May-June 2025

Greetings,

With great excitement, I write to you as your Ohio ACOFP President. This year, I would like to emphasize the engagement of our membership, the visibility of our organization and leaders locally and nationally, and the continued growth of relationships with other health-focused organizations.

I genuinely look forward to working with Executive Director Heidi Weber and our Executive Committee to discover and refine how we can best serve our members this year. Please review our current roster at the end of this message and contact me or one of our outstanding leaders with any comments. We would love to hear from you.

I thank outgoing Ohio ACOFP President Garrett L. Kirkpatrick, DO, for his ongoing commitment to the field. Thank you all for your support of and dedication to the Ohio ACOFP. We are always looking for future leaders or those who have special skills they would like to share with the organization. Please do not hesitate to reach out and look for updates throughout 2025.

Onward,

Nicklaus J. Hess, DO, FACOFP, CS

President, Ohio ACOFP

Ohio ACOFP Award Winners

Nathaniel M. Overmire, DO

Family Physician of the Year Award

Sean M. Johnson, DO

Young Family Physician of the Year Award

Edward A. Robles, DO

Distinguished Service Award

Kate M. Spencer, DO

Family Physician Resident of the Year

Jessica L. Harrah, DO

Family Physician Resident of the Year

Dr. Spencer and Dr. Harrah are pictured with Garrett L. Kirkpatrick, DO,

Ohio ACOFP 2024-25 President

Ohio ACOFP Names Outstanding Students

The Ohio ACOFP recognized two students for their work as year one or year two students. George and Megan attend the OU-HCOM Athens campus and are pictured with Jennifer L. Gwilym, DO.

George Papadeas, OMS-I

Megan Kolb, OMS-II

Gwilym Installed on National ACOFP Board

Jennifer L. Gwilym, DO, FACOFP dist., In April, FAAFP, CS, was sworn in as one of six Governors-at-Large on the ACOFP Board of Governors. She joins the Executive Committee, Resident and Student Governors, non-voting Speaker and Vice-Speaker, and the ACOFP Executive Director.

At its Conclave of Fellows, ACOFP named Dr. Gwilym one of only three physicians honored as a Distinguished Fellow, recognizing exceptional service to the organization and the osteopathic family medicine profession.

Dr. Gwilym received the 2024 ACOFP Outstanding Female Leader of the Year Award.

Congratulations, Dr. Gwilym! What a year!

Update on Submitted Resolutions to ACOFP

The Ohio ACOFP submitted resolutions to the 2025 ACOFP National Congress in April. Resolution No. 13 was accepted, and Resolution No. 21 was not.

The ACOFP Foundation is looking for individuals who are ready to help shape the future of osteopathic family medicine to volunteer their time as campaign ambassadors.

Campaign ambassadors would:

Advocate for the future of osteopathic family medicine;
Connect with passionate peers;
Contribute to meaningful change in the healthcare community; and
Choose their schedule and dedicate the time they have to the cause.

While the time commitment is minimal, the impact as a volunteer would be monumental. Take your investment in the future of healthcare a step further—speak up for important initiatives that build a stronger generation of osteopathic family physicians, and be a force for lasting positive change.

Apply as Ambassador