David Tolentino, D.O. (’02), who was elected as president of the Cleveland Academy of Osteopathic Medicine (CAOM) for 2012, seeks to unite osteopathic physicians not only in the Cleveland area but from across Ohio as well.

Tolentino is the vice president of medical staff at St. John Medical Center (SJMC) in Westlake. He also serves as CORE assistant dean and assistant clinical professor of internal medicine at the Ohio University Heritage College of Osteopathic Medicine (OU-HCOM). A practicing internal medicine physician, Tolentino has been a member of the SJMC staff since completing his residency at the hospital in 2005. He graduated from OU-HCOM in 2002.

Tolentino has been a part of CAOM Executive Board since 2005. He has served as secretary/treasurer in 2008 and 2009 and vice president in 2010 and 2011.

Created in the 1920s as a professional association for osteopathic physicians, CAOM continues to follow its original mission to promote and elevate medical education, postgraduate training and research, and encourage mutual understanding between Academy members and public health agencies. With a membership of more than 200 physicians, nearly 300 residents and interns and about 100 students, the Academy is one of 13 districts in Ohio comprising the Ohio Osteopathic Association.

“My goal is to try to make the Cleveland Academy of Osteopathic Medicine an academy for all DOs, regardless of specialty or employer,” said Tolentino. “It should be an academy where we can share ideas and unite in a non-intimidating environment to be able to discuss and address the issues that are affecting the osteopathic profession.”

He is a Fellow of the American College of Osteopathic Internists and both last and this year was named one of Cleveland Magazine’s Best Doctors. In 2007, he received the Jack J. Brill, D.O., Outstanding Physician Award SJMC. In addition to his involvement with CAOM, he has served in various leadership positions with the American Philippine Physicians in Ohio.