Representing Pennsylvania, Advancing Patient-Centered Care

Representing Pennsylvania, Advancing Patient-Centered Care

This July, Greg and I had the privilege of representing the Pennsylvania Osteopathic Medical Association (POMA) as part of the Pennsylvania delegation at the American Osteopathic Association (AOA) House of Delegates in Chicago. Greg served as a Delegate, and I had the honor of serving as an Alternate Delegate. It was a tremendous opportunity to advocate for the physicians and patients of Pennsylvania while participating in decisions that help shape the future of organized medicine.

We were encouraged to see meaningful progress toward strengthening the physician-patient relationship. Several actions taken by the House reinforced the principle that medical decisions should be made within the trusted bond between physician and patient, with patient choice respected and physicians empowered to provide individualized care without unnecessary outside interference. It was rewarding to have the opportunity to contribute to these discussions and to help amplify the voice of Pennsylvania's osteopathic physicians.

One of the highlights of the meeting was meeting the newly installed 130th President of the AOA, Richard R. Thacker, DO, MACOI, whose presidential theme is INSPIRED. His message centered on the values represented by the acronym: INt5egrity, Service, Passion, Innovation, Respect, Excellence, and the Distinctiveness of osteopathic medicine. These principles provide a meaningful vision for our profession as we continue to navigate an ever-changing healthcare landscape.

What made Dr. Thacker's message especially moving was the context in which it was delivered. Just one month before his installation, his 25-year-old son, Blake, tragically lost his life in the crash of a skydiving aircraft in Butler, Missouri, along with 11 others—10 fellow skydivers and the pilot. Blake was an accomplished aviation software engineer whose adventurous spirit was matched by his thoughtful approach to life. Having discovered skydiving on his 18th birthday, he had spent the past seven years pursuing the sport and was on his way to earning his certification as a skydiving coach when the accident occurred. Family members shared that skydiving had given him confidence, purpose, and a passion for encouraging others to experience the joy he found in flight.

Despite experiencing such profound personal loss, Dr. Thacker accepted the responsibility of leading the AOA with grace, humility, and steadfast purpose. His example was a powerful reminder that leadership is not defined by the absence of hardship, but by the strength to continue serving others in the midst of it. His message of INSPIRED carried even greater significance because it was delivered by someone living those very principles. For everyone in attendance, his resilience, quiet faith, and unwavering commitment to the osteopathic profession were as memorable as the words of his address.

As you view the accompanying photos from our time in Chicago, we hope they capture not only the significance of this meeting but also the optimism surrounding the future of osteopathic medicine. It was an honor to represent POMA and the Pennsylvania delegation, and we look forward to continuing to advocate for policies that preserve the physician-patient relationship, protect patient choice, and uphold the values that define our profession.