Welcome New DOs!

Ohio University Heritage College of Osteopathic Medicine will hold commencement exercises tomorrow, Saturday, May 11, at 10 am on the Athens campus.

OOA President Douglas W. Harley, DO, will attend the ceremony along with Executive Director Heidi Weber. They are in Athens today for the awards ceremony and to offer congratulations—as well as a graduation gift on behalf of the membership.

The gift, an umbrella with the OOA logo, is a reminder that the OOA represents the entire profession—and residents are still under the OOA umbrella. Membership is free and automatic for graduates who stay in Ohio for their training. Out-of-state trainees must apply for the free membership.

Graduates can keep the OOA informed by submitting new contact and residency information at OhioDO.org/nextstep.

The graduation ceremony will be live-streamed here.

Call for Volunteers

We are seeking a few members for a new Editorial Committee to assist with the Buckeye Osteopathic Physician.

Committee members will help shape the direction of the magazine, identify topics of interest to the osteopathic community, suggest articles, and review content.

The magazine was first published in 1923, as the Buckeye Osteopath. It was renamed in 1936.

To volunteer, send an email to cmarkino@OhioDO.org.

VOC Registration Closes This Month

Registration for The VOC, an on-demand CME program, ends May 31. The agenda offers up to 48 AOA Category 1-A credits and AMA PRA Category 1 credits, but can be purchased in 8-credit increments.

Developed by a team of physicians, The VOC offers high-quality, relevant CME. Past attendees have spoken highly of the program, with 98% saying they would recommend it to a colleague.

Purchase the package by May 31 but you have until June 30 to view the lectures and complete the credits. Details and registration are here.

Which Districts Can PAC a Punch?

Columbus and Akron/Canton!

They are the winners of the Ohio Osteopathic Political Action Committee Challenge. Congratulations!

The Columbus Osteopathic Association had the largest total contribution amount at $3,750. The Eighth District (Akron/Canton) Academy of Osteopathic Medicine won the per capita challenge with average giving per member at $31.20.

Thank you to all who contributed! The complete list for 2023-2024 is here.

Each year, OOPAC encourages members to contribute because a strong PAC helps to open doors and strengthen the osteopathic voice at the Ohio Statehouse. The OOPAC Challenge is a friendly competition pitting the ten OOA district academies against each other for fundraising bragging rights.

The 2025 Challenge is already underway. Make your donation here.

If You Receive the PPI Survey, Please Complete It!

A national survey of physician practices led by the American Medical Association and Mathematica is underway and we urge your cooperation with this effort. The objective of the Physician Practice Information (PPI) survey is to gather accurate data on practice costs and the hours of patient care that physicians provide to support fair and accurate physician payment.

Participation in the survey is voluntary but important. We urge you to complete the questionnaire. The information you share will be kept private, reported in aggregate, and used only for the purpose of informing the national estimates of practice expense per patient care hour.

OOA Past President Paul A. Martin, DO, is the American Osteopathic Association advisor to the Relative Value Scale Update Committee (RUC), an expert panel of physicians which makes recommendations to the federal government on the resources required to provide medical services. Information from the PPI survey assists the RUC.

The survey closes June 30. If you have questions, contact Mathematica at PPISurvey@Mathematica-MPR.com or 833-770-1032.

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 and network—and stay updated on the latest OOA news and activities.

In today’s interconnected world, social media has surpassed its initial role for personal networking and entertainment to become a powerful tool for professional growth and advancement. So we invite you to follow/like/link to the OOA channels:

Facebook
X/Twitter
Instagram
LinkedIn

Also, when you have some good news to share online, be sure to tag us so we can amplify your message.

Opportunities for Medical Residents

The AOA Bureau of Emerging Leaders invites residents, fellows, and new physicians in practice to apply for a scholarship to attend OMED, September 20-22, in San Antonio. The scholarship includes a $1,500 travel stipend, complimentary OMED registration, and opportunities to engage with AOA leadership.

Applications are due by May 31. For criteria and other details, see the BEL page here.

Applications for the AOA Training in Policy Studies (TIPS) program are now being accepted. The program provides residents with leadership development opportunities and an understanding of current health care policy issues. The program is comprised of eight meetings, with the first held at OMED.

The deadline is June 5. Get the application here.