The AOA’s most tenured staff member retires after 48 years of service

The AOA is bidding farewell to Delores Rodgers, director of continuing medical education (CME) policy and accreditation, who retired on Feb. 4 after over 48 years of dedicated service to the organization.

Prior to her retirement, Rodgers was the AOA’s longest-serving staff member currently employed by the organization. Rodgers first began her journey with the organization in 1976 as an administrator, which led her to become an advocate and manager for osteopathic education, contributing significantly to the growth and success of the AOA CME credit system and AOA Category 1 CME Sponsor accreditation.

“Delores Rodgers was instrumental in successfully growing the AOA’s CME credit system and AOA Category 1 CME Sponsor accreditation,” said AOA President Teresa A. Hubka, DO, FACOOG (Dist.). “She worked tirelessly to help grandfather in many sponsors and oversee the accreditation of hundreds of others during her time at the AOA. We are grateful for all that she has done at the AOA.”

When Rodgers first arrived at the AOA, there was no computerized system, meaning what eventually became the streamlined CME process had to be put together by hand prior to DOs calling in to find out their CME information. Luckily, the process eventually was simplified, as technology advanced and Rodgers and her team continued to uphold the policies and accreditation.

Working with CME sponsors and overseeing CME credit were among Rodgers’ favorite memories when looking back at her career.

“I learned a lot about the profession, individual people and types of physicians this way,” she said. “It has been a privilege to have represented the osteopathic profession during this time, and I feel very fortunate for the experiences I’ve gained and the relationships I’ve built.”

Throughout her time at the AOA, Rodgers oversaw the accreditation of hundreds of AOA CME sponsors. She also spent 16 years serving as the secretary to the AOA Council on CME, and she received an AOA Presidential Citation from Philip L. Shettle, DO, the 109^th president of the AOA, back in 2006. Continuing her success, Rodgers was given the inaugural author/contributor byline for a chapter in “Continuing Medical Education: Looking Back, Planning Ahead,” published in 2011, which includes essays on the history and evolution of CME.

She was also instrumental in assisting with the development of the CME Sponsors Database, conducted the first CME Sponsors Conference and developed modular webinars for adherence to CME sponsors accreditation standards.

“As the AOA’s most tenured staff member, Delores has shown an unwavering commitment to the osteopathic profession over the past 48 years,” said Kathleen Creason, the AOA’s CEO. “We wish her a retirement filled with both adventure and rest, as she so deserves.”

There have been numerous changes and events in health care during Rodgers’ tenure, including the COVID-19 pandemic. Rodgers also witnessed the transition of the AOA’s Journal of the American Osteopathic Association to the Journal of Osteopathic Medicine (JOM), and remembers when the AOA’s current downtown Chicago office on 142 E. Ontario St. became the organization’s headquarters.

As she reflects on all the advancements in the health care industry and the experience she’s gained throughout her career, Rodgers gives her advice for those who will continue in the profession:

“Learn what you can and follow what’s going on pertaining to your position—you want to be able to relate to other individuals and make sure you’re on top of things,” she said. “Your job is what you make it.”

Rodgers stresses her gratitude for all the colleagues who made her feel welcome, and she wishes the AOA continued success and all the best. While she eventually plans on traveling in her retirement, she hopes to do absolutely nothing for her first month of retirement and simply enjoy the free time.

“There is much I will miss, but I am also eager to begin my new role of being retired,” she said. “I’ll get up and go where I want without worry. Serving the AOA has been a privilege, and I’ve enjoyed my time here, but at some point, it’s time to make a change and embrace my freedom.”

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