As an osteopathic internist and ACOI leader, commitment to our organization is important.  The ACOI needs a strong infrastructure financially to be able to support its mission.  I am passionate about being an Osteopathic Internist, therefore, it is natural and credible for me to support this organization with my time and finances. 

As for encouraging others to join me by providing additional financial support to ACOI, I would say with the changing landscape in medicine, it is good to have a reputable organization like the ACOI representing us in Washington, DC, offering excellent CME programs, and being there to assist with any needs of the practicing Osteopathic Internist.   The College truly serves as the guardian of the osteopathic internal medicine profession.

We feel it is important to support the ACOI so that the College has the resources to continue providing the programs and services that ACOI members need. We are fortunate that our current income allows us to join many ACOI members in giving back to the College. With the merger of ACGME and AOA, we want to maintain our osteopathic recognition, which we feel is highly dependent on the support of ACOI members. As for continuing our support on a monthly basis as new members of the Sustainers Club, we find this to be an easy way to continue contributing regularly. Key to new and continued support is for ACOI to show how gifts are making a difference.

Financial Support of the ACOI is essential to ensure the continued progression of the College’s mission “To advance Osteopathic Internal Medicine”. With the rapid technological advances in Internal Medicine, our Osteopathic  heritage MUST be interfaced, as technology cannot treat our patients without human/osteopathic Input.

The ACOI is in an exceptional position to advance medical knowledge, professionalism, patient care, and physician excellence. Osteopathic Internists can serve this mission and our patients by involvement in the ACOI committee structure sharing knowledge, professionalism and service.

I have chosen to support the ACOI and the 75th Anniversary Campaign with a commitment of time and, of course, financial support. I hope others will recognize the need for involvement both financially and academically as medicine and science progress with rapid acceleration.

ACOI support was there for me as my practice grew and is there for me now as my teaching and work as a Dean unfolds. To keep programs that support the education and training of osteopathic internists, medical students and residents strong, and to provide for future programs that will shape ACOI for new members, bequest provisions or other estate plan gifts will insure that financial support will be there for our future. I’m glad that when we were drafting our estate plan Jim and I included a provision for ACOI, and hope that every member will consider joining us in doing so.

As a Past President of ACOI, I knew firsthand what the College did for the members. I could see that osteopathic internal medicine had a bright future. Including ACOI in my will allowed me to demonstrate my commitment to the College and its financial security. My annual gifts to the Generational Advancement Fund help ACOI provide support to medical students and residents, which help to advance the next generation of osteopathic internists.”

I know I am considerably younger than others who have included ACOI in their will. Since I was just starting my career, it was my wife who felt we should take advantage of an estate-planning program that ACOI was providing to its members. We wanted to make good financial decisions from the start, and getting free advice seemed like a good way to start. At some point during the process, we were asked if we would consider including ACOI in my will. My wife and I said yes because of what the College has done for me.

I was on the ACOI Board when the College first promoted planned gifts. My wife and I took advantage of the services that the College offered and created our estate plan. We continue to work with a financial advisor that we met at that time.  As a board member, I saw what the College would need in the future to maintain and grow. I saw making a planned gift to help secure ACOI’s future as a way to give back to the profession in addition to my teaching, speaking, and committee involvement.

I support the Generational Advancement Fund (GAF) because it reflects what is important to me – educating the next generation of osteopathic internists. Gifts to the GAF support textbook vouchers for students that attend the annual convention, provide funding to have more ACOI members participate in the Visiting Professor Program, and benefit students and residents. The Visiting Professor Program provides opportunities to promote the importance of the ACOI to potential new members.

I contribute to the ACOI because I want to give back. As for donating my speaker honoraria, it is because I so enjoy speaking and teaching that I don’t see my honoraria as my compensation, but as another way to give back and help the ACOI do what it needs to do. I encourage ACOI members to get involved in the College because I think everyone can make a difference at the ACOI.

My service to ACOI is my way of giving back to the profession. I wouldn’t be where I am today without ACOI since it enabled me to follow paths not allowed in allopathic medicine. Over the years, I have had amazing opportunities to network with members of our profession who are experienced, approachable, and open to new ideas. My giving is another example of giving back. I choose to donate part of my speaker honorariums each year so that ACOI has additional funds to do what is needed.