Ohio Academy of Family Physicians Celebrates 70th Anniversary

August 27, 2018

Contact:
Morgan Pelt
Communications Manager
614.914.5627

The Ohio Academy of Family Physicians (OAFP) is proud to announce its 70-year anniversary. Originally founded as the Ohio Academy of General Practice, the OAFP was created to maintain the highest-quality standards for family physicians who were providing comprehensive health care to the public. Ohio was among the first, and still is today, one of the largest and strongest chapters of the American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP).

“The OAFP was founded after World War II when family physicians returned to their practices and found they were losing hospital privileges to perform procedures they had done before,” said Stan Anderson, MD, president of the OAFP. “During the war, health care was becoming more specialized and family physicians needed a professional association that could protect their rights.”

To date, the mission of the OAFP is to improve the health of patients by advocating for and advancing the specialty of family medicine and providing valuable solutions to the diverse needs of its members.

“Every member who joins the OAFP brings a unique experience for why they chose family medicine,” said Ann Spicer, executive vice president of the OAFP. “From the aspiring medical student who hopes to one day open their own practice to the experienced family physician paving the way, we are excited to be celebrating such a historical milestone for our organization.”

Recently, the OAFP held its annual meeting, the Family Medicine Celebration, at The Grand Event Center, in Columbus, OH, bringing together more than 150 family physician, family medicine resident, and medical student members from across the state.

Participants were provided trainings and presentations by Dan Diamond, MD; Gary LeRoy, MD, FAAFP; Ramona Peel, MA, of Equitas Health; Ohio gubernatorial candidate Richard Cordray (D); Ohio lieutenant gubernatorial candidate Secretary of State Jon Husted (R); Ohio Supreme Court candidates – Judge Melody Stewart, Judge Mike Donnelly, Justice Mary DeGenaro, and Judge Craig Baldwin; Stephanie Abel, PharmD, BCPS, of the Ohio Medical Marijuana Advisory Committee; and Kimberly C. Anderson, Esq., chief legal counsel for the State Medical Board of Ohio.

The event also held an awards dinner that honored the following for their contributions to family medicine:
  • Jonathan Diller, MD, of Fremont, was recognized as the 2018 Family Physician of the Year
  • Michael Raddock, MD, of Cleveland, was recognized as the 2018 Family Medicine Educator of the Year
  • Assim AlAbdulKader, MD, of Cleveland, was honored with the 2018 Resident Leadership Award
  • Jaividhya Dasarathy, MD, of Cleveland, was honored with the OAFP Foundation’s 2018 Family Physician Mentorship Award
  • Cheryl Grossman was honored with the 2018 Friend of Family Medicine Award
  • Ryan Kauffman, MD, of Bellefontaine, was honored with the 2018 Torchlight Leadership Award.

To celebrate the 70th anniversary, the OAFP has launched a year-long campaign highlighting the past, present, and future of family medicine through storytelling, social media, digital and print publications, community service, and much more.

As the OAFP’s membership continues to grow, the organization has focused on strategic ways to provide quality services, education, and events to its members through topics including population health, overcoming administrative burdens, and physician wellness.

For more details about the OAFP and its 70th anniversary, visit the Cheers to 70 Years webpage or call 800.742.7327.

The Ohio Academy of Family Physicians is a statewide professional association with more than 4,900 members, including practicing physicians, family medicine residents, and medical students. The scope of family medicine encompasses all ages, both sexes, and every disease entity. Family physicians provide comprehensive, continuing care to all members of the family.

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Editor’s Note
The OAFP held its annual meeting August 18, celebrating 70 years of leading, advocating, and advancing family medicine. Pictures available upon request.