The mission of the Osteopathic Heritage Foundations is to improve the health and quality of life in the community through education, research and service consistent with our osteopathic heritage. To advance this mission, the Foundations prioritized investments in scientific research and professional development at top-ranked colleges of osteopathic medicine with the goal of advancing scientific discoveries, healthcare and delivery of patient care.

Brian Clark, PhD, is the Harold Clybourne, DO Endowed Research Chair and a professor of physiology and neuroscience in the Department of Biomedical Sciences at Ohio University, where he serves as the Executive Director of the Ohio Musculoskeletal and Neurological Institute (OMNI). Dr. Clark’s research focuses on understanding the root causes of age-related muscle weakness and developing effective interventions to improve muscle function and mobility in older adults and patients with orthopedic and neurologic disabilities. He is widely recognized as an expert in the field of muscle health and aging and his work has changed the way physicians diagnose and treat muscle weakness in older populations. His research in osteoporosis has led to an innovative technology with the potential to better diagnose and treat osteoporosis, reducing the risk of fractures in older adults.

Learn more about Dr. Clark’s research and its impact on patient care on the Foundations’ website.

Courtesy of Heritage College of Osteopathic Medicine

“Dr. Clark is an internationally recognized expert in aging and muscle health and his research has changed the way scientists study – and physicians treat – age-related muscle weakness and osteoporosis. His focus on helping people live healthy lives and disease prevention is central to the principles and practice of osteopathic medicine.”



–Cheryl Graffagnino, Program Officer, Osteopathic Heritage Foundations

As part of its Healthy Food Access funding priority, the Foundations launched the Healthy Food, Healthy Franklin County initiative in 2022. Through the initiative, the Foundations approved more than $887,000 in funding to support Franklinton Farms, Mid-Ohio Food Collective, Partners Achieving Community Transformation and Produce Perks Midwest to catalyze change in Franklin County neighborhoods where residents lack access to healthy, affordable food and experience higher rates of chronic disease and other poor health outcomes. 

Recently, these organizations met to share progress reports with the Foundations and each other. In the first year of funding, the four organizations combined have served over 8,600 Franklin County residents. More than $244,000 – approximately 129,000 pounds – of healthy food, mostly fresh produce, was grown and/or distributed in vulnerable communities at farmers markets, onsite farmstands and u-pick urban gardens. Funded organizations also made local, healthy food available through foodbanks, food pantries and retail locations serving low-income communities including mobile markets and corner/convenience stores. The organizations facilitated increased food production and distribution by supporting 14 new and expanding local food producers in their communities, strengthening the local food supply chain and increasing the availability of fresh healthy food for their neighbors. 

“The Foundations’ Healthy Food Access funding priority uses a dual strategy of building capacity and supporting innovation within the emergency food system while simultaneously investing in local efforts to increase access, affordability and consumption of healthy foods. Together, the organizations supported through the Healthy Food, Healthy Franklin County initiative are contributing to a stronger and more resilient local food system, by developing food production, food purchasing and nutrition education systems to improve health and quality of life in the community today and into the future.”

–Susan Beaudry, Vice President, Osteopathic Heritage Foundations