Honorees
Executive Dean, Chief Academic Officer, and Professor of Medicine
Touro School of Osteopathic Medicine – Harlem, Middletown, Great Falls
Touro School of Osteopathic Medicine – Harlem, Middletown, Great Falls
Medical Director, Touro School of Health Sciences Physician Assistant Program – Middletown
Dr. Kenneth J. Steier is a distinguished leader in medical education, serving as the Executive Dean and Chief Academic Officer of Touro College of Osteopathic Medicine (TouroCOM). Since joining TouroCOM, Dr. Steier has significantly expanded the institution's reach and impact, overseeing campuses in Harlem, Middletown, and Great Falls, MT. His strategic leadership has consistently advanced TouroCOM's mission of delivering high-quality osteopathic medical education and healthcare services to underserved communities.
Dr. Steier is board certified in internal, pulmonary, and critical care medicine and holds multiple master’s degrees in business administration, public health, geriatric health, and health administration. His scholarly work has been published in leading journals such as the Journal of the American Osteopathic Association and Postgraduate Medicine. Throughout his career, he has held significant roles, including Associate Dean and Chair of the Department of Medicine at Kansas City University of Medicine and Biosciences, and Clinical Assistant Dean at the New York College of Osteopathic Medicine. Additionally, he serves as an accreditation surveyor for the American Osteopathic Association (AOA), a grant reviewer for the Health Resources Services Administration, and a consultant for the Food and Drug Administration.
Touro University is proud to recognize Dr. Steier's visionary leadership, contributions and unwavering commitment to the advancing osteopathic education at Touro College for Osteopathic Medicine and to the Middletown community.
Tony Danza is the Chief Executive Officer of The Danza Group and co-founder of DSG, Inc., a real estate brokerage firm licensed in New York and New Jersey. He has played a pivotal role in the development of hundreds of projects, including residential housing, shopping centers, and healthcare facilities, serving as both principal and broker for numerous retail and commercial lease agreements. As the president of Danza Properties, he owns and manages shopping center properties throughout New York and New Jersey. Mr. Danza’s extensive construction portfolio includes over 1,000 residential units and more than 1,500,000 square feet of commercial space.
A graduate of New York University’s programs in shopping center management and real estate development, Mr. Danza is also an active member of the New Jersey Council on Aging and the U.S. Congressional Advisory Board. Recognized as "Developer of the Year" by Better Homes and Gardens Magazine in 1997, he has been a prominent figure in real estate development for decades.
As part of Touro College of Osteopathic Medicine–Middletown's legacy, Mr. Danza was instrumental in securing and developing the Horton complex, where TouroCOM–Middletown welcomed its first class of medical students. His close collaboration with the late Dr. Jay Sexter helped establish Touro’s presence in Middletown, and his commitment to TouroCOM students continues through the creation of the Danza Leser Student Fund, which provides financial assistance to students.
Tony Danza’s longstanding partnership with Touro and his visionary leadership have made a lasting impact on the TouroCOM–Middletown community. As we celebrate 10 years of success, Touro College of Osteopathic Medicine is honored to present Tony Danza with the Touro Corporate Legacy Award, recognizing his invaluable role in the TouroCOM legacy.
Dr. Kaitlyn Simpson is a dedicated and patient-focused Primary Care physician. She is Board-certified by the American Osteopathic Board of Family Physicians in Family Medicine, as well as Board-certified in Obesity Medicine and Lifestyle Medicine. She recently earned her certification in Osteopathic Manipulative Treatment (OMT).
Dr. Simpson currently serves as the Urgent Care Director at Middletown Medical, where she has played a pivotal role in expanding access to care by helping open their newest office in Port Jervis, N.Y., in November 2024.
Prior to joining Middletown Medical, PC, Dr. Simpson served patients at Garnet Health Medical Center in Middletown, N.Y., where she completed her residency in Family Medicine. During her residency, she held multiple leadership positions, including Chief Resident, Resident Body Vice President, and member of the Graduate Medical Education Committee.
A proud graduate of Touro College of Osteopathic Medicine in Middletown, N.Y., Dr. Simpson earned her Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine with distinction. She completed her Bachelor of Arts in Biological Sciences at Binghamton University in Binghamton, N.Y. Additionally, she received specialized training in Integrative Medicine and Medication-Assisted Treatment for opioid use disorder.
Dr. Simpson is deeply committed to the education and mentorship of future physicians and the health and wellness of her community. She serves as an Adjunct Clinical Instructor for Family Medicine at Touro College of Osteopathic Medicine and is actively involved in the Garnet Health Medical Center Family Medicine Residency Program. Her contributions extend beyond clinical care, as she participates in community health screenings, COVID-19 vaccination clinics, health awareness campaigns, and elementary health education events.
Born and raised in Orange County, N.Y., Dr. Simpson exemplifies the mission of TouroCOM—training compassionate physicians who serve underserved and underrepresented communities. Her decision to practice in her hometown demonstrates her dedication to making a tangible impact on her community.
TouroCOM is immensely proud to honor Dr. Kaitlyn Simpson with the Alumni Award, recognizing her as an inspiring example of the values and aspirations of our institution: training doctors who not only provide exceptional care but also give back to the communities that shaped them.