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Meet the 2021–22 ACOFP Board of Governors
Welcome the 2021–22 ACOFP Board of Governors, following their election during the 2021 ACOFP Congress of Delegates.
Join ACOFP in welcoming the 2021–22 Board of Governors, following their election during the 2021 ACOFP Congress of Delegates.
President Nicole Bixler, DO, MBA, FACOFP
Dr. Bixler is a practicing physician in Spring Hill, Florida, where she focuses on the geriatric population with outpatient and inpatient services using a unique capitated at-risk alternate payment model. In addition to her leadership with ACOFP, Dr. Bixler serves on the Florida Prostate Cancer Advisory Council, appointed by the state surgeon general.
President-Elect Bruce R. Williams, DO, FACOFP
Dr. Williams has practiced osteopathic family medicine for more than 30 years in Eastern Jackson County, Missouri, and currently serves as the associate dean of clinical education at Kansas City University, College of Osteopathic Medicine. Prior to his appointment to president-elect, Dr. Williams served as ACOFP secretary/treasurer since 2019.
Vice President David J. Park, DO, FACOFP, FAAFP
Dr. Park is the vice president of the Southern Utah campus of Rocky Vista University and its campus dean for the College of Osteopathic Medicine, and prior to this role, he served in various medical education capacities in Las Vegas, including serving as the founding program director of the family medicine residency at Valley Hospital Medical Center.
Secretary/Treasurer Brian A. Kessler, DO, FACOFP
Dr. Kessler has served on the ACOFP Board of Governors since 2015. He is the vice president and dean at Lincoln Memorial University – DeBusk College of Osteopathic Medicine, as well as professor of family medicine. Beginning in May 2021, Dr. Kessler will be the dean of the Jerry M. Wallace School of Osteopathic Medicine at Campbell University in Buies Creek, North Carolina. He received the Distinguished Service Award from ACOFP in 2013.
Immediate Past President Robert C. DeLuca, DO, FACOFP dist.
Dr. DeLuca, an osteopathic family physician in Eastland, Texas, was elected to the ACOFP Board of Governors in 2012. A past president of the Texas Society of the ACOFP, Dr. DeLuca was named its Family Practice Physician of the Year in 2005 and received the ACOFP Certificate of Special Recognition in 2021.
Past President Duane G. Koehler, DO, FACOFP dist.
Dr. Koehler is an osteopathic family physician in private practice in Oklahoma. He has been a dedicated medical educator, including his current roles as assistant to the dean for rural education and as preceptor in family practice, rural medicine at the Oklahoma State University Health Sciences Center, College of Osteopathic Medicine. Dr. Koehler is also a past president of the Oklahoma Osteopathic Association.
Governor Greg D. Cohen, DO, FACOFP dist.
Dr. Cohen’s rural family practice in Chariton, Iowa includes outpatient care, inpatient care, obstetrics, osteopathic manipulative medicine, emergency room and nursing home services. He is a past president of the Iowa Osteopathic Medical Association and has served on many ACOFP task forces and committees.
Governor David A. Connett, DO, FACOFP dist.
Dr. Connett is vice dean at Western University of Health Sciences – College of Osteopathic Medicine of the Pacific and also has a family medicine clinical practice in California. He has been an active volunteer at the state and national levels with ACOFP and is a past president of both the Colorado chapter and the California chapter. Dr. Connett served as a major in the U.S. Air Force.
Governor Gautam J. Desai, DO, FACOFP dist.
Dr. Desai is the professor, division of primary care at Kansas City University, where he also serves as director, honors track in global medicine. He has led numerous international medical missions, including Guatemala, Kenya and the Dominican Republic, exposing him to a variety of healthcare delivery systems. An active volunteer with ACOFP, the American Osteopathic Association and the National Board of Osteopathic Medical Examiners, Dr. Desai is also a past president of DOCARE International, a nonprofit medical outreach program.
Governor Rebecca D. Lewis, DO, FACOFP
Dr. Lewis is a family physician practicing full-scope family medicine, including outpatient and inpatient care, as well as obstetrics, at St. Mary’s Hospital in Enid, Oklahoma. She is a part of the 2021 class of ACOFP Fellows recognized during the ACOFP 58th Annual Convention and Scientific Seminars Conclave of Fellows Award Ceremony.
Governor Saroj Misra, DO, FACOFP
Dr. Misra is an osteopathic family physician located in Warren, Michigan where he is core faculty with the family medicine residency program and chair of the department of family medicine at Ascension Macomb-Oakland Hospital. In addition, Dr. Misra serves as the associate dean of clinical affairs for the Kirksville College of Osteopathic Medicine at A.T. Still University and also holds a faculty appointment as an associate professor of family & community medicine at Michigan State University College of Osteopathic Medicine. Dr. Misra received the ACOFP Osteopathic Family Physician of the Year Award in 2018.
Governor Derrick J. Sorweide, DO, FACOFP
Dr. Sorweide was in private practice for 16 years before joining Western University of Health Sciences, College of Osteopathic Medicine of the Pacific–Northwest. There he is the director of clinical education, an associate professor of family medicine and the cardiovascular curriculum lead. He is also a lieutenant colonel in the U.S. Army Reserves, has deployed as an emergency medical treatment provider and currently serves as the medical readiness and training command surgeon for the Reserve Component.
Resident Governor Rachael A. Hume, DO, MPH
Dr. Hume earned her doctor of osteopathic medicine from Michigan State University College of Osteopathic Medicine in East Lansing, Michigan, in 2019. She is now a resident physician at Munson Family Practice Residency in Traverse City, Michigan.
Student Governor James Wyatt Eikermann, OMS-III
Student Doctor Eikermann is a third-year medical student at A.T. Still University – Kirksville College of Osteopathic Medicine (ATSU-KCOM). He is an active member of ATSU-KCOM clubs and organizations, including serving as chair of the Recruitment Committee for the Student Association of the ACOFP.
Congress of Delegates Speaker Elizabeth A. Palmarozzi, DO, FACOFP
Dr. Palmarozzi is the dean of Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine’s Auburn campus in Auburn, Alabama. She has served as professor of family medicine at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center in Dallas and is a past president of the Texas Society of the ACOFP.
Congress of Delegates Vice Speaker Antonios J. Tsompanidis, DO, FACOFP
Dr. Tsompanidis maintains a private practice in Hazlet, New Jersey and has been a volunteer faculty member for the Christ Hospital residency program and the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey School of Osteopathic Medicine since 2000. He is currently the chief academic officer for CarePoint.
“The past year has presented many challenges to our medical professionals, patients and communities. The ACOFP Board of Governors diligently worked on behalf of its members through successful advocacy and education. I have full confidence in our new Board appointees to continue helping ACOFP achieve the goals in its strategic plan and support the future of our profession,” ACOFP President Nicole Bixler, DO, MBA, FACOFP, said. “Their dedication to osteopathic medicine—and to ACOFP—is integral as we move forward as an organization and a profession.”
ACOFP
ACOFP is a community of current and future family physicians that champions osteopathic principles and supports its members by providing resources such as education, networking and advocacy, while putting patients first.