75YEARS CELEBRATING A COMMEMORATIVE EDITION BOOK EMPOWERING OSTEOPATHIC FAMILY MEDICINE LEADERS OUR CONTINUING HISTORY
Copyright© 2025 by the American College of Osteopathic Family Physicians, an Illinois not-for-profit corporation. All rights reserved. Written permission must be secured from the publisher to use or reproduce any part of this book, except for brief quotations in critical reviews or articles. PUBLISHING PARTNER Ascend Integrated Media LLC ascendmedia.com | 913-469-1110 Printed in the United States of America.
75YEARS CELEBRATING
OUR CONTINUING HISTORY A COMMEMORATIVE EDITION BOOK EMPOWERING OSTEOPATHIC FAMILY MEDICINE LEADERS
vi ACKNOWLEDGMENTS Compiling ACOFP’s history is the continuous culmination of years of work by all its dedicated Archival and Historical Committee members who served faithfully throughout the years. DEDICATION In grateful appreciation of our founders, this book is dedicated to the most important people in the history of the American College of Osteopathic Family Physicians (ACOFP), our members. Thank you to those who contributed to the publication of this second edition, including: 2023 Archival and Historical Committee members: Thank you to those who contributed to the initial publication of the first edition, including: 2004 Archival and Historical Committee members: Without the recollections and other contributions of many individuals, some of whom are no longer with us, this book would not have been possible. The editors gratefully acknowledge the contributions of the following people: Kevin V. de Regnier, DO, FACOFP dist. Ioanna Z. Giatis-Kessler, DO, FACOFP Harald Lausen, DO, FACOFP dist. Saroj Misra, DO, FACOFP dist. Samantha M. Plasner, DO M. Jay Porcelli, DO, FACOFP dist. Heather Shanks, DO Thomas N. Told, DO, FACOFP dist. George Tong Yang, MPH, OMS-IV Ethan R. Allen, DO, FACOFP* Mary M. Burnett, DO, FACOFP* Jason Haxton, Director, Museum of Osteopathic Medicine Paul W. Herr, DO, FACOFP* Wilbur T. Hill, DO, FACOFP* Royce K. Keilers, DO, FACOFP Robert G. Maul, DO, FACOFP* O. Keith Pauley, DO, FACOFP* John P. Sevastos, DO, FACOFP* T. Robert Sharp, DO, FACOFP* Olivia Solis, MA, MLIS, Archivist, Western University of Health Sciences Thomas N. Told, DO, FACOFP UC Irvine Langson Library Ethan R. Allen, DO, FACOFP, Chair Howard H. Hunt, DO, FACOFP Andrew D. Adair, DO, Vice Chair Delbert E. Maddox, DO, FACOFP John C. Biery, DO, FACOFP John P. Sevastos, DO, FACOFP Kevin V. de Regnier, DO, FACOFP T. Robert Sharp, DO, FACOFP Max E. Helman, DO, FACOFP Thomas N. Told, DO, FACOFP Paul W. Herr, DO, FACOFP Robert M. Tupa, DO, FACOFP Wilbur T. Hill, DO, FACOFP Elaine Deibert, Staff Liaison The 2004 ACOFP staff, especially Elaine Deibert, Archival and Historical Staff Liaison, and Peter L. Schmelzer, CAE, ACOFP Executive Director. *Indicates ACOFP was notified this member is deceased. The 2025 ACOFP staff, especially Annie DeVries, Executive Assistant/Governance (Archival and Historical Staff Liaison), Elizabeth Lund, Communications Manager, and Bob Moore, MA, MS, FASAE, CAE, ACOFP Executive Director.
vii GOLD SILVER BRONZE ACOFP AFFILIATE SOCIETY FINANCIAL SUPPORT Without financial contributions, this book would not have been possible. ACOFP gratefully acknowledges the following affiliate societies who made contributions for this second edition of its history: GOLD ACOFP California SILVER Arizona Chapter of ACOFP Colorado Chapter of ACOFP Florida Society of ACOFP Iowa Chapter of ACOFP Michigan Association of ACOFP New Jersey Chapter of ACOFP Pennsylvania ACOFP Ohio Chapter of ACOFP Texas Chapter of ACOFP BRONZE Indiana Chapter of ACOFP Missouri Society of ACOFP North Carolina Society of ACOFP ACOFP also acknowledges the following affiliate societies who made contributions for the first edition of its history:
viii CONTENTS CHAPTER 1: THE FOUNDING AND EARLY YEARS What’s in a Name? 2 Incorporation 3 Our Founders and Early Leaders 5 A Young College Receives Recognition 6 The Early Days 7 Signs of Growth 7 The California Merger Challenges a Young College and the Osteopathic Profession 9 The Merger’s Impact on ACOFP 14 Chicago Bound 15 CHAPTER 2: ONWARD AND, EVENTUALLY, UPWARD A Change in Focus 22 General Practitioner of the Year/Family Physician of the Year 24 ACOFP New Osteopathic Family Physician of the Year Award 25 ACOFP Osteopathic Family Physician Educator of the Year Award 25 Conclave of Fellows 27 Fellows Traditions 29 The Road to Family Practice Certification Begins 30 A Detour in the Road Reconciling with the AOA 32 Back on the Road to Family Practice Certification 32 The American Osteopathic Board of General Practitioners Constitution 33 Birth of the General Practice Residency 36 Discrimination: the Driving Force for Expanding Certification 38 CHAPTER 3: INFRASTRUCTURE Osteopathic Medical Colleges 42 Developing State and Regional Societies 44 A Home for ACOFP to Call Its Own 45 Arlington Heights Headquarters: 1990–2022 46 Calmer Waters Allow Smoother Sailing 47 Students Play a Part in ACOFP History 48 A New Home Gets a New Name 49 The Line in the Sand 50 Auxiliary to the ACOFP 52 PREFACE xi by David. J. Park, DO, FAAFP, FACOFP dist. FOREWORD xii by M. Jay Porcelli, DO, FACOFP dist.
ix CONTENTS CHAPTER 4: NEW CHALLENGES AND OPPORTUNITIES The ACOFP Distinguished Fellow Award 68 The Mary Burnett, DO, FACOFP dist., Lecture 71 A Legacy of Scholarly Publishing: OFP Journal 72 Single Accreditation System 73 ACOFP Welcomes Medical Doctors as Members 81 Overcoming Obstacles and Pressing On 82 COVID-19 Pandemic 82 Task Force on Convention Innovation 84 ACOFP Brings in Large Grants 84 Maintaining a Focus on OMT 84 Celebrating Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) 84 ACOFP Becomes ACCME Accredited 85 ACOFP Continues To Evolve With Time 86 ACOFP Launches Official New Website 87 CHAPTER 5: LEADERSHIP Speakers of the Congress of Delegates 92 Vice Speakers of the Congress of Delegates 94 ACOFP Future Leaders Fund and Conference 94 Preceptorship Program 96 Legacy Circle 96 Namey/Burnett Writing Award 96 Sander A. Kushner, DO, FACOFP, Memorial Osteopathic Family Medicine Resident Award 96 International Primary Care Educational Alliance (IPCEA) 97 The Natural and Personal Disaster Fund 97 The ACOFP Foundation Sets New Strategic Priorities 98 Leadership Development Committee (LDC) 102 The ACOFP Resident Council 102 ACOFP Past Presidents 103 Family Physicians Lead the American Osteopathic Association 142 Conclusion 150 APPENDIX: Board of Governors 153 Distinguished Fellows and Fellows 172 Awards 177 Colleges 183 Osteopathic Oath 186 Osteopathic Pledge 188 YEAR OF FIRSTS MILESTONES THROUGHOUT ACOFP’S HISTORY 58
PREFACE The American College of Osteopathic Family Physicians’ history is told in the voices of its members through recollections and osteopathic professional publications. Rather than presenting a strict historical timetable of events, we have chosen to present the history of the college in much the same fashion as A.T. Still, MD, DO, presented his autobiography. x
xi PREFACE The publication of this second edition heralds the commemoration of the 75th anniversary of the American College of Osteopathic Family Physicians (ACOFP), a momentous milestone that calls for reflection and recognition of our remarkable journey. This continuation of our history is not merely an update, but an acknowledgment of how far we have come since our founding on Feb. 11, 1950. The original edition captured the essence of our early struggles and triumphs, highlighting the foundation laid by the pioneers of osteopathic family medicine. Now, we build upon that legacy, detailing the evolution of our specialty college through the challenges and milestones of recent decades. The addition to our history was written to preserve and share the incredible progress we have made since the first edition. It offers insight into how our profession has weathered the changing landscape of health care — from the rapid expansion of osteopathic medical schools to the pivotal moment of the ACGME Single Accreditation System and a devastating global pandemic. Readers will enjoy exploring the evolution of ACOFP in the following pages. You will learn or reminisce about impactful moments of change in our organization through inspirational leadership, resilience, and innovation. Expect to reflect on how our past informs our future, and discover the many ways ACOFP continues to lead the profession. This book is a testament to not just our history but our collective success. This is our legacy. David J. Park, DO, FAAFP, FACOFP dist. 2023–2024 ACOFP President
xii Published in ACOFP’s Our Continuing History, First Edition, 2004. It is a well-known fact that California is the trendsetter for the nation. From film productions to palimony, Silicon Valley to silicone implants, California has been a force in shaping America’s thoughts, actions, and customs for many years. It seems only natural that this land of “dream makers” would produce a group of foresighted osteopathic general practitioners with the vision and courage to start a national movement. The major thrust of that movement would be to advance the standards of general practice in the field of osteopathic medicine and surgery and to use any legal means to preserve and secure all rights, privileges, and immunities enjoyed by other branches of the healing arts. The American College of Osteopathic Family Physicians was born Feb. 11, 1950, meaning that if it lasted 50 years, the anniversary would be celebrated at the dawn of the new millennium. Millennial celebrations are a time when all nations and people set about reviewing their accomplishments and remembering their roots. This spirit touched the college’s archivist as well, and work was started on the production of a concise history that could be attached to the front of ACOFP’s Membership Directory. The final draft was slated to appear during the year 2000 as part of a 50-year remembrance. As we compiled what data we had, more questions than answers arose. We knew this would be a much bigger undertaking than just one small article. Earlier archival committees recognized that many of the leaders were advancing in age and began to interview them on tape. Those tapes contained many recollections, but fitting recollections together into a firm timeline was more difficult than we thought. Records of the ACOFP Congress of Delegates were available for the official record, but they lacked the human side of history that is so interesting to all of us. The college had existed in five separate locations ranging from an opulent penthouse office to private homes. Each move exacted a toll on records and resources that equated to the loss of many key pieces of information. An attempt had been made to compile a formal history of the American College of General Practitioners in Osteopathic Medicine and Surgery around 1960, the 10th year of its formal organization, but the archivist FOREWORD 75YEARS CELEBRATING
xiii charged with the task ascended to the big GP in the sky, and his family unknowingly disposed of the records. Fortunately, some members still have at least a partial recollection of the events of those days. When records and resources ran short, we turned to our membership, who stepped in and filled in many of the historical gaps required to complete the ACOFP history. It became abundantly clear in compiling this history that the secret of our association’s success was not just the leadership, but also you, the veteran members. It was the corps of hardworking, dedicated members that had made our college such a success, and many of those same physicians came to the aid of the Archival Committee with panache. Twice in ACOFP’s history, circumstances left us with no home, no revenue, and a crippled leadership structure. Stresses of this type would have reduced many organizations twice our size to a pile of ashes. It was the spirit, dedication, and loyalty of our membership that allowed this great college to rise like the phoenix of old from the ashes of hardship. Like that mythical bird, ACOFP emerged, each time more vibrant and impressive than before. Those trials taught us many lessons and forged strong leaders that positioned us on a solid foundation to endure the economic stresses of the century. History, roots, trials, tribulations, and A.T. Still, MD, DO, tie the bond of the loyal, committed family. Fifty seems to be the number that denotes maturity of an individual as well as an organization. ACOFP fits that mold and definition. Established in 1950, it is now more than 50 years old. The first work on the published history was begun with the 50-year anniversary and will be presented to the membership by the 50th president, who was also born in the land of “dream makers” in 1950. Also, it is remarkable that it has been 50 years since the far west, California, has been represented at the highest leadership level. We recognize that this is a work in progress and many more editions are yet to come because the American College of Osteopathic Family Physicians is dynamic and will remain a protector of osteopathic family practice for many years to come. May she nurture, grow, be ever vibrant, and lead the profession to new heights. M. Jay Porcelli, DO, MHPE, FACOFP, FAOASM dist. 2003–2004 ACOFP President
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CHAPTER 1 The Founding and Early Years ACOFP: OUR CONTINUING HISTORY 1
2 THE FOUNDING AND EARLY YEARS WHAT’S IN A NAME? Over its history, ACOFP has had three different names. When first founded, the organization was incorporated as the American College of General Practitioners in Osteopathic Medicine and Surgery (ACGPOMS). This was quickly, but unofficially, shortened to the American College of Osteopathic General Practitioners. Interestingly, this name was often abbreviated ACGP, omitting the “O” of osteopathic. In 1993, the college’s name was officially changed to the American College of Osteopathic Family Physicians. Considerable debate took place regarding the prominence of the word “osteopathic” in the name. Ultimately, it was decided that as an organization of osteopathic family physicians, all forms of the college’s name, including its abbreviation, should fully reflect the osteopathic nature of its members. Thus, the word “osteopathic” was given equal status in both the college’s name and its abbreviation. For more information about the name change, see “A New Home Gets a New Name,” in Chapter 3, page 49. To avoid confusion in this book, the name American College of Osteopathic Family Physicians, and the abbreviation ACOFP, will be used throughout, regardless of the name of the college at the time of the events being discussed. The one exception to this will be when quoting directly from official documents. Fellows of the College will be recognized by the designation FACOFP, regardless of the actual Fellow title awarded at the time it was earned.
ACOFP: OUR CONTINUING HISTORY 3 THE FOUNDING AND EARLY YEARS INCORPORATION In early 1950, with the interest and influence of John V. Fiore, DO, FACOFP, Bruce S. Collins, DO, and their osteopathic colleagues, the essential canons were laid out for the establishment of a new organization, to be known as the American College of General Practitioners in Osteopathic Medicine and Surgery. As a result, ACOFP was founded on February 11, 1950, in the county of Los Angeles, in the state of California. The goal of this newly founded organization was to preserve hospital privileges for general practitioners, which were rapidly being lost or diminished by the growing specialist movement. The founders could not have realized at the time that the formation of their new college of general practice would eventually grow to become the largest in the osteopathic profession. KNOW ALL BY THOSE PRESENT: THAT WE, the undersigned, all of whom are residents of the State of California, have this day voluntarily associated ourselves together for the purpose of forming a corporation under the laws of the State of California, and we do hereby create a body corporate and certify: FIRST: That the name of said corporation is and shall be the American College of General Practitioners in Osteopathic Medicine and Surgery. SECOND: That the purposes for which said corporation is formed are as follows: 1. To advance the standards of general practice in the field of osteopathic medicine and surgery by establishing and maintaining a board of general practitioners for examination and certification of qualified candidates; and by establishing new educational opportunities for the training of general practitioners; and improving existing opportunities. 2. By any lawful means to obtain for its membership rights, privileges, and immunities in the use of hospital facilities commensurate with those enjoyed by members of other branches of the healing arts. 3. To promote a unity of action to protect the Federal and State professional licensing rights of its members to the full extent of the laws. 4. To promote a general understanding of the scope of the services rendered by the general practitioner in osteopathic medicine and surgery. 5. To contribute to the interests of the osteopathic profession by affiliating and cooperating with the American Osteopathic Association To do each and everything necessary, appropriate, or adapted to carry into effect any and all of the foregoing purposes and powers or to attain any one or more of the objectives herein enumerated or which shall at any time appear conducive to or expedient for the benefit and protection of said corporation, and generally to do any act and transact any business in connection with the said purposes and power which a co¬partner or natural person could do or exercise and which now or hereafter may be authorized by law. THIRD: That this corporation is organized pursuant to the General Nonprofit Corporation Law, and does not contemplate the distribution of gains, profits or dividends to the members thereof. FOURTH: That the principal office for the transaction of the business of the corporation is located in the County of Los Angeles, State of California. FIFTH: That the number of directors of said corporation shall be eight, and the names and addresses of the directors who are hereby appointed are as follows: H. W. Wagonseller 1230 Wilshire Boulevard, Los Angeles Hermon H. Schlossberg 450 South Cloverdale, Los Angeles Bruce S. Collins 337 Euclid Street, Santa Monica Wesley M. Barrett, Jr. 1948 Westbrook Avenue, Los Angeles Frank G. Nolan 419 North Bundy Drive, Los Angeles Frank York Lee 1931 Canyon Drive, Los Angeles Alfred J. Schramm 5889 San Vincente Boulevard, Los Angeles Rex Dodds 1020 North Sierra Bonita, Los Angeles The directors so named will serve for a period of five or more years. On the 1st day of May 1955, the first two named directors will retire; on the 1st day of May 1956, the second two named directors will retire; on the 1st day of May 1958, the last two named directors will retire. All vacancies on the Board of Directors, whether created by retirement of a director or otherwise, will be filled as set forth in the bylaws. Directors will be eligible to succeed themselves. Two directors will be placed upon the board annually, from 1955 and thereafter. SIXTH: That these articles of incorporation may be amended in the manner prescribed by law. IN WITNESS WHEREOF, said incorporators have hereunto set their hands on this eleventh day of February. H. W. Wagonseller Hermon H. Schlossberg Bruce S. Collins Wesley M. Barrett, Jr. Frank G. Nolan Frank York Lee Alfred J. Schramm Rex Dodds ARTICLES OF INCORPORATION STATE OF CALIFORNIA COUNTY OF LOS ANGELES On this eleventh day of February 1950, before me, a notary public in and for said county, residing therein, duly commissioned and sworn, personally appeared H. W. Wagonseller, Herman H. Schlessberg, Bruce S. Collins, Wesley M. Barrett, Jr., Frank G. Nolan, Frank York Lee, Alfred J. Schramm, and Rex Dodds, known to me to be the persons whose names are subscribed in the within instrument, and acknowledged that executed the same. In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed my official seal the day and year in this certificate first above written. KATHRYN A. BRADY Notary Public in and for the County of Los Angeles, State of California My commission expires December 4, 1955.
4 THE FOUNDING AND EARLY YEARS The photo above from 1956 is courtesy of the Museum of Osteopathic Medicine at A.T. Still University in Kirksville, Missouri, and may be one of the few photos featuring nearly all the founding leaders of ACOFP appearing together at one time. This photo was taken after the installation of John Vincent Fiore, DO, the originator of the idea to form an osteopathic general practice specialty college, who went on to become ACOFP’s fifth president, with Herman H. Schlossberg, DO, as the president-elect; Alfred J. Schramm, DO, retaining his permanent position as the secretary; and the new treasurer, W. Clemens “Tiny” Andreen, DO, rounding out the executive committee for that year. H. Wayne Wagonseller, DO, had just become the newest past president with the installation of Dr. Fiore. J. Myron Auld, DO, of Kansas City, would later be elected as the first chairman of the soon to be formed Conclave of Fellows, under President James Rowland, DO.
THE FOUNDING AND EARLY YEARS ACOFP: OUR CONTINUING HISTORY 5 Of the original eight founding physicians, five would go on to serve as ACOFP President, and one, Alfred J. Schramm, DO, would serve as the first executive secretary. The first 14 years of the ACOFP’s history would see 11 presidents. An asterisk is placed after the names of the five founding physicians who served as ACOFP President during these early years. 1950–1953 Wesley M. Barrett Jr., DO* 1953–1954 Bruce S. Collins, DO* 1954–1955 Frank York Lee, DO* 1955–1956 H. Wayne Wagonseller, DO* 1956–1957 John V. Fiore, DO, FACOFP 1957–1958 Hermon H. Schlossberg, DO* 1958–1959 W. Clemens “Tiny” Andreen, DO, FACOFP 1959–1961 Richard Brennan, DO, FACOFP 1961–1962 George Elanjian, DO 1962–1963 O. Keith Pauley, DO, FACOFP 1963–1964 George Cozma, DO The Board of Governors, originally consisting of the eight founders, eventually became a formal structure consisting of eight offices: • President • President-Elect • Executive Secretary • Treasurer • Vice President Pacific Region • Vice President Western Region • Vice President Central Region • Vice President Atlantic Region In addition to the officers, there were also four at-large members on the board, bringing the total number of board members to 12. A review of the committees from the early years gives significant insight into the priorities of the founding members. The committees listed at this time were: • Hospital Committee • Membership Committee • Educational Committee • Public Relations Committee • Credentials Committee • Editorial Committee • Publications Committee • Awards Committee OUR FOUNDERS AND EARLY LEADERS
6 THE FOUNDING AND EARLY YEARS A YOUNG COLLEGE RECEIVES RECOGNITION In the March 1953 issue of the Journal of the American Osteopathic Association (JAOA), the ACOFP was formally recognized as “the youngest professional organization in osteopathic medicine.” The article opened by noting: “The tremendous expansion of medical knowledge has necessitated the trend toward specialization. Specialization is accomplished through the formation of specialty colleges. These colleges serve the dual purposes of education and organization. It is through graduate education programs that a college can refine and communicate its expertise. Through organization, the college produces the status necessary to forward their work both among their colleagues and the public.” The article concluded by saying: “This new group is one of the most important to arise in our profession’s history” (JAOA 52, no. 7, pp. 379–380). The recognition of general practice as a specialty was not without controversy. There were those in the AOA who felt strongly that generalists could not become specialists, when in fact many of the specialists at that time were former generalists. The movement toward specialization in general was of great concern to many in the profession. This concern was often heralded in osteopathic literature and was predicated upon the belief that “specialization tends to make man an appendage to the doctor’s particular specialty. Thus, the patient is not being treated as an integrated whole, which is the foundation of osteopathic philosophy and treatment, but would be resulting in the patient receiving seriously flawed medical treatment.” Others saw the general practitioner as the solution to this problem. The general practitioner, whose skills encompassed all the specialties, could treat the whole patient, thereby improving outcomes — a fact that has been well established today by research into the benefits of generalist care on world populations by the work of pediatrician Barbara Starfield, MD (“Is US Health Really the Best in the World?” JAMA 284, no. 4, pp. 483-4). The initial leadership structure contained a Board of Governors and three regional vice presidents from the Western, Pacific, and Central Regions of the U.S. Of the three pictured vice presidents (Richard Sayra Koch, VP of the Pacific Region; Robert G. Gardner, VP of the Central Region; and Richard O. Brennan, VP of the Western Region), only Dr. Brennan would go on to become ACOFP President, in 1959. He served a two-year term until 1961. Two key founders (Bruce S. Collins, DO, the second president, and Frank York Lee, DO, the third president) were present for the occasion. Frank York Lee, DO See “Past Presidents” in Chapter 5, page 103, for more details on key co-founders Bruce S. Collins, DO, and Frank York Lee, DO. Bruce S. Collins, DO
ACOFP: OUR CONTINUING HISTORY 7 THE FOUNDING AND EARLY YEARS THE EARLY DAYS As with any new organization, ACOFP’s early days were humble ones. The California organization was first operated from offices of the founding physicians, using their existing office personnel in a dual role. Members of prominence during these early years were: • Frank York Lee, DO • W. Rowland Young, DO • J. Mancil Fish, DO, FACOFP • John Burnett, DO, FACOFP • Mary Burnett, DO, FACOFP • Eli Stark, DO, FACOFP • T. Robert Sharp, DO, FACOFP As ACOFP grew and added more state chapters to the membership, the management burden outstripped the resources of an average physician’s office. To maintain correspondence and coordinate educational events, a full-time executive secretary was desperately needed. Alfred J. Schramm, DO, one of the original eight founders and most senior of that group, became the ACOFP’s first executive director. He is the only osteopathic physician ever to run ACOFP’s day-to-day operations. Dr. Schramm resided at 5889 San Vicente Blvd. in Los Angeles, California, and his office became the official address of ACOFP for a number of years. Dr. Schramm was nearing retirement age and, therefore, had the time and resources to perform his duties. He began full-time ACOFP employment in 1960, 10 years after the ACOFP’s formal organization. Dr. Schramm would serve until 1962, when, at the annual meeting in Detroit, the criticism and suspicion that arose out of the “California Merger” forced him to resign. Although Dr. Schramm would return to California following his resignation, he never accepted the MD degree and retired from medicine completely. Dr. Schramm’s office was later razed to make way for a hospital. For more information regarding the acceptance of the “little MD” degree by DOs, see “The California Merger Challenges a Young College and the Osteopathic Profession,” on page 9. SIGNS OF GROWTH In the summer of 1958, the first official ACOFP medical education meeting was recorded in Des Moines, Iowa. Meetings had been held earlier in California, but those records have been lost for reasons that will be made clear later. 5889 San Vicente Blvd., Los Angeles, CA; 1960–1970 ACOFP holds its first medical education meeting in Des Moines, IA.
8 THE FOUNDING AND EARLY YEARS ACOFP’s regional meeting philosophy was evidenced by the different venues chosen for meeting sites. Although the first meeting was held in Des Moines, later gatherings were held in Sequoyah State Park, Western Hills Resort, Oklahoma. Later still, the meeting was held in Detroit, Michigan. Usually, the group met over the July 4 holiday so that the physicians could bring their families. The early meeting attendees came from all corners of the United States, and several times the large number of members descending on small communities caused sellout conditions at local hotels. These midyear conferences were well attended and attracted an average of 150 participants at each function (Forum, December 1957, p. 22). The success of these national conferences prompted many ACOFP divisional societies to sponsor their own educational conferences. The state conferences also began to be well attended. ACOFP marked this development as a substantial success with regard to its educational aims (Forum, September 1958, p. 27). The first ACOFP medical education meeting in Iowa was divided into three parts: MEDICAL TOPICS OSTEOPATHIC MANIPULATIVE MEDICINE (OMM) HYPNOSIS
THE FOUNDING AND EARLY YEARS ACOFP: OUR CONTINUING HISTORY 9 THE CALIFORNIA MERGER CHALLENGES A YOUNG COLLEGE AND THE OSTEOPATHIC PROFESSION The 1960s were a tumultuous era for both the country and the profession. Early in the decade, a very traumatic, far-reaching incident occurred in both AOA and ACOFP history. It would come to be known as the “California Merger,” and it had some unexpected and potent consequences. A professional “wake-up call” was how it was described in an article written in June 2001 by Michael M. Patterson, PhD, JAOA associate editor. The roots of the California Merger had been growing since the mid-1940s, when an executive of the California Osteopathic Association (COA) was affronted by persons from the American Osteopathic Association (AOA). The experience was egregious enough in the estimation of the COA to spark an internal movement among leadership to lead the California Osteopathic Association away from the AOA. At the same time, competition and strife between the DOs and the MDs in California had been escalating from not just old philosophical differences, but reimbursement disparities between the two professions were favorable to MDs over their osteopathic colleagues. The tensions and professional jousting sowed seeds of uncertainty and distrust among patients, generating many needless malpractice suits. Increased litigation also created an unfavorable medical liability climate for the Nettleship Insurance Company, which provided all the liability insurance for both osteopathic and allopathic physicians in the state. Wishing to eliminate this problem, the company charged both groups of physicians to come up with a solution to end the professional jousting or face possible loss of coverage altogether. The COA, the state’s osteopathic organization, and the California Medical Association (CMA) formed a committee to investigate infractions. That committee met regularly in an effort to come up with possible solutions that would mitigate the bad mouthing that was generating this problem. Their efforts were mostly successful, due mainly to the threat of loss of liability insurance, thereby improving the malpractice climate. With the crisis averted, the committee did not disband as planned, but transitioned into a committee working in secret on plans for the possible joining of the two professions into a single organization. Working collegially together for the first time, many members of the committee felt that more could be achieved to elevate the level of medical care in California if there was one large, unified profession rather than division of resources with two separate professions. The committee was joined by a growing number of California physicians who also felt the Midwest-based AOA was resisting becoming more scientifically based, and the profession
10 THE FOUNDING AND EARLY YEARS could face extinction if that did not change. The committee members were also part of a group that considered California DOs to be the more progressive scientific arm of the osteopathic profession, and equal in every way to their allopathic colleagues. It was their strong opinion that the AOA was holding them back professionally. Their solution to “save the profession” was to sunset the DO degree and join with the dominant profession as equals. Not everyone was supportive of this plan to amalgamate, so this movement stalled for a number of years, but the committee members continued to function and kept the idea alive, just not publicly. A gifted and highly entertaining speaker, Dorothy Marsh, DO, was very successful in convincing other DOs that the profession would soon become extinct if it continued on a path divergent to the MDs. In her view, AOA leadership was clinging too tightly to the principles espoused by A.T. Still, MD, DO, and would soon miss the last window of opportunity to reverse course and become more scientific. It was Dr. Marsh who convinced most of the founders of the ACOFP in California to surrender their DO degrees. Sadly, and most notably, was Frank E. MacCracken, DO, the author of the Osteopathic Oath, and ACOFP’s first Physician of the Year. Dr. MacCracken had been an ardent opponent of amalgamation with the MDs, but Dr. Marsh was successful in convincing him it was the only way to save the profession. The California Osteopathic Association (COA) was one of the largest state organizations in the osteopathic profession and provided excellent direction and leadership to AOA. COA had been one of the strongest allies standing with AOA in its struggle against the American Medical Association’s attempts to brand osteopathic medicine as a cult that needed to be eliminated. However, by 1961, the efforts toward amalgamation of the two California professions had become more overt, and resistance to any attempt of a merger dwindled among much of the osteopathic community. Many DOs were too involved in their practices to be interested with the intrigues of governance and medical politics taking place in their professional society. Sadly, there were also a significant number of DOs who coveted the MD degree over their earned DO degree. They viewed the AOA as holding back their career opportunities in California, so to them, joining the dominant profession was a pragmatic move to save their practices (“The California Takeover,” Dorothy Marsh, DO, COA President, 1961) (“Osteopathic Identity, Equality, and the California Merger,” Haily Ryan, JAOA 2011.111.5.339). Joining the two professions would be championed almost two decades later by an eminent California osteopathic obstetrician and gynecologist and COA president, Dorothy Marsh, DO. She campaigned relentlessly for the amalgamation of the two professions to “rescue the osteopathic profession,” in her words.
ACOFP: OUR CONTINUING HISTORY 11 THE FOUNDING AND EARLY YEARS Faced with little opposition from membership, the decision and planning continued more ardently behind the scenes to turn the College of Physicians and Surgeons, which was the legacy osteopathic college in California, into the California College of Medicine. At that time, both schools were housed on the campus of the Los Angeles County Hospital, with the osteopathic college in one wing and the University of California Medical Center in the other. Both schools were joined by a tunnel deep in the basement underneath the hospital, allowing student traffic between the two schools to occur without disrupting hospital operations. Both schools shared operations and clinical education within the Los Angeles County Hospital, although MD and DO classes remained separate. When the University of California College of Medicine was closed for a short period the College of Osteopathic Physicians and Surgeons ran the hospital. In July 1961, the American Osteopathic Association (AOA) voted to fight amalgamation in California and several other states with similar plans in place to follow suit if the California movement was successful. The late George W. Northup, DO, FACOFP, renowned editor of the Journal of the American Osteopathic Association, exposed the conspiracy for the destruction of the osteopathic medical profession. He put the question quite bluntly: “Will the osteopathic profession survive, or will it be destroyed?” The battle for the existence of the osteopathic medical profession had begun. Emotions were evident during the AOA House of Delegates meeting that same year. The House confronted the California representatives regarding their concerns in Kansas City, Missouri, at the historic Muehlebach Hotel (now a wing of the Kansas City Marriott Downtown hotel), once visited by many presidents from Theodore Roosevelt up to Ronald Reagan, lending an Frank E. MacCracken, DO, author of the Osteopathic Oath, and ACOFP’s first Physician of the Year, had been an ardent opponent of amalgamation with the MDs. Unfortunately, Dr. Marsh was successful in convincing him of the amalgamation with the MDs. George W. Northup, DO, FACOFP Photo courtesy AOA Photo courtesy Americasroof at English Wikipedia., CC BY-SA 2.5, via Wikimedia Commons. Muehlebach Hotel
12 THE FOUNDING AND EARLY YEARS appropriate arena for what would turn out to be a historic yet fiery confrontation. The meeting came to an abrupt conclusion when the entire California delegation responded to the fierce criticism by exiting the House of Delegates in a visible show of disgust, thereby signaling to those assembled that the merger plans would continue. By May 1962, serious concerns were being raised about what was actually going to happen with the exchange of degrees. What would be the fate of those accepting the exchange? This question would go unanswered for more than a year. In a series of articles published from 1962 to 1964 in the JAOA, Dr. Northup pointed out that organized medicine had in fact legitimized the DO degree in the degree exchange. He alluded that despite being seen by some as inferior, the DO degree represented training equivalent to that of the “little MD” degree. The situation revealed an interesting and ironic twist of fate for a profession split over its very existence. In August 1962, Dr. Northup penned an editorial that was especially sharp. The California amalgamation was a complex affair. It was motivated by many factors, one of which was a feeling of inferior social status among some osteopathic physicians. In the wake of a poll of DOs outside of California that showed a surprisingly strong sentiment to retain the profession’s identity, Dr. Northup pointed out that the profession “has expressed its desire to bring increasing prestige to the DO degree rather than to accept an identification created by others.” This statement is as relevant today as it was when Dr. Northrup first proposed it in 1962. The California media conducted a survey of Californians on the fate of DOs in the state. The results indicated that most Californians were not happy with the elimination of the DO profession. Despite these poll results, Proposition 22 on osteopathic licensure was placed on the California ballot and passed by the voters November 6, 1962. With the payment of a $65 fee, nearly 2,400 DOs, including a majority of the signers of ACOFP’s founding charter, chose to be awarded “little MD” degrees as loyal AOA members called it. The measure also prohibited the California Board of Osteopathic Examiners from issuing any new licenses and would disband The American Medical Association (AMA) had decreed that only those graduates of the converted college who graduated after February 1962 would be deemed to have graduated from an accredited medical school. Prior graduates would not have an acceptable degree. Meanwhile, the AOA determined that any DO who accepted an unearned degree would most likely not be eligible for AOA membership.
ACOFP: OUR CONTINUING HISTORY 13 THE FOUNDING AND EARLY YEARS the board when 40 or fewer DOs were under its authority. As Dr. Northup had predicted, the practice of a majority of California DOs had convinced the public that there was no difference between the professions, hence, no need for two degrees. Dr. Northup’s December 1962 editorial recapped that year’s events and offered an analysis. He predicted that 1963 would be the beginning of a new era in the osteopathic medical profession. The repair of the profession and its specialty colleges with the addition of the ACOFP would begin. As early as July 1963, it was becoming clear that many former osteopathic specialists were being limited in their practices and shunned by their new society. The wisdom of the merger was very quickly coming into question. In his last editorial written in 1964, Dr. Northup noted that the first steps at overturning the defeat of Proposition 22 were becoming evident, with court battles being joined by many physicians. A small group of DOs had begun to seek ways to regain recognition in the state. Their efforts were not immediately rewarded, but ultimately, they would prevail. The California Supreme Court reactivated the Board of Osteopathic Examiners on March 19, 1974, after a long and often frustrating battle. Coincidently, this date also represents the day the swallows returned to San Juan Capistrano, possibly signaling in the minds of all those who fought the good fight a visible confirmation from nature for the rebuilding and renewal of a once great profession in the state. But the California Merger was not totally the result of external forces. Dr. Northup pointed out this fact in his December 1962 editorial, and it remains true today: “The osteopathic profession cannot be destroyed without its own participation in the destruction.” Now, as then, the real threat to the profession is a loss of identity, a loss of belief in the special and unique nature of osteopathic medicine. Without that identity, there is attrition and loss of autonomy, without which a profession cannot survive. By preserving our professional autonomy, the potential of a profession is unlimited. The California media conducted a survey of Californians on the fate of DOs in the state. The results indicated that most Californians were not happy with the elimination of the DO profession. Despite the poll results, Proposition 22 on osteopathic licensure was placed on the California ballot and passed by the voters November 6, 1962.
THE FOUNDING AND EARLY YEARS 14 THE MERGER’S IMPACT ON ACOFP The California Merger had a serious impact on the ACOFP, which lost many of its members in California, including some key founders, and at the time, California was the largest of the AOA’s divisional societies. California was also the site of the original headquarters and the secretary-treasurer’s office. Sadly, all the funds that belonged to ACOFP were turned over to the California Medical Society. All records and archives located at the College of Physicians and Surgeons were moved to the University of California at Irvine and were not available to members outside of the state. Research has not identified Dr. Schramm’s position on Proposition 22, but we do know that he transferred many of his records to O. Keith Pauley, DO, FACOFP, (ACOFP President, 1962–1963) for safekeeping and to preserve the organization’s history. Dr. Pauley then gave much of that information to J. R. Forbes, DO, FACOFP, (ACOFP President, 1968–1969) to prepare that history. When Dr. Forbes died, the records in his possession and any work he may have started on an early history were inadvertently lost or destroyed by his family. ACOFP’s assets were never transferred back to the organization that would be compelled to start again outside California. Due to the merger’s stress, collaboration and communication stopped between former friends and colleagues, dealing a severe blow to any new governing structure. Wounded by the loss of some of its key founders in California, ACOFP sought refuge among faithful members of the American Heartland. A decade of existence had produced many great leaders throughout the country through the great work of the organization’s regional vice presidents in the Western, Central, and Pacific Regions of the country. The loss of vital membership data and their hardearned capital dictated that the organization would be forced to go back to working out of the offices of whomever was the president or secretary at the time. But the new leadership was quick to realize that the trials and successes of the past had forged ACOFP into a vibrant and resourceful professional society with a national reach that could not continue to grow with this makeshift volunteer organizational management plan. ACOFP needed a full-time executive secretary and an office possibly close to the AOA headquarters in Chicago. Some of the members suggested cities in America’s sunbelt, where no heavy winter snowstorms could disrupt travel and the college’s operations. The remaining ACOFP Board members not affected by the California Merger exhibited substantial fortitude in the face of pressing organizational problems that would have scuttled other organizations of the same size. The national leadership would set out immediately to get ACOFP’s affairs in order. The final decision was made to move the national offices to Chicago, and leadership set about the long process of regaining financial stability. The near loss of the organization energized ACOFP and the entire profession with a newfound dedication and a strong resolve to never allow another loss of such magnitude to occur in the future.
ACOFP: OUR CONTINUING HISTORY 15 THE FOUNDING AND EARLY YEARS CHICAGO BOUND The details of the decision to move to Chicago are murky at best. The first recorded executive secretary after the organization relocated there was Jack Hank. Following his 1955 discharge from the military, Mr. Hank began employment with the AOA public relations department. He left AOA in 1960 to become the public relations director of Lions International. Sometime in the early 1960s, W. Clemens “Tiny” Andreen, DO, FACOFP, and four board members met with Mr. Hank in a downtown hotel and offered him the job of ACOFP’s part-time executive secretary. The position’s part-time nature allowed Mr. Hank time to pursue his other business affairs, including those of his main company Allied Appraisals, a consortium of other business ventures not restricted to medical organization management. He and his company would be linked with ACOFP for almost two decades. Mr. Hank provided the organizational skills and financial background needed to put ACOFP in a place of prominence. The board members who hired and worked with him considered Mr. Hank a charismatic leader who demanded nothing but the best for ACOFP. He traveled first-class and demanded that those in his organization would do the same. Tireless in his efforts to elevate ACOFP’s stature, he produced educational seminars that were the envy of the profession. His work with AOA made him more adept in the profession’s politics. The first ACOFP office was in Jack Hank’s basement at his home located at 7926 S. Campbell Ave., in Chicago. The business operations, address, and all employees were the sole property of Mr. Hank’s business, Allied Appraisals. Research also discovered correspondence to ACOFP addressed to 8415 S. Winchester Ave., Chicago, Illinois. The Archival and Historical Committee believes that Mr. Hank may have operated out of two offices for ACOFP during the Chicago transfer. Allied Appraisals dealt with property management, and through family ties, Mr. Hank had connections with the Teamsters. Finances and his parttime affiliation with ACOFP did not limit his outside ventures. In fact, ACOFP’s business and correspondence and Mr. Hank’s various enterprises were often commingled, and all the organizations functioned virtually as one. 7926 S. Campbell Ave., Chicago, IL; Early 1960s–1970 8415 S. Winchester Ave., Chicago, IL; 1970–1978
16 THE FOUNDING AND EARLY YEARS As ACOFP grew, operations became too complex for one person to effectively handle, so Mr. Hanks’s business partner, Robert Napoli, began to manage the extra duties. Later, Mr. Napoli would serve as the executive secretary to the American Osteopathic Board of General Practitioners (AOBGP), the forerunner of the AOBFP today. Mr. Hank established ACOFP as a dynamic force within the profession. Membership increased, and the banquets were always beautiful, well attended, and entertaining. In 1973, there were 500 attendees at the ACOFP banquet, compared to just 60 attendees in 1967. Both ACOFP and Allied Appraisals became extremely successful growing organizations, and it was not long before the operations needed more space and a boost in visibility. Prosperity and the extra work, spawned primarily by the association with Mr. Hank, meant the organization could afford a downtown office. Jack Hank was instrumental in moving the organization’s operations to the penthouse suite at 111 W. Washington St., in downtown Chicago. The building seemed befitting of ACOFP’s newly gained prominence: a 26-floor, granitecolumned building complete with entry flags, a doorman, and a gold-plated revolving door. The building and ACOFP were indeed first-class. But curiously, Mr. Hank still did not request to be full time as ACOFP’s director, and the office space would never be under ACOFP’s control. The college rented just 800 square feet of space and a fireproof drawer in the sprawling offices of Allied Appraisals, with a use agreement to reserve some common spaces for meetings, but they never controlled any space except the 800-square-foot space. For more than 12 years, the new address would be the center of ACOFP planning and operations. But many leaders felt from the outset that commingling the operations of the two organizations would be a formula for trouble. Differences of opinion would eventually arise over accounting practices and the assignment of assets in the intertwined corporations. The lack of formal recordkeeping, and the reporting of commonly requested financial data to the 1971 Congress of Delegates by Mr. Hank, raised enormous concern. His executive secretary’s finance report was delivered from figures on the back of a matchbook cover, causing many members to resign in protest. Newer leaders also grew disenchanted with Mr. Hank’s style of operations, but past presidents James L. Rowland, DO, FACOFP (1964–1965), and O. Keith Pauley, DO, FACOFP (1962–1963), stood in strong support of Mr. Hank. Their staunch support would ensure that Mr. Hank’s association with ACOFP would continue. While attending the fall 1977 AOA Annual Meeting, the ACOFP Board met in executive session. During this closed meeting at the Fairmont Hotel in Atlanta, the Board decided it was time to hire a full-time executive director. Mr. Hank would be given first right of refusal, and their plan called for the prospective nominee to be presented at the winter board meeting, 111 W. Washington St., Chicago, IL; 1978–1982
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