John Schriner retires after 30 years of service at the Ohio University Heritage College of Osteopathic Medicine

As June ended, so did an important era for Ohio University’s Heritage College of Osteopathic Medicine, because John Schriner, Ph.D., officially retired after 30 years serving as a guiding force for the Office of Admissions. He leaves behind a career marked by vision, compassion and a profound impact on the lives of thousands of medical students.

A life-long dedication to medical education

Schriner’s journey in higher education began in 1986 at Thiel College in Pennsylvania. His path took him to the Ohio College of Podiatric Medicine in Cleveland in 1988, before he found his professional home at the Heritage College in 1996. During his nearly three decades at the college, Schriner rose through the ranks to become associate dean of admissions and student affairs. Along the way, he earned his Ph.D. in Interpersonal Communication from Ohio University, writing his dissertation on family and health communication.

“I guess my aspiration was to climb as high as I could on the ladder of admissions,” Schriner said. “I’ve been to the top of the mountain–as far as my career could have gone here–so I’m really pleased with that. I think I’ve left a good track record.”

That track record speaks volumes. Schriner helped shape key initiatives at the college, including the Early Assurance Program (EAP), which allows select students to earn both their undergraduate and Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine degrees in as little as seven years. Schriner was also instrumental in embedding mental health counselors on all three Heritage College campuses. This was a critical step taken to meet the mental health needs of medical students during the pandemic.

“It’s (mental health care) incredibly important, even if there wasn’t a pandemic. The stress and anxiety are all things that go along with medical education,” Schriner said. “You’ve got to have somebody right there at the ready.”

Schriner emphasizes that implementing his vision and ideas would not have been possible without the important contributions and support of the entire admissions and student affairs team. In his assessment of his career, he says he is proud of the work he did to ensure his team had the necessary resources and compensation for their jobs.

“I say it all the time, and I'll say it again: I've got the best unit in the college. Everybody is so passionate about what they do, and that’s the kind of people that you want on your team and the kind of people you want to hang with and support, because you are all working towards the same end goal of supporting the students as best as we can,” Schriner said.

The voice of good news

Although Schriner supported students throughout the interview process, orientation and beyond, one of his most cherished responsibilities was personally calling prospective students to share the life-changing news of their acceptance to the Heritage College. During his career, he made more than 3,500 of these calls, feeling the same excitement each time.

“It’s like you’re going to a birthday party, and you know you have the best gift that they are going to get,” Schriner said.

Some of his favorite calls were with people so stunned by the news that the call turned humorous, as Schriner was known to respond to students’ shocked “No way” response with “Way!” But it’s the students who got emotional that he remembers best.

“I really love it when I hear people crying. I know that doesn’t sound right, but to hear the exuberance and incredible joy that moves them to tears because they’ve been accepted to Heritage College, I love it,” Schriner said.

More than a messenger of good news, Schriner played a pivotal role in selecting future physicians from the large pool of applicants the college receives every year. He looked beyond academic excellence to identify students who embodied attributes he believed were essential for a career in medicine. He looked for those who demonstrated a passion for patient care, leadership potential and resilience. The result is that Schriner has helped shape the face of health care in Ohio and beyond.

“Those decisions are so important because they change the life course of the individual, but then it also impacts the tens of thousands of people that they care for. That’s what I love about this job: you have that kind of impact,” Schriner said.

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A mentor, a leader, a friend

His impact on students extended well beyond the admissions process. Each year, during orientation, he delivered what has come to be known as the “Schriner Sermon.” In his talk, he laid out the expectations for students in medical school and as physicians. He highlighted what he calls the building blocks of respect: attitude, perspective and integrity. For many graduates, the “Sermon” became a lasting memory and a cornerstone of their experience at the college.

During his retirement celebration at Heritage Hall in June, laughter and a few tears were shared as Schriner and his colleagues reminisced about his co-hosting of the student and faculty talent show, Talent Follies, with his friend and colleague, the late Mark Loudin, as well as the number of times he dressed as Santa Claus for staff holiday parties.

A recurring theme was the gratitude Schriner’s colleagues felt for all he had done.

“You have been an institution here,” Jill Harman, M.Ed., senior director of admissions and recruitment, said. “It’s not going to be the same without you, but I think that you’ve taught us all enough that we can carry on and still make this a great place.”

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Honoring a lasting impact

In a deeply meaningful gesture and fitting tribute to his career, the Heritage College Class of 2025 requested Schriner as the keynote speaker for their commencement – an honor that left him both surprised and humbled. His final words of advice to graduates echoed parts of his famous Schriner Sermon: be a hero to your patients, and don’t forget all the people who helped you along the way in your career.

“You’ll see patients at their most vulnerable moments and times when maybe they’ve given up hope. They’re looking for someone that will help them, someone that will listen to them and act in their best interests as they seek healing. This is your time to step up and be their hero,” said Schriner. “A hero embodies the qualities of respect, honesty, integrity, humility and doing the right thing, being a role model. Embrace this mindset and spirit. Embrace these qualities every day, and yes, you’ll be a hero.”

Schriner’s legacy will endure not only through the students he mentored but also through the newly established Dr. John Schriner Scholarship Fund, made possible by a $100,000 pledge from Dr. George and Teresa Lewandowski. Schriner’s contributions to the medical education community have also been recognized with several awards over the years, including the Heritage College’s Trillium Award, which recognizes those who have made exceptional efforts to help the college thrive and grow. Most recently, Schriner was awarded an Ohio Osteopathic Association Meritorious Service Award in April 2024.

A new chapter

While his professional journey has come to a close, Schriner is looking forward to the joys of retirement.

“I want to sleep for the first week, I swear, I’m going to sleep for a week,” Schriner said. After he wakes up, he plans to spend more time with his wife, Janis, who retired in July 2024, travel to long-dreamed of destinations and visit friends. Schriner also hopes to give back through volunteer work, possibly supporting veterans in honor of his parents, who served in World War II, and his brother, who served in Vietnam.

Perhaps most importantly, he’s excited to embrace his role as a grandfather. With two grandchildren in Athens and two in Texas, Schriner is ready to cheer them on at games, attend their recitals and be a fully present and loving grandfather.