100 Leadership Carol L. Henwood, DO, FACOFP dist. There have been four female presidents of ACOFP: Mary Burnett, DO, FACOFP dist.; Jan D. Zieren, DO, FACOFP dist.; Carol L. Henwood, DO, FACOFP dist.; and Nicole H. Bixler, DO, FACOFP dist. Each of these women left an indelible mark on the organization with their unique style and presence, but their substance and leadership are what have made them role models for future generations of both female and male leaders. Dr. Bixler recalls her appointment to the ACOFP Board of Governors, which increased the diversity of the board and served as an example to younger leaders that the glass ceiling no longer existed. Women osteopathic family physicians have held roles as speaker of the Congress of Delegates, deans of colleges of osteopathic medicine, chairs or faculty of departments of family medicine, program directors of family practice residencies, presidents of ACOFP affiliate societies/chapters in osteopathic colleges, and chairs of ACOFP task forces and committees. Women osteopathic family physicians are fellows and distinguished fellows. They have been awarded the ACOFP Lifetime Achievement Award, Distinguished Service Award, New Osteopathic Family Physician of the Year Award, and, of course, the Outstanding Female Leader Award. As female enrollment in colleges of osteopathic medicine has increased, ACOFP and family medicine, too, are in a better place with more representation by women in every domain. This momentum cannot be stopped. The grace, humility, and support that women show each other makes us stronger as individuals and a collective force — the women of ACOFP. THE WOMEN OF ACOFP: A FORCE During the 2008 ACOFP Annual Convention, ACOFP President Ronnie B. Martin, DO, FACOFP dist., commissioned the first Women’s Leadership Committee. For those who were in the room when the chair, Dawn Fairley, DO, FACOFP, called the meeting to order by banging the gavel, it was as though the universe stood still for a second. A collective of passionate, dedicated osteopathic female family physicians had a forum to make a difference. Women in the ACOFP have always served with passion in all their roles — as a medical student, family medicine resident, physician leader, mentor, mother, wife, or partner. Having the support of female colleagues enhanced their contributions. Mary Burnett, DO, FACOFP dist. Jan D. Zieren, DO, FACOFP dist. Nicole H. Bixler, DO, FACOFP dist.
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