of the highest honor
Recognizing Excellence
The ACOFP Fellow Award (FACOFP)
The ACOFP Fellow Award (FACOFP) recognizes a member’s dedication, experience, and contributions to family medicine. Candidates must have at least six consecutive years of active physician membership after residency and be board-certified in family medicine by the AOA or ABMS. They must also have no medical license restrictions, demonstrate involvement in local and national family medicine organizations, and contribute to the field through teaching, research, or leadership. Candidate must have attended a minimum of six ACOFP or AOA conventions in the past ten years, with at least three being ACOFP Annual Conventions, and at least two attended in person. Military nominees may substitute up to three AMOPS conventions for AOA. Additional requirements include at least one letter of recommendation from a sponsor, another from an ACOFP affiliate society or Fellow, and unpublished research suitable for publication. Each active Fellow may nominate one candidate per year, with exceptions subject to committee approval. This award is evaluated and approved by the ACOFP Awards Committee and Board of Governors.
The ACOFP Distinguished Fellow Award (FACOFP dist.)
The ACOFP Fellow Award (FACOFP) recognizes a member’s dedication, experience, and contributions to family medicine. Candidates must have at least six consecutive years of active physician membership after residency and be board-certified in family medicine by the AOA or ABMS. They must also have no medical license restrictions, demonstrate involvement in local and national family medicine organizations, and contribute to the field through teaching, research, or leadership. Candidate must have attended a minimum of six ACOFP or AOA conventions in the past ten years, with at least three being ACOFP Annual Conventions, and at least two attended in person. Military nominees may substitute up to three AMOPS conventions for AOA. Additional requirements include at least one letter of recommendation from a sponsor, another from an ACOFP affiliate society or Fellow, and unpublished research suitable for publication. Each active Fellow may nominate one candidate per year, with exceptions subject to committee approval. This award is evaluated and approved by the ACOFP Awards Committee and Board of Governors.
Conclave of Fellows Award Ceremony
In celebration of the 75th Anniversary of the ACOFP Annual Convention, please enjoy a few of these throwback videos from the Fellow archives - ceremonies from 1992, 1994, 1995, 1996, and 1997.
Academic Regalia
Academic regalia dates back to 11th and 12th century European universities, where gowns distinguished scholars by rank.
The Gown
Originally worn for warmth, the gown now symbolizes the equality of scholarship, concealing social status. It is traditionally black.
The Cap
Inspired by Roman tradition, the academic cap represents scholarly freedom and responsibility.
The Hood
Lined with the college’s official color, the hood’s facing color denotes the academic discipline. Green represents medicine. Missouri records Fellow hoods and gowns as official regalia.
The Gold Cord
ACOFP honors Distinguished Fellows with a gold cord, symbolizing lifelong dedication to osteopathic family medicine.
The MaceA symbol of authority, made of solid bronze, features a serpent-entwined staff and a button engraved with the ACOFP logo. Inside, a scroll lists past presidents.
Conclave of Fellows Annual Business Luncheon Meeting
The next Fellows Business Meeting will be held virtually in the fall of 2025. The date is to be determined.
2025–2026 Members
Executive Council of the Conclave of Fellows
Elected by our peers, our mission is to encourage, recognize and reward those board certified osteopathic family physicians who have demonstrated leadership within the osteopathic profession and in their communities on a local, state, and national level.
- William Stager, DO, FACOFP dist., Chair
- Joel Feder, DO, FACOFP dist., Vice Chair
- Lynn Wilson, DO, FACOFP, Secretary
- Andrew Adair, DO, FACOFP
- Nicole Bixler, DO, FACOFP dist.
- Melinda Ford, DO, FACOFP dist.
- Sarah James, DO, FACOFP
- Katherine Lincoln, DO, FACOFP
- Rebeccah R. Rodriguez-Regner, DO, FACOFP
The Executive Council of Conclave of Fellows shall consist of nine members, including the elected Secretary. The nine standing council members and Chairs shall serve a maximum of up to three consecutive three-year terms, with the exception that the members may complete the term in which nine years or more of service is completed. Three members will be re-elected or elected annually to assure continuity to serve on the Executive Council. To qualify, a candidate must be an active Fellow and have been a Fellow for at least two years.
The Chair and Vice Chair will be elected by the members of the Executive Council immediately following the Annual Business Meeting. The Secretary shall be nominated and elected by the entire Conclave, for a term of three years, assuming that they have not already served nine years on the Council. Members of the Executive Council will be nominated and elected by the entire Conclave during the Annual Business Meeting. A position on the Executive Council will be deemed vacant if the member fails to attend three consecutive meetings.
If you have any questions for the Executive Council, please send to fellowsinfo@acofp.org.
current year
2025 Fellow Recipients
- Danielle L. Barnett-Trapp, DO, FACOFP
- Philip Collins, DO, FACOFP
- Anthony D. Elkins, DO, FACOFP
- Abigail A. Frank, DO, FACOFP
- Jeffrey A. Gold, MS, DO, FACOFP
- Bradley Goldstein, DO, CAQSM, MPH, MS, FACOFP
- Janel H. Johnson, DO, MPH, FACOFP
- Alicia A. Martin, DO, FACOFP
- Susan R. Medalie, DO, FACOFP
- Mark W. Robinson, DO, FACOFP
- Randy C. Sexton, DO, MA, FACOFP
- Jesse D. Shaw, DO, CAQSM, USAW, FACOFP
- Sarah J. Wolff, DO, FACOFP
Steven H. Barag, DO, FACOFP dist.
Jennifer L. Gwilym, DO, FACOFP dist., FAAFP, CS
William B. Swallow, DO, MS, FACOFP dist.