More than 500 osteopathic physicians (D.O.s), medical students and guests are expected to attend the 107th Ohio Osteopathic Convention at the Cincinnati Marriott at RiverCenter and Northern Kentucky Convention Center from Thursday, June 23, through Sunday, June 26. The Ohio Osteopathic Association (OOA) sponsors the four-day scientific seminar during which physicians receive continuing medical education credits (CME), recognizing their efforts to stay abreast of advances in the art and science of patient care.

David A. Bitonte, D.O., will be installed as OOA’s 2005-2006 president during the Inaugural Banquet & Awards Ceremony. He succeeds Jeffrey A. Stanley, D.O. (’82), a vascular surgeon from Cleveland. William F. Emlich Jr., D.O. (’86), of Columbus, is convention chair.

OOA President Stanley will present OU-COM Dean Jack Brose, D.O., with a check for $194,170 at a Friday luncheon.

The money is part of the Ohio Osteopathic Foundation (OOF) Loan Challenge Match started a year ago at the 2004 OOA Convention when Brose reported the OU-COM received a $2.6 million award from the federal government to support student loans because of the college’s outstanding record in training primary care physicians. But to qualify for the funding, it was necessary for the College to provide a 1-to-9 dollar match, money OU-COM did not have allocated in its budget.

That's when the OOF Board of Trustees stepped in and pledged to give $1 for every dollar contributed, up to $100,000.

Thanks to the OOF, and contributions from D.O.s across the state, OOA district academies, the Auxiliary, osteopathic hospitals, OU-COM and others, the goal of $289,772 was reached — giving OU-COM students a $2.6 million financial boost, which will support osteopathic medical students entering primary care as well as building the future of osteopathic medicine in Ohio.

“This project shows what can be achieved when the osteopathic community mobilizes to support osteopathic medical education,” says Brose. “Students will benefit for years to come, and OOF can take pride in this accomplishment.”

Convention attendees will hear from a number of experts including Beth M. Vlerick, Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services presidential management fellow, who will provide an update on the much-publicized prescription drug benefit program for seniors that takes effect next year. Other lectures cover a variety of health-care topics including: “New Therapies in COPD,” “The Latest in Thyroid Disease,” “How Low Should LDL Go,” “Cardiovascular Disease in Women,” “Surgical and Non-Surgical Advances in Treating Knee Arthritis,” “Low Back Pain Rehabilitation Techniques” and “An Integrative Approach to Pain Management.” Osteopathic manipulative treatment workshops and Practice Management seminars are also on the schedule.

In addition to the CME sessions, leaders of the state’s osteopathic medical profession will gather during the convention to shape and influence Ohio’s health-care agenda at the OOA House of Delegates. The House of Delegates, the organization’s policy-making body, will consider emerging trends in medicine including childhood obesity, do not resuscitate orders and advance directives, electronic medical records, insurance identification cards for patients, exclusive credentialing, medical errors and formulary medications. Physicians from throughout the state are elected to serve as delegates.

A number of special awards will be presented at the convention.

· The OOA’s highest honor, the Distinguished Service Award, will be given to Harold Thomas, D.O., a family physician practicing in Euclid and Garfield Heights.

· Two physicians, Marie A. Keener, D.O., and Randolphe G. Roulier, D.O., will receive the Trustees Award. The honor, initiated directly by the OOA Board of Trustees, recognizes outstanding contributions to the osteopathic profession in Ohio.

· The family of M. Bridget Wagner, D.O. (’94), will accept the Humanitarian Award. Wagner, who died in a plane crash last year, was active in numerous medical missions and programs providing care in underserved areas throughout the world.

· State Rep. James P. Trakas will receive the Meritorious Service Award, given to an individual who is not an osteopathic physician in recognition of outstanding accomplishments in scientific, philanthropic or other fields of public service. Trakas represents the 17th House District, which encompasses southeast Cuyahoga County.

· Richard A. Vincent, M.B.A., president of the Columbus-based Osteopathic Heritage Foundations, will receive the J.O. Watson, D.O., Memorial Lecture Award. The award is named for one of Ohio’s most respected D.O.s.

· In addition, 14 physicians will receive OOA Life Membership awards for their lifetime commitment to the profession and the association.