ACOFP: OUR CONTINUING HISTORY 137 Leadership 2019–2020 ROBERT C. DELUCA, DO, FACOFP dist. Texas Dr. DeLuca is an osteopathic family physician in Eastland, Texas. He is also an associate professor of Family Medicine at the Texas College of Osteopathic Medicine in Fort Worth. He served as past president of the Texas Society of ACOFP and was named its Family Practice Physician of the Year in 2005. He was elected to the ACOFP Board of Governors in March 2012 and served as chair of the Convention and Site Committee. Some of the challenges Dr. DeLuca faced during his presidential year were communication issues between different groups (students, residents, young professionals), sister organizations (AAFP), and related groups (AOA, AOBFP). The BCC recommended removing all osteopathic content from exams, and ACOFP responded by unifying the specialty colleges in working to make sure osteopathic testing and certification pathways remained. ACOFP also partnered with the ACOFP Foundation to initiate a project which would allow funding for all osteopathic residents seeking to certify via AOBFP. COVID-19 was a significant challenge, which forced staff and the board to reschedule the 2020 Annual Convention from being held in-person to virtual in five days. In addition, Dr. DeLuca and Dr. Bixler extended their leadership roles to allow for a smoother transition during the three years that COVID-19 disadvantaged the organization. Some major accomplishments during his presidential year were spearheading the development of CORTEx/In-Service Exam testing strategies to create assessment tools for programs with and seeking osteopathic recognition from ACGME. He helped to develop the Early Entry Initial Certification pathway to enhance residents and program value for osteopathic certification. He also oversaw collaborative efforts to develop the Forging our Osteopathic Future initiative with the ACOFP Foundation to ensure the ability of any resident wishing to certify in osteopathy to do so with minimal to no cost. In addition to overseeing the speedy transition to a virtual convention in the face of a worsening pandemic, Dr. DeLuca started the process to create virtual attendance options for all major ACOFP conferences in an effort to expand access to members who could not physically attend. He worked to redesign the Intensive Osteopathic Update and review course to allow for increased participation and financial profitability. He also utilized the Health and Wellness Committee to hold “virtual lounges” on a weekly basis to provide mental and emotional support to members and serve as a network to collaborate about COVID-19 outcomes during the pandemic. 2020–2022 NICOLE H. BIXLER, DO, MBA, FACOFP dist. Florida Nicole H. Bixler, DO, MBA, FACOFP dist., was the fourth female to become ACOFP President. She is also the first Future Leader to become president, setting an example of what is possible to newer generations of members. It was fitting that Dr. Bixler had plans to highlight the phrase, “We can do it!” as part of
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