Awards honor osteopathic physicians, medical students and affiliate organizations for contributions during the past year.
October 16, 2020
Each year, the osteopathic medical profession joins to celebrate all of the inspiring and influential work being contributed by DOs, medical students and affiliate organizations across every facet of the health care community and beyond. In the video above, AOA Immediate Past President and Chair of the Committee on Awards Ronald R. Burns, DO, presents the following AOA awards:
The AOA’s highest honor, the Distinguished Service Certificate, recognizes outstanding accomplishments in the advancement of the science and art of osteopathic medicine, education, philanthropy and other fields of public service. This year’s Distinguished Service honoree is James Lee Valentine, DO, an osteopathic family physician who has dedicated his 40-year career to promoting the practice of osteopathic medicine in his home state of Mississippi. After joining the Mississippi Osteopathic Medical Association (MOMA) early in his career, Dr. Valentine served as MOMA president from 1999-2001 and 2009-2011.
One of his most significant contributions to the growth of osteopathic medicine in the state was his role in establishing the first rural family medicine residency training program in Meridian, Mississippi.
In recognition of receiving this distinguished honor, Dr. Valentine provided the following comments:
To President Ely, Immediate Past President Burns, Committee Chair Tursi, the Mississippi delegation, and the entire AOA House of Delegates, I am so honored that you have selected me as the recipient of this award. I don’t really feel that I deserve it, but I will accept for all of the osteopathic physicians who came before me, with me, and after me to the southern states to practice Osteopathic Medicine and try to make it a household word.
The osteopathic profession gave me the opportunity to do what I have wanted to do since I was 12 years old. People like the late Dr. Henry Pace, Former Kansas City Dean Dr. Wilbur Cole, and the then Kansas City College of Osteopathic Medicine helped give students from the south the opportunity to become Osteopathic Physicians and return home to make a difference in the healthcare of their communities.
I had the privilege and the opportunity to spend four medical school years with leaders like Karen Nichols, DO, Bob Juhasz, DO, and Bill Mayo, DO. Bill and I were good friends even before traveling to Kansas City. It would have been really hard not wanting to step up for the profession when one has them as role models.
I am truly honored that you felt I was worthy of this great award. Thank you so much. And thank you for all of the great work the AOA, the AOA Board of Directors, and the House of Delegates do to support physicians like me. May God bless you and the osteopathic profession. Again, Thank you.
The AOA Mentor of the Year award honors physicians who help shape the future of the profession through involvement with osteopathic medical students, resident physicians and new physicians in practice. This year’s Mentor of the Year is Drew D. Lewis, DO, professor and interim chair of the Department of Osteopathic Manipulative Medicine at the Des Moines University College of Osteopathic Medicine.
As a gifted physician educator and mentor, Dr. Lewis has made a considerable impact on the future DOs who enter his classroom. “Dr Lewis is the model osteopathic physician that I aspire to become, He taught me how to be a better mentor, lecturer and listener and has effectively shaped how I will approach patients, problems and hardships in the future,” wrote one of the former students who nominated Dr. Lewis for the award.
Dr. Lewis provided the following remarks upon receiving the award:
First and foremost, I would like to thank the AOA for creating the Mentor of the Year Award; and in doing so, recognizing the efforts that so many DOs put into training the next generation of physicians. While the countless hours and days spent mentoring often go without any financial or other recognition, the experiences are absolutely invaluable to the students who are training by our sides.
To be considered for this award is a great honor and privilege.
I wanted to thank just a few of the many mentors who have imparted their passion for teaching to me: Dr.’s David Boesler, Adrian Woolley, Joe Figueroa, Kenten Wang, Brad Klock, Michael Wieting, and Paul Rennie – to name just a few.
Last and definitely not least, to my extremely supportive family. My wife has carried our parenting duties solely on her shoulders for far too many evenings and weekends while I worked on preparing a lecture, covered a community event, or travelled for professional development.
Finally… for those who have nominated me – I sincerely hope that you are able to be as blessed as me to mentor our future osteopathic physicians. Thank you so much for this wonderful recognition!
A new awards category established this year, the COVID-19 Initiative Award recognizes members of the profession who are selflessly serving patients on the front lines of the pandemic or selflessly serving patients in other ways. Awards were issued in the following categories:
Each year, the Strategic Team and Recognition awards recognize significant contributions made by state, specialty and regional affiliates, colleges of osteopathic medicine and non-practice affiliates that have advanced the osteopathic profession through support of the AOA’s strategic plan. The following organizations were selected for STAR awards this year:
This year’s Northup Award is granted to the article “Empathy in Medicine National Norms for the Jefferson Scale of Empathy: A Nationwide Project in Osteopathic Medical Education and Empathy (POMEE), which was published in the August 2019 issue of the Journal of the American Osteopathic Association. The study’s authors are: Mohammadreza Hojat, PHD; Stephen C. Shannon, DO; Jennifer DeSantis, MEd; Mark R. Speicher, PhD; Lynn Bragan; and Leonard H. Calabrese, DO.
The Allaby award recognizes recipients who have demonstrated commitment to serving medically underserved populations through participation in DOCARE outreach. This year’s award posthumously honors the life and legacy of DOCARE friend and longtime supporter, Donald E. Jarnagin, OD, who passed away in March 2019 while treating patients on a medical mission trip in Guatemala. Dr. Jarnagin embarked on his first DOCARE trip in 2007 and participated almost annually from that point on, providing eye care and thousands of pairs of donated glasses to patients in need.
For more information on all this year’s award winners, view the video linked at the top of this article.
President Ely's update outlines presidential goals and reports on work under way to advance the profession.
Oct. 16, 2020
In this featured video, AOA President Thomas L. Ely, DO, addresses the AOA House of Delegates during the HOD special session, which convened Oct. 13-14. In his remarks, President Ely outlines his presidential objectives for the year ahead, provide updates on progress made since his July inauguration and delivers a message of osteopathic pride.
LEAD offers customized learning tracks, inspiring keynotes and breakout sessions in a relaxed, casual atmosphere perfect for networking.
The AOA’s Leadership, Education, Advocacy & Development (LEAD) Conference is designed for professionals seeking to advance their osteopathic leadership and advocacy skills. Customized learning tracks feature programming for osteopathic affiliate leaders; osteopathic medical students; practicing physicians; medical educators; administrators and regulators; DMEs and DIOs; health system administrators.
LEAD 2020 | Feb. 27-28, 2020
VIEW HANDOUTS
LEAD 2019 | Jan. 24-25, 2019
VIEW HANDOUTS
Annually at the HOD the A.T. Still Lecturers take place. View the list of past A.T. Still lecturers.
Watch video highlights from the AOA's annual meeting of the House of Delegates.
The American Osteopathic Association’s House of Delegates convened virtually July 16-18, 2021, for its annual policymaking meeting, with more than 600 delegates and guests in attendance. The following videos feature highlights from the three-day meeting.
Though this year’s HOD meeting was held virtually, the Chicago Emerald Society carried forth the tradition of kicking off the meeting with the presentation of colors, accompanied by the Board of Trustees and AOA leadership.
Watch nowFollowing the oath of office, 2021-22 AOA President Joseph A. Giaimo, DO, delivered his inaugural address, laying out a vision for continued advancement of the osteopathic medical profession in the year ahead.
Watch nowAOA 2020-21 President Thomas L. Ely, DO, delivers his Presidential Address before the House of Delegates, reflecting on a year of overcoming challenges and discovering resilience in the face of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Watch nowAOA CEO Kevin M. Klauer, DO, EJD, delivers an informational update to the AOA House of Delegates detailing key initiatives and accomplishments from the past year.
Watch nowSarah J. Wolff, DO, delivered the annual A.T. Still Memorial Lecture before the AOA House of Delegates on Saturday, July 17, 2021.
2020-21 AOA President Thomas L. Ely, DO, presents the following awards to shining stars of the osteopathic medical profession: the George W. Northup, DO, Medical Writing Award, the Bob E. Jones, CAE Award and the AOA Distinguished Service Certificate.
Watch nowAOA 2020-21 President Thomas L. Ely, DO, awards three Presidential Citations to standout members of the osteopathic medical profession during the House of Delegates session on July 16, 2021.
Watch nowPlan ahead for upcoming meetings and view materials from previous meetings.
Find out when the Board of Trustees and House of Delegates will meet for upcoming Annual Business Meetings. You also can view policy set, agendas and reports from previous meetings.
Future Board of Trustees dates
Future House of Delegates dates
| 2023 Meeting Materials | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Type | Title | ||
| POLICY | House of Delegates Resolutions with Action – 2023 | ||
| AGENDA | Board of Trustees and House of Delegates Agenda – 2023 | ||
| DELEGATES | Official Delegate and Alternate Count – 2023 | ||
| 2022 Meeting Materials | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Type | Title | ||
| POLICY | House of Delegates Resolutions with Action – 2022 | ||
| POLICY | Board of Trustees Resolutions with Action – 2022 | ||
| AGENDA | Board of Trustees and House of Delegates Agenda – 2022 | ||
| DELEGATES | Official Delegate and Alternate Count – 2022 | ||
| 2021 Meeting Materials | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Type | Title | ||
| POLICY | House of Delegates Resolutions with Action – 2021 | ||
| POLICY | Board of Trustees Resolutions with Action – 2021 | ||
| AGENDA | Board of Trustees and House of Delegates Agenda – 2021 | ||
| DELEGATES | Official Delegate and Alternate Count – 2021 | ||
| 2020 Meeting Materials | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Type | Title | ||
| POLICY | House of Delegates Resolutions with Action – 2020 | ||
| POLICY | Board of Trustees Resolutions with Action – 2020 | ||
| AGENDA | Board of Trustees and House of Delegates Agenda – 2020 | ||
| DELEGATES | Official Delegate and Alternate Count – 2020 | ||
| 2019 Meeting Materials | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Type | Title | ||
| POLICY | House of Delegates Resolutions with Action – 2019 | ||
| POLICY | Board of Trustees Resolutions with Action – 2019 | ||
| AGENDA | Board of Trustees and House of Delegates Agenda – 2019 | ||
| DELEGATES | Official Delegate and Alternate Count – 2019 | ||