by Kirsten Brown

OU-COM will welcome the president of Ohio Osteopathic Association (OOA) and its executive director Wednesday, May 3. President David A. Bitonte, D.O., and Executive Director Jon F. Wills will make a presentation covering issues relevant to the future of the osteopathic profession, with a question and answer session, from noon to 1 p.m. in Irvine 194. Their visit is sponsored by Student Government.

Bitonte also currently serves as medical director for Ohio KePRO, which serves 1.8 million beneficiaries as the Medicare quality improvement organization for Ohio. He also is an American Osteopathic Association Health Policy Fellow. Besides his present presidential position, Bitonte also has acted as a past president for the American Osteopathic College of Anesthesiologists, the Akron-Canton Academy of Osteopathic Medicine and the Stark County Medical Society. In the past, Bitonte held the position as chief of anesthesiology at Alliance Community Hospital.

Last week, Bitonte and Wills visited Washington, D.C., to take part in D.O. Day on Capitol Hill. There, they joined with hundreds of osteopathic physicians from Ohio and the nation to discuss existing and future public policy that affects the medical profession with U.S. Congressmen.

“D.O. Day on Capitol Hill provided our students the opportunity to be osteopathic advocates by meeting with members of Congress to discuss issues important to the profession,” Bitonte says. “D.O.s and osteopathic medical students were able to provide expertise to those who develop public policy impacting the health care of all Americans.”

A group of OU-COM students, including first-year student Rebecca Teagarden, joined Bitonte and Wills in Washington. Wills and Bitonte will reunite with students for breakfast at 8:45 a.m. in Grosvenor West 111. At 10:30 a.m., the two guests will take a tour of OU-COM with Jill Harman and meet with Dean Jack Brose, D.O.

“I have learned that Dr. Bitonte is a very active participant in the osteopathic and larger medical community. For example, I had the privilege of being in a discussion with a number of students and physicians, which included Dr. Bitonte, and an aide for Sen. George Voinovich. During this meeting, Dr. Bitonte was quick to voice very knowledgeable and substantive opinions on issues such as access to care, reform of the current student loan situation, Medicare reimbursement, etc.,” says Teagarden.

“We look forward to having everyone join Student Government in welcoming Dr. Bitonte and Mr. Wills during the lunch hour and throughout the day.

“Additionally, being able to show off the recent improvements to OU-COM and the caliber of students currently here are reasons for all who have been involved in the planning and carrying out of this visit to be excited.” 

Over the years, it has become a tradition for OOA presidents to visit OU-COM, Bitonte says.

“It’s a pleasure working with the students,” he says.

Students can find more information on the OOA available at its web site.