30 Onward and, Eventually, Upward of these traditions are repeated yearly at the ACOFP Annual Spring Convention and Scientific Seminar during the Processional of the Conclave. The fellows medallion of the official regalia was the idea and the creation of Dr. Joseph S. Guzik and was produced before the fellows ceremony was formalized. He had a number of square, clear, heavy plastic paperweights that contained two gold colored metal medallions fused together, with one being above the other, commemorating the founding of osteopathic medicine. They were given to him by a pharmaceutical representative who had a surplus left over from a promotion campaign to osteopathic physicians. Wishing to put them to good use, Dr. Guzik discovered if he put the paperweights in the freezer for a day to make sure they were totally frozen, then struck them with a hammer, the cold brittle plastic would shatter, releasing the medallions unharmed. The medals could then be attached to a chain and worn as a vestige of fellowship by all ACOFP Fellows. Using these medals as a prototype, medallions containing scenes specific to ACOFP were produced, and the fellow’s sponsor’s name and year of fellowship was engraved on the back. Note of interest: The prototype medals made by Dr. Guzik were those mentioned earlier as one of the few things owned by ACOFP contained in the filing cabinet that was placed out on the street when Jack Hank evicted the officers from the 111 Washington St., office location in Chicago (recollections of John Sevastos, DO, FACOFP). THE ROAD TO FAMILY PRACTICE CERTIFICATION BEGINS The Conclave of Fellows was intended to be more than just an honorary society. Conclave members, most of whom were past presidents or committee chairs, would eventually play a major role in establishing the American Osteopathic Board of General Practice (AOBGP). headshot Frank A.E. Bonifacio, DO, FACOFP dist., and Max E. Helman, DO, FACOFP dist., (L and R foreground, respectively) lead the ACOFP Fellows ceremony in 2011.
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