Member since 2024

Ms. Stacey Maham, is Vice President, Investments at Raymond James & Associates, in Columbus, Ohio. She has had a successful career in the financial industry for 14 years. Ms Maham learned her craft at UBS and Fidelity Investments before joining Raymond James in 2014. She is an experienced Financial Advisor who has earned the designations of Certified Financial Planner, Certified Divorce Financial Analyst, and Certified Plan Fiduciary Advisory. In addition, she holds Series 7, Series 63, Series 65, and Series 9/10 licenses as well as the Ohio life and long-term care insurance license. Ms. Maham weaves together a disciplined portfolio management process that is powered by a custom financial plan for each of her clients.

F Donald Rothermich
Chairman/President

CMRF Board Member since 1985

Mr Rothermich recently retired as First Vice President-Investments with Raymond James and Associates. He was a successful financial adviser for over fifty years. Mr Rothermich is a past President and Chairman of the Central Ohio Chapter of the Arthritis Foundation and has been a Board Member for over 50 years. He is the son of CMRF founder, Norman O Rothermich, MD. Mr. Rothermich has served as CMRF Chairman/President since 1996.

Joseph J. Ruane, DO
Board Member

CMRF Board Member since 2025

Dr. Joseph J. Ruane is the Lead Physician for OhioHealth Nonsurgical Orthopedic Physicians in Columbus, OH. His practice is dedicated to comprehensive, non-surgical management of musculoskeletal problems. He is active in clinical research with a special interest in regenerative medicine treatments. His current research includes the effects of stem cell therapy for osteoarthritis, and he recently served as a primary investigator for the ARISE study*. He has been recognized by his peers in both Top Doctor and Castle Connelly, and is a nationally recognized speaker and educator. Dr. Ruane is the co-founder of the OhioHealth Sports Medicine Institute, and currently serves as Head Team Physician for the Columbus Blue Jackets of the National Hockey League.

* A Randomized, Multi-Center, Double Blind, Parallel Study to Examine the Effect of Lipogems Processed Microfragmented Adipose Tissue In Comparison To Corticosteroid For The Treatment of Knee Osteoarthritis.

Elizabeth A Tschosik
Vice President/Grants Administrator

CMRF Board Member since 1996

Dr Tschosik was the Global Head, Patient-Centered Outcomes Research at Genentech, Inc. She has over 20 years of outcomes research experience and a PhD in Pharmaceutical Administration from The Ohio State University. Dr. Tschosik is the daughter of current CMRF Chairman, F. Donald Rothermich, and has been Vice President since 2022.”

Margaret M Vanderbrook
Secretary/Treasurer

CMRF Board Member since 2020

Ms Vanderbrook has been in medical device sales for over 20 years. She is currently with Intuitive, a global technology leader in minimally invasive care and the pioneer of robotic-assisted surgery. Ms Vanderbrook is the daughter of current CMRF Chairman, F. Donald Rothermich, and has served as Secretary/Treasurer since 2022.

COLUMBUS MEDICAL RESEARCH FOUNDATION

Past Board Members

Founding members in 1957:

  • Norman O. Rothermich, M.D., Founder, see About page for more information

  • Richard L. Fulton, M.D.

  • Glen H. Williams

  • Webster Robinson, Jr.

  • George T. Drake, Jr.

  • Carl Tangeman

Members who served in the first era of the CMRF, between the 1950s and the 1990s, when the CMRF conducted research on rheumatology drugs and provided care to indigent rheumatology patients. This list may be incomplete.

  • Marvin Thomas, M.D., Past President

  • Jack Potts, Past Vice President

  • Charles Gegenheimer, Past Secretary

  • Emmerich von Haam, M.D.

  • Don Casto

  • Vol K. Philips, M.D.

  • George Chamberlin

  • Harry Johnson

Members who served in the first era of the CMRF, and continued into the second era of the CMRF, from the 1990s forward, when the CMRF evolved to provide grants for research and educational endeavors primarily in the field of rheumatology

  • John J. Chester, Board Member through 1998

  • Lester. J. (John) Bishop, Past Chairman, Past Secretary/Treasurer, Board Member through 1999

  • Ralph E. Waldo, Board Member through 2001

  • James Petropoulos, Past Vice President, Board Member through 2002

Members who served in the second era of the CMRF, providing grants for research and educational endeavors primarily in the field of Rheumatology. Bios are from the time that the Board Member served on the Board.

  • Timothy J. Ucker (1996-2000)

  • Frederick E. Jones, Jr. (1996-2001)

  • David B. Thompson, Past Treasurer (Board Member 1996-2006)

  • Bruce A. Wall, M.D. (Board Member 2006-2011): Dr Wall is a Rheumatologist who previously practiced at the Columbus Medical Center. After additional education, he served in leadership roles at Riverside Methodist Hospital, United HealthCare, Central Ohio Primary Care, and OhioHealth Group. He is currently the Medical Director of the Ohio State University Health Plan.

  • Stuart A. Bishop (Board Member 2002-2013): Mr. Bishop is the President and co-founder of Pharmacy Systems, Inc. (PSI), a company that manages hospital pharmacy departments. PSI has over 100 clients located in eight Midwest states. Mr. Bishop is a Mechanical Engineer by training. Mr Bishop is the son of former CMRF Chairman and Board Member, John Bishop.

  • Richard (Dick) H. Turner, M.D, Past Vice President (Board Member 1999-2018): Dr. Turner is a widely respected Orthopedic Surgeon with many of experience. He is a past President and long-time member of the Board of the Central Ohio Chapter of the Arthritis Foundation. Dr. Turner was affiliated with Riverside Methodist Hospital and is now retired. Dr. Turner is the son of the former CMRF Board Member, Floyd Turner.

  • Denison (Chip) Neale Jr., Past Treasurer (Board Member 2002-2023): Mr. Neale has had a successful career for over forty years in the commercial real estate mortgage banking business and recently retired from Bellwether Real Estate Capital.

  • Ronald (Ron) L. Whisler MD (Board Member 2011-2026): Dr. Whisler is a graduate of The Ohio State University College of Medicine. He completed his Internship/Residency at The Ohio State University, and his subspecialty training at the Mayo Graduate School of Medicine and Mayo Clinic. After which, he returned to The Ohio State University where he was named Director of the Division of Immunology in 1980. His specialty interests include osteoarthritis, bursitis, rheumatoid arthritis and vasculitis, with research focused on osteoarthritis and autoimmunity. He has been involved in numerous research studies on the cause and treatment of arthritis and disorders affecting the immune system. Dr. Whisler was a friend and colleague of Dr. Norman O. Rothermich, founder of the CMRF, and co-authored many arthritis publications with him.