Investing in the Future

The OOA Executive Committee believes this is a crucial time to develop a plan for long-term success that ensures sustained growth and relevance, anticipates challenges, and enhances member value and satisfaction. With that in mind, a comprehensive strategic planning process has begun. The effort includes focus groups, surveys, and a weekend retreat with overall participation from the Board of Trustees, residents, students, and state and national osteopathic leaders.

Vista Cova, with over 20 years of experience specific to association management, is facilitating the process. Their client list includes about 30 medical/health care associations at the state and national level.

The retreat will be held at the HCOM Dublin campus in conjunction with the November Board meeting.

CME Next Month

The Northwest Ohio Osteopathic Association (NWOOA) is hosting the Fall Primary Care Update, November 8-10 at Kalahari Resort in Sandusky. The weekend offers 20 hours of AOA Category 1-A credits in-person or via livestream. Details are here.

The 11th Annual Current Concepts in Integrated Healthcare is Saturday, November 2 in Akron with the option to attend in-person or online. The agenda focuses on mental illness, substance use and the intersection with physical illness. The conference has been approved for 8 AOA Category 1-A credits. Registration is free and details are on the Summa Health site here.

Ohio Voting Starts Next Week

Early voting in Ohio starts Tuesday, October 8. The schedule for early, in-person voting is here and each county location is here.

For new residents or those who need to update their information, voter registration ends October 7. Ohio’s Online Voter Registration System is here. You must provide your name, date of birth, address, Ohio driver’s license or Ohio identification card number, and the last four digits of your Social Security number.

The deadline to request an absentee ballot is October 29 and the last day to postmark it is November 4.

Election Day is November 5. Polls that day will be open from 6:30 am to 7:30 pm.

Whether voting early in person or on Election Day, take a valid photo ID.

S-T-R-E-P-T-O-C-O-C-C-I

Mark your calendar for the Student Osteopathic Medical Association (SOMA) annual Medical Terminology Spelling Bee on Tuesday, November 5, 6:00 pm. OOA members are invited to join the fun-filled evening as a guest or speller.

Ohio University Heritage College of Osteopathic Medicine (HCOM) Executive Dean and OU Chief Medical Affairs Officer Ken Johnson, DO, is the featured speller.

The fundraising and networking event, organized by HCOM students, will be held at Walter Hall Rotunda (25 S. Green Drive) on the Athens campus and includes food, cash bar, and raffle prizes. Proceeds benefit the SOMA chapter and Good Works, a non-profit community organization in Athens County.

The cost is $20. To register either as a speller or guest, use this link and Venmo $20 to @Mirisha-Sheth. Can’t attend? Donations are welcome via Venmo.

See the flyer here.

Upcoming Certifying Board Deadlines

Application deadlines are quickly approaching. Below are deadlines in October and November for osteopathic certifying boards.

American Osteopathic Board of Anesthesiology Longitudinal Assessment – October 31 (final deadline)

American Osteopathic Board of Internal Medicine Longitudinal Assessment – October 31 (first deadline), November 16 (final deadline)

American Osteopathic Board of Internal Medicine Pain Medicine Conjoint Longitudinal Assessment – October 19 (first deadline), November 19 (final deadline)

American Osteopathic Board of Neurology and Psychiatry Longitudinal Assessment – October 31 (final deadline)

If you have questions, send an email to certification@osteopathic.org.

Congrats, Dr. Hostoffer!

The OOA offers sincere congratulations to Robert W. Hostoffer Jr, DO, recipient of the American Osteopathic Foundation Lifetime Achievement Award. This pinnacle award honors individuals who have made significant, fundamental contributions to the osteopathic profession throughout their career.

Dr. Hostoffer received the award September 20 in San Antonio, Texas, at the AOF Honors Gala, held in conjunction with OMED.

A tribute video created for the ceremony highlights his extraordinary contributions to pediatric immunology, allergy, and osteopathic education. Watch the video here.