New AOA Strategic Plan shares organization’s priorities from 2021-2026

The AOA’s new five-year Strategic Plan, which outlines the organization’s priorities and goals for 2021 to 2026, is the result of a nine-month virtual collaborative effort.

The AOA’s Strategic Planning Committee worked with early-, mid- and late-career DOs, osteopathic medical students, residents and AOA affiliate and partner organizations to develop a plan that addressed the needs and concerns of many groups within the osteopathic medical profession.

“We really took the whole osteopathic family under this big roof so we could put together a Strategic Plan that worked well for everyone,” says Geraldine O’Shea, DO, an AOA Trustee and the committee’s chair. “Students, residents, DOs, our affiliate partners—it was important that we include their needs and aspirations through this robust planning process.”

“We have a new and revitalized vision for our profession and association. Our plan, generated through the ideas of many, reflects our commitment to that bright future,” says AOA CEO Kevin Klauer, DO, EJD.

The new Strategic Plan will guide the AOA’s work in service of its members and the osteopathic profession for the next five years. Read the full Strategic Plan here (PDF).

Mission, vision statements

Updated mission and vision statements are an important part of the new Strategic Plan.

Mission statement: The AOA is the professional home for osteopathic physicians and students, providing education, board certification and is the champion of the advancement of the distinctive osteopathic profession.

Vision statement: The AOA aspires to be the “North Star” of the osteopathic profession by advancing the interests of osteopathic physicians and students and promoting excellence in patient care consistent with the distinctive osteopathic philosophy.

“Our new mission, defining our daily dedication to our profession and members, more clearly defines who we are, along with our new vision statement, an aspirational statement we will strive to achieve every day,” says AOA President Thomas Ely, DO.

Value statements

The new Strategic Plan includes seven statements that outline the organization’s core values.

• Selfless Service: The AOA exists in service to the profession, its members, current and future osteopathic physicians.
• Integrity: The AOA and its leaders display integrity in action, word, and deed.
• Transparency: The AOA respects those it serves through open communication and transparency.
• Innovation: The AOA strives to build the box, not live within its confines.
• Advocacy: The AOA passionately advocates for the osteopathic profession and the patients our members serve.
• Collaboration: The AOA empowers the osteopathic community through collaboration and common interests with all whom we serve.
• Diversity, Equity and Inclusion: The AOA commits to creating and sustaining a community that promotes and values diversity, equity and inclusion.

“People are looking for an inspirational group to be aligned with,” Dr. O’Shea says. “When they look at joining the AOA, they will see selfless service and be motivated to become part of our greater goals.

“Value is not just being cheaper or more convenient. Value is what your organization stands for at its core.”

Priority objectives

The new Strategic Plan also lists seven priority objectives for the AOA. In alphabetical order, they include:

1. Advocacy
2. Affiliate Relations
3. AOA Board Certification
4. Credibility
5. Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
6. Growth
7. Promotion

The Strategic Plan also outlines specific plans for tracking and reporting on the organization’s progress with each objective, Dr. O’Shea notes. This is to ensure that the plan’s vision is realized.

“We didn’t want this to be a white paper that sits on the shelf,” Dr. O’Shea says. “We made a commitment. If we are going to say that this is what we want to do, we are going to make sure we do it.”