Ohioan to Receive National Award Tonight

OOA Past President Robert W. Hostoffer, Jr., DO, of Cleveland, will receive the 2024 American Osteopathic Foundation Lifetime Achievement Award tonight at the Honors Gala, held in conjunction with OMED. This pinnacle award honors individuals who have made significant, fundamental contributions to the osteopathic profession throughout their career.

Dr. Hostoffer’s impact on the profession has been immense, as he has supported osteopathic projects with his time, talent, and treasure. One notable example is Scholar Series, which he originally created to help osteopathic residents develop scholarly work and meet ACGME program requirements. The series, which consists of more than 20 videos, has been an enormous gift to the entire osteopathic community, as many organizations, faculty, and individual DOs have used the program in addition to hundreds of residents.

A leader in the profession at the local, state, and national levels, Dr. Hostoffer served as president of the OOA, American College of Osteopathic Pediatricians, Cleveland Academy of Osteopathic Medicine, and Cleveland Allergy Society. He currently serves on the American Osteopathic Association Board of Trustees.

As a national-serving nonprofit foundation, the AOF provides hundreds of grants and scholarships each year, and recognizes outstanding leadership and commitment in the classroom, community, and to the principles and practice of osteopathic medicine. The AOF Honors Gala is in San Antonio, Texas, during OMED, the world’s largest gathering of osteopathic physicians.

Watch the Honors Gala livestream here starting at 9:00 pm.

Dayton DO Named Emerging Leader

Sean M. Johnson, DO, a family physician from Tipp City, will receive an Emerging Leader Award from the American Osteopathic Foundation tonight during the Honors Gala in San Antonio, Texas. The award recognizes exemplary new physicians in practice who are poised to become leaders in the osteopathic profession. He was selected for the award because of his leadership through exceptional service and ongoing commitment to patient-centered care.

Dr. Johnson, a 2018 graduate of the Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine, served as an Ohio delegate at the AOA House of Delegates in July.

He and the other Emerging Leader Award recipients will be featured in an ad in an upcoming issue of US News & World Report.

The Honors Gala, held in conjunction with OMED, the world’s largest gathering of DOs, can be viewed here starting at 9:00 tonight.

Take a Walk with Us this Weekend

Each year at OMED, the Advocates for the American Osteopathic Association 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 Team OOA whether or not you attend OMED.

Team OOA members are invited to walk or run at OMED or any time on their own during the September 20-22 weekend.

OOA Past President/AOA Board Trustee Jennifer J. Hauler, DO, serves as honorary chair of the event and the Ohio Osteopathic Association is a sponsor.

The entry fee is $35. Register here.

ODH Issues New RSV Quick Guide

The Ohio Department of Health (ODH) has developed a quick reference guide for physicians and health care providers regarding respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) vaccines for infants, young children, and adults. The guide is based on the latest recommendations from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

According to the CDC, RSV leads to approximately:

• 2.1 million outpatient (non-hospitalization) visits among children younger than 5 years old.
• 58,000–80,000 hospitalizations among children younger than 5 years old.
• 100,000–160,000 hospitalizations among adults 60 years and older.

In most regions of the US and other areas with similar climates, the RSV season typically starts during the fall and peaks in the winter. Florida has an earlier RSV season onset and longer duration than most regions of the country.

The ODH quick reference guide can be downloaded here.

Ohio Medicaid Open Enrollment Starts Nov 1

Open enrollment officially runs November 1-30 and is the period when Ohio Medicaid members can review the available plans and select the one that best fits their health care needs. However, Ohio Medicaid members are mailed open enrollment letters beginning in August to notify them of the period, the plans available, and how to change their plan.

Medicaid patients can make their selection anytime on or before November 30. Coverage begins the first day of the month following their selection. For example, if a member chooses a new plan in September, their coverage begins October 1.

More information is here.

Feedback on AED Plan due Next Week

The 135th Ohio General Assembly passed House Bill 47 which takes effect on October 24. The new law requires the placement of automated external defibrillators (AEDs) in both of the following:

• Each public and chartered nonpublic school.
• Each municipal sports and recreation location, except in townships and villages with populations of less than 5,000.

The new law also:

• Modifies training requirements related to AEDs in public and chartered nonpublic schools.
• Requires the Ohio Department of Health (ODH) to develop a model emergency action plan for the use of AEDs by public and chartered nonpublic schools, youth sports organizations, and municipal sports and recreation locations.
• Requires each public and chartered nonpublic school and youth sports organization, before each athletic season, to hold an informational meeting regarding the symptoms and warning signs of sudden cardiac arrest for student and youth athletes.

In accordance with state law, ODH has developed a Model Emergency Action Plan for the Use of the Automated External Defibrillator and is currently seeking written feedback. If you have comments, submit them in writing to Lisa.Locklin@odh.ohio.gov in the ODH Office of the Medical Director no later than September 25.

The full text of the new law is available here and the analysis is here.

AOA Responds to CMS Proposed Fee Schedule

The AOA recently submitted comments on the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) proposed CY2025 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule, which outlines critical changes affecting physician payment, telehealth services, and overall healthcare delivery. The letter notes numerous changes that must be made before this rule is finalized to ensure that it supports appropriate payment for services, alleviates administrative burdens, and results in appropriate quality measurement.

AOA’s comments focused on the Calendar Year 2025 Conversion Factor, updates to the Medicare Shared Savings Program, and updates to the Quality Payment Program. Additional topics discussed in the comment letter include:

• Determination of practice expense RVUs
• Payment for Medicare telehealth services
• Evaluation and Management visits
• Advanced Primary Care management services
• Strategies for improving global surgery payment accuracy

This advocacy effort is important to ensure that osteopathic physicians are fairly compensated, especially amid ongoing financial pressures.

Read the letter here.

Making a Match

The residency application process for the 2025 match cycle is underway. Medical students could begin submitting their applications this week via the Electronic Residency Application Service (ERAS). Match Day is Friday, March 21, 2025.

To the OMS-IVs, we encourage you to prioritize programs in Ohio with Osteopathic Recognition. Residencies with the OR designation demonstrate a commitment to teaching Osteopathic Principles and Practice in the clinical learning environment. These programs are dedicated to training the next generation of DOs and provide valuable skills to enhance your future practice. Check out the OOA website for a directory of Ohio OR programs, specialties, and contact information.

Two Ohioans, Kristen Conrad-Schnetz, DO, and John R. Casey, DO, serve on the ACGME Osteopathic Recognition Committee.

Connect with Us Online

The OOA strives to foster connections, facilitate knowledge-sharing, and cultivate a supportive environment for all members. Social media platforms are one way to collaborate.

When you have good news to share, be sure to let us know so we can post it. It is an honor to showcase the good work Ohio DOs are doing for the profession, for patients, and in communities across the state.

We invite you to follow/like/link to the OOA accounts:

Facebook
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Instagram
LinkedIn

OOA Magazine Online

The latest issue of Buckeye Osteopathic Physician is available here in flipbook format. You can also read it on the OOA website in the members only section.

We are happy to share many photos from this year’s Symposium. You can view and download all of the OOS photos here. This issue also includes a message from OOA President Douglas W. Harley, DO; an introduction from Executive Director Heidi Weber; an advocacy update; and a Q&A with OOA Board Trustee Greg Hill, DO, about his new memoir Through It All.

Happy Reading!