Dear OOA Members:

Wherever the art of medicine is loved, there is also a love of humanity.

This quote from Hippocrates is poignant for the times we are living—and the times are challenging to say the least. Also scary and frustrating and confusing and very, very stressful. Never has there been such a wide and serious gap between professional and personal obligations.

I want to sincerely thank each of you for your service during this pandemic. And to those on the frontlines fighting this virus and delivering care to patients, know that your professional family is thinking of you and supporting you.

In fact, the OOA exists solely to support you. Ohio DOs are at the core of everything we do as an association. We have been working with staff from the Governor’s office and Ohio Department of Health, collaborating with other physician associations to bring issues to the forefront, advocating for more PPE and assessing current needs, promoting #StayHomeOhio and other mitigation strategies, curating a COVID-19 resource page, sharing information, and much more.

If there are other ways we can support you, let us know! Most importantly, please be sure to take care of yourself.

Charles D. Milligan, DO
OOA President

Applications Open for AOA Leadership Positions

Deadline May 1

Applications for leadership positions on the AOA’s 2020–21 Bureaus, Councils and Committees (B/C/Cs) are now being accepted. AOA President-elect Thomas L. Ely, DO, strongly encourages AOA members to submit an online application to serve in these important volunteer roles. All applications must be submitted by close of business on Friday, May 1.

If you have any questions, contact the AOA at 312-202-8129 or by email at nominations@osteopathic.org.

Virtual Spring Seminar Success!

Thank you to the 300 registrants, 16 speakers, and five sponsors for two days of quality programming! Preliminary evaluations for OOA’s first virtual CME conference, April 23-24, show attendees highly valued the programming and format.

A big thanks also to OOA Vice President Henry L. Wehrum, DO, who served as moderator.

Registrants should watch for a follow-up email with information about viewing speakers’ slides.

OU-HCOM Class of 2020 Graduates Early

More than 200 new physicians received their doctor of osteopathic medicine degrees from Ohio University Heritage College of Osteopathic Medicine on April 18, giving the graduates the possibility of putting their talents to work sooner in the state’s ongoing response to the COVID-19 outbreak.

The university was scheduled to hold commencement on May 9 before social distancing guidelines prompted postponement of spring ceremonies. Earlier this month, the medical school announced plans to confer degrees three weeks earlier than planned to provide needed reinforcements for the state’s health care workforce.

Read more on the OU-HCOM website.

How is COVID-19 Affecting You?

OOA members are on the front lines of the coronavirus pandemic. Please tell us how COVID-19 is directly impacting you by completing a short survey. The survey will take two minutes. Your participation is greatly appreciated.

There’s also this form to let us know if you have COVID-19 questions so we can ask ODH for guidance.