Leaders in the osteopathic profession honored at the AOA’s 2024 House of Delegates meeting

From July 19-21, 2024, the osteopathic medical profession converged in Chicago for the AOA’s annual House of Delegates meeting. Each year, the notable and inspiring contributions of exceptional DOs, researchers and affiliate leaders are recognized during this meeting. The following is a list of this year’s award winners along with a short description of their admirable work.

Bob E. Jones, CAE, Award

Established in 2001, the Bob E. Jones, CAE, Award recognizes outstanding state and specialty executive directors who regularly contribute to both the AOA and the osteopathic profession as a whole.

This year’s recipients are Diana Ewert, MPA, CAE, and Bob Moore, MA, MS, CAE.

Diana Ewert, MPA, CAE, has served the osteopathic medical profession through various leadership roles over the past 15 years. Most recently, Ewert served as CEO and chief staff officer of the Pennsylvania Osteopathic Medical Association (POMA) for seven years before her retirement in June. Under Ewert’s leadership, POMA achieved accreditation status for both AOA and ACCME continuing medical education programs, launched a podcast series, managed a robust grant funding program and received the AOA’s Outstanding Affiliate Award.

Bob Moore, MA, MS, CAE, is the executive director of the American College of Osteopathic Family Physicians (ACOFP). Throughout his tenure with the ACOFP, Moore has staunchly championed osteopathic family medicine and worked to strengthen the education, resources and support available to osteopathic family physicians. Moore led the development of the ACOFP Foundation’s “Forging Our Osteopathic Future” campaign, which produces grant funding for medical residents pursuing AOA board certification through the American Osteopathic Board of Family Physicians (AOBFP). Since 2020, this campaign has awarded more than $400,000 to nearly 300 family medicine residents.

Distinguished Service Award

The Distinguished Service Award is the AOA’s highest honor. Awarded annually to deserving physicians or lay individuals, the Distinguished Service Award recognizes outstanding accomplishments in advancing the science and art of osteopathic medicine, education, philanthropy or other fields of public service.

This year’s recipient is Terrie Taylor, DO. Dr. Taylor is an internationally recognized osteopathic physician and researcher. She is a Michigan State University (MSU) Foundation Professor and University Distinguished Professor in MSU’s College of Osteopathic Medicine who has spent nearly four decades waging an ongoing battle against the devastating impacts of malaria.

For six months out of the year, Dr. Taylor works in Malawi, where she conducts malaria research and provides patient care. Though the search for a cure for malaria continues, Dr. Taylor’s work has made a lasting impression on the study of malaria and has contributed to treatments that can help save millions of lives.

Presidential Citations

Each year, the AOA president recognizes those who have made a significant contribution to the osteopathic medical profession. This year, the following individuals will be recognized:

• Michael Antolini, DO, an osteopathic family physician who has focused his career on providing much-needed medical care for patients in rural and underserved West Virginia. During the past year, Dr. Antolini has played a pivotal role in advocating for the distinctiveness of osteopathic medicine. He testified in opposition to a Senate bill that proposed eliminating the state’s osteopathic licensing board and transferring the regulation of DOs to the allopathic medical board. Thanks in part to Dr. Antolini’s testimony and advocacy by the AOA, the West Virginia governor vetoed the bill.

• Bruce A. Aronwald, DO, who has dedicated his career as an osteopathic physician to providing patients in northwest New Jersey with whole-person care focused on treating the body, mind and spirit. Dr. Aronwald currently serves as the president of Morristown Medical Group and chairman of Healsa Partner Medicine. Through these leadership roles, Dr. Aronwald has provided personalized, accessible and high-quality osteopathic care to thousands of patients. Additionally, Dr. Aronwald also currently serves as physician to former U.S. President Donald Trump.

• AOA Past President Martin S. Levine, DO (2011-2012), who has been one of the profession’s foremost advocates for osteopathic graduate medical education, training, research and patient care throughout his own illustrious career as an osteopathic physician. Through serving in key leadership positions, including president of the AOA and president of the American Osteopathic Foundation Board, Dr. Levine has helped guide the profession forward. Over the course of his 40-year career, Dr. Levine has seized every opportunity to advance the distinctiveness of osteopathic medicine.

• Esti Monka, a representative of all the spouses, partners and loved ones who provide critical support for AOA leaders who devote an abundance of time, travel and dedication for the benefit of the osteopathic medical profession. Mrs. Monka, the wife of AOA treasurer and immediate past president Ira P. Monka, DO, was described as a “pillar of strength and encouragement,” and the rock of the Monka family, for Dr. Monka and their three children. Mrs. Monka’s continued support and dedication to the osteopathic profession exemplify the crucial role of family support in the success of the AOA and its leaders.

• Kevin O’Connor, DO, a decorated military physician who served for 22 years in the U.S. Army and has dedicated 15 years to caring for our nation’s chief leaders as a key member of the White House Medical Unit (WHMU) serving under multiple administrations. Dr. O’Connor first served as a physician in the White House during the George W. Bush administration for three years, subsequently becoming then-Vice President Joe Biden’s physician and, in 2021, Physician to the President.

• Kiran C. Patel, MD, and Pallavi Patel, MD, two individuals who have demonstrated extraordinary generosity for the benefit of osteopathic medical education and the future of the osteopathic profession. Through philanthropic gifts, the Patels have played pivotal roles in establishing Nova Southeastern University Kiran C. Patel College of Osteopathic Medicine (NSU-KPCOM) in Fort Lauderdale, as well as the college’s Clearwater location, and the Orlando College of Osteopathic Medicine (OCOM).

• Lt. Gen. Douglas J. Robb, DO, who has ascended the highest ranks of military medicine, ultimately becoming the first director of the Defense Health Agency, which is charged by the U.S. Department of Defense with ensuring that the U.S. Army, Navy and Air Force medical services provide a medically ready workforce. Dr. Robb has had a 36-year career as an osteopathic physician, during which he has valiantly served our country, the osteopathic profession and military medicine.

To learn more about the annual awards and House of Delegates meeting, please visit the AOA’s website.