Trustee Nominations
Below are the Trustee candidates to be nominated by the Leadership Development Committee at the Annual Membership Meeting on April 25, 2024, from 7 – 9 PM. Each At-Large Trustee will serve a 3-year term. The postgraduate term is a one-year term.
Trustees are elected by a majority vote of all members present and voting at the annual membership meeting. Members with concerns regarding any Trustee nominee may submit those concerns in writing to Executive Director Brian Bowles by April 1. All concerns will be considered by the Board prior to official nominations.
Karl W Grant DO ABFM RN EMICT EMT - Ottawa, KS
At-Large Trustee Nominee
Dr. Karl W. Grant, DO, ABFM, RN, EMICT, EMT, is a family medicine physician and private urgent care owner serving patients in St. Joseph and Gladstone, Missouri, through Urgent Care Express. He also operates a cattle ranch in Ottawa, Kansas, where he resides. Dr. Grant is a graduate of the University of Health Sciences (now KCUMB), earning his DO degree in May 1993, and completed his residency in Family Medicine of Topeka, Kansas.
Dr. Grant has served on the MAOPS Legislative Committee for six years and has been actively involved in legislative policy affecting Missouri DOs since 2020. Through this work, he has developed a strong understanding of healthcare policy and advocacy. He dedicates at least one hour daily to studying both the practice and business of medicine and remains highly engaged in CMS regulations, insurance issues, and legislative matters impacting physicians.
Outside of medicine, Dr. Grant has been actively raising hay and managing a cattle operation in Franklin County, Kansas, since March 1978. An avid snow skier, he is celebrating 50 years and 1,500 days on skis.
Michelle Helton, DO - Mack's Creek, MO
At-Large Trustee Nominee
Dr. Michelle Helton is a family medicine physician practicing in an outpatient clinic with Lake Regional Health System. A graduate of KCU in 2017, she completed her residency at UAMS and resides in Mack’s Creek, Missouri.
Dr. Helton has been actively involved with MAOPS since her first year of medical school. After attending MOAC for the first time, she was immediately impressed by the camaraderie and support the organization provides. She has remained engaged throughout her training and professional career, serving on the YPN Committee and Legislative & Regulatory Committee, participating in the House of Delegates, and completing the Wetzel Fellow program. She was also honored with the 2025 President’s Award. Grateful for the opportunities and support MAOPS has provided, Dr. Helton is eager to continue serving and giving back to the osteopathic community as a Trustee.
Outside of medicine, she lives on a farm in Mack’s Creek with her husband, Jon, and their daughter, Conley. They enjoy riding horses, traveling to new places, and relaxing on the lake. With Conley now one year old, they have especially enjoyed introducing her to new experiences and look forward to sharing many more together.
David Tannehill, DO, FACOI, FACP - Fenton, MO
At-Large Trustee Nominee
Dr. David Tannehill, DO, is a hospital-based physician with Mercy Health specializing in Critical Care Medicine, Neurocritical Care Medicine, and Internal Medicine. A 2005 graduate of ATSU-KCOM, he completed his residency at St. John’s Mercy Medical Center. Dr. Tannehill resides in Fenton, Missouri.
Dr. Tannehill has dedicated more than two decades to service within the osteopathic profession and to MAOPS. He has served as President and held all executive leadership positions within the organization, in addition to serving as Chair of the AOA Delegation and Chair of MOPAC. Throughout his tenure, he has contributed to all MAOPS committees, bringing extensive institutional knowledge and leadership experience to the organization.
He values MAOPS’ vital role in Missouri healthcare and would be honored to continue serving on the Board of Trustees during what he views as a pivotal and challenging time for healthcare. He believes his experience, institutional knowledge, and professional network position him to help guide MAOPS through ongoing change.
Outside of medicine, Dr. Tannehill is an avid outdoorsman, fly-fisherman, and sports fan. He has two sons attending Mizzou and is a proud football season ticket holder. MIZ!
Tessa Tolen, DO - Springfield, MO
At-Large Trustee Nominee
Hello, my name is Tessa Tolen, I am a born and raised Missourian whose family lives in St. Joseph, Missouri currently. I attended Missouri State University in Springfield, MO for my bachelors in Anthropology. I attended A.T. Still University in Kirksville, MO for medical school and am currently in my first year of my Family Medicine Residency in Springfield, MO at CoxHealth.I have served as a Wetzel Scholar for MAOPS while in medical school 2020-2023, and am now serving as a Wetzel Fellow.
I am married now for almost 5 years to my best friend, Keith Cissell. When I am not working we love to go on walks with our dog, Rhea, or play games online. I also enjoy caring for my house plants, cooking, reading and collecting books like a crow.
This year with MAOPS I am hoping that we can expand and make headway on expanding our young physician base and continue to push for limits on independent practice of midlevel practitioners.
Justin Hajicek, DO - Columbia, MO
Postgraduate Trustee Nominee
Dr. Justin Hajicek is a resident physician in Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation (PM&R) at the University of Missouri–Columbia, where he also completed his medical degree at A.T. Still University Kirksville College of Osteopathic Medicine, graduating in 2025. He resides in Columbia, Missouri.
Dr. Hajicek has been actively involved in MAOPS through multiple leadership and service roles, including serving as Vice Chair of the Young Physician’s Network and as a member of the Legislative and Regulatory Committee. He has participated in the Wetzel Scholar Program three times and served as an alternate delegate to the AOA House of Delegates. He believes MAOPS plays a vital role in supporting and advocating for osteopathic physicians, strengthening their capacity to meet the needs of patients and communities. Inspired by his mentors in the Wetzel Scholar Program, he recognizes that this work depends on the dedication of MAOPS members, staff, committees, and the Board of Trustees. As a current trainee, he is eager to bring the resident perspective to the Board and views service as a Trustee as an opportunity to positively impact the day-to-day lives of his physician peers.
A Columbia native and graduate of Rock Bridge High School (go Bruins!), Dr. Hajicek met his wife, Kara, at Harding University in Searcy, Arkansas, and they have been married for nearly five years. In October, they welcomed their first daughter, Annie. He enjoys strength training, playing pickleball, cooking BBQ, watching college basketball, and cheering on the St. Louis Cardinals.