Ohio Academy of Family Physicians elects, installs new president and Board of Directors members

During the Ohio Academy of Family Physicians (OAFP) virtual Annual Membership Meeting on Aug. 13, American Academy of Family Physician’s (AAFP) Past President Ada Stewart, MD, FAAFP, served as an honorary guest and installed the OAFP’s new president, Wayne A. Forde, MD, FAAFP, along with its newly elected directors and officers, to the OAFP Board of Directors.

As a member of the OAFP, Wayne A. Forde, MD, FAAFP, has served on numerous committees and workgroups since joining the OAFP in 1997, leading at both at the state and national level. Now, as president, Dr. Forde will use his extensive knowledge of the OAFP’s strategic priorities and work with the members of the Board to empower, assist, and uplift Ohio’s family physicians; ensuring that they are recognized by the value they bring to Ohio’s healthcare infrastructure.

Dr. Forde is a core faculty physician in the department of family medicine at MetroHealth Medical Center in Cleveland. He is also an assistant professor of family medicine at Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine, Cleveland; the acting chief medical officer of Asia Service in Action, the largest health and human services agency serving Asian American and Pacific Islander communities in Northeast Ohio; and the medical director of Cleveland’s Jewish Family Service Association Residential Program.

Dr. Forde earned his medical degree from the State University of New York (SUNY) at Buffalo School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, and graduated from the SUNY Health Science Center Family Medicine Residency, where he served as chief resident.

In his inaugural speech, Dr. Forde recognized the outstanding innovation and leadership of his family medicine colleagues in addressing the comprehensive care of underserved populations; the development of evidenced-based practices in the instruction of future family physicians; the integration of behavioral healthcare into family medicine clinics; and the improvement of patient care while addressing social determinants of health.  

“I thank you for your steadfast support and I eagerly look forward to working alongside you on my journey as your OAFP president,” said Dr. Forde.

OAFP Board of Directors Members

The OAFP congratulates its newly elected members to the Board of Directors, including:

• President-Elect Kelly Meehan de-la Cruz, MD, FAAFP, Norwalk

• Vice-President Mary Krebs, MD, FAAFP, Xenia

• Treasurer Jaividhya Dasarathy, MD, FAAFP, Cleveland

• Speaker Roma Amin, MD, Columbus

• Vice-Speaker Catherine Romanos, MD, FAAFP, Columbus

• Immediate Past President Douglas Harley, DO, FAAFP, Akron

• AAFP Delegate Sarah Sams, MD, FAAFP, Columbus

• AAFP Delegate Elisabeth Righter, MD, FAAFP, Dayton

• AAFP Alternate Delegate Mike Sevilla, MD, FAAFP, Salem

• AAFP Alternate Delegate Mary Krebs, MD, FAAFP, Xenia

• Ohio State Medical Association (OSMA) Delegate Julie Marcinek, DO, FAAFP, Columbus

• OSMA Alternate Delegate John Sharma, MD, MS, FAAFP, Van Wert

• Central Region Director Nate Overmire, DO, Mansfield

• East Central Region Director Evan Howe, MD, PhD, MPH, Kent

• Northeast Region Director Mark McLoney, MD, Middleburg Heights

• Southeast Region Director Jennifer Gwilym, DO, FAAFP, Athens

• Southwest Region Director Sandra Hans, MD, West Chester

• West Central Region Director Heidi Yount, MD, FAAFP, Arcanum

• At-Large Director Megan Early, DO, MPH, Columbus

• At-Large Director Katherine Davis, MD, FAAFP, Akron

• At-Large Director Clint Koenig, MD, MSPH, Worthington

• At-Large Director Elizabeth McIntosh, MD, MPH, Johnstown

• At-Large Director Tamer Said, MD, Westlake

• Resident Director Jon Miller, MD, Dayton

• Resident Alternate Director Joshua Smith, MD, Cincinnati

• Student Director Olivia Dhaliwal, Cleveland Heights

• Student Alternate Director Hannah Clarke, MPH, Cleveland.

The Ohio Academy of Family Physicians is a statewide, professional association with nearly 5,000 members, including practicing physicians, family medicine residents and medical students. The scope of family medicine encompasses all ages, both sexes and every disease entity. Family physicians provide comprehensive, continuing care to all members of the family. For more information, please visit www.ohioafp.org.