Greetings,

This has certainly been a memorable winter that is definitely making me look forward to the spring. As things are thawing, please take a look at the email that was sent last month regarding nominations for Ohio ACOFP awards to be presented at the Ohio Osteopathic Symposium. Nominations are due by Friday, March 13th. Additionally, I would like to share with you our roster of delegates for the 2026 ACOFP Congress of Delegates:

Shandra C. Basil, DO

Melinda E. Ford, DO, FACOFP dist.

Jennifer L. Gwilym, DO, FACOFP dist.

Douglas W. Harley, DO, FAAFP, FACOFP

Nicklaus J. Hess, DO, FACOFP

Edward E. Hosbach, II, DO, FACOFP

Sean M. Johnson, DO

Garrett L. Kirkpatrick, DO

Paul A. Martin, DO, FACOFP dist.

Stacy R. Meeks, DO

James A. Schoen, DO

Geraldine N. Urse, DO, FACOFP dist.

This is truly a fantastic assembly of leaders who will represent Ohio exceptionally well at our national conference. Thank you to all who volunteered to serve. For those interested in representing Ohio in the future, please do not hesitate to reach out. We would be happy to get you involved.

Cheers,

Nicklaus J. Hess, DO, FACOFP, CS

President, Ohio ACOFP

OMT Featured Sessions @ OOS

The Ohio Osteopathic Symposium is April 23–26 in Columbus, featuring family physician–focused education with some lectures presented by members of the Ohio ACOFP. Consider these three featured topics crafted to support comprehensive, whole-person care across the lifespan:

Douglas W. Harley, DO, FACOFP, FAAFP

Craniosacral Approach to Newborn Latching Difficulties

Friday, April 24
11:15 a.m. - 12:15 p.m.

Andrew P. Eilerman, DO

OMT Bootcamp

Friday, April 24
9:00 a.m. -11:00 a.m.

Nicklaus J. Hess, DO, FACOFP, CO

"Almost got it..."

Seated Fine Tuning OMT

Saturday, April 25
10:30 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.

See the full agenda and reserve your spot online, and plan to join us for an event that promises to inspire, educate, and empower.

Nominate a Deserving Candidate for Ohio ACOFP Recognition!

Do you know an outstanding osteopathic family physician who deserves recognition? The Ohio ACOFP is accepting nominations for awards given out during the Ohio Osteopathic Symposium on Saturday, April 25, in Columbus.

Submit your nomination by Friday, March 13th, to ensure they receive the recognition they deserve!

Don’t miss this opportunity to honor a colleague’s dedication and excellence in osteopathic family medicine. Submit your nomination today!

Learn More

Submit Nomination

OU-HCOM 50th Anniversary Celebration and Gala

Join us in Columbus on Saturday, April 25, for the 50th Anniversary Gala presented by the Osteopathic Heritage Foundation.

Message from the Executive Director

We hope that you can join us for the Ohio Osteopathic Symposium as we welcome incoming ACOFP President Greg D. Cohen, DO, FACOFP dist. Dr. Cohen will install the 2026-27 OH ACOFP officers, and Dr. Nicklaus Hess will present an OMT chair lecture directly after.

If you are attending the ACOFP Annual Convention (not as a delegate), please let me know. Let's get all the Ohio members together for a photo. Stay tuned for more details.

Have a wonderful March and thank you for being a member!

Heidi A. Weber, MBA, CAE
Executive Director

SBMO Warns of Phone Scams Targeting Providers

The State Medical Board of Ohio recently received reports of individuals impersonating SMBO investigators calling licensees and alleging the providers has been involved in a drug case in another state.

The scammers threaten to suspend the provider’s license if they do not pay a fine within a certain timeframe. The scammers have also coordinated a three-way call with fake FBI agents to convince the provider to fill out a "cooperation agreement" and dissuade them from contacting the Medical Board directly.

How to know if an investigation is legitimate:

SMBO will send notice of any investigation or action against a license via certified mail, email or personal service.
Any fines are to be paid online through the state portal: eLicense.ohio.gov
Learn more at the Complaints & Investigations page.

What to do if you are contacted by a scammer:

Report the incident to your local law enforcement
Notify the Ohio Attorney General’s office by filing a complaint online at ohioprotects.org or by calling 800-282-0515

Virtual Judges Needed for Ohio Science Day

State Science Day is a program of The Ohio Academy of Science. For over 90 years, it has allowed students and teachers to highlight students who go above and beyond through scientific, project-based learning.

The OOA needs volunteers to judge student projects (grades 7-12) virtually or hybrid. The awards ceremony is Saturday, May 16, at The Ohio State University — attendance is optional.

Virtual Judging: April 13-27
Optional In-Person Event at OSU: Saturday, May 16. 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. for judging and 2:45 p.m. award ceremony (optional).

The OOA is proud to support young scientific minds and will provide modest financial awards to winners in select categories.

Contact Heidi Weber at hweber@ohiodo.org or 614-299-2107 if you can volunteer.

It's underway! Feb. 13, 2026, marked the launch of the 6th rendition of the VOC CME virtual osteopathic education program!

The conference offers 48 hours of AOA Category 1-A and AMA PRA Category 1 Credit™, available for purchase in 8-credit increments. It can be completed over nearly five months.

This online program offers physicians the flexibility to attend a live online event and/or access it on-demand just hours after each lecture concludes. OOA members get a discount on registration.

The Ohio Osteopathic Association is part of the CME Center, which is managed by the Association of Osteopathic State Executive Directors. The center provides live webinars and on-demand programs. Program completion is reported to the American Osteopathic Association.

Consider this popular topic first presented at the 2025 Ohio Osteopathic Symposium: Obesity: Considerations for Diet and Patients on Incretin Therapies

Faculty: Dr. Susan Ratay, who is board certified in obesity medicine and has had a primary care practice in the area for 10 years. She has experience with the use of obesity medications as an additional treatment to weight management.

Learning Objectives:

Summarize supporting evidence for using continuous glucose monitoring systems (CGMs) in individuals with Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes.
Review absolute and relative risks when prescribing GLP-1 RA and GIP.
Discuss the role for adjunct use of weight loss medications in combination with surgery.

CMEs: This course has been approved for 0.75 AOA Category 1-A.

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