ACOI leadership and staff attended the American Osteopathic Association (AOA) House of Delegates Annual Meeting, held July 18-20 in Chicago. ACOI was involved in several ways, including by hosting a breakfast to support new policies that will help move the field of osteopathic medicine forward. We were honored to be part of this meaningful event and share this time with the osteopathic internal medicine community!
Michael Denike, DO, FACOI, has been nominated to the Blanchard Valley Health System (BVHS) Board of Trustees. BVHS is a not-for-profit connected care network that provides comprehensive healthcare across Northwest Ohio. In the past, Dr. Denike has served as BVHS Vice President of Medical Affairs, as well as Vice President of Medical Staff. Congratulations to Dr. Denike on this honor!
Joseph A. Giaimo, DO, MACOI, FCCP, was recently awarded a Presidential Citation at the AOA House of Delegates Annual Meeting in July. Awarded by the AOA president, this honor recognizes those who have made a significant contribution to the osteopathic profession. A past AOA president and long-serving member of the organization’s Board of Trustees, Dr. Giaimo was honored for his more than 30 years of clinical excellence, leadership, and advocacy. Congratulations, Dr. Giaimo!
Teresa G. Hardesty, DO, FACOI, was recently elected as Third Vice President of the AOA Board of Trustees. Congratulations, Dr. Hardesty!
Virginia Irwin-Scott, DO, MBA, FACOI, has obtained an Educational Certification from the American Board of Artificial Intelligence in Medicine (ABAIM). The ABAIM has become known as the authoritative body for medical AI education and certification. Congratulations, Dr. Irwin-Scott!
Robert Juhasz, DO, MACOI, was honored for over 30 years of supporting the American Osteopathic Foundation (AOF). He was presented with a 30-year pin and certificate for his generosity to the osteopathic medical profession. Congratulations, Dr. Juhasz!
Nathaniel Kesner, DO, FACOI, has started a new position as Clinical Senior Vice President at TeamHealth. TeamHealth is an innovative healthcare industry leader founded and led by physicians that serves 28 million patients. In this role, Dr. Kesner will lead TeamHealth's clinical operations and play an instrumental role in medical staff management. Congratulations to Dr. Kesner on this new opportunity!
Karen Nichols, DO, MACOI, was honored with an AOA Leadership Academy pin, given by AOA President Teresa Hubka, DO, FACOOG (Dist.), CS. The Academy is a highly competitive program that provides skill development opportunities for future leadership roles within the AOA, the osteopathic profession, and beyond. Congratulations to Dr. Nichols on this accomplishment!
Richard Thacker, DO, MACOI, was elected as president-elect of the American Osteopathic Association (AOA). A member of the AOA Board of Trustees and the Treasurer for the AOA Osteopathic Political Action Committee, Dr. Thacker has been heavily involved in a variety of the organization’s committees, including time as Chair of the Departments of Finance, Governmental Affairs, and Membership. He has also served as Co-Chair of the Department of Education; as Chair Committee on Basic Documents, Bureau of State Government Affairs, and Bureau of International Osteopathic Medicine; and as BOT Liaison for the Advocates to the AOA. Congratulations, Dr. Thacker!
Dr. Thacker was also featured in a recent VeryWellHealth article that highlights the rising number of osteopathic physicians in the United States. The article, written by Fran Kritz, notes that those numbers reached nearly 149,000 in 2023, a 30% increase over five years. Dr. Thacker was quoted on the value of osteopathic medicine’s whole-person approach and the benefits of its growth in the U.S. Congratulations to Dr. Thacker!
David Zweiback, DO, was featured in a profile in Celebrate Bluffton and Beyond, a local publication based in Hilton Head, South Carolina. Dr. Zweiback started at Monarch Concierge MD in June, a Hilton Head practice known for its integrative approach to healthcare. The article not only highlights his medical career, but also his passion for music and his experiences performing as a professional musician. Congratulations, Dr. Zweiback!