President's Message
The OOA...It's About Time
by Gilbert M. Rogers, DO, 2008-2009 OOA President
It’s about time, and the past several months have been filled with a variety of activities.
When I attended the graduation of the Oklahoma State University Center for Health Sciences College of Osteopathic Medicine (OSU-CHS COM) class of 2008, I was reminded of what a life changing event it was for me and my classmates way back in 1981. Although these young men and women will continue to learn throughout their lifetime, they will not be devoting near as much time to class work, but will find themselves with some extra time on their hands. What they do with this time is variable.
Some will want to spend it with family, maybe getting to see the kids at ball games or dance recitals that were missed in the past. Others may want to make extra income by moonlighting and relieve themselves of some debt that has accumulated. There are even those that will get involved in civic clubs such as the scouts or Rotary club. I wouldn’t be surprised if some get involved with the Oklahoma Osteopathic Association (OOA). Many students already have shown a deep interest in helping shape the profession by being involved through student government and the Student Osteopathic Medical Association (SOMA). These are some of the people we, as leaders of the OOA, hope will continue our path of service to the osteopathic profession here in Oklahoma.
I was pleased to represent the OOA as a Delegate to the American Osteopathic Association (AOA) House of Delegates meeting held in Chicago, Ill. in July. During the meeting, OOA Delegates reviewed numerous resolutions, witnessed the change of leadership of the AOA, and were engaged in discussions regarding future leadership of the AOA. Delegate chair, David F. Hitzeman, DO, FACOI (certified internal medicine, Tulsa, Okla.) presents a synopsis of the meeting in his House of Delegate report that you will find in the July/August 2008 Oklahoma D.O. Journal.
This summer, the OOA continues to deal with the challenge of various scope of practice issues that have arisen even during the Legislative interim. We will continue to work with the AOA Washington office and seek their guidance and expertise on these issues. Recently the AOA provided a "letter to the editor" for use by all osteopathic associations, throughout the nation, concerning the Doctor of Nursing Professional (DNP) degree being offered by numerous educational institutions around the country and several in states bordering Oklahoma. We were fortunate to have the letter published by The Daily Oklahoman and the Capitol Hill Beacon, bringing the issue to the attention of Oklahomans. In case you missed it, a copy of the letter is on page seven on the July/August 2008 Oklahoma D.O. Journal.
Of utmost importance are the ongoing efforts to seek a long-term solution for the postgraduate training of osteopathic student doctors in Oklahoma. Recently, the OOA Board of Trustees met with the OSU Advisory Board, as well as OSU Systems CEO & president V. Burns Hargis to discuss the seriousness surrounding the osteopathic teaching hospital. The Trustees conveyed to President Hargis the concern for the continuation of the OSU Medical Center and its training program. President Hargis is negotiating with Ardent executives and I will communicate updates as they are received.
During the Monday, Aug. 11, 2008 Orientation Dinner sponsored by SOMA and the OOA, new student doctors were welcomed by OOA executive director Lynette C. McLain and the OOA "Mentor" Program was kicked off. Twenty-one DOs were in attendance to meet their new Mentees. Mentors attending included: Robert L. Archer, DO; Michael K. Cooper, DO; Lora D. Cotton, DO; Scott S. Cyrus, DO; Robin R. Dyer, DO; R. Michael Eimen, DO; Stanley E. Grogg, DO; H. Dwight Hardy II, DO; Duane G. Koehler, DO; Michael E. Lenhart, DO; Beverly J. Mathis, DO; Trudy J. Milner, DO; Thomas H. Osborn Jr., DO; William J. Pettit, DO; Richard R. Polk, DO; James P. Riemer, DO; B. Frank Shaw Jr., DO; Harriet H. Shaw, DO; Ronald S. Stevens, DO; Christopher C. Thurman, DO; and Candy N. Ting, DO.
I applaud each of you who have volunteered to be a part of the OOA’s Mentor Program. On page 27 of the 2008 July/August Oklahoma D.O. Journal, you will find a complete list of the Class of 2012 and the 2008-2009 Bridge Program students, along with their hometowns, as well as OOA mentors.
It was with tremendous pleasure and pride to represent your Association in speaking to the OSU-CHS COM Class of 2012 during the Saturday, Aug. 16, 2008 White Coat Ceremony held at Tulsa Community College - Van Trease Performing Arts Center for Education. This formal ceremony emphasized the true meaning of osteopathic medicine and renewed my commitment to the profession. After each Student Doctor was cloaked with a white coat provided by the OOA, the class of 88 repeated the Osteopathic Medicine Oath of Commitment.
I hope each of you enjoyed the summer and are looking forward to the fall season! On a personal note, Karen and I recently had a wedding in our family and have a new son-in-law. Congratulations to the newlyweds Kimberly and Darrell Ring!