The Ohio Academy of General Practice (OAGP) was founded and nationally chartered in March 1948. The OAGP was created to maintain the highest-quality standards for family physicians who were providing continuing, comprehensive health care to the public. With chapters being formed all over the country, Ohio was among the first and would become one of the largest and strongest in the nation.

Joseph Lindner, MD, of Cincinnati, OH, served as the first OAGP president.

Paul A. Davis, MD, of Akron, OH, served as the first American Academy of General Practice (AAGP) president from 1947-50.

Robert M. Lemmon, MD, of Akron, OH, served on the first Board of Directors from 1947-50.

In the first couple of months, founding leaders of the OAGP set a pattern of devotion in time, effort, and personal commitment that has characterized the Academy’s history through the years. At the end of 1948, with 514 members, Ohio was not only planning the first state meeting for the following April, it was also deeply involved with the first AAGP assembly to be held a month earlier in Cincinnati, OH, in which the Ohio, Indiana, and Kentucky Academies were to be the joint hosts.

In September 1951, the OAGP held its first Scientific Assembly at the Neil House in Columbus, OH. Speakers from Chicago, IL; Buffalo, NY; Washington DC; Cleveland, and Columbus made scientific presentations.

The OAGP’s first headquarters was opened in February 1954 in rented rooms in a downtown Columbus building with Earl McAllister, MD, serving as executive secretary and Florence Wetzel (later Landis) as secretary.

The first issue of Ohio General Practice News was published in 1955.

In 1957, the preceptorship program was started to encourage participation by OAGP members, medical schools, and medical students. It was started in partnership with the Rural Health Committee of the Ohio State Medical Association at the University of Cincinnati.

David J. Byrnes, with degrees in law and business administration and experience in hospital and personnel work, was appointed executive secretary effective January 1, 1958. Robert Wilson was appointed OAGP executive secretary in 1959.

In 1961-62, Ohio was the first state chapter to establish a permanent headquarters when ground was broken, construction completed, and the building was occupied at 4075 N High Street in Columbus.

The first Family Medicine Workshop was held in 1963.

On April 12, 1965, after more than a decade of effort, board certification finally won. OAGP President Raymond Kahn, MD, of Dayton, and Ohio GP News Editor B. Leslie Huffman, MD, of Toledo, OH,  referenced the accomplishment in the May issue that took place in San Francisco, CA. It was endorsed by delegates “without a dissenting vote.” Emotions ran high, those attending recalled, with a number of national leaders unashamedly in tears as the vote was achieved.

Florence Landis became the OAGP executive secretary in 1966. In 1973, she became the executive director, and then in 1982, she became the executive vice president.

The Ohio General Practice News has been renamed twice, first in 1967 as Ohio Family Practice News and then again in 1994 to The Ohio Family Physician.

In 1968, the OAGP and the Connecticut Academy of General Practice developed the jointly owned Core Content Review of Family Medicine, an at-home, self-study continuing medical education program designed to prepare family physicians for the board certification exam.

Family practice became a board-certified specialty in 1969; the 20th primary care specialty board to be established in the United States.

Ohio hosted the first Ten State Conference in Cleveland in 1969.

In 1970, OAGP members were required, for the first time ever, to take a board exam to be certified in family medicine.

In September of 1971, in line with the national name change, the OAGP became the Ohio Academy of Family Physicians.

House Bill (HB) 474, a huge legislative win for family medicine in Ohio, required that medical schools and colleges receiving state support (for Ohio that meant all of them) establish family medicine departments to train undergraduate and postgraduate students.

HB 474 specified that the family medicine departments be co-equal with other major clinical departments, headed by a qualified and experienced family physician, and detailed a training program including academic courses, clinical experience, preceptorships, and family medicine residencies in university or other hospital settings.

B. Leslie Huffman, MD, of Maumee, OH, elected AAFP president (1976-77).

In 1984, Wilburn H. Weddington, MD, was elected as the first African American president of the OAFP. The ripple effect this achievement became a beacon of excellence for future generations of minority medical professionals. Dr. Weddington was also the first chair of the OAFP Minority Health Affairs Committee.

In 1984, the OAFP purchased its first word processor used by office staff.

An auxiliary organization for the spouses of OAFP members was established in 1985.

The philanthropic arm of the OAFP, the OAFP Foundation, was established in 1986. The Foundation received 501(c)3 tax exempt status on June 1, 1987. Tom Todd, MD, of Cincinnati led the Foundation as chair for the next decade.

Jady DeGiralomo was hired to succeed Florence Landis as the executive vice president.

Major renovations and an expansion of the headquarters building was completed in 1990.

Glen Aukerman, MD, of Jackson Center, OH, was elected AAFP president (1990-91).

Mary Jo Welker, MD, was the first woman president of the OAFP from 1994-95.

The Family Medicine Political Action Committee (FM-PAC) was established in 1994.

This for-profit organization, designed to create a statewide independent practice association run by family physicians for their patients, was established in 1994 and discontinued in 2000.

Ann Spicer was hired as OAFP executive vice president in 1995.

In 1996, Mark H. Belfer, DO, was the first osteopathic physician elected president of the OAFP.

In 1996, the OAFP held its first ever “Meet Your Legislators Month” in February. Academy members were encouraged to meet face-to-face with their legislators.

In 1996, the OAFP’s first website was launched at the Annual Scientific Assembly. The website was built to increase communication and share news faster with family physicians. The website was redesigned in 2003, 2012, and most recently in 2017.

In 1997, the OAFP published a spiral-bound history of the Academy and family medicine covering years 1948-97.

In 1998, the OAFP celebrated 50 years in existence. At the time, there were seven family medicine departments and 23 residency programs in Ohio.

In 1999, State Representative Dale Van Vyven, chair of the House of Representatives Health, Retirement, and Aging Committee, was presented with the first ever “Friend of Family Medicine” award.

• 2000 AAFP Communications Award for electronic publication (website)
• 2000 AAFP Communications Award for public relations (Family Health Focus)
• 2001 AAFP Communications Award for printed publication (The Ohio Family Physician)
• 2002 AAFP Communications Award for public affairs (handwashing awareness)

The FM-PAC first issued endorsements in Ohio Supreme Court races in 2002 due to Ohio’s professional liability crisis.

In 2004, a mega spring event was held combining the Ohio Family Medicine Symposium on Research and Education, the Family Medicine Interest Group Summit, the Chief Resident Workshop, and Family Medicine Resident/Student Retreat.

In 2006, OAFP leaders participated in first ever AAFP Vote for America’s Health rally in Washington, DC.

The OAFP received its first AAFP Leadership in State Governmental Advocacy Award in 2006. The Academy also received this award in 2011, 2013, 2017, and 2019.

The OAFP held first its Colorectal Cancer Screening Improvement Program and Cessation of Smoking Today program in 2008.

In 2009, the OAFP realigned its 32 local chapters into seven regional chapters around the medical schools in Ohio.

HB 198, Ohio’s medical home legislation, passed the Ohio General Assembly in 2010.  The Law created a patient-centered medical home (PCMH) demonstration pilot project, the PCMH Education Advisory Group, and the Choose Ohio First Primary Care Scholarship Program.

The OAFP created and held the first virtual SAM (now KSA) in 2011.

Published first digital issue of The Ohio Family Physician in 2011.

Thomas Albani, Jr., MD, of Youngstown, OH, was named the 2013 AAFP Family Physician of the Year.

Modernized the headquarters building in 2014.

The OAFP held its first Quality Improvement Summit in 2017, featuring tracts in colorectal cancer screening, breast and cervical cancer, hypertension, and diabetes.

Accepted the 80% by 2018 Award in Los Angeles for colorectal cancer screening efforts.

Surpassed the 5,000-member milestone in 2018.

[caption id="attachment_48791" align="alignleft" width="150"] Ted Wymyslo, MD, FAAFP[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_48793" align="alignright" width="150"] Clint Koenig, MD, MSPH[/caption]

The OAFP has upheld a proud tradition of members serving in state leadership roles, further displaying the significance of the family medicine specialty. From 2011-14, Theodore (Ted) Wymyslo, MD, FAAFP, served as the director of the Ohio Department of Health (ODH). From 2017-19, Clint Koenig, MD, MSPH, served as ODH medical director.

In September 2019, Gary LeRoy, MD, FAAFP, of Dayton, OH, assumed the role of president of the American Academy of Family Physicians, advocating on behalf of family physicians and patients nationwide to inspire positive change in the U.S. healthcare system.

The COVID-19 pandemic, and the resulting quarantine, forced the OAFP staff and leadership to pivot in the face of unprecedented times, but managed to strategize innovative ways to virtually engage members and support their needs on the frontlines of the pandemic. New educational programs that harnessed live streaming and the Zoom virtual conference platform became commonplace. The OAFP’s annual meeting was held virtually for the first time to accommodate Bylaw requirements and to foster much needed member connections.

In May 2020, The American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP) condemned all forms or racism and recognized racism a public health crisis. In partnership with the AAFP, the OAFP created an interactive, virtual program, Building Cultural Intelligence to Breakdown Racism, which provided a space for physicians to reflect on gaps in awareness of cultures, traditions, and ethnicities—encouraging personal improvement. This program was the catalyst for the two-year, virtual member discussion series known as the Health Equity & Social Justice Discussion Club.

On May 27, 2021, OAFP members were featured in a virtual White House conversation on the COVID-19 vaccine rollout. Joining the White House COVID-19 Response Team were Ohio Governor Mike DeWine; OAFP member and Chief Medical Officer for the Ohio Department of Health Bruce Vanderhoff, MD, FAAFP; and OAFP member panelists James Barnes, MD; Kevin Sharrett, MD; and Sarah Sams, MD, FAAFP. Representing the White House were U.S. Surgeon General Vivek H. Murthy, MD; National Vaccinations Coordinator Bechara Choucair, MD; and Center for Disease Control and Prevention Medical Epidemiologist Tara, Jatlaoui, MD.

 

[caption id="attachment_48788" align="alignleft" width="150"] Bruce Vanderhoff, MD[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_48792" align="alignright" width="150"] John Weigand, MD[/caption]

Since 2021, OAFP member Bruce Vanderhoff, MD, has served as the director of the Ohio Department of Health (ODH), alongside OAFP member John Weigand, MD, medical director at ODH and the Ohio Department of Aging.

[caption id="attachment_48786" align="alignleft" width="150"] Ann M. Spicer[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_48787" align="alignright" width="150"] Kate Mahler, CAE[/caption]

Ann M. Spicer retired as Executive Vice President (EVP) on March 31, 2022, after 28 years of dedicated service to the OAFP. On April 1, 2022, Kate Mahler, CAE, assumed the role of EVP, and lead the charge to develop the 2023-26 Strategic Plan with a Workgroup of family physician leaders in partnership with OAFP staff and a contracted facilitator.

On June 24, 2022, the United State Supreme Court overturned Roe V. Wade, the landmark 1973 decision that affirmed the constitutional right to abortion. This decision, as explained by the American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP), directly conflicts with the AAFP’s longstanding policies opposing any governmental interference with the confidential relationship between patient and physician, including those related to criminalizing medical care. Family physicians on both sides of critical healthcare issues can find a patient advocacy home at the OAFP.

The Ohio Academy of Family Physicians celebrates its 75th anniversary in March 2023.

OAFP member Nathaniel Overmire, DO, was appointed Franklin County coroner in January 2023. Dr. Overmire will work with county agencies to address public health challenges, such as the opioid epidemic, COVID-19, and poor mental health. Dr. Overmire took over after the former coroner’s retirement and plans to run for a full term in 2024.