by Tara Beverly

Recently, OU-COM received a $10,000 check from the American College of Osteopathic Family Physicians (ACOFP) to support the Family Health^® radio program. The presentation of the check was a continuation of the ACOFP’s support for the program.

Don Bilski, Family Health^® producer, is very excited about the $10,000 grant.

“The ACOFP and Family Health^® is a pertinent partnership,” says Bilski. “Our mission, along with the ACOFP, is to promote osteopathic medicine through educational outreach. We are very happy with our long running relationship with the ACOFP.”

The ACOFP has supported Family Health^® in previous years, giving grants in 2002 and 2003. Before that, ACOFP funded the program in 1993, 1994 and 1995.

Family Health^®, a daily series of 2-and-a-half minute radio programs, is heard by an estimated 12 million people each day. This figure includes the listeners of nearly 250 radio stations in the United States, foreign countries and the audience of the U.S. Armed Forces Radio Network. All of stations receive the program monthly, free of charge, on compact disc. The program provides practical, easy-to-understand information on common health problems and the latest health-care developments.

“We want to give a special thanks to Dr. Paul Martin for really pushing for this and making the grant possible,” says Bilski.

Paul Martin, D.O., past president of the Ohio Osteopathic Association, was pleased to help and was instrumental in ACOFP’s decision to continue its grants to Family Health^® radio.

“OU-COM’s Family Health^® radio series is the most efficient and cost effective way for ACOFP to send the message of osteopathic medicine not only in Ohio but across the continental United States and to the military in foreign countries,” says Martin.

John Brose, D.O., dean of OU-COM, was also very thankful to ACOFP for the grant.

“This program reaches more people on a daily basis than any other osteopathic public relations effort. Such a large undertaking requires a great deal of outside support and gifts like that of ACOFP’s are critical to keeping this vital health-care program on the air,” says Brose.

Family Health^® also received a $50,000 grant from the American Osteopathic Association.