Round of applause

Leaders of the American Osteopathic College of Radiology and Louisiana Osteopathic Medical Association receive the 2025 Bob E. Jones, CAE, award

Carol Houston and Grady E. (Ed) Williams, PhD, are recognized for their exemplary leadership and tremendous contributions toward advancing osteopathic medicine.

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The 2025 recipients of the AOA’s Bob E. Jones, CAE, award are Carol Houston, CEO/executive director of the American Osteopathic College of Radiology (AOCR), and Grady E. (Ed) Williams, PhD, executive director of the Louisiana Osteopathic Medical Association (LOMA). Houston and Williams have been recognized for their exemplary leadership and tremendous contributions toward advancing osteopathic medicine.

The award is named in honor of Bob E. Jones, CAE, who served as executive director of the Oklahoma Osteopathic Association from 1969-1999 and whose 30-year leadership of the association resulted in numerous advances for the profession.

Carol Houston

Carol Houston

Houston demonstrates servant leadership, unwavering commitment to the advancement of radiology and the osteopathic profession, innovative and creative thinking and the cultivation of mutually beneficial partnerships. She has served as president of the Society of Osteopathic Specialty Executives (SOSE) in support of specialty executive directors. She has also been instrumental in providing osteopathic medical students with firsthand practice exposure and fostering firsthand learning experiences with DO radiologists, paving the way for future leaders. Houston has worked tirelessly in collaboration with the AOCR Education Foundation to establish travel grants for DO students and residents to attend the AOCR annual convention. She created a new “Member Spotlight” initiative launched by the AOCR Honors and Awards Committee.

Houston has an innovative approach to integrating technology, which has included increasing and enhancing the online presence of the specialty college through AOCR Connect. This community connection platform allows members to exchange ideas and information easily. She has also implemented student and resident mentoring forums, as well as shadowing opportunities, to introduce the next generation to the field of radiology. She is developing a mobile app with AOCR staff that will provide students, residents and members with easier access to learning opportunities, fostering a sense of unity and collaboration within the osteopathic radiology community.

Houston established a Membership Model Task Force to evaluate how to offer a more compelling value proposition to AOCR members. The resulting proposal included a tiered membership with a subscription plan. Revised criteria for becoming a fellow of the AOCR were also created by Houston, allowing for an alternate pathway focused on service directly to the AOCR. This revised criteria led to a renewed interest and a 400% increase in applications. She is a visionary and an exceptional leader whose commitment to excellence and innovation continues to inspire those around her.

Her passion for advancing the field of osteopathic radiology and her dedication to supporting students, residents and professionals make her an outstanding leader. Her efforts have not only benefited AOCR, but have also created lasting impacts that will shape the future of osteopathic radiology and osteopathic medicine for generations to come. Houston’s commitment to excellence and innovation is an inspiration to everyone around her.

Grady E. (Ed) Williams, PhD

Grady E. (Ed) Williams, PhD

Williams has served the osteopathic profession for 50 years. His contributions to the osteopathic profession date back to 1976, when he began teaching, mentoring and fostering the acceptance of hundreds of students into osteopathic colleges. He received an AOA Presidential Citation in 2019 for his service and support of the osteopathic community. He has served as executive director for both the Mississippi and Louisiana state associations and currently leads the Louisiana Osteopathic Medical Association. Williams has played a significant role in the Association of Osteopathic State Executive Directors (AOSED), offering expertise and wisdom to countless executive directors over the years. He passionately advocates for the profession, physicians and his members with enthusiasm. He has also served as a mentor for medical students and premeds, influencing countless students in their decision to pursue osteopathic medicine as a career. In 2004, as the executive director of LOMA, Williams spearheaded efforts to reform licensure for DOs.

Through collaboration with knowledgeable DOs and osteopathically aware MDs on the Louisiana State Board of Medical Examiners (LSBME), he helped establish parity between the COMLEX-USA and USMLE, as well as between the AOA and ABMS boards. These changes were unanimously approved by LSBME in January 2005, ending licensure discrimination. The impact of this reform was transformative. It increased the number of licensed DOs in Louisiana from 160 in 2005 to significantly higher numbers today, addressing barriers to residency and employment opportunities. Many DOs, previously forced to work in bordering states, can now practice within Louisiana.

This shift also encouraged medical facilities to revise their hiring practices and open residency training programs to DO graduates. Williams played a pivotal role in guiding students toward osteopathic careers, and with the establishment of VCOM-Louisiana, he actively referred applicants to the institution. The 2024 graduation of VCOM-Louisiana’s first class of osteopathic physicians marked a historic milestone in addressing Louisiana’s health care access challenges.

Williams’ work has not only enhanced licensure and practice opportunities for DOs in Louisiana, but has also contributed to broader osteopathic advocacy. His efforts continue to address health care disparities and promote equitable access to medical care.

Recognition

The AOA will present the Bob E. Jones, CAE, award to Houston and Williams during the annual AOA House of Delegates meeting on July 19, 2025.

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