24 Onward and, Eventually, Upward ACOFP’s growth has been exponential through some tumultuous times. In 1960, 22 states had fewer than 50 DOs each. In 1966, there were 468 active members in 33 states. By 1974, there were 1,640 members in 35 states, and by 1981, there were 2,374 active members in 49 states. The establishment of new osteopathic colleges was responsible for the increase in state member participation. In general, states with osteopathic colleges, whether new or old, showed the greatest growth. To place these numbers into context, in 1964– 1965 there were 12,288 DOs in the United States. Thus, ACOFP membership was about 4% of the total osteopathic profession. However, this was after the loss of the largest state society, California, where 2,395 DOs became “little MDs.” By 2003, ACOFP had 13,493 DO members, representing 27.4% of the 49,210 DOs in the United States. As a result of its growth in membership and stature, ACOFP helped sustain the establishment of new departments of general practice in hospitals and began publishing its own ACOFP Bulletin, increasing representation and organization through the dissemination of information important to ACOFP and its members. GENERAL PRACTITIONER OF THE YEAR/ FAMILY PHYSICIAN OF THE YEAR One of the oldest awards presented by ACOFP is that of General Practitioner/Family Physician of the Year. Five years after its chartering, ACOFP recognized its first esteemed physician. The award is deemed ACOFP’s highest honor, and this honor is still presented annually at the ACOFP Scientific Convention and Seminar. First awarded in 1955, the first recipient was Frank MacCracken, DO, “MD.” Dr. MacCracken was a native of Franklin, Indiana, and a 1913 graduate of the American School of Osteopathy in Kirksville, Missouri. He moved to California to practice and became active in the California Osteopathic Association (COA) and the AOA. In 1936, Dr. MacCracken petitioned the COA to take steps toward securing a modern version of the Oath of Hippocrates, which might be administered to graduates of osteopathic colleges at the conclusion of their commencement exercises. The COA recommended that Dr. MacCracken contact the American Osteopathic Association, since the move would involve more than just the college in California. He followed through on that, and the AOA Board of Trustees approved the suggestion at its New York convention meeting that same year. The AOA then referred it to the Associated Colleges of Osteopathy, Yearbook photo of 25-year-old Frank E. MacCracken, DO, a 1913 graduate of the American School of Osteopathy in Kirksville, MO.
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