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Greetings Fellow Osteopathic Family of the Great State of North Carolina! 

The future of Osteopathic Medicine has never been more robust and bubbling over with opportunities for our physicians.  Amazingly,  in my short tenure serving on the NCOMA board, I  have witnessed the first ever DO as President of the North Carolina Medical Board,Don Jablonski D.O., the beginning of  two new Osteopathic Medical Schools in our area  (VCOM- Carolinas Campus 2011 in Spartanburg,SC  and  the Campbell University College of Osteopathic Medicine (CUCOM, -2013 in  Buies Creek, NC), and an increasing interest in  the expansion of  Osteopathic Graduate Medical Education (GME)  programs.    Much of these advances are with the noble intent to address the crisis of physician shortages we are facing today in our state. Osteopathic Medicine is positioned and tailor made to meet the needs of the hour in a most commendable fashion.  Now, more than ever, is the time to get involved and unite as an Osteopathic Family.

Legislatively:
As an organization, NCOMA is continuing to work closely with the AOA to further defend our interests on a number of fronts. A hot issue now directly in our sites is the Medicare Payment problem.  We encourage you to send a letter to you local representative supporting reform.   Additionally, we have recently taken a stand with the AOA and sent a joint letter to Stan Bingham, Co-Chair of the Senate Health Committee, opposing SB 467, a bill to expand the scope of practice of naturopaths beyond their education and training. We are currently addressing some concerns about the intrusion into the doctor-patient relationship relating to firearms.  

In gratitude:
I would like to personally thank and congratulate our Immediate Past President, Dr. Slade Suchecki for completing an exemplary year at the helm of this organization and continually advancing the profession of Osteopathic Medicine.   Additionally,  I would like to extend thanks to so many of you  who have helped set a great foundation for  NCOMA, specifically: Dr. Barbara Walker, who is on  the Board of  Trustees at the AOA ; Dr. Don Jablonski  Past President NCMB; Dr Shannon Jiminez, President NC-ACOFP;  Dean Dixie Tooke-Rawlins of VCOM, and most recently, Dean John Kauffman leading the charge for our newest College of Osteopathic  Medicine  at Campbell University.  Lastly, I would like to thank our new Executive Director, Saundra Stanley for an incredible year of hard work and dedication on her 1 year anniversary in this position.  She has been a wonderful addition to the NCOMA Team.

Education:
NCOMA is pleased to announce that we will host this year’s Regional Osteopathic Medical Education (ROME) Southeast in conjunction with South Carolina and Georgia on 4-6 MAY 2012 in Charleston, South Carolina.   Please place ROME Southeast on your calendar. The theme is “Thinking Osteopathically” and will provide at least 23 Cat 1-A  AOA credits (pending). I expect this to be an inspiring event and directly on point for our profession. It would be the perfect time to associate and reconnect with your fellow Osteopathic physicians. I look forward to seeing you there. For more information, go to:  www.osteopathic.org/ROME

Lastly, I would like to urge the Osteopathic Family of North Carolina to unite.   I propose one mechanism of the formation of local “District" Chapters of NCOMA.  These smaller "District Families" can help strengthen us and provide a bridging infrastructure of close relationships to sustain us through challenge and keep us encouraged to make a difference.   I would love to help host a local District meeting in your area.  If you are interested please give me a call directly at 910-978-4588.   NCOMA continues to evolve, and as always, we need YOU!  Your participation in your state association is VITAL to helping us make a difference for you.  New ideas and the expertise of our members are always needed.

Thank you for allowing me the opportunity to serve as your President.

Donald C. Maharty DO
President NCOMA

* Please contact us with any comments, accomplishments, and Osteopathic news.
Please look around our site and become familiar with it. We will be updating it regularly with events, articles, and goings-on in our state. Please bookmark it as a resource for future use. Feel free to e-mail or call our executive director for questions/concerns or for more information.