ACOFP: OUR CONTINUING HISTORY 25 Onward and, Eventually, Upward the forerunner of the American Association of Colleges of Osteopathic Medicine (AACOM) today. That body adopted the measure the following year in 1937. Dr. MacCracken was appointed chair of the committee that was commissioned to write the modernized oath. The committee’s final rendition of text was submitted to the AOA Central Office for reproduction in a suitable form. No expense was spared in producing frameable copies of the oath to be given to each graduate. The copy also included a signature line attesting they would comply with its tenants in the oath going forward. The practice still continues today at numerous osteopathic graduation ceremonies throughout the nation. Today, ACOFP has instituted several more rules governing the selection of the Family Physician of the Year. In addition, the award ceremony has been moved to the ACOFP Annual Convention, held each spring. ACOFP NEW OSTEOPATHIC FAMILY PHYSICIAN OF THE YEAR AWARD The ACOFP New Osteopathic Family Physician of the Year Award (formerly the ACOFP Osteopathic Family Young Physician of the Year Award) honors the early contributions and leadership potential of an ACOFP member in practice from two to five years. This award was first presented in 2006 and is dedicated to the memory of past ACOFP President Dr. Michael F. Avallone. For a complete list, see “A Look Back: Award Recipients,” in the Appendix, page 177. To qualify for the ACOFP New Osteopathic Family Physician of the Year Award, candidate must be an active ACOFP member in good standing, must be actively practicing in osteopathic family medicine for a duration from two to five years and must be currently certified in family medicine by the American Osteopathic Association (AOA) or the American Board of Medical Specialists (ABMS). Additionally, candidates must actively serve in a leadership capacity at either the national or state level. ACOFP OSTEOPATHIC FAMILY PHYSICIAN EDUCATOR OF THE YEAR AWARD Because education is so important to the long-term vitality of our profession, the Awards Committee created a new award in 2010: the ACOFP Osteopathic Family Physician Educator of the Year Award. We recognize Dr. Joseph Stella, for whom this award will be named in perpetuity. Not only did Dr. Stella start osteopathic residencies in Allentown, Pennsylvania, he has conducted hundreds of residency program inspections. In 1975, Dr. Stella convened the first meeting of ACOFP’s Committee on Education and Evaluation. He missed his very first meeting due to health reasons after 35 years! The qualifications for Osteopathic Family Physician Educator of the Year Award reflect Dr. Stella’s DNA: Candidates must be an active ACOFP member in good standing and must be currently certified in family medicine by the American Osteopathic Association (AOA) or the American Board of Medical Specialists (ABMS). Candidates also must be actively involved in osteopathic education, demonstrate commitment to the osteopathic philosophy and profession, and make an exceptional impact on students, peers, academic institutions, the osteopathic profession, and/or the community. Candidates must demonstrate compassion and leadership in their role as an educator.
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