ACOFP President

By Ronnie B. Martin, DO, FACOFP dist.

April 29, 2008

**Please note: Leading the Osteopathic Way will be on break until May 6.

DOs in Oklahoma
It was my honor along with my wife, Sherri, and ACOFP Board Member, Dr. Stephanie Meissen to attend the Oklahoma Osteopathic Association (OOA) and Oklahoma State Society of ACOFP meeting this past weekend as the guest of OK ACOFP President Dr. Michael David and President-elect Dr. Jenny Alexopulos.

On Saturday I addressed the ACOFP Oklahoma Chapter during its annual business meeting. We discussed opportunities that are available for osteopathic family physicians and the ability our profession has to make a difference in the lives of our patients. We discussed the development of the medical home concept as a way to improve the nation's health and the well being of our physicians, as well as the support it is gathering among business and governmental agencies.

Describing the events that occurred at the AOA Bureau of Federal Health Programs and D.O. Day on the Hill, I asked each member present, as I ask each of you, to take the actions required to ensure that Congress takes positive actions and thwarts the impending cuts in the Sustainable Growth Rate (SGR) and Medicare reimbursement. Contact your Senators and Representative and request that they take positive action on the impending legislation and support actions by Senator Baucus and his committee to solve the problem.

It was a pleasure to congratulate the educational leaders in Oklahoma on filling all of the osteopathic family medicine resident positions at both Tulsa and Madill, expanding the tradition of strong osteopathic family medicine programs in the state.

On your behalf, I expressed the appreciation the Board of Governors and ACOFP have for the work performed by Dr. Michael David and his board this past year, as well as extended best wishes and offers of assistance to Dr. Alexopulos, the incoming president. During the luncheon on Friday, AOA President-elect Dr. Carlo DiMarco brought Dr. Ajluni’s Fit for Life message to the members of the OOA during his keynote presentation.

During the luncheon Saturday, my long-time friend and colleague from more than 20 years of practice in Oklahoma, previous ACOFP Governor and current AOA Board member Dr. Ray Stowers and I were honored by our colleagues in Oklahoma by being presented the A.T. Still Award for Excellence for our efforts in education over our 30-year careers.

Sherri and I attended the Presidential Banquet on Saturday where Dr. Gilbert Rodgers, an old colleague from Enid, was installed as the President of the OOA and Dr. Trudy Milner was thanked for her terrific year as president. It was quite a sight, I can assure you, when Dr. DiMarco was honored Saturday night at the Presidential Banquet by receiving a Seminole Headdress in front of the packed hall.

Survey on Medical Outreach Reminder!
The Medical Outreach Task Force of ACOFP would like to assess the extent to which the ACOFP members are involved in domestic and international medical outreach and disaster recovery initiatives. Please take the survey by May 1, 2008 - thank you for helping develop the ACOFP’s future involvement in Medical Outreach initiatives!

ACOFP’s Residency Program Directory - Faster and Easier to Use
The Guide to Selecting an Osteopathic Family Practice Residency Program helps students identify the locations, scope of training provided, salaries and benefits and contact information for more than 100 osteopathic family practice residency programs around the country. Beyond the comprehensive demographic information, it provides the rationale for pursuing osteopathic training and information on how to participate in the match process. Use the Residency Program Directory to research programs that are of interest to you. Resident Recruiter contact information is listed within each residency program profile - easy access for students looking for answers to their questions.

Back to Campus
The Family Medicine Department at Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine hosted an event for the children who came to work with their parents at the school on April 24, “Take your child to work day”. ACOFP Student members from both the first and second year class volunteered to wear their white coats and assist children through educational stations on phlebotomy, blood pressure, and other medical topics.

The Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine ACOFP Student Chapter President Julie E. Kohley reports their chapter paired with Sigma Sigma Phi honor society to prepare breakfast for families staying at the Ronald McDonald House on Chestnut Street in Center City Philadelphia.

Many first and second year Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine students traveled to Washington D.C. to participate in DO Day on the Hill. They met with their local legislators and discussed issues affecting osteopathic medical students and osteopathic family physicians. Most of the first year students are ACOFP members so the organization had a strong showing this year at DO Day on the Hill.

Make your opinions known! Send an email to me and ACOFP. Share your thoughts, make comments, and tell us what you have been doing in regards to osteopathic family medicine.

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