ACOFP: OUR CONTINUING HISTORY 131 Leadership 2012–2013 PAUL A. MARTIN, DO, FACOFP dist. Ohio During Dr. Martin’s presidential term, his proudest accomplishments were upgrading ACOFP’s informational technology capabilities to produce 16 webinars on subjects such as practice management, clinical reviews, and OMT. The most watched webinar was hosted by Dr. Carol Henwood on “The Blueprints to Develop a Medical Home.” Many of these webinars were also available as apps on iPad and iPhone. Additionally, the In-Service Examinations (ISE) for residents moved from a written format to electronic. The electronic weekly blog, initially started by Dr. Steven Rubin, became more robust on Tuesdays (ACOFP and clinical issues) and on Fridays (legislative issues). Internet, Facebook, Twitter, and other social media capabilities were expanded, which led to greater timely outreach to ACOFP members, and the database grew exponentially. Dr. Martin was in Washington, D.C., at least every two months and twice in one month lobbying for SGR (Sustainable Growth Rate) reform and equitable physician reimbursement, especially for cognitive family physician clinical work. Over a three-day period, he met with Shawn Martin (AOA lobbyist at the time), and they made up to 27 congressional bipartisan calls to U.S. House and Senate members. There was very limited space in the AOA office in 2012, and when Dr. Martin came to D.C., he would displace someone from their desk to utilize it along with their computer and phone. As a result, plans for a National Osteopathic Advocacy Center (NOAC) were drafted, complete with a visiting physician’s office and large space for meetings and committee work. The NOAC project was in part funded by ACOFP as well as many members. The idea of a Single Accreditation System for osteopathic and allopathic residencies was brought forth informally to ACOFP leadership during OMED 2012 and formally announced on Oct. 24, 2012, after OMED. ACOFP leadership met via phone on Oct. 25 and 26 to prepare a statement on ACOFP’s position, formulate questions for AOA President Dr. Ray Stowers on the SAS, and propose a forthcoming Memorandum of Understanding, which included AOA and ACGME on a SAS. From that point, the SAS for residencies evolved over a five-year period to where we are today. Dr. Martin ended his final presidential address to the ACOFP Congress of Delegates with this message: “We have the timeless fundamentals of osteopathic medicine as ACOFP’s foundation. Now, let’s embrace innovation, so that osteopathic family medicine continues as a vibrant distinct specialty well into the 21st century.” 2013–2014 JEFFREY S. GROVE, DO, FACOFP dist. Florida Dr. Grove is a graduate of Florida Southern College and earned his osteopathic degree from the NOVA Southeastern University College of Osteopathic Medicine in 1990. He served both his internship and residency at the Sun Coast Hospital in Largo, then joined Sun Coast Family Medical Associates, where he currently practices. Dr. Grove is board-certified in family medicine with an added certification in geriatrics.
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