To support programs and services that promote Osteopathic medicine and enhance patientcentered care.
OUR VALUES
Stewardship: We are committed to strengthening our internal capacity in an effort to raise philanthropic capital.
Collaborative Leadership: We advance our mission by investing in the future of Osteopathic medicine through strategic partnerships that align with improving patient-centered care.
Excellence: We recognize and honor excellence in education, research, and lifetime contributions to the Osteopathic profession.
OUR VISION
To be the leading philanthropic advocate of Osteopathic medicine.
DIRECTORS
Shereece Dove, OMS II
Jeffrey S. Grove, DO, FACOFP dist., Past President
Jeff Heatherington, LHD (hon.)*
John J. Kowalczyk, DO, FACOS
Athena Masi Loiacono, OMS IV, SOMAF*
Wendy McDonald, RN
Kris T. Nicholoff*
Sonia Rivera-Martinez, DO, FACOFP
Barbara Ross-Lee, DO, FACOFP, Past President
Linda C. Saulnier
Shane Sergent, DO*
Sonbol Shahid-Salles, DO, MPH
Tom Wallace*
* To the Directors who concluded their service with the Foundation on December 31, 2024, thank you for your commitment and dedication, and for your continued support of the Osteopathic profession.
The American Osteopathic Foundation was awarded a Platinum Seal of Transparency in 2024 from Candid (a merger of Guide Star and Foundation Center). The official seal recognizes philanthropic organizations that demonstrate a deep commitment to transparency, accountability, and inclusivity, and that operate from a position of strong financial health. Platinum is the highest Seal of Transparency awarded by Candid.
A Message from Our President and President-Elect 3
Seventy-Five Years of Impact!
The American Osteopathic Foundation (AOF) has been traveling alongside the profession’s 150-year journey for seventy-five years, serving as a reservoir of selfcare for the Osteopathic community. The Foundation’s impacts have an outsized ripple effect on the well-being of our students, residents, physicians, and, above all, the health of our patients, our nation, and beyond.
This year, thanks to the generosity of so many donors, the AOF raised an unprecedented amount to fund our mission. These gifts allow the Foundation to accelerate its impact on the profession in body, mind, and spirit, and Elevate Osteopathic Excellence :
For the body, the AOF supports programs that open doors for Osteopathic physicians, residents, and students to provide healthcare for people in need, both domestically and internationally.
For the mind , the AOF offers educational scholarships to support medical students who excel academically, demonstrate significant financial need, or provide exceptional service to their community. The Foundation also awards seed grants for Osteopathic research; this year doubling its investment to open additional pathways for discovery.
For the spirit , the Foundation honors those who elevate the profession, move the field forward, and assist others in their time of need. The AOF helps to create a community of people who celebrate our profession and take joy in the work that we do. We know from our research that our family members feel a great sense of strength having received an AOF award.
The AOF continues to recognize individuals at each stage of their Osteopathic journey, as described in the pages of this report. The Foundation’s diversity and inclusion initiatives have grown over the past 20 years, enabling AOF to support, empower, and embrace differences among us. And, finally, in a year filled with so many natural disasters across the country, our hearts were full when the Foundation provided emergency relief to physicians impacted during these difficult times.
Thanks to our generous donors, our volunteer reviewers, our partners across the profession, our strategically focused Board, our hardworking staff, and our visionary CEO, the Foundation is poised to continue supporting Osteopathic Medicine for the next 75 years and beyond.
Thank you for the opportunity to contribute to the history of the Osteopathic field. We have been proud to serve as the President and President-Elect of the American Osteopathic Foundation during its 75th Anniversary.
Sincerely,
Joseph Zammuto, DO President, 2024
Scott Cyrus, DO President-Elect
A Message from Our CEO
Rita
Castonguay Forden
Chief Executive Officer
Elevating Osteopathic Excellence in All That We DO
What a special time to be part of the profession! I am honored to be part of the American Osteopathic Foundation during its 75th year and during the 150 th year of the Osteopathic profession. This report was specially crafted to share the joy of our successes with our family and friends.
For 75 years, the Foundation has been “on the road” of continuous growth and notably, exponential growth within the last decade. This 2024 Annual Report features a map that illustrates how the AOF impacts and supports individuals throughout their Osteopathic journeys. It also highlights stories that show how, through your support, the Foundation was able to elevate students, professionals, and organizations in 2024.
We hope this map provides a glimpse of where and how your gifts support Osteopathic scholarships, community and international service, research, and professional recognition. And we hope you enjoy learning about your colleagues within these pages.
Being a witness to history is a privilege. What adds to the Foundation’s historic 75th year achievement is that our Board and staff used this time to prepare for one of the largest-scale initiatives the AOF will undertake: preparing for a campaign to raise $20 million. For a sneak-peek, turn to page 31 to learn more about opportunities on how you can join the AOF in achieving this next milestone in Elevating Osteopathic Excellence.
Sincerely,
AMERICAN OSTEOPATHIC FOUNDATION STAFF
Rita Forden Chief Executive Officer
Richard Blair
Chief Financial Officer
Mary Lee James Foundation Associate
Julie Jung
Director of Marketing and Mission Communications
Joyce Mallman Law
Campaign Director
Scott Park
Major and Planned Gifts Officer
Terry Sanders
Director of Development
Tiffanie Tabrizi
Director of Programs, Scholarships, and Awards
Amanda Wagner
Executive Coordinator
Contact us: 312.202.8234 | aof.org
Multiplying Our Mission Through Five Impact Areas
1. We Inspire and Empower Through Education Scholarships help defray the costs of medical school and recognize outstanding student physicians who are already making a lasting impact in the profession.
2. We Lift Up Communities Through Community Service
Grants provide support for Osteopathic Medicine in local communities with a goal of delivering accessible care in rural and underserved communities.
3. We Promote Discovery Through Research
The Foundation’s focus on scholarly research is growing rapidly as the Osteopathic community continues to fund innovative research through grants that will impact the course of modern medicine.
4. We Bridge the International Divide Through Humanitarian Outreach
International Travel Grants provide funding for members of the Osteopathic profession to travel to underserved, underdeveloped, or disaster-stricken areas to provide medical care to people with extreme need.
5. We Celebrate Outstanding Efforts Through Recognition
The American Osteopathic Foundation celebrates excellence, inspiration, and influential contributions in the profession through its distinctive national recognition awards.
Elevating Excellence in Osteopathic Medicine for Over 75 Years
For over 75 years, the American Osteopathic Foundation (AOF) has been working alongside leaders who have elevated excellence in Osteopathic medicine. Today, the Foundation proudly collaborates with the next generation of leaders to serve the profession through our five impact areas, also designated as our five funding priorities: educational scholarships, community service, scholarly research, international humanitarian outreach, and professional recognition. We are advancing our mission to invest in the future of the profession by supporting programs and services that promote Osteopathic medicine and enhance patient-centered care.
The AOF has grown over 75 years to:
From our inception in 1949, the AOF has been committed to elevating excellence in Osteopathic medicine by supporting students, physicians, and scholarly researchers.
The History of the Foundation:
1874: The field of Osteopathic Medicine is established
1949: Incorporated as The Osteopathic Foundation through a resolution passed during HOD
1959: Celebrated a decade of providing financing and managing student loans
1960: To communicate its depth and breadth, the Foundation’s name was changed to National Osteopathic Foundation
1964: Sterling K. Welch, DO, bequeaths $114,000 to the Foundation, transforming the Foundation’s funding initiatives
1990: Professional recognition programs established
1993: An award to honor spouses of graduating Osteopathic medical students established
1997: AOF’s Educator of the Year Award established
1999: To celebrate its 50th year and to realign more closely with the American Osteopathic Association (AOA), the Foundation changes its name to the American Osteopathic Foundation
2000: AOF increased its DEI efforts and awards the first William G. Anderson, DO, Minority Scholarship
2005: Bequests from Julian and Esther Rossnick further transform the Foundation’s funding platform to include international partnerships with Osteopathic COMs and SOMs across the country
Steady growth of award recipients since 1949 AOF Scholarships and Grants
Total Dollars Distributed (in thousands) by Year
The Foundation provided loans to Osteopathic medical students Year AOF changed its name
Over the years, we’ve had the privilege to watch our investment in the profession grow, ensuring a more human-centered future of healthcare. 1949
2006: AOF Lifetime Achievement Award established
2007: AOF introduces its fourth funding pillar, Community Service
2008: AOF introduces its fifth funding pillar, International Medical Outreach
2009: AOF Physician of the Year Award established
2013: AOF’s first funded scholarship from a living donor was established, the Karen J. Nichols, DO, LEAD Scholarship
2014: AOF established an Osteopathic Fellowship at the National Academy of Medicine in partnership with the AOA and AACOM
2019: First million-dollar gift from a living donor was received to support minority scholarships
2019: All outstanding AOF student loans forgiven
2021: One million-dollar gift received to launch AOF’s LGBTQ+ Health Equity and Inclusion Initiative
2021: The SOMA Foundation requests to transition under the auspices of the AOF
2023: DOCARE establishes endowment to protect and grow their assets
2024: The American Osteopathic Foundation launches an Impact Study to help celebrate its 75th Anniversary Year
The American Osteopathic Foundation is with you throughout your Osteopathic career
Illustrated are eleven of our grants, scholarships and awards and how they map across an Osteopathic career trajectory. Each award includes a year or range of years when an individual can apply or be nominated for an award. Individuals representing these awards are featured in this report. A full list of our awards appears on the next spread.
The AOF is the only national 501c3 charitable Osteopathic foundation that supports and invests in the whole profession by recognizing Osteopathic students, residents, fellows, physicians, and faculty across the United States, as well as abroad.
Over the past seventy-five years, the Foundation evolved from granting loans to medical students to providing thousands of grants, scholarships, and awards to members of the Osteopathic community across their career trajectories. Seventy-five percent of all revenues are expended toward educational scholarships.
Five Pillars Key
Educational Scholarships
Community Service
International
Research
Professional Recognition
Welch Scholarships (OMS I, II, III)
Lifetime of Work
Lifetime Achievement Award
Anderson Minority Scholarships (OMS III, IV)
Presidential Memorial Leadership Scholarship (OMS IV)
Educator of theYear Award
(Teaching for 10+ years)
State and National Emerging Leaders (Up to 10 years post-graduate work)
Holiday
(Medical
and Residents)
YEARS 8-18 DO
YEARS 5-7 Residency
Rocovich Research Grants (Medical Students, Residents, and Physicians)
YEARS 8+ Fellowship
National Academy of Medicine (NAM) Fellowship (2-7 years beyond graduate work)
TIPS (Residents and Fellows)
Hugs
Students
AOF Grants, Scholarships and Awards
The list below represents the 2024 Grants, Scholarships and Awards offered by the AOF and its partner organizations. Awards are colored coded to align with one of the AOF Five Pillars. Those with an asterisk are featured on the map (pages 8 and 9) and in stories on pages 11-17. A detailed description of eligibility and requirements are available at: aof.org/grants-and-programs/grants-scholarships-awards.
Five Pillars Key
Educational Scholarships
Community Service
International
Research
Professional Recognition
AOF/AAOA Donna Jones Moritsugu Memorial Award (Spouse of graduating OMS IV)
AOF/AAOA Holiday Hugs Grant* (Medical Students and Residents)
AOF/AOA New Investigator Research Grant (Completed terminal research degree or end of postgraduate clinical training within the past 10 years)
AOF/AOAO Foundation ORE-O Grant (Orthopedic Resident or Fellow)
AOF William G. Anderson, DO, Scholarship* (OMS III, IV)
AOF Burnett Osteopathic Student Research Grant (OMS II, III, IV)
AOF Caring for Communities Grant (Qualified tax-exempt nonprofit organization registered in U.S. with a DO directly and actively involved)
AOF Educator of the Year Award* (10+ years in teaching)
AOF Golden Ticket Scholarship (OMS II, III)
AOF Jeffrey S. Grove, DO, LGBTQ+ Pride Scholarship (OMS III, IV)
AOF International Medical Outreach Travel Grants* (Medical Students and Residents)
AOF Edward and Joanne Loniewski Merit Scholarship (OMS III, IV)
AOF Lifetime Achievement Award* (Nominated by AOF Board President)
AOF Paul S. McCord, DO, Memorial Scholarship (OMS III)
AOF/AACOM/AOA NAM Fellowship in Osteopathic Medicine* (2-7 years beyond graduate work)
AOF Karen J. Nichols, DO, LEAD Scholarship (OMS III, IV)
AOF Osteopathic Research Incubator Grants (Medical Students, Residents, and Fellows)
AOF Outstanding Resident of the Year Award (Residents who have completed their first year)
AOF Physician of the Year Award (10+ years in practice)
AOF Prairie State Scholarship (OMS II, III, IV)
AOF/AOA Presidential Memorial Leadership Scholarship* (OMS IV)
AOF Thomas A. Quinn, DO, Osteopathic Scholarship (OMS II, III)
AOF Rocovich Research Grant* (Medical Students, Residents, and Physicians)
AOF Rossnick International Humanitarian Grant (Qualified tax-exempt nonprofit organization registered in U.S. with a DO directly and actively involved)
AOF State and National Emerging Leader Awards* (Up to 10 years post-resident or fellowship)
AOF/AOA Training in Policy Studies Program (TIPS)* (Residents and Fellows)
AOF Sterling K. Welch, DO, Scholarship* (OMS I, II, III)
2024 LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD
“The AOF is ... a place to get grants, to get seed money to start up your research ... I’m honored to receive their Lifetime Achievement Award. It’s a privilege.”
Robert W.
Hostoffer Jr, DO, MBA, MS Med, LDH
Robert W. Hostoffer Jr, DO, MBA, MS Med, LDH, stands as a monumental figure in Osteopathic medicine, with a career that has spanned more than forty years and that has left an indelible mark on the medical field. His extraordinary contributions to pediatric immunology, allergy, and Osteopathic education have not only transformed the lives of countless patients but have also shaped the future of medicine.
Dr. Hostoffer earned his Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine degree from the Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine (PCOM). His life’s passion was ignited during his post-graduate fellowship in Pediatric Immunology at the University of Alabama at Birmingham, where he began his pioneering work in treating children with complex immune disorders. His early research into Fc α R expression and IgA-mediated functions in neutrophils laid the groundwork for his lifelong commitment to understanding and treating pediatric immune system disorders.
A passionate educator and mentor, Dr. Hostoffer has profoundly impacted the careers of countless medical students, residents, and fellows. He has held numerous prestigious academic positions, including Associate
Professor at Case Western Reserve University and Clinical Professor at Ohio University Heritage College of Osteopathic Medicine. His influence extends beyond the classroom, particularly through his role as Clerkship Director at the Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine (LECOM), where he earned a master’s degree in medical education and where he has been a driving force in shaping a curriculum that prepares future Osteopathic physicians to meet the challenges of modern medicine.
Dr. Hostoffer’s research contributions are equally profound. He has published extensively in top-tier, peerreviewed journals, particularly on primary immunodeficiencies and the use of Osteopathic Manipulative Treatment (OMT) for chronic conditions. His work not only advances the understanding of complex immunological disorders but also seamlessly integrates Osteopathic principles into treatment protocols, significantly improving patient outcomes.
Beyond academia, Dr. Hostoffer has played a pivotal role in leading various professional organizations, such as the Ohio Osteopathic Association where he served as President, and notably, the American Osteopathic Association (AOA). His leadership as Chair of the Bureau of Osteopathic Research and Public Health has been instrumental in navigating Osteopathic medicine through a period of significant growth and transformation. His peers often laud him for his “visionary leadership and relentless commitment to advancing the field of Osteopathic medicine,” a sentiment echoed by many at the AOA and the AOF.
AOF Grants, Scholarships and Awards
2024 STERLING K. WELCH, DO, SCHOLARSHIP
Claire Middleton, OMS II
University of North Texas Health Science Center/Texas College of Osteopathic Medicine
Claire Middleton was selected as a Welch scholarship recipient for her academic success–receiving honors and Dean’s list distinctions and for her active involvement in Osteopathic medicine. She was invited to join Sigma Sigma Phi, the only Osteopathic honorary service fraternity in the country.
Her affinity for Osteopathic medicine is exemplified by her work as a teaching assistant for the first-year medical students’ OMM lab at TCOM. Her passion grew when she attended the American Academy of Osteopathy’s 2024 Convocation in Colorado Springs. Over the five-day conference, she practiced new OMM techniques, learned unique and groundbreaking applications of Osteopathic medicine in the clinical setting, and networked with DOs from around the country.
Claire completed an Honors Research Practicum, focused on clinical research methodology, with Dr. John Licciardone. She is the second author to his article that was published in the fall of 2024 in the Journal of Osteopathic Medicine entitled “Communication and empathy within the patient-physician relationship among patients with and without chronic pain.”
She is the first author on a research study, “Relationship Between Pain and Total Healthcare Expenditure in Elderly Osteoarthritis Patients: An Interpretable Machine Learning Investigation with eXtreme Gradient Boosting” that sought to determine pain as a leading predictor of economic burden among older adults.
A total of 40 students were presented with a Welch Scholarship Award in 2024; representing 63% of eligible Osteopathic Colleges of Medicine.
2024 AOF WILLIAM G. ANDERSON, DO, SCHOLARSHIP
Brandon Henry
Michigan State University College of Osteopathic Medicine
As a Student Doctor, Brandon’s dedication to his community and his profession, coupled with his academic excellence and leadership, provides a solid foundation for his journey to becoming a surgeon. Now, a PGY-1 General Surgery Resident, he is committed to improving healthcare outcomes for all, especially those in marginalized communities.
As a Black male growing up in a community deeply affected by healthcare inequities, he witnessed the importance of having physicians who advocate for, and connect with, their patients on a holistic level. His dedication to the tenets of Osteopathic medicine, particularly the belief in the interconnectedness of mind, body, and spirit, drives his approach to patient care. This philosophy was reinforced during his time as a medical scribe, where he realized the profound impact representation can have on patient trust and engagement.
Throughout his medical school career, Brandon has distinguished himself through his academic achievements, leadership, and service. As a former president of the Student National Medical Association (SNMA), he played a pivotal role in advancing diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives at MSUCOM. He was instrumental in establishing the Dean of Diversity and Inclusion position at the college, and he has been a tireless advocate for social justice, organizing fundraisers and leading discussions on implicit bias and cultural humility.
A total of 8 Anderson Scholarships were presented in 2024.
AOA/AOF PRESIDENTIAL MEMORIAL LEADERSHIP SCHOLARSHIP
Sydney Moriarty, OMS III
Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine – Virginia
Sydney Moriarty distinguished herself as a leader and mentor to her classmates. She was elected as the Student American Academy of Osteopathy (SAAO) president for the VCOM Virginia chapter during her first year of medical school. Additionally, she was appointed a Simulation Center intern. In this highly competitive internship, Sydney assisted in the development of medical cases using simulation models for the education of fellow students.
Sydney organized the MidAtlantic Mini Convocation at VCOM in 2023. Through SAAO, she brought together physicians from various areas in Virginia, VCOM students, and nine other colleges of Osteopathic medicine for the twoday conference.
Her prolific research experience began when she leveraged her personal equestrian knowledge to research the effectiveness of equestrian helmets, culminating in the development of a star rating system. Her success in research was lauded with a first-place award at the 2023 VCOM Research Day.
This inspired her to co-found the HOLO lab, a student-driven research group, in partnership with the VCOM Simulation Center. Their mission is to provide medical students with the opportunity to engage in research projects, actively contribute to the profession, and work toward publication. This has resulted in over 55 students, clinicians, faculty, and staff collaborating in 2024.
Dean Ronald Januchowski, DO, FACOFP says “Sydney embodies the values of professionalism, duty, compassion, altruism, and knowledge, and Sydney has established herself as a high moral character among her fellow students. All these attributes will serve her well as an ambassador for Osteopathic medicine.”
AOF INTERNATIONAL MEDICAL OUTREACH TRAVEL GRANT
Tyler M. Quirante, OMS IV
University of North Texas Health Science Center/Texas College of Osteopathic Medicine
A first-generation Filipino American, Tyler plans to practice family medicine with an emphasis on international medicine. He used travel funds for an international medicine rotation on the island of Bohol in the Philippines, led by Thomas Shima, DO. Tyler also worked in conjunction with the non-profit, HAND-Philippines.
The purpose of this specific mission was to better establish relations with local medical personnel and to prepare patients for a future mission trip led by Dr. Shima. In the area of the Philippines where Tyler traveled, the average number of physicians to patients was close to 1:23,000.
Tyler spoke of his experience, “This rotation was not just a practice in medicine and prescribing practices. It was an immersion into the healthcare culture in a rural part of the Philippines. I better understand how to function as a physician in low-resource settings. I also expanded my worldview by understanding the experiences of the local medical professionals as well as the patients themselves. I feel I have come away from this experience with greater understanding that can guide my studies in residency. To the donors who made this grant possible, I wish to thank you from the bottom of my heart.”
A total of 42 travel grants were distributed in 2024: providing outreach to 10 countries and hundreds of thousands of patients worldwide.
“I better understand how to function as a physician in low-resource settings ... to the donors who made this grant possible, I wish to thank you from the bottom of my heart.”
–Tyler M. Quirante, OMS IV
AOF Grants, Scholarships and Awards
AOF/AAOA HOLIDAY HUGS GRANT
Elena Reshetnikoff, OMS II
Rocky Vista University College of Osteopathic Medicine
As an immigrant and nontraditional medical student, Elena’s journey to pursue her dream to become an Osteopathic physician has been both rewarding and challenging. She, her husband, and two children relocated from New York City to Colorado for medical school, leaving behind the few friends they had on the East Coast. Without family support in the U.S., she and her husband have been navigating this new chapter on their own.
Elena balances her family life with her responsibilities as a medical student, the SOMA president at RVUCOM, and the National Liaison Officer for the anesthesia club. Her husband’s support in managing their home and family while she focuses on education and extracurricular commitments is the foundation that keeps them moving forward.
However, when the holiday season approached, it became difficult to manage both their family’s financial and emotional needs. Receiving the Holiday Hugs Grant allowed Elena to ease some of her family’s financial burdens and it provided a few extra Christmas gifts for their children. Elena was grateful for this grant, which helped her family create special holiday memories.
INTERNATIONAL MEDICAL OUTREACH TRAVEL GRANT
Madelynn Fanning, OMS IV
Campbell
University
Jerry
M. Wallace School of Osteopathic Medicine
Madelynn traveled to Malawi under the supervision of Joseph Cacioppo, DO, Department Chair of Community and Global Health. While there, she served approximately 1,000 patients, providing clinical services through the Pediatrics Department at Queen Elizabeth Central Hospital.
After her trip, she wrote to the AOF, “I want to thank you for helping support what I believe to be the most formative month of my entire medical school journey. I spent a lot of my time in the Chatinkha Neonatal Ward where we had an average of 70 newborns under our care … at any given time we only had 1 thermometer with which to monitor the babies’ fevers, only two working monitors, two pulse oximeters, and many babies were doubled or even tripled up in their bassinets. As a medical student and soon-to-be physician, I will continue to keep this hospital and the many others like it in Africa in mind … I have already begun sending supplies…. Thank you again for supporting my goals of promoting global health and learning about the infrastructure as well as the strife of other hospital systems throughout the world. I look forward to continuing leveraging my career as an Osteopathic physician to improve patient care for those around the world.”
“I want to thank you for helping support what I believe to be the most formative month of my entire medical school journey.”
– Madelynn Fanning, OMS-IV
AOF BARBARA ROSS-LEE, DO TIPS HEALTH POLICY FELLOW
Augustin Hernandez, DO
Family Medicine Resident Aurora St. Luke’s, Milwaukee, WI
Dr. Hernanez was selected as the Barbara Ross Lee, DO TIPS Health Policy Fellow due to his experience working in the office of Colorado State Senator Irene Aguilar, MD, his military background as a Healthcare Specialist for the US Army Arizona National Guard, his work as an EMT, and for his passionate commitment to providing care to underserved populations. His residency program serves as one of the main training sites for the University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health Training in Urban Medicine program, where he has participated in ongoing research in healthcare policy, especially climate health, as well as refugee care and the underserved.
Dr. Hernanez wrote to the AOF in his application, “Being Mexican American is an aspect of my identity that has shaped me as a person, has been a source of motivation, and is part of the reason I feel a need to be involved in policy … growing up, high costs and cultural mistrust kept my family from engaging in the healthcare system. Now, I am both a physician and a Mexican American, and I feel like both those aspects provide me with a perspective that I can use to advocate for my patients in local legislature. The TIPS program can help me better understand how I can do that as a physician and learn of ways that I can get involved.”
2024-2026 NAM OSTEOPATHIC FELLOW
Breanne Jaqua, DO
Associate Professor, Department of Clinical Science Education, A.T. Still University School of Osteopathic Medicine in Arizona
Dr. “Bre” Jaqua earned her DO degree from ATSU-SOMA and completed residency training in emergency medicine at Mercy Health-St. Vincent Medical Center. She is board certified through the American Board of Emergency Medicine and, in addition to her faculty appointment, works at a local urgent care center. She was recently promoted to Associate Professor, effective July 2024, for her contributions to teaching, scholarship, and service.
Dr. Jaqua is committed to advancing the Osteopathic profession through teaching, highlighted by her recent promotion, selection as Curriculum Committee Chair at ATSU-SOMA, and role as Faculty Advisor to multiple Osteopathic student organizations. Her commitment to service within the Osteopathic profession is evidenced by placements on national and regional Committees, and leadership roles on several Boards of Directors.
Throughout her career, Dr. Jaqua has been at the forefront of shaping Osteopathic education both locally within her institution and nationally through her work with ACGME and AACOM. Her research credits include articles in the Medical Science Educator, Journal of Osteopathic Medicine, and the Journal of Graduate Medical Education National presentations at AMA, AACOM, ACGME and AOA conferences round out her CV.
Dr. Jaqua has been honored many times for the depth and breadth of her contributions to Osteopathic medicine as medical student, resident, physician, and educator. This NAM Fellowship will enable her to participate actively in the health- and medicine-related work of the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine and to further her career as a future leader in the field.
The AOF, in partnership with Osteopathic State Affiliates and Specialty Colleges, proudly recognizes exceptional new physicians in practice who provide service to others through Osteopathic tenets and principles, advocacy efforts, community service, and philanthropic spirit. All Osteopathic State Affiliates are invited to recognize and advance one DO each year who are in their first 10 years of practice. From this group, one is selected by Osteopathic peers and industry leaders across the country to receive the coveted National Emerging Leader Award.
Each year, the AOF features all State Emerging Leaders in an advertisement in the U.S. News & World Report’s Best Hospitals edition.
AOF NATIONAL EMERGING LEADER AWARD
John W. Diefenderfer, DO
Family Medicine, Maine
The American Osteopathic Foundation honored John W. Diefenderfer, DO with the National Emerging Leader Award at the AOF 2024 Honors Gala in San Antonio, TX.
Read his full story on our website: aof.org/news/aof-2024-national-and-state-emerging-leader-awards.
AOF STATE EMERGING LEADERS
ARIZONA:
Eren Ural, DO, Osteopathic Manipulative Medicine
CALIFORNIA:
Simran Behniwal, DO, Pediatrics
FLORIDA:
John Dahdah, DO, Internal Medicine
GEORGIA:
Lucie Noriscat Mitchell, DO, Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation
ILLINOIS:
Shoji Samson, DO, Pediatrics
MARYLAND:
Taisei Suzuki, DO, Family Medicine
MICHIGAN:
Lauren Azevedo, DO, Pediatrics
MISSISSIPPI:
Jonathan Reves, DO, Internal Medicine
MISSOURI:
Jordan Palmer, DO, Family Medicine
MONTANA:
Dorothy Sizemore, DO, Family Medicine
NEW JERSEY:
Adedoyin Aderinto, DO, Family Medicine
NEW YORK:
Michael Foti, DO, Internal Medicine
NORTH CAROLINA:
Shawn Hamm, DO, Family Medicine
OHIO:
Sean Matthew Johnson, DO, Family Medicine
CONGRATULATIONS!
SOUTH CAROLINA: Rianna Kondaveeti, DO, Family Medicine
TEXAS:
Dante Paredes, DO, Osteopathic Manipulative Medicine
WISCONSIN:
Daniel Knapp, DO, Radiology
EDUCATOR OF THE YEAR AWARD
David C. Mason, DO, MBA, FACOFP
Assistant Dean of Osteopathic Clinical Education, Texas College of Osteopathic Medicine at the University of North Texas Health Science Center
David C. Mason, DO, is not just an educator; he’s a shining example in the field of Osteopathic medicine. His journey is a testament to his unwavering dedication to teaching, leadership, and patient care.
At the heart of Dr. Mason’s career is his role as the Assistant Dean at TCOM where he has become a respected mentor to countless medical students and residents. Dr. Mason’s teaching philosophy is inspired by the idea that “education is the kindling of a flame, not the filling of a vessel,” a belief he brings to life through his engaging and innovative teaching methods.
Dr. Mason has a unique talent for weaving Osteopathic principles into every aspect of medical training, raising the bar for Osteopathic education not just at TCOM, but nationwide. Under his leadership, the Osteopathic Neuromusculoskeletal Medicine (ONMM) and combined Family Medicine/ONMM residency programs at Medical City Fort Worth have thrived. Dr. Jason Thompson, a former resident, enthusiastically describes Dr. Mason as a mentor who “creates a dynamic learning environment that is both innovative and responsive to the diverse needs of his learners.”
As the President of the Texas chapter of the American College of Osteopathic Family Physicians (ACOFP) and a key member of the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME) Osteopathic Neuromusculoskeletal Medicine Review Committee, he has championed the unique value of Osteopathic medicine on a national level. Dr. Mason has also worked internationally, particularly in China, to integrate Osteopathic Manipulative Medicine (OMM) into primary care, showcasing the global relevance of Osteopathic principles.
Dr. Mason’s peers and students frequently acknowledge his excellence. He has been repeatedly recognized as a “Top Doc” by Fort Worth Magazine, and by those who have worked closely with him, such as Dr. Ryan Seals, Senior Associate Dean at TCOM, who notes that his passion for teaching and mentorship truly sets Dr. Mason apart.
“Education is the kindling of a flame, not the filling of a vessel.”
– David C. Mason, DO
AOF 2024 Award Recipients
We are continually humbled and impressed by the spirit, innovation, and impact on the profession by our 182 award recipients.
AOF WILLIAM G. ANDERSON, DO MINORITY SCHOLARSHIPS
Mohammed Alfarra*
Kanika Dunn*
Brandon Henry*
Hanh Huynh*
Paola Kamga*
Quetzal Moreno*
Amariah Sledge*
Emily Sowah*
AOF BURNETT OSTEOPATHIC STUDENT RESEARCH GRANT
Joseph Peters, PhD*
AOF CARING FOR COMMUNITIES GRANTS
San Luis Valley Health, Colorado
Surry Medical Ministries Foundation, Inc., North Carolina
AOA DISASTER RELIEF GRANTS
Amanda Alexander, DO
George Elias, DO
Theresa Oakley, DO
Allison Salib, DO
Edward Salib, DO
Krista Zivkovic, DO
AOF EDUCATOR OF THE YEAR AWARD
David C. Mason, DO
AOF EDWARD AND JOANNE LONIEWSKI MERIT SCHOLARSHIP
Courtney VanOphem*
AOF GOLDEN TICKET SCHOLARSHIP FINALISTS
Elizabeth Beran*
Veronica Gonzalez*
Ishan Perera*
Elham Shams*
Ryan Witczak*
AOF GOLDEN TICKET SCHOLARSHIP WINNER
Emily Resisi*
AOF JEFFREY S. GROVE, DO LGBTQ+ PRIDE SCHOLARSHIP
Shea Buckley*
AOF/AAOA HOLIDAY HUGS GRANTS
Berony Geneste*
Elena Reshetnikoff*
Natasha Vania*
AOF INTERNATIONAL MEDICAL OUTREACH TRAVEL GRANTS
DOCARE Fund:
Joud Hassoun,* Peru
Lauren Kapushion,* Guatemala
Lauren Lemonds,* Peru
Brieanna McFarren,* Peru
Jazmine Noles,* Guatemala
Katelyn Tapia,* Kenya
Sabrina Vazquez Ruiz,* Dominican Republic
Kathryn Vess,* Dominican Republic
Rossnick Fund:
Erica Anders,* Honduras
Hannah Billig,* India
Ashley Brown,* Kenya
Madelynn Corda,* Malawi
Emily D’Arpa,* Dominican Republic
Ahmed Fall,* Honduras
Lindsey Franklin,* Peru
Emily Franklin,* Malawi
Angel Giron Lopez,* Nepal
Kayla Irons,* Dominican Republic
Teagan Jackson,* Malawi
Carlos Jimenez,* Honduras
Whitney Kuwamoto,* Tanzania
Kirk Mattern,* Guatemala
Sophia Menendez,* Dominican Republic
Sara Moran,* Honduras
Cymone Muhammad,* Honduras
Caroline Naquin,* Honduras
Laura Nash,* Malawi
Linda Nguyen,* Tanzania
Rossnick Fund: (Continued)
Tyler Quirante,* Philippines
Anne Remorca,* Honduras
Kelsey Sauers,* Honduras
Shalini Tummala,* Malawi
Erin Vasquez,* Honduras
Areli Villalobos,* Nepal
AOF LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD
Robert W. Hostoffer, Jr, DO
AOF PAUL S. MCCORD, DO, MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP
Liam Ryan*
AOF/AAOA DONNA JONES MORITSUGU MEMORIAL AWARDS
Katarina Avis
Michael Boyman
Andrew Chan
Lucas Cofell
Alexis Gay
Moed Gerveni
Paul Hafford
Natalie Halligan Akins
Dylan Holt
Augustine Kairo
Krystian Koszalka
Kelsey Lambou
Mathew Larabee, MBA
Lea LeBaron
Robert Malone, MD
MJ Marchetta
Amber Neil
Cody Paranto
Charles Regian
Keon Ross
Katrena Saillant
Tuesday Shulby
Rozann Sorensen
Yonatan Straus
Brenden Summers
Courtney Sutphin
Emilie Thatcher
Kim Warren
Jessyka Woodward
Danie Yanez
AOF NATIONAL LEADER AND STATE EMERGING LEADERS AWARDS
(See page 16.)
AOF KAREN J. NICHOLS, DO LEAD SCHOLARSHIP
Michael Megafu*
OMED HEALTH FAIR GRANT
National Osteopathic Medical Association
AOF/AOAO FOUNDATION ORE-O
Taylor Manes, DO
AOF OSTEOPATHIC RESEARCH INCUBATOR GRANT
Soumya Sabbella*
AOF OUTSTANDING RESIDENT OF THE YEAR AWARDS
Seth Moomaw, DO, Addiction Medicine
Jake Checketts, DO, Orthopedics
Camille Hawkins, DO, Anesthesiology
Joe Li, DO, Family Medicine
Julia Magness, DO, Obstetrics and Gynecology
Benjamin Greene, DO, Osteopathy
MacKenzie LeMay, DO, Pediatrics
AOF PRAIRIE STATE SCHOLARSHIP
Daniel Leung*
AOF/AOA PRESIDENTIAL MEMORIAL LEADERSHIP SCHOLARSHIP
Sydney Moriarty*
AOF THOMAS A. QUINN, DO OSTEOPATHIC SCHOLARSHIPS
Christina Bogdani*
Charles (Jori) Enfield*
AOF ROCOVICH RESEARCH GRANT
Joy Zarandy, DO
AOF ROSSNICK INTERNATIONAL HUMANITARIAN GRANT
The Body Screening Project, Cameroon
AOF 2024 Award Recipients
NAM FELLOWSHIP IN OSTEOPATHIC MEDICINE
Breanne Jaqua, DO
AOF STERLING K. WELCH, DO
SCHOLARSHIPS
Michael Acevedo*
Lark Amoa*
Priyadarshani Bajracharya*
Ashley Ban*
Luke Brogan*
Jaclyn Buttafuoco*
Suzanne Chaar*
Matthew Dandan*
Buu Dao*
Sabrina Drobeck*
Evelyn Echevarría Cruz*
Laura Fortune*
Molly Frey*
Kaytlyn Harms*
Nikolete Hurrinus*
Diane Ju*
Laura Kade*
Aishwarya Kalluri*
Aria Khoshjabinzadeh*
Jordan King*
Lavin Lahiji*
Ho Lok*
Kate McCloy*
Claire Middleton*
Elizabeth Moomaw*
Justin Moore*
Sarah Moyer*
Bryan Munoz*
Jett Murray*
Konner Neal*
AOF STERLING K. WELCH, DO
SCHOLARSHIPS (Continued)
Jason Nguyen*
Funmilayo Oluwatusin*
Jessica Pentlarge*
Elizabeth Popescu*
Elizabeth Randol*
Kristen Schuch*
Aliyah Stephens*
Brittany Taylor*
Samantha Valaitis*
Amber Williams*
Phillip Worthington*
AOF/AOA TRAINING IN POLICY STUDIES (TIPS) FELLOWS
Kali Chiriboga, DO, 2024-2025 Carisa Champion, DO Health Policy Fellow
Augustin Hernandez, DO, 2024-2025 Barbara Ross-Lee, DO Health Policy Fellow
Azaria Lewis, DO
Manjot Mashiana, DO
Stephanie Michael, DO
Lauren Russo, DO
Alesha Sands Foster, DO
Abbey Santanello, DO
Arpun Shah, DO
Nicholas Tito, DO
TURFLER FAMILY MEMORIAL LECTURE GRANT
American Academy of Osteopathy
*Osteopathic Medical Student at the time of award application or nomination.
21 AOF 2024 Honors Gala
The AOF welcomed another sold-out crowd who came to celebrate and elevate Osteopathic excellence and honor almost 200 awardees in San Antonio during the 2024 OMED Conference.
Along with our generous sponsors and the more than 800 guests, we raised almost a million dollars in support of our mission! It was a record-setting fundraising event, and we are immensely grateful to all the sponsors, underwriters, vendors, and donors who helped make this event happen.
Thank you to our sponsors!
PRESENTING SPONSOR
Edward Via Colleges of Osteopathic Medicine
ENTERTAINMENT UNDERWRITER
Jeffrey Grove, DO
GOLD SPONSORS
American Osteopathic Information Association
Heatherington Foundation for Innovation and Education in Health Care
Lincoln Memorial University DeBusk College of Osteopathic Medicine
Dawn Tartaglione, DO
Touro Colleges of Osteopathic Medicine
SILVER SPONSORS
American College of Osteopathic Family Physicians
American College of Osteopathic Family Physicians Foundation
SILVER SPONSORS (Continued)
Burrell College of Osteopathic Medicine
National Board of Osteopathic Medical Examiners
NYIT College of Osteopathic Medicine
Rowan-Virtua School of Osteopathic Medicine
University of the Incarnate Word School of Osteopathic Medicine
BRONZE SPONSORS
American Association of Colleges of Osteopathic Medicine
American Osteopathic Association
Arkansas College of Osteopathic Medicine
Baptist Health Sciences University College of Osteopathic Medicine
2024 Honors Gala
BRONZE SPONSORS
(Continued)
Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan
Campbell University School of Osteopathic Medicine
CommuniCare
Florida Osteopathic Medical Association
Health Service Alliance
John Graneto, DO/California Health Sciences
University College of Osteopathic Medicine
Kansas City University College of Osteopathic Medicine
Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine
Liberty University College of Osteopathic Medicine
Marian University Tom and Julie Wood College of Osteopathic Medicine
Midwestern University Arizona College of Osteopathic Medicine
Midwestern University Chicago College of Osteopathic Medicine
Seger Morris, DO, MBA
Oklahoma State University College of Osteopathic Medicine
Osteopathic Founders Foundation
Osteopathic Heritage Foundation/Ohio University Heritage College of Osteopathic Medicine
Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine
Rocky Vista University College of Osteopathic Medicine
Sam Houston State University College of Osteopathic Medicine
Texas College of Osteopathic Medicine
University of Pikeville - Kentucky College of Osteopathic Medicine
West Virginia School of Osteopathic Medicine
Western University of Health SciencesCollege of Osteopathic Medicine of the Pacific
Dr. Joseph and Mrs. Nancy Zammuto
COPPER SPONSORS
A.T. Still University Kirksville College of Osteopathic Medicine
A.T. Still University School of Osteopathic Medicine in Arizona
Des Moines University College of Osteopathic Medicine
Michigan State University College of Osteopathic Medicine
Pacific Northwest University College of Osteopathic Medicine
Barbara Ross-Lee, DO
TrueLearn
University Health System
VIRTUAL SPONSORS
Alabama College of Osteopathic Medicine
Wes Metheny
Orlando College of Osteopathic Medicine
CANDY STATION UNDERWRITER
Mrs. Suzanne Cyrus
24 AOF Donors
The following list of donors includes cumulative gifts of $1,000 or more (with no exchange of gifts or services) given between January 1, 2024, through December 31, 2024. Your contributions are truly appreciated and allow the Foundation to make a positive, impactful difference in the communities we serve—locally, nationally, and across the globe.
Gifts of $1,000,000+
Heatherington Foundation for Innovation and Education in Health Care
Gifts of $250,000+
Jeffrey Grove, DO
Gifts of $75,000+
Kimberly T. Duchossois*
Gifts of $50,000+
Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine
Robert W. Hostoffer Jr, DO
Gifts of $25,000+
American Osteopathic Association
Dawn Tartaglione, DO
Gifts of $15,000+
American College of Osteopathic Family Physicians Foundation
Rita Forden
Laura Rosch, DO
Gifts of $10,000+ Anonymous
Dr. Scott and Mrs. Janell Cyrus
Dr. and Mrs. James M. Lally
Elizabeth Monette+
Sonia Rivera-Martinez, DO
Gifts of $10,000+ (continued)
Barbara Ross-Lee, DO
Julieanne P. Sees, DO, MBA
Norman Vinn, DO
Gifts of $7,500+
Linda Saulnier
Dr. Joseph and Mrs. Nancy Zammuto
Gifts of $5,000+ Advocates for the American Osteopathic Association
Matthew Cannon, DO
Carisa Champion, DO
Suzanne Cyrus
John Gobel, DO
Gifts of $2,500+
American Academy of Osteopathy
American College of Osteopathic Family Physicians
American College of Osteopathic Pediatricians
American Osteopathic Academy of Addiction Medicine
American Osteopathic Academy of Orthopedics
American Osteopathic College of Anesthesiologists
Kathleen Creason
CVS Health Foundation
Jill Helenbrook
Jennifer Kendall Thomas, DO
John Kowalczyk, DO
Gifts of $2,500+ (continued)
Medical Education Foundation of the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists
Dr. Karen and Mr. James Nichols
Lucie Noriscat Mitchell, DO
Vanessa Ragland, DO
Sonbol Shahid-Salles, DO
Barbara Walker, DO
Gifts of $1,000+ Anonymous
Thomas Boyle, DO
William Bradford, DO
David Broder, DO
John Bulger, DO
Boyd Buser, DO
Paul F. Caccia and Carmela T. Zammuto*
Robert Cain, DO
Daryl Callahan, DO
Matthew Castner, DO
Elizabeth Clark, DO
Michael Cunningham, DO
Jeffrey Davis, DO
Matthew Davis, DO
Kevin de Regnier, DO
John Diefenderfer, DO
Robert S. Dolansky, DO
Richard Feely, DO
Monica Flores
Ernest Gelb, DO
+ Estate Gift
* Giving through a donor advised fund
Gifts of $1,000+ (continued)
Jennifer Hauler, DO
Carter Hedeen, DO*
Rick Hirsch, DO
Teresa Hubka, DO
Emily Hurst, DO
Dr. and Mrs. Robert Juhasz*
Joel Kase, DO
Afeworki Kidane, DO
Drs. Duane and Tammie Koehler
John Kowalczyk, DO
Mitchell Kowalczyk
Timothy Kowalski, DO
Mitchell Kuhl, DO
Susan Ledbetter, DO
Paul Martin, DO
Dr. John and Mrs. Wendy McDonald
Dr. and Mrs. Ira Monka
Mr. and Mrs. Kris Nicholoff
Dr. Anthony & Catherine Ottaviani
David Park, DO
Dr. and Mrs. John T. Pham
Robert Piccinini, DO
Paul Saenz, DO
Teresa Sanders
Shannon Scott, DO
Thomas Wallace
Michael Weiss, DO*
Bruce Williams, DO
Bruce Wolf, DO
The AOF would like to thank all our donors who generously contributed amounts below $1,000 but are too numerous to list in this publication. Please accept our sincere apology if we failed to recognize you or have recognized you incorrectly in some manner. Please report all errors to info@aof.org. Your concerns will be addressed.
AOF Volunteers
The AOF Board and Staff wish to thank all our hard-working volunteers!
GALA
A special thank you to Josephine Zammuto London-Williams, whose assistance helped the AOF staff ensure that the Foundation had a successful 75th Anniversary year! She led our Gala volunteers, 56 of whom were from the University of Incarnate Word School of Osteopathic Medicine. UIWSOM volunteers were organized by Rachel Bingham, Asma Ali, and LaDonna Davidson. The AAOA and AOA also provided volunteers for the Honors Gala.
Adrienne Ablies, PharmD
Ashley Acosta
Christiana Adebowale
Alyssa Ahorra
Aliza Ali
Asma Ali
Ayham Alkiswani
Thomas Althaus
Samantha Annab
Christian Arnold
Jessica Autrey
Chaunessie Baggett
Christopher Beevers, PhD
Heba Bhat
Rachel Bingham
Sarah Chau
Youyou Cheng
Zack Coffel
Tamara Collum
Andrea Cyterski-Acosta
Raisa De La Rosa
LaDonna Davidson
Kimberly DeLaFuente
Krissy Eisenhardt
Lauren Ellingham
Ashley Engbrock
Yoana Flores
Kate Forden
Leslie Fox
Emma Gahan
Jacob Gault
Serene Ghul
Rebecca Giuisti, DO
Shakira Gray
Elizabeth Hang
Sayyeda Hasan
Abram Hernandez
Lori Hildebrand
Brianne Howerton, DO
Jaslyn Huang
Camille Hulipas
Laura Kade
Grayson Kotzur
Kim Kuman
Phoebe Lay
Megan Maples
Kaitlynn McClellan
Dan Mendelson
Tanya Mogul
Wonda Montgomery
Elvira Morales
Benjamin Morr
Catherine Moses
Amna Mulla
Melanie Narkunan
Ryan Nguyen
Sam Nguyen
Irina Nizamutdinova, MD/PhD
Elizabeth Ou
Chayanne Robinson-Mendoza
Shayne Saborrido
Charlotte Sons
Neriah Sosa
Melissa Surles
Caryn Tabby
Lora Talley, PhD
Krishna Thirumalai
Aimee Thompson
Crista Thyvelikakath
Carmel Tovar
Christian Vallejo
Leah White
REVIEWERS
And we would not have had a Gala without people to celebrate!
Over 100 reviewers spent many hours carefully reviewing applications for each of our grants, scholarships and awards. We thank them for their thoughtfulness and professionalism.
Timothy Ackerman, DO
Piyal Alam, DO
Randa Bascharon, DO
Juliana Bascharon, DO
Timothy Beals, DO
Helen Bean, DO
Aaron Brooks, DO
Amber Brown, DO
Catherine (Kitty) Browne, DO
John Bulger, DO
Michael Burla, DO
Alexis Cates, DO
Juliana Cialdella, DO
Craig Clark, DO
Richard Crank, DO
John Dahdah, DO
Angela Debo, DO
Shereece Dove, OMS-III
Owais Durrani, DO
Traci-lyn Eisenberg, DO
Kristina Eisenhardt
Collin Erickson, DO
Jodie Flanders, DO
Elizabeth Ford, DO
Kendra Gray, DO
James Griffin, DO
Matthew Hadfield, DO
Vanessa Halvorsen, DO
Regina Hammock, DO
Danielle Harik, DO
Amber Healy, DO
Elaine Ho, DO
Adam Hunt, DO
Breanne Jaqua, DO
Chandra Jennings, DO
Stephanie Johnson, DO
Anne Jones, DO
Brian Kessler, DO
David King, DO
Katherine Kirby, DO
Daniel Knapp, DO
Christopher Kordick, DO
Joanna Kramer, DO
Amanda Krus-Johnston, DO
Ursula Landman, DO
Townes Leigh, DO
David Levy, DO
Athena Loiacono, DO
Josephine Zammuto LondonWilliams
Larry Lyle, DO
Megan Maples
Wallie Martinez-Vega, DO
James Mason, DO
Michael Matthews, DO
Sean McCann, DO
Sean McMillan, DO
Wes Metheny
Thomas Mohr, DO
Joseph Molnar, DO
Bob Moore
Janani Naidu, DO
Patrick Nakashima-Moran, DO
Brooke Neumann, DO
Auguste Niyibizi, DO
Timothy Ott, DO
Nicole Peña, DO
Aerial Petty, DO
John Popovich, PhD
Selena Raines, DO
Janae Rasmussen, DO
Marydonna Ravasio, DO
Sonia Rivera-Martinez, DO
Elexus Rogers, DO
Evon Rose, DO
Abbey Santanello, DO
Paul Scheatzle, DO
Ann Marie Schreiber, DO
Anthony Sciuva, DO
Shannon Scott, DO
Shane Sergent, DO
Taran Silva, DO
Herchran Singh, DO
Andrew Slattengren, DO
Ryan Smith, DO
Adam Smith, DO
Matthew Stokell, DO
Taisei Suzuki, DO
David Tannehill, DO
Dimitri Tito, DO
Joshua Tuck, DO
Sammi Tyler, DO
Gary Ulrich, DO
Tom Wallace
Stephanie White, DO
David Young, DO
Allen Zagoren, DO
AOF Treasurer’s Report
Dear Donors and Friends,
The Annual Report presents a summary of the financial activity and financial position of the American Osteopathic Foundation for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2024. The Foundation is guided by strategic pillars, two of which are philanthropic development and professional impact. The financial health of the Foundation is strong. Philanthropic giving keeps net assets and liquidity at high levels and, at the same time, provides for increased program spending to support the students who will become Osteopathic physicians and to support active Osteopathic physicians striving to give their patients the best care possible.
The Foundation received an unqualified opinion by auditors Warady & Davis LLP, reflecting our transparent and compliant financial statements under generally accepted accounting principles. The audited financial statements can be found on the Foundation website and the federal tax form 990 may be requested from info@aof.org.
Sincerely,
Julieanne P. Sees, DO, MBA, FAOAO, FAOA, FAAOS; Treasurer
Celebrating Jeff Heatherington, LHD (Hon)
A LEADER IN OSTEOPATHIC PHILANTHROPY
The American Osteopathic Foundation is so grateful to Jeff Heatherington, who served the Foundation as a proud Board member for nine years.
Dr. Heatherington, the first non-physician to receive the Foundation’s Lifetime Achievement Award, has worked tirelessly to help promote the profession, mentoring, empowering, and opening doors for those who have the potential of being Osteopathic physicians. He has spent his distinguished career building healthy communities in the Portland, Oregon region and has gone to great lengths to educate legislators and other community leaders about the principles of Osteopathic Medicine and its philosophy. As the President of the Heatherington Foundation for Innovation and Education in Health Care,
Dr. Heatherington is leading by example through his generosity in supporting Osteopathic colleges, medical students, and undergraduate students.
He presented the first million-dollar contribution ever received by the AOF in 2019 to further fund the William G. Anderson, DO, Minority Scholarship Program, thus tripling the number of grants distributed through this Scholarship.
Dr. Heatherington continued his generosity and commitment to the Foundation through a larger, multimillion-dollar gift in support of AOF’s Hope, Healing and Health Campaign that will exponentially increase funding priorities over the next decade.
“The American Osteopathic Foundation Board of Directors and staff express our deepest gratitude to Dr. Heatherington for his selfless commitment and devotion to the Osteopathic profession and to patientcentered care,” says Rita Forden, CEO. “Moreover, we thank him for his deep dedication to Elevating Osteopathic Excellence.”
Dr. Heatherington (left) with Student Doctor and one of the 2024 Anderson Scholars, Kanika Dunn, and Dr. Rob Richardson of the Heatherington Foundation.
Launching Soon: The Hope, Healing and Health Campaign
The American Osteopathic Foundation (AOF) is undertaking the biggest challenge in our history: To raise $20 million to support unprecedented financial need, fuel patient-centered research, and open professional pathways within the profession.
As we celebrate our 75th Anniversary, the AOF is proud of the collective impact we have made supporting Osteopathic medical students, residents, and physicians throughout their careers.
Given our profession’s current unprecedented growth, the Foundation is needed more than ever, and the AOF is presented with an extraordinary opportunity to impact lives in ways that will multiply for decades to come.
Before launching publicly, the AOF Board of Directors came together to form a nucleus of gifts toward the Campaign. These multi-year pledges and donations were given through a variety of assets including stocks, QCDs, RMDs, planned gifts, IRAs, insurance, and cash.
Our deepest gratitude to the AOF Board for their early and generous support for the Hope, Healing and Health Campaign.
$5,000,000+
Heatherington Foundation for Innovation and Education in Health Care
