COA Presents Awards, Elects Council

The Columbus Osteopathic Association (COA) honored two individuals with awards at its Annual Meeting, April 22, 2008, at La Scala Italian Bistro in Dublin.

Francis V. Dono, DO, received the James F. Sosnowski, DO, Distinguished Service Award, and Peter A. Bell, DO, received the William I. Linder, DO, Advocate Award.

Dono was honored for his lifelong contributions to the osteopathic profession in Central Ohio. The award is presented annually to a COA member in memory of the only DO killed in action in Vietnam.

Bell was recognized for his demonstrated support of osteopathic medicine, commitment to osteopathic medical education, and policy and legislative efforts to improve healthcare. Created in 1997, the award simultaneously honors the memory of Linder, who served for many years as writer and editor of the COA publication The Advocate.

COA's out-going president, Donald R. Furci, DO, was also recognized for his dedicated leadership.

In addition, members at the Annual Meeting elected officers and delegates to the OOA House of Delegates, networked, and heard an educational program on hypertension.

The dinner meeting was sponsored by Boehringer Ingelheim. Astellas Pharma was an exhibitor.