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By Jan D. Zieren, DO, MPH, FACOFP
dist.
May 13, 2009
ACOFP on the Road
The two states that probably mean the most to me, the state in which I live and work, and the state where I attended osteopathic medical school, held their respective meetings at exactly the same time!
The Arizona ACOFP State Society membership luncheon took place as part of the AOMA meeting and included my overview of national activities, awards, an address by the president of Arizona Academy of Family Physicians Susan Wilder, MD and an update by AzACOFP President Bradley "Casey" Downing, DO. Lori Kemper, DO, FACOFP was also installed as the President of the AOMA.
The Oklahoma ACOFP State Society also incorporates its meetings inside its state Oklahoma Osteopathic Association (OOA) convention. I gave the oath of office to Tim Moser, DO -- the new president of the Oklahoma ACOFP and thanked Jenny Alexopulos, DO for her year as president. Duane Koehler, DO, FACOFP was installed as President of the OOA. Even though I was a guest of the Oklahoma ACOFP, I attended the OOA banquet, became part of the spotlight parade and sat at their head table. Immediate Past ACOFP President Ronnie B. Martin, DO, FACOFP, dist and I are both alumni of OSUCOM and were treated royally as visiting dignitaries. Dr. Martin was the Master of Ceremonies for Dr. Koehler's banquet - as a friend and a favor. Larry Wickless, DO, AOA President-elect, was present for the OOA as well.
I fully enjoyed myself at both meetings and again appreciate the opportunity and honor of leading ACOFP this year. These visits really become such great memories as we share with our members in their home state, appreciate their contributions and awards and recognitions, and realize what a special organization ACOFP truly is.
ACOFP Letter to U.S. House of Representatives
Yesterday I sent a letter to U.S. Representative John Yarmuth to offer ACOFP support for the "Graduate Medical Education Advancement Act" (H.R. 2301). This bill provides much needed reform to the graduate medical education (GME) system to ensure residency training programs have the needed resources to train the nation's next generation of physicians.
President Obama Releases Detailed Budget Proposal
On May 7, President Obama released a detailed version of his fiscal year 2010 budget proposal. Among the provisions included is an overview of the President's health care reform ideas. The proposal includes a health care reserve fund of $600 billion over 10 years to finance health care reform. No specific legislative proposals are provided, but President Obama proposes eight principles upon which reform should be guided:
1. Reduce long-term cost growth of health care costs for businesses and government.
2. Protect families from bankruptcy or debt because of health care costs.
3. Guarantee choice of doctors and health plans.
4. Invest in prevention and wellness.
5. Improve patient safety and quality of care.
6. Assure affordable, quality health coverage for all Americans.
7. Maintain coverage following change or loss of employment.
8. End barriers to coverage for people with pre-existing medical conditions.
Health Care Reform Outlook
Senate HELP Committee Chairman Ted Kennedy (D-MA) and Senate Finance Committee Chairman Max Baucus (D-MT) continue to press for Senate consideration of health care reform legislation prior to the August recess. Chairmen of the three House Committees with jurisdiction over health care reform legislation - Energy and Commerce, Education and Labor, and Ways and Means - remain committed to passing identical legislation through their committees in July.
Your Board of Governors Fired Up
What gets me fired up? Increasing the success of our profession. ACOFP has two programs that I care about greatly and enjoy participating in that help members build the future of the profession: the Preceptorship Program and the Institute for Women. ACOFP's Preceptorship Committee has developed a number of helpful and supportive resources to aid osteopathic family physicians engaged in a preceptorship and our participation in this program creates great outreach to family physicians-to-be. ACOFP's Institute for Women, developed by the Task Force on Women's Initiatives, is an annual two-hour forum for women members of ACOFP and strives to develop resources to encourage leadership and advancement in our profession.
Does fostering the success of our profession get you fired up? Please let me know what you are doing to foster the success of our profession.
Apply for Fellowship
Applications are available for ACOFP members interested in becoming a Fellow, nominating an ACOFP member for the Fellows designation, or applying for the Distinguished Fellow designation. All 2010 Fellow Award and Distinguished Fellow Award applications are due September 1, 2009. The Awards Committee will review and approve applications for the Fellows and the Executive Conclave of Fellows will review and approve applications for the Distinguished designation in November during the AOA convention.
Back to Campus
A. T. Still University School of Osteopathic Medicine in Arizona ACOFP Student Chapter President Carlann DeFontes and Chapter Faculty Advisor Bradley C. Downing Jr., DO are organizing sponsorships for an upcoming golf tournament sponsored by the Arizona State Society of ACOFP in order to raise funds for student scholarships. Student chapter officers and members also participated in the April Arizona Osteopathic Medical Association convention by staffing a booth, attending the Arizona ACOFP State Society membership luncheon -- where I was the keynote speaker-- and volunteering at the silent auction.
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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