OU-HCOM Names New Leaders

The Ohio University has placed two prominent osteopathic physicians in leadership roles at the university and within the Heritage College of Osteopathic Medicine.

Jennifer L. Gwilym, DO, FACOFP, FAAFP, CS, has been appointed Interim Senior Dean of the Ohio University Heritage College of Osteopathic Medicine. She will serve as the college’s chief academic officer, overseeing academic policy, accreditation, faculty affairs, curriculum quality improvement, and medical education innovation.

Kenneth H. Johnson, DO, FAAO, has been promoted to Vice President of Health Affairs and Senior Strategist for Health Partnerships at Ohio University. Dr. Johnson previously served as the Executive Dean of the Heritage College of Osteopathic Medicine for 13 years. In his new role, Dr. Johnson will lead university-wide initiatives across health education, research, and strategic partnerships, while continuing to provide leadership and vision for the Heritage College.

Congratulations to Dr. Gwilym and Dr. Johnson, and the OH ACOFP looks forward to working with them in 2026!

Message from Executive Director Heidi Weber

We are looking forward to a more engaged, connected, and energized Ohio ACOFP in the year ahead!

OH ACOFP Dues: You should have recently received your dues statement from the national ACOFP. Please note that Ohio ACOFP dues can be paid conveniently through that same process. If you need assistance, please let me know, and I can work with the ACOFP staff.

Thank you for renewing your Ohio membership!

Important Deadlines:

• Thursday, January 15 - Ohio Delegates' names must be submitted for the ACOFP Congress in Orlando
• Thursday, January 15 - Resolutions, reports, and/or other business must be reported to the ACOFP
• Saturday, March 28 - Virtual Reference Committees
• Wednesday, April 15 - ACOFP Congress in Orlando

Please contact (if you have not already) to become a delegate and/or to submit a resolution.

Ohio Osteopathic Symposium

• Thursday, April 23-Sunday, April 25
• Saturday, April 25 - OH ACOFP Officer Installation with Incoming ACOFP President Greg D. Cohen, DO, FACOFP dist.

OOS registration will open next week!

For 2026, I look forward to working with Dr. Hess and the board to connect the Ohio Family Physicians and create a One Osteopathic Ohio. Thank you for your support, and best wishes to you and your family in 2026.

Warm regards,


Heidi

Heidi A. Weber, MBA, CAE
Executive Director

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services will allocate portions of $50 billion in Rural Health Transformation Program money to all states. In 2026, states will receive first-year awards from CMS averaging $200 million and Ohio will receive more than $202 million.

Half of the program funds were distributed equally among all states and the other half were assigned based on certain criteria on rurality and the state’s rural health system, and current or proposed state policy actions that enhance access and quality of care in rural communities.