A Message from the New Director: Navigating Our Course Ahead

After my interview with the OOA Search Committee in November 2023, I immediately felt a sense of familiarity with them. I underscored my proficiency in relationship building and stressed its importance as OOA charts a new course with a fresh leader. I am sincerely thankful for this opportunity, a sentiment I will echo repeatedly. Hopefully you will not tire of this.

OOA is currently facing transitional opportunities as it navigates its 125th year. Upon assuming my role, I delved into a steep learning curve to swiftly grasp the nuances of governance, operations, and particularly the forthcoming Symposium. The OOA staff has been exceptionally supportive during my initial weeks. Thank you to the Board of Trustees and volunteers who have shared their well wishes. Thank you to Ms. Terri Donlin from the Osteopathic Heritage Foundations for her guidance and collegiality.

During the November interview with the Search Committee, I emphasized my commitment to collaboration, inclusivity, and to advancing a forward-thinking organization. I aim to uphold this ethos as I engage with you over the phone or Zoom, interact with you at the Symposium, or visit your district in the coming months.

As you may know, I served as an executive for over 12 years in an international dental organization. While there are parallels and synergies I bring to OOA, I am eager to glean insights from your experiences and journeys in osteopathic medicine.

Returning to the theme of gratitude, allow me to express my excitement about assuming the role of your executive leader. I am eager to collaborate with the Board of Trustees to chart a strategic course for OOA and work with our partners to propel osteopathic medicine forward into the future.

Warmly,
Heidi A. Weber, MBA, CAE
Executive Director

Book Your Room Today!

The Ohio Osteopathic Symposium is in five weeks! We look forward to seeing you April 18-21 at the Columbus Hilton Hotel or on your computer.

If you are attending in person (and we hope you are) be sure to book your room at the Hilton ASAP. The room block and the discounted rate are available through March 23. Reserve your room from the OOS website or call the Hilton Easton at 614-414-5000.

The Symposium, the largest osteopathic CME conference in the state, offers 29 hours of AOA Category 1-A CME along with a mix of lectures on timely topics from engaging speakers.

Register today! Your OOA membership entitles you to a huge discount!

It’s Match Day

Today at noon, medical school students and graduates across the country find out where they will train for the next 3-7 years.

For applicants, the Main Residency Match process begins in September during the final year of medical school, when they apply to residency programs of their choice. Throughout the fall and early winter, applicants interview with programs. From February to early March, applicants and program directors confidentially rank each other in order of true preference and submit their rank order lists to the National Resident Matching Program (NRMP), which processes them using a computerized mathematical algorithm to match applicants with programs.

On Monday, residency applicants learned if (but not where) they matched to a residency training program. Unmatched or partially matched applicants participated in the NRMP’s Supplemental Offer and Acceptance Program (SOAP), conducted Monday through Thursday this week. Through SOAP, programs can offer unfilled positions to unmatched or partially matched applicants.

The OOA congratulates all graduating students, regardless of match status. It is an outstanding accomplishment to reach this stage in your career! Be sure to let us know where you’re headed. Use this form to provide your training institution and specialty. Be sure to connect with us on social media. Use the hashtags #DOProud and #Match2024 to share your news!

OOPAC Contributes to Candidates

The Ohio Osteopathic Political Action Committee (OOPAC) issued contributions to candidates for the Ohio General Assembly this week. The check run included 35 candidates for Ohio House and Ohio Senate seats totaling a whopping $20,000. The checks were hand-delivered to coincide with the primary election next week.

Thank you to the 2023 donors! Fundraising for the 2024 political season is underway. As part of the annual House of Delegates meeting (this year on April 19), OOPAC issues a challenge to encourage members to make a contribution. It is a friendly competition to see which of the OOA ten district academies contributes the most in the aggregate and per capita. The winning districts are announced at the HOD and all donors are listed on a giant poster board on display at the Symposium.

OOPAC’s purpose is to support candidates for the Ohio General Assembly who have demonstrated their beliefs in and the principles to which osteopathic medicine is dedicated. Along with the donations to candidate campaigns, OOPAC shapes health care policy by educating legislators about issues and how proposed legislation can affect patients and communities. A strong PAC helps to open doors and strengthen the osteopathic voice at the Ohio Statehouse.

Make your OOPAC contribution here.

Where to Donate Unused Medications

As of last year, charitable pharmacies, hospitals, and non-profit clinics in Ohio are permitted to accept donated drugs that are not in their original sealed and tamper-evident unit dose packaging. This includes the collection of medications directly from patients and caregivers. Additionally, the new law authorizes the participating organizations to make occasional sales of donated drugs at wholesale.

There are limitations on the types of drugs that can be collected by a drug repository program, such as controlled substances, drug samples (unless the repository is operated by a charitable pharmacy), compounded drugs, and others.

For more information, see the Pharmacy Board document here.

Ohio 988 Data Released

More Ohioans in crisis are becoming aware of the help that is available through the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline. The Lifeline launched in Ohio and across the nation on July 16, 2022.

All totaled, Ohioans made contact with Lifeline via 162,800 calls, texts, and chats. Other statistics from last year include:

• 9,115 average number of monthly 988 calls from Ohio area codes, including veteran and Spanish-speaking calls routed to specialized national call centers.
• 1% average percentage of calls rolled over to a national back-up call center.
• 25 seconds average speed to answer rate in Ohio, compared to 34 seconds nationally.
• 2,610 average number of texts received per month from Ohio area codes.
• 1,680 average number of chats received per month from Ohio area codes.
• 13,405 average number of 988 contacts per month.

Ohioans who are experiencing a mental health or addiction crisis or are in emotional distress can call or text 988 for free, 24/7, confidential support.

Policy Brief Outlines Cannabis Use in Ohio

The Health Policy Institute of Ohio (HPIO) has released a new publication that provides a brief data overview of cannabis use in Ohio and policy considerations for the development of a new regulatory framework for recreational cannabis.

Last year, Ohio voters approved Ohio Issue 2. The ballot initiative changed Ohio law to allow the sale and purchase of recreational cannabis, regulated by a new Division of Cannabis Control within the Ohio Department of Commerce. The legislation proposed by Ohio Issue 2 became effective December 7, 2023.

The Ohio General Assembly is currently considering two pieces of legislation related to cannabis regulation, HB 86 and HB 354.

Apply by March 31

The Osteopathic Health Policy Fellowship (OHPF) invites passionate leaders to embark on a transformative and experiential ten-month journey. The OHPF is designed to equip osteopathic physicians and other associated health professionals with the knowledge and skills to actively engage in shaping health policy that impacts patients and populations across the nation.

The selection process is highly competitive. Interested individuals should be prepared to submit a strong application that demonstrates their qualifications and passion for health policy. Applicants are expected to have completed three or more years of post-graduate experience for physicians, or a demonstrated history of interest and involvement for non-physicians.

Several OOA leaders are among this distinguished network of health policy experts, including OOA President Nick Hess, DO; Immediate Past President Jennifer Gwilym, DO; Board Trustee Greg Hill, DO; House Speaker David Bitonte, DO; and Past President Paul Scheatzle, DO.

The application is online here. The deadline to apply is March 31.