Kenneth Heiles, DO, to Serve as Inaugural Assembly of Council Leaders Chair

AACOM is pleased to announce that Kenneth Heiles, DO, associate dean of graduate medical education, professor of family medicine at Kansas City University College of Osteopathic Medicine, has been elected inaugural Chair of the Assembly of Council Leaders. Dr. Heiles brings extensive leadership experience to the inaugural chair position.

“I am honored to accept this new role and to represent my fellow council leaders,” said Dr. Heiles. “I look forward to promoting the incredible work being done across all our councils and to serving as the voice of the Assembly of Council Leaders to AACOM. Over the next two years, I hope to better integrate the expertise of our councils throughout the organization as we work together to advance osteopathic medical education.” 

The AACOM Council Leaders group consists of the chairs and staff liaisons from 14 AACOM councils, the Assembly of Osteopathic Graduate Medical Educators, the National Academy of Osteopathic Medical Educators and the Society of Osteopathic Medical Educations. These groups cover a wide spectrum of interests and initiatives that make up the osteopathic medical education community. At last year’s Council Leaders’ meeting, Robert A. Cain, DO, president and CEO of AACOM, introduced the idea of an Assembly of Councils, with a leader who would be represented on the AACOM Board.

“We created this role to foster greater connection and inclusivity among our councils and to establish council representation on the AACOM Board,” Dr. Cain said of the new position. “I envisioned the Assembly of Council Leaders chairperson to be someone dedicated to elevating our council’s influential work in osteopathic medical education, and I can think of no one better than Kenneth Heiles to assume this new position. This role creates an exciting new direction within our organization and is critical to helping AACOM fulfill its mission to support all our member colleges and students.”

The duties of the Chair of the Assembly of Council Leaders include serving as the representative of the council to the Board of Deans and the AACOM president and CEO, attending select Board of Deans meetings and retreats, participating in the Educating Leaders conference planning team and facilitating the Assembly of Council Leaders meeting agenda and content. Dr. Heiles will also guide the development of an operating plan for the Assembly of Council Leaders. The position includes a two-year term.