FEATURE STORY

Women’s Leadership Spotlight 

The ACOFP Women’s Leadership Spotlight is a series of articles highlighting female members in leadership positions. Female osteopathic family physicians across the country are running clinics, are entrepreneurs who launched product lines, serve as advocates for the profession at local, state and federal levels, champion causes close to their hearts, and much more! Many are also wives and mothers who juggle activities, family time and careers to achieve a happy work-life balance. Throughout the summer, ACOFP will share their stories here on the website, on social media and in the weekly newsletter. 

If you know a female family physician with a great story or cause, please contact ACOFP to submit an article for the Women’s Leadership Spotlight!

This week's spotlight shines a light on ACOFP Fellow and Ohio ACOFP President, Jennifer L. Gwilym, DO, FACOFP. Dr. Gwilym is an ACOFP leader with an impressive list of activities and designations.

State President, Fellow and Much More

Jennifer L. Gwilym, DO, FACOFP is an ACOFP leader with an impressive list of activities and designations. As you can see from the list below, she is very active in ACOFP nationally and in her state, currently serving as the Ohio ACOFP President. The record of Dr. Gwilym’s past positions and activities was too long to share in this article! She is a role model for young female physicians who are looking for ways to gain leadership experience: follow her lead and join associations, get active on Committees and eventually run for elected officer positions.

Dr. Gwilym has been awarded fellowships with ACOFP, the American Academy of Family Physicians (FAAFP), with the American Association of Colleges of Osteopathic Medicine (AACOM), in Health Policy (HPF) and the Residency Director Program (RDFP) at Ohio University, and with the Costin Leadership Institute of Midwestern University. Also, she has won several awards and has published many articles on topics such as vaccines, sexually transmitted diseases, Medicare programs, e-cigarettes and preventative screening guidelines. She served as an editor on the textbook published by Houghton Mifflin Company titled An Introduction to Physical Science, Ninth Edition, by Shipman and Baker. Dr. Gwilym has also given presentations to physicians, residents and students to share insights on being a thriving osteopathic family physician with lectures titled Finding Joy in Practice and Professional Organizations & Leadership – Finding Your Voice as a Leader.

Dr. Gwilym currently serves as Assistant Dean of Clinical Education, Southeastern Ohio Campus at Ohio University Heritage College of Osteopathic Medicine, Athens, Ohio; Assistant Dean of Clinical Education, Central Ohio Campus at Ohio University Heritage College of Osteopathic Medicine, Athens, Ohio; Medical Director, Medical Claims Reviewer at Anthem FEP, Indianapolis, Indiana; Director of Student Medical Education (DSME) at A.T. Still University, Kirksville, Missouri; and Assistant Professor Family Medicine, Dept. of Family Medicine at Ohio University Heritage College of Osteopathic Medicine, Athens, Ohio.

Dr. Gwilym’s Current Activities and Designations

ACOFP CEE Subcommittee: Intensive Update & Board Review, Member, 3/2017-Present
ACOFP Health Expo Committee, Member, 5/2017-Present
ACOFP Convention Planning Committee, Member, 4/2017-Present
ACOFP Women’s Health and Leadership Committee, Member, 3/17-Present
Ohio ACOFP, President, 4/2019-Present
OU-HCOM, Society of Alumni and Friends, President, 1/2019-Present
Student Selection Advisory Committee, OU-HCOM, Chair, 1/2016-Present
Ohio Musculoskeletal and Neurological Institute (OMNI) at Ohio University, Affiliate Scientist, 6/2017-Present
Clinical and Translational Research Unit (CTRU) at Ohio University Research Study Physician, 6/2017-Present
OU-HCOM, Rural and Urban Scholars Program (RUSP), Coach, 7/2014-Present
Ohio Department of Medicaid, Pharmacy and Therapeutics Committee, Member, 12/2015-Present
Ohio Osteopathic Association (OOA), Treasurer, 4/2019-Present; Health Policy Chair, 9/2017-Present; District 9, Advocacy Chair, 9/2013-Present; and District 9, Trustee, 3/2014-4/2019
Ohio Osteopathic Political Action Committee (OOPAC), Member, 2/2016-Present

For the ACOFP Women’s Leadership Spotlight series, Dr. Gwilym answered a few questions about her career and involvement with ACOFP.

How has your ACOFP membership been of value to you and your career?
I have been an active member of ACOFP since 1999. My ACOFP membership has been invaluable to me over the years. The resources and networking provided by ACOFP has helped catapult my career on so many levels. Many think that seeing patients five days a week is the only option that exists for family medicine physicians. Thanks to the many networking opportunities provided by ACOFP, I know that a family physician’s opportunities are endless.          

What is your favorite part of the job? 
My favorite part of being a family physician is teaching students about the importance and need for competent, excited family physicians.

How do you spend your free time?
I am an avid scuba diver and I have traveled the world to dive new places. I also enjoy golfing in my spare time.