Mission & History



MISSION
The American College of Osteopathic Family Physicians (ACOFP) works to promote excellence in osteopathic family medicine through quality education, visionary leadership, and responsible advocacy.

The ACOFP is a professional medical association that represents more than 25,000 practicing osteopathic family physicians, residents, and students throughout the United States. Its headquarters is located in Chicago, Illinois.



HISTORY

Created by John V. Fiore, DO, FACOFP, and Bruce S. Collins, DO, ACOFP was founded on February 11, 1950 in Los Angeles, California as the American College of General Practitioners in Osteopathic Medicine and Surgery. The first officially recorded meeting took place in Des Moines, Iowa, during summer 1958. Even during its early years, the association strove to recognize member excellence. 

As the importance of osteopathic medicine grew during the following decades, so did the ACOFP. The association moved to Chicago during the mid-1960s. During the same time, the ACOFP formed the Preceptorship program, as well as educational conferences on state and national levels. 

The association officially changed its name to the American College of Osteopathic Family Physicians (ACOFP) in 1993. For a full look at ACOFP’s history, download The Continuing History of the American College of Osteopathic Family Physicians.

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LEADERS IN ACOFP HISTORY
The ACOFP Archival & Historical Committee identifies and preserves records and artifacts unique to the history of the osteopathic family medicine. Since the 2004 Fall Convention, the committee has conducted in-person interviews with ACOFP Immediate Past Presidents and other prominent leaders.

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