Donald O. Mack, MD, FAAFP, AGSF, CMD
I Chose Family Medicine to Meet the Needs of My Rural Community
I grew up on a farm in a rural community, and even at a young age, members of the community encouraged me to become a doctor.
After volunteering at a hospital in a neighboring city, I knew that medicine was for me, but I also knew that the people in my small town didn’t need a gastroenterologist. They needed someone who could take care of all ages and conditions. They needed a family physician!
Through undergrad and medical school, I continued my desire to return to a rural area, and I knew that I wanted to be a family physician. Fortunately, I had the opportunity to return to my hometown, and even when it didn’t work out to join the only practice in town, I was well prepared to start a solo practice.
After 23 years in my hometown, I wanted to make a change in my life; and again, I was happy that I had chosen to be a family physician. The breadth of my training and practice allowed me to join the faculty at The Ohio State University Family Medicine Residency to help train of future family physicians.
I also was able to share my passion for caring for the elderly and 
those at the end of life. I had delivered babies for 15 years, before the cost of malpractice insurance made that unfeasible, and I am now able to teach medical students, family medicine residents, and geriatric fellows about the rewards of sharing the equally intimate time at the end of life with family.
Additionally, it has been my pleasure to serve as the 70th President of the Ohio Academy of Family Physicians, which has allowed me to lead this amazing professional organization that has nurtured me throughout my career.
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