Charting the Future

OOA's Bold Vision for Modernization

In late 2024, the Ohio Osteopathic Association (OOA) leaders and stakeholders convened for a strategic planning retreat to capture their long-range vision for the organization, identify areas of focus, and set goals and metrics for the coming years. Facilitated by Vista Cova, LLC, a highly respected strategic planning firm in the association industry, and led by its CEO, Lowell Aplebaum, Ed.D., FASAE, CAE, CPF, the retreat focused on several key areas, each vital to advancing the organization’s mission. From advocacy and leadership development to mentorship, education, and governance, retreat participants worked to define strategies that will shape OOA’s future for years to come. 2016 was the last time that OOA conducted a strategic planning process.

“Modernizing OOA has been a top priority since I stepped into this role a year ago, and this strategic planning retreat was a crucial step in that process,” said OOA Executive Director Heidi A. Weber, MBA, CAE. “We’re not just looking at where we are today—we’re building a stronger, more agile organization that meets the evolving needs of osteopathic physicians and students. This retreat allowed us to set a clear direction, ensuring that OOA remains a healthcare association leader in advocacy, education, and professional development for years to come.”

Advocacy and Leadership Development
The retreat opened with a dynamic conversation about OOA’s role in shaping healthcare policy. Expanding OOA’s influence at both the state and national levels emerged as a key priority, reinforcing the association’s long-held commitment to support strong advocacy initiatives. Through lively discussions, several recommended actions were identified as pivotal to meeting this goal, including expanding the organization’s already robust lobbying efforts and legislative engagement in Ohio and beyond, as well as forging strong, strategic relationships with healthcare coalitions, organizations, and government agencies.

Engaging students and residents early in their career was also identified as a key priority to foster a strong, sustainable leadership pipeline. Participants specifically recognized the need to rethink OOA’s role as the go-to resource for leadership development and prioritized the development of a plan to position the association as a trusted hub that Ohio’s osteopathic community can rely on for guidance and support—from medical school through clinical practice. To achieve this, OOA leaders explored new initiatives, including the development of a student advocacy shadowing program, a state DO Day, and a student retreat in the Fall of 2025.

Mentorship and Community Building
A strong professional network and meaningful mentorship opportunities are essential to the future of osteopathic medicine and retreat participants widely agreed that OOA should play a vital role shaping the next generation of osteopathic leaders. Conversations explored a variety of ways the association could develop structured mentorship programs that connect students, residents, and physicians at every career stage. To ensure they are perceived as highly valuable, these programs should offer guidance on critical topics such as board exams, research, leadership, and financial management.

Beyond mentorship, discussions also highlighted the need to create stronger community ties through regional volunteering, symposia, intergenerational learning and peer mentoring—not only as tools to reduce burnout and enhance career development but also as a way to introduce students early to OOA’s lasting impact. By engaging students at the beginning of their professional journey, the association can deepen its impact and cultivate the next generation of osteopathic leaders.

Education and Professional Development
Another common theme voiced during the retreat was the crucial role that students and residents play in OOA’s future. Participants stressed the need to expand engagement by increasing leadership and mentorship opportunities, integrating students and residents into OOA committees and task forces, and strengthening connections through networking events and conferences.

In a parallel effort to support professional growth at every stage, retreat participants also emphasized the need to reinforce OOA’s role as a leader in osteopathic education. Expanding access to high-quality continuing medical education (CME), research opportunities, and professional development, as well as expanded hands-on training in osteopathic manipulative medicine, leadership development programs, and specialty-focused workshops will further establish OOA as a trusted educational resource.

In addition, the importance of research collaboration was identified as a priority. Of notable import is the need to build partnerships with institutions and to increase OOA members’ visibility at national symposia. Active engagement in research initiatives not only advance osteopathic medicine as a whole, but they also position OOA as a leading voice in medical innovation and professional development.

Strengthening Organizational Identity and Governance
As conversations shifted toward OOA’s internal structure, participants explored ways to enhance governance, improve operational efficiency, and ensure long-term sustainability. There was widespread agreement about the need to foster a member-centric model with a strong emphasis on making membership more accessible to all, while also emphasizing its value through mentorship, advocacy, and professional development. 

Clear communication about OOA’s benefits across all demographics was identified as fundamental to increasing engagement and securing long-term participation. A stronger digital presence and expanded social media footprint were both pinpointed as vital steps to engaging members, fostering year-round connections, and enhancing outreach, professional networking, and continuous engagement.

Attendees further emphasized the importance of forging strong, mutually beneficial strategic partnerships with local, state, and national organizations to expand OOA’s reach, advance the impact of osteopathic medicine, and foster greater collaboration within the healthcare community.

Shifting the focus inward, the retreat dialogue also examined the need for streamlined operations to improve financial stability and organizational efficiency. Among the topics covered in this regard were discussions about how and when to consider a redefined governance structure and an interest in exploring the possibility of consolidating districts under a unified framework to create a more cohesive and strategic approach.

Engaging Through Events and Connection
Beyond governance and membership initiatives, the retreat highlighted the vital role of events in fostering a strong and connected osteopathic community. Participants recognized that OOA’s annual symposium and other gatherings provide more than just professional development—they create a sense of belonging, celebrate achievements, and inspire lasting commitment to the organization. However, there was consensus among participants that the association could be doing even more, with expanded networking and volunteer opportunities surfacing as important priorities. Because members benefit not only from professional connections but also from meaningful ways to give back to their communities and support colleagues at every career stage, expanding these efforts will create deeper relationships and enhance the association’s influence.

Participants also stressed the need to make these—and all future OOA events and programming—more inclusive and designed to appeal to a broader range of members. To attract and retain a diverse membership, especially students and residents, discussions emphasized the need to incorporate enjoyable, low-pressure activities into OOA’s calendar of events. By making engagement accessible and fun, the association will ensure that members feel welcomed and motivated to stay involved for years to come.

Cultivating a Strong, Inclusive Osteopathic Community
The strategic planning retreat reaffirmed OOA’s commitment to leading in advocacy, research, and education, and underscored leadership’s continued focus on long-term organizational sustainability. To that end, strategic succession planning, robust recruitment efforts, and strong member retention were identified as significant priorities, now and into the future. Moreover, OOA’s robust roster of actively engaged retired members were acknowledged as a valuable resource who are well prepared to play a vital role in mentoring and guiding future generations of osteopathic professionals.

To support these goals, OOA also recognizes the need to expand its influence beyond its membership. By increasing public awareness and appreciation for osteopathic medicine, OOA would broaden its influence, share its achievements with external stakeholders, and position itself as a premier force in the field.

The 2024 strategic planning retreat set a bold course for OOA’s future, reinforcing its commitment to growth, advocacy, and excellence. With a clear vision and actionable goals, the organization stands ready to elevate osteopathic medicine, strengthen its community, and expand its influence on healthcare policy and education. Members and stakeholders are encouraged to engage in these initiatives, ensuring a strong and sustainable future for the profession.