2025 marks ACOFP’s milestone 75th anniversary. As the year gets underway, you’ll have a chance to celebrate with your colleagues at the ACOFP Annual Convention in Palm Springs, as well as to explore the full history of ACOFP in our new, updated history book.

Here are just a few of the fascinating highlights from our shared history: 

  • The American College of General Practitioners in Osteopathic Medicine and Surgery (ACGPOMS) was founded in 1950 in Los Angeles, CA. The name changed to American College of General Practitioners (ACGP) in 1954, and to ACOFP in 1993.
  • The first student chapter started way back in 1957. Other early firsts? The first national meeting in Des Moines, IA (1958), and the first class of Fellows (1965).
  • ACOFP faced a serious crisis in 1961 with the “California Merger,” which attempted to absorb all of California’s DO population by offering an MD designation (in California) in exchange for their DO degrees. The organization lost hundreds of members.
  • Later in its history, ACOFP faced a financial crisis due to mismanagement of funds by an employee. The members rallied and rebuilt ACOFP on firm financial footing. 
  • Mary M. Burnett, DO, FACGP, became the first female president in 1972. 
  • Ray E. Piper, DO, FACOFP, became the first president of color in 1987.
  • 2020, ACOFP held its first all-virtual conference on just 3 weeks’ notice, due to the disruption of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Learn much more about ACOFP and influential leaders from our past with our updated history book, ACOFP: The Continuing History. The first 750 registrants for ACOFP ’25 get a free copy.  

 

When you’re packing for Palm Springs, be sure to plan for our 75th anniversary theme days:

  • Represent your College of Osteopathic Medicine on Friday, with all of your favorite COM apparel. 
  • Dress up in your fifties best for the President's Reception on Saturday. 
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