Nancy Cooper, Coordinator of AACOM-Sponsored OHPF Program, to Retire
Published June 25, 2019
Nancy Cooper, Fellowship Coordinator for the AACOM-sponsored Osteopathic Health Policy Fellowship (OHPF) program at the Ohio University Heritage College of Osteopathic Medicine (OU-HCOM), has formally announced her retirement, effective June 30, 2019.
Ms. Cooper took on the duties of Coordinator for the fellowship program in 2002, following two years as writing coordinator. Established in 1994, the OHPF Program is designed for practicing or teaching osteopathic physicians who are preparing for leadership roles in the profession and positions of influence in health policy, as well as for individuals with a professional connection to the osteopathic profession. Largely due to Ms. Cooper's leadership and dedication to the OHPF Program, 265 Fellows have graduated from the program, many of whom have gone on to lead state and national osteopathic associations. Impressively, three fellows have gone on to serve as Presidents and 27 as Dean of colleges of osteopathic medicine.
Ms. Cooper graduated from Ohio University in 1975 with a Bachelor of Education degree and certifications to teach English, Psychology, and Reading. She has taught writing to high school and college students, reading to illiterate adults, psychology to inmates of the Hocking Correctional Facility, and English to high school students. She spent three years teaching technical writing at Fairmont State College in Fairmont, WV.
For fifteen years, she has also enjoyed working as a learning specialist to first- and second-year medical students at OU-HCOM in Athens, OH. In addition, she served for 19 years as a volunteer Court Appointed Special Advocate/Guardian ad Litem (CASA/GAL) for abused and neglected children. In 2006, she received both the Athens County CASA/GAL of the Year and the Ohio CASA/GAL of the Year awards. The New York Institute of Technology College of Osteopathic Medicine (NYITCOM) awarded Ms. Cooper the Riland Medal for Public Service in September 2009.
AACOM thanks Ms. Cooper for her 18 years of contributions to the OHPF Program and congratulates her on her retirement.