AOA HOD Summary

An estimated 900 DOs, osteopathic medical students, staff, and guests from across the country—including 30+ Ohioans—attended the American Osteopathic Association (AOA) House of Delegates in Chicago last week, July 19-21. Chair George Thomas, DO, led the Ohio delegation along with Vice Chair Paul A. Martin, DO; and OOA President Douglas W. Harley, DO. Several Ohioans were appointed to Reference Committees:

Douglas W. Harley, DO
Chair, Ad Hoc

Michael E. Dietz, DO
Constitution and Bylaws

Katherine H. Eilenfeld, DO
Educational Affairs

Jennifer L. Gwilym, DO
Professional Affairs

Edward E. Hosbach II, DO
Public Affairs

Melinda E. Ford, DO
Credentials Committee

Nathan P. Samsa, DO
Rules and Order of Business

In addition, Jason R. Jackson, DO, of Columbus, served on the Resolutions Committee as part of the American College of Osteopathic Pediatricians delegation. OOA Past Presidents Jennifer J. Hauler, DO, and Robert W. Hostoffer, Jr, DO, are currently serving mid-term on the AOA Board of Trustees.

Members of the Ohio delegation were recognized for 100% participation in OPAC, the sole political action committee representing osteopathic physicians at the federal level. OPAC traditionally conducts fundraising during the HOD as a friendly competition among states.

The Ohio delegation met several times during the weekend and in advance via Zoom to evaluate the 100+ resolutions. Ohio submitted five resolutions for consideration. Two of those resolutions were referred:

H-432 Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP), Obstructive Sleep Apnea - Referred back to OOA

H-434 Recognizing Breast Implant Illness (BII) and Promoting Informed Consent for Breast Implant Procedures - Referred to AOA Bureau on Research and Public Health

Three OOA resolutions were approved with minor amendments adopted during Reference Committees:

H-433 Against the Use of High Fructose Corn Syrup

H-218 Support for the Creation of Specialty and Sub-Specialty Osteopathic Recognition Training Exams

H-219 Support of the Physical Examination in Education and Practice

Teresa A. Hubka, DO, of Chicago, was installed as president. She is dually board-certified in obstetrics and gynecology and specializes in reproductive health and providing complete health services for women of all ages. In addition, she serves as a clinical professor and department chair at Midwestern University Chicago College of Osteopathic Medicine. Her term in office coincides with the 150th anniversary of osteopathic medicine. Robert G.G. Piccinini, DO, was elected president-elect. He is an AOA board-certified psychiatrist in Macomb, Michigan.

THANK YOU to the OOA delegates who gave their time and talent to advocate for the profession and patients: George Thomas, DO; Paul A. Martin, DO; Douglas W. Harley, DO; Victor D. Angel, DO; David A. Bitonte, DO; Ying H. Chen, DO; Brian C. Colopy, DO; Sandra L. Cook, DO; Michael E. Dietz, DO; Katherine H. Eilenfeld, DO; Melinda E. Ford, DO; Jennifer L. Gwilym, DO; Jennifer J. Hauler, DO; Nicklaus J. Hess, DO; Gregory Hill, DO; Edward E. Hosbach, II, DO; Mark S. Jeffries, DO; Sean Johnson, DO; Robert S. Juhasz, DO; Garrett L. Kirkpatrick, DO; Jennifer L. Pfleghaar, DO; Susan Ratay, DO; Jean S. Rettos, DO; Christine M. Samsa, DO; Nathan P. Samsa, DO; Paul T. Scheatzle, DO; Sean D. Stiltner, DO; Henry L. Wehrum, DO; Amisha Saini, OMS II; Muro Kahyaouglu, OMS II; James Applegate, OMS II.

See the HOD photos on the OOA Facebook page here and LinkedIn here.

Students in the Spotlight

Three Ohio University Heritage College of Osteopathic Medicine students served in the AOA House of Delegates as part of the Ohio delegation. Amisha Saini, OMS II (Athens); Muro Kahyaouglu, OMS II (Cleveland); and James Applegate, OMS II (Dublin) are HCOM’s Student Government Association presidents.

They joined SGA presidents from osteopathic medical schools across the country as part of COSGP, which is the official national representative voting voice of all osteopathic medical students. All COSGP members are eligible to attend the HOD but only sitting SGA presidents represent their states as student delegates on the floor.

During the House debate on Sunday, Saini spoke in favor of H-433, Ohio’s resolution regarding high fructose corn syrup. Her defense helped sway the House vote to adopt the resolution as AOA policy.

Kahyaouglu spoke on H-435 Addressing the Compromised Safety of Healthcare Workers Practicing in Areas of Conflict and the Resulting Threat to Healthcare Infrastructure. He authored the policy statement with Saini and HCOM Student Jasan Sandhu, OMS III. The Public Affairs Reference Committee recommended that H-435 be referred back for revisions. But after considerable debate on the House floor and Kahyaouglu’s testimony, delegates adopted the position.

Thank you and congratulations students!

FINAL CALL!
Donate by Sunday Night

Orientation starts in two weeks for first-year students at Ohio University Heritage College of Osteopathic Medicine. We invite you to welcome the Class of 2028 by making a donation to the OOA White Coat Fund.

For a donation of $45, you can make a meaningful impact by sponsoring the purchase of a white coat for a new student. Along with your contribution, you have the opportunity to share words of inspiration or advice. Your personalized message will be printed on an OOA notecard and placed in the coat pocket at the Convocation & White Coat Ceremony, creating a connection from donor to recipient.

Make your donation by midnight Sunday, July 28 on the OOA website here.

CME Available On-Demand and In-Person

There are hundreds of programs available at The CME Center, a collaborative on-demand osteopathic platform to provide high quality online education. Lectures address clinical topics as well as practice management and health care regulation issues. All programs are eligible for AOA Category 1-A credit.

The Ohio offerings include several new sessions from the Ohio Osteopathic Symposium, held in April, including:

• Oh, Oh, Oh Ozempic (.75 credit)
• ADHD in Adults: An Update for Primary Care Physicians (1 credit)
• Dermatology: Skin Concerns that Demand Attention (2.25 credits)
• Top Ten Things You Should Know in Pulmonary/Critical Care Medicine (2 credits)
• Update on Botulinum Toxin Therapy (.75 credit)

Members get a discount on OOA-produced programs! Use the code OOAFamily for 20% off the list price. See all of the OOA offerings here.

For a listing of in-person osteopathic CME, check the OOA calendar here. Upcoming programs this fall/winter include:

• September 19-22 OMED, San Antonio, Texas
• November 2 11th Annual Current Concepts in Integrated Healthcare, Akron
• January 24-26, 2025 CAOM 60th Annual Winter Conference, Cleveland
• January 24-25, 2025 Musculoskeletal Manipulation Course: Approaching Musculoskeletal Problems Using Osteopathic Medicine, Cleveland

Governor Signs SB 144, Issues Veto to Preserve Medical Foundation

Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine signed SB 144 this week. The bill, sponsored by State Sen. Mark Romanchuk (R-Ontario) expands the scope of practice for pharmacists, pharmacy techs, and pharmacy interns to administer vaccines to children under age 13.

Physician groups raised concerns that the bill could discourage parents from taking children to well child visits, which are often aligned with key vaccine milestones.

The new law also amends the Revised Code regarding certificates of need and change of operator procedures for nursing homes; the per Medicaid day payment rate for specified ICFs/IID; medication aides and certified nurse aides, including competency evaluation programs and training and competency evaluation programs; nursing home quality improvement projects; conditional employment in homes and adult day care programs; and grants provided to adult day care providers.

DeWine line-item vetoed provisions in the bill that would have dissolved the Ohio Medical Quality Foundation. The Ohio Osteopathic Association, Ohio State Medical Association, and Ohio Hospital Association helped create the OMQF in the 1990s. It was funded from unclaimed funds in Ohio’s Joint Underwriting Association and Stabilization Reserve Fund, established in 1975 by state legislators in response to the medical liability insurance crisis at that time.

The nonprofit foundation, overseen by a 13-member board of trustees, is charged with issuing grants to fund programs to enhance medical education, quality assurance in hospitals, and more.

The OMQF language was included in the bill at the last moment and was described as a technical amendment.

DeWine’s line-item veto message can be found here.

Call for Abstracts Opens Next Week

The abstract submission period for Educating Leaders 2025, the AACOM Annual Conference, will open on Thursday, August 1 and close on Monday, September 16 at 2:00 pm.

Presenters will have their work recognized during the premier osteopathic medical education event, April 9-11, 2025, in Arlington, Texas.

The conference has six distinct audience tracks:

• Admissions
• UME - Pre-Clinical Education
• UME - Clinical Education
• UME-GME Continuum
• Graduate Medical Education
• OME General Interest

View the abstract themes and submission guidelines here.

On Your Mark!

Each year at OMED, the Advocates for the American Osteopathic Association (AAOA) host the AT Still Fit for Life Fun Run, a timed 5K run/walk race with proceeds designated for AAOA’s Special Projects Grant Fund.

The live event is Sunday, September 22 in San Antonio, but you can participate on the Ohio team virtually.

Stay tuned for details.