Message from the COA President
(⛄December 2019)
Dear COA Member:
Happy Holidays! As the year comes to a close your Executive Council is already looking ahead and gearing up for 2020.
In February we’re planning a health policy session with OOA Legislative Chair Jennifer Gwilym, DO, of Athens. She will provide an update on state legislation, talk about how you can get involved, and offer a refresher on writing resolutions.
Which will be just in time for the OOA House of Delegates in April. If you are interested in serving as a delegate or attending as a visitor, let us know. Even sitting in for an hour or so—particularly on the second day—offers an interesting look into the sometimes complicated, sometimes contentious (depending on the topic) policy-making process for our profession.
Speaking of legislation, kudos to our COA members who recently testified at the Ohio Statehouse. Paige Gutheil Henderson, DO, urged legislators to put patient safety first and oppose HB 177 that expands APRN scope of practice, and Shannon Trotter, DO, voiced support for HB 329, which prohibits tanning bed use for minors.
In March, COA will present its awards at the Annual Meeting. Check out the website to read about the awards and see a list of past recipients. If you want to submit a nomination, simply send an email to COA@OhioDO.org.
An evening webinar with experts in medical liability insurance and health care law is also in the works. Next year we’ll again award a $500 prize at the annual Osteopathic Poster Competition & Exhibition. The award, presented for the first time this year, recognizes osteopathically-focused research.
On behalf of the Executive Council, thank you for your membership and continued support. We look forward to seeing you next year!
Sincerely,
Miriam L. Garcellano, DO
President
Save the Dates
February 11 - Health Policy Evening, The Heritage Center at Doctors Hospital
March 16 - Deadline for resolutions
March 24 (to be confirmed) - Annual Meeting & Dinner
April 7 - Resolution Review, Videoconference Call
April 22-26 - Ohio Osteopathic Symposium, Hilton Easton
April 24-25 - OOA House of Delegates, Hilton Easton
Join the COA Leadership Team
Make the most of your membership and become a member of the COA Executive Council. The Council oversees the organization and plans events and activities that support the growth and development of the members as well as the osteopathic medical profession.
The Executive Council consists of President, President-Elect, VP, Secretary-Treasurer, Immediate Past President, State Trustee (who represents the COA on the Ohio Osteopathic Association Board), and three Council Members who each serve a three-year term. There are currently vacancies for Council Member. The election is at the Annual Meeting in March.
It’s not a huge time commitment, as the Council meets about four times annually either in person or by Zoom videoconference.
To volunteer, send an email to COA@OhioDO.org.
