RVU president honored for his leadership in medical education

Some people spend their retirement pursuing hobbies or going on trips. Clinton E. Adams, DO, has devoted his retirement from the military to improving osteopathic medical education. The American Osteopathic Association honored Dr. Adams for his work with a Distinguished Service Award.

The award, the AOA’s highest honor, recognizes leaders of the osteopathic medical profession who have made outstanding accomplishments and contributions in the advancement of osteopathic medicine, education or other fields of public service.

As the president of the Rocky Vista University (RVU) in Parker, Colorado, Dr. Adams is leading the university’s health sciences expansion. RVU is adding new health science programs at its campus in Parker and creating an additional location for its osteopathic medical school in Ivins, Utah. Dr. Adams also serves on the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education Board of Directors, which is helping guide the transition to a single graduate medical education accreditation system.

Prior to joining RVU, Dr. Adams served in various leadership capacities at the Western University of Health Sciences, including vice president of clinical affairs and dean of the College of Osteopathic Medicine of the Pacific (WesternU/COMP) in Pomona, California. A past president of the Association of the Military Osteopathic Physicians and Surgeons, Dr. Adams was in the U.S. Navy for many years and advanced to the rank of rear admiral.

“Following a successful military career, Dr. Adams chose to devote the next phase of his life to advocating for the advancement of osteopathic medical education. His leadership throughout the transition to a single accreditation system will be invaluable to future generations of osteopathic physicians,” says AOA President Boyd R. Buser, DO.

The award was presented during the AOA’s OMED 2016 in Anaheim, California.