Greetings,


I hope the beginning of 2026 is going well for everyone. Registration for the Ohio Osteopathic Symposium has launched. Be sure to visit the OOS site for details. 


I would also like to welcome Ronald Russ, DO, as the new OU-HCOM Department Liaison on our Board of Governors. Dr. Russ will replace Jennifer Gwilym, DO, as she transitions to Interim Senior Dean of OU-HCOM.


Onward,

Nicklaus J. Hess, DO, FACOFP, CS

President, Ohio ACOFP

Registration Now Open!

The Ohio Osteopathic Symposium (OOS) offers practical, clinically relevant topics that provide physicians with innovative, timely information they can immediately apply in practice. The CME program offers a robust agenda packed with engaging, informative, and stimulating content presented by experts in their fields.


New! Residency Program Fair

On Saturday, April 25th, the OOS will host its inaugural residency program, inviting programs to meet with osteopathic medical students attending OOS and participating in the research poster competition. If you are a Program Director (or has a PD colleague, please click the button below to register.

Program Schedule

Hotel link will be provided after registration is submitted

Attendee Registration

Research Poster Competition

Exhibitor Registration

New! Residency Program Fair

The Ohio University Heritage College of Osteopathic Medicine’s 50th anniversary and gala, presented by the Osteopathic Heritage Foundation (OHF), will be held alongside the Ohio Osteopathic Association's (OOA's) annual statewide symposium, with the college sponsoring a research poster competition and a series of social events. The Heritage College is pleased to celebrate with the OHF and the OOA in marking a half century of osteopathic education in Ohio.

Message from the Executive Director


As we look ahead to warmer weather in April, we hope you’ll join us at the 2026 Ohio Osteopathic Symposium for several ACOFP-focused events:


Incoming ACOFP President Greg D. Cohen, DO, FACOFP dist. will make a visitation during OOS.


  • Dr. Cohen will install Sean M. Johnson, DO as the 2026–27 OH ACOFP President on Saturday, April 25, at 10:00 AM. A CME lecture will follow (speaker TBD).


Even if you are not fully registered for OOS, you are warmly invited to attend the installation and lecture.


Pfizer Situation Room

  • Saturday, April 25 | 12:45–1:45 PM
  • OH ACOFP is partnering with the ACOFP and Pfizer to offer this unique, non-CME experience. We are seeking 30–40 physicians to participate and would love strong representation from our ACOFP members.


Please contact me at hweber@ohiodo.org with any questions, suggestions, or concerns! Stay warm in this cold weather.


Heidi 
Heidi A. Weber, MBA, CAE
Executive Director

OOA Wins National Advocacy Award

We are pleased to share that our partner organization, the Ohio Osteopathic Association, has been selected by the American Osteopathic Association as the recipient of the 2026 Organizational Excellence in Advocacy Award.


This national recognition reflects OOA’s sustained commitment to public policy and professional advocacy, including the significant time and financial resources invested to ensure the osteopathic profession's concerns are heard by policymakers.


"We gratefully acknowledge the physicians, residents, and students who devote their personal time to advocate on behalf of all osteopathic professionals—whether or not they are OOA members," said Heidi Weber, OOA Executive Director.


The OOA will receive the 2026 Organizational Excellence in Advocacy Award during the AOA DO Day Awards Dinner on Wednesday, March 25th, in Arlington, VA. 

Feb. 13, 2026, will mark 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: Dementia and Global Aging


Faculty: Graciela Muniz-Terrera, PhD, professor of Social Medicine at OU-HCOM and Osteopathic Heritage Foundation Ralph S. Licklider, DO Endowed Professor in Health and Aging; and Brian J. Balin, PhD, professor of microbiology and immunology and director for the Center for Chronic Disorders of Aging at PCOM.


CMEs: This course has been approved for 1.0 AOA Category 1-A.