Mansfield dermatologist Christ Ticoras credits The Ohio State University for his success as a community volunteer.
But for Ohio State, Mansfield dermatologist Dr. Christ Ticoras wouldn’t be the successful doctor, husband, father, philanthropist and community volunteer he is today.
“Ohio State opened a lot of doors and allowed me to succeed,” he said.
Ticoras is finishing his ninth of nine years on the Ohio State Mansfield Board. He was instrumental in starting the Ohio State Mansfield Board of Trustees Leadership Scholarship. The scholarship is awarded to third-year and higher students who intend to graduate from Ohio State Mansfield and are actively involved in community service.
The endowment goal is to raise $200,000; Ticoras’ pledge is to provide a 50 percent match for donations.
Ticoras knows the worth of scholarships as he paid his own way through college, performing research as a lab assistant while he earned Ohio State’s Presidential Scholarship. He graduated from Ohio State in June 1987 at the top of his College of Pharmacy class, summa cum laude with distinction and honors.
Through an Air Force scholarship to Wright State University, Ticoras earned his medical degree; his return on the scholarship was active duty time in Tucson, Ariz.
Yearning to return to Ohio, he found a private practice position in 1999 in Mansfield.
“I’ve been really blessed to have 15 great years here in Mansfield,” he said.
Ticoras has become firmly entrenched in the community, early on supporting the Salvation Army and Richland Pregnancy Services. He and wife Heather belong to the Richland County Foundation Connections group.
Professionally, Ticoras, with Ohio Health, provides free skin cancer screening, coordination and care during Skin Cancer Awareness Month in May.
Ticoras recently donated funds for a group study room in the renovated Bromfield Library and Information Commons.
“I like Woody Hayes’ idea of paying forward,” he said. “I think as alumni we are really called to do that.”
Ticoras says there’s a distinct advantage to attending a regional campus – small class sizes taught by professors.
“And even though many professors are involved with research, they have a real passion to teach,” Ticoras said.
Giveto.osu.edu/mansfield
#644465 Ohio State Mansfield Board Leadership Scholarship