Hello Advocates!

It was great seeing so many of you at our annual HOD in Orlando a couple weeks ago. We had a great weekend of connection, advocacy and focusing on mental health. We held our Family Fun event, SAA pizza night, HOD, Installation Reception, SAA Workshop and Fun Run! We had a very full weekend! 

I am looking forward to another year of advocating with action, with an emphasis on building and strengthening relationships. I would like to meet with our affiliate partners on a quarterly basis, our SAA Presidents more regularly, and look forward to continuing to work alongside the AOA BOT. As a board, we will be working on updating our strategic plan, helping our SAA groups while talking with other COMS about starting new chapters, and will continue to advocate for the Osteopathic profession in every step of the journey. As always, we would not be able to DO what we DO without your support and commitment. If you have any questions, or are interested in being a part of a committee this year, please reach out and let me know.

Megan Maples

Advocates for the AOA President

OMED 2023

This year OMED was in Disney October 5-8, 2023. What a great time we all had! Thursday night, some of the Board went to Disney and some went for dinner. Friday we worked our booth during the day and at night, some had a pizza party with the SAA members who could attend in person and the Executive Board went to the AOF Gala and helped out.

House of Delegates

Saturday, was our House of Delegates meeting. Dr. Monka, AOA President, stopped by and gave a speech, thank you Dr. Monka for supporting the Advocates and coming to our meeting! Also, from the AOA BOT, Dr. Hauler, who is our new Liaison, came by so we could meet her and she jumped right in to provide support and assistance to us. We are so excited to work with her this year! We would like to thank Dr. Kowalski for his support as our liaison last year. During this meeting, we heard from our state affiliates, our SAA chapters, our committees, awarded Special Project Grants, and elected new officers. Thank you to Shane Halvorsen, Past President, Matt Romero, and Stephanie Hall-Campos. both Directors, for your service!

Advocates President’s Reception

After a successful House of Delegates Saturday morning, led by then President, Lori Hildebrand, it was time to celebrate our new President, Megan Maples and her incoming Board. Dr. Monka was so kind to come again and say some lovely words, Dr. Craig Maples, Megan’s husband, flew into town to introduce his wife, Linda Karen-Garza, Past Advocates President, swore in the new officers, and Megan gave a personal story and set the stage for this coming year. We were also lucky to have so many AOA BOT’s there as well as the new CEO Kathleen Creason. Thank you to everyone who came to the reception.

Fun Run

On Sunday morning we held our annual Fun Run around the Swan and Dolphin Resort. We had a fantastic event of about 100 people who wanted to walk/run this event. We raised over $22,000 from our sponsors that will go directly to our Special Projects fund! We give a BIG thank you to everyone who made the 2023 A.T. Still Fit for Life Fun Run possible, including: Our honorary chairs, Dr. Joseph Giaimo and Shannon Giaimo, the members of the AOA board who attended and participated in the event, the AAOA board, including our executive director, Tamara Collum, previous advisor, Dr. Kowalski, and new advisor, Dr. Hauler, our 2023 sponsors: The AOA, New York Institute of Technology College of Osteopathic Medicine, Pennsylvania Osteopathic Medical Association, Michigan State University College of Osteopathic Medicine, NBOME, University of the Incarnate Word School of Osteopathic Medicine, Rowan-Virtua School of Osteopathic Medicine, Dr. Giaimo, Team Lally, Midwestern University, Advocates for the Pennsylvania Osteopathic Medical Association, Florida Osteopathic Medical Association, New Jersey Association of Osteopathic Physicians and Surgeons, and Advocates for the Florida Osteopathic Medical Association, and the participants!

SAA Workshop at OMED

Sunday we had a Workshop brunch for the SAAs at the Terralina Restaurant in Disney Springs. This workshop is a joint event with the AACOFP. Thank you so much for always being supportive and a sponsor!This year’s focus was on Mental Health. As we have been able to solidify our new partnership with NAMI, we had Freddy Morello from NAMI Orlando come and present. He gave a fantastic presentation and workshop that was powerful, full of information and resources. This has been recorded and a link will be posted on our website for anyone to view and use as a resource. Thank you NAMI!

Holiday Hug Award

The Advocates for the AOA, in partnership with the American Osteopathic Foundation (AOF), created the “Holiday Hug” Grant in 2020 to help two medical students or current residents with year-end expenses.   Expenses relating to residency programs and/or medical school can be particularly challenging around year-end Holidays for those who have children to support. Recognizing this, the Advocates of AOA have created a fund to provide assistance to those truly in need.  With the mission of supporting osteopathic medicine, it is our hope that this grant can support you and your family. This year’s recipients are Jessica Bennett and Madeleine Karpuik, Congratulations!

Upcoming Events and Due Dates

As a member, you are always welcome at any event and from time to time your vote will be needed!

All event dates will go out in the next newsletter.

The AAOA has continued to grow and evolve over the past several years. We are grounded in our roots and continue our mission: supporting and promoting the Osteopathic profession while creating a strong, close network of people who are passionate about advocating for it with action. We thank you for your continued membership and support. We are looking forward to continuing to grow and support our osteopathic family.

Advocates of the AOA Board of Directors