78 New Challenges and Opportunities Single Accreditation by Kevin V. de Regnier, DO, FACOFP dist. As medical residencies became more common in the early part of the 20th century, predominately allopathic postgraduate institutions refused to allow osteopathic physicians admission to their programs. Out of necessity, the osteopathic profession created its own graduate medical education system, with AOA accrediting its first residency program in 1947. This began a long history of a dual GME system in the United States, which continued until 2020, when AOA ceased GME accreditation activities and ACGME became the single accrediting entity. When AOA announced in 2012 that it had reached an agreement with ACGME to create a Single Accreditation System, ACOFP had grave concerns about the impact this change would have on the osteopathic profession. In late November of that year, ACOFP penned a letter to then AOA President Ray Stowers, DO, requesting answers to many unanswered questions. For example: • How will the osteopathic competency, principles, and manipulative medicine be incorporated into its standards? • Will the specialty colleges maintain their evaluating committees? • Who will inspect the osteopathic-focused residencies? • Will there be a single (residency) match? • What steps can the osteopathic profession take to encourage DOs to become AOA certified? • What will be the impact on current osteopathic program directors? The greatest concern voiced by ACOFP was the impact the SAS would have on the osteopathic identity. Despite ACOFP’s concerns, AOA entered into a confidential Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) outlining the agreement between AOA and ACGME. The confidential nature of this agreement caused a tremendous uproar within the profession; so much so that, in early 2015, AOA convened a meeting of representatives of specialty college and affiliate leaders at the Chicago O’Hare Airport Hilton Hotel. At this meeting, the leaders were provided a copy of the MOU, which was reviewed in detail by AOA legal counsel. Following the meeting, all copies of the MOU had to be returned to AOA. While this meeting allowed ACOFP and others to see what AOA was agreeing to, it did not allay the concerns ACOFP had about the process. Because of this, ACOFP went to the 2014 AOA House of Delegates prepared to fight approval of the MOU. Under the leadership of 2014 President Carol L. Henwood, DO, FACOFP dist., ACOFP built a coalition of state and specialty societies. ACOFP came prepared with talking points, handouts, and a plan. It met with anyone who would listen, trying to help them see that the impact of the SAS would extend far beyond residency training and accreditation. Finally, Resolution 800 came to the floor of the house. Standing at the microphone, Dr. Henwood made an impassioned plea for the delegates to reject the creation of a SAS and vote no on the resolution. Later, the vote was so close it required a standing count, but Resolution 800 passed by a slim margin. Gathering herself after the defeat, Dr. Henwood again stood at the microphone, this time to acknowledge the will of the house, pledge ACOFP’s unwavering support to the profession, and work diligently to make the SAS the best it could be. As she turned to return to Kevin V. de Regnier
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