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American Osteopathic Association Names Accomplished Communications Industry Leader Charles F. Simpson as Associate Executive Director of Communications

The American Osteopathic Association (AOA), the national professional membership organization for the nation’s more than 104,000 osteopathic physicians (DOs) and osteopathic medical students, welcomes Charles F. Simpson as its new associate executive director of communications.

A senior-level strategic communicator with more than 20 years of experience in public relations, marketing and government affairs, Simpson will lead AOA strategic communications activities, including the association’s marketing communications, publications and media relations efforts, which support the professional practice and overall awareness of DOs.

“In addition to having more than two decades of experience in strategic communications, Charles has a proven record of success in executing marketing communications, media and public relations strategies at many different levels of health care,” says AOA Executive Director and CEO Adrienne E. White-Faines, MPA. “His demonstrated achievement coupled with his expertise in building coalitions that accomplish strategic organizational objectives will be critical assets to the AOA as it continues to advance osteopathic medicine on both a national and global scale.”

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As one of the fastest-growing segments of health care professionals in the nation, the number of DOs has grown more than 200% over the past 25 years. Currently, more than half of DOs are under the age of 45 and more than a third are women. With more than 50% of DOs in active practice specializing in one of the primary care areas of medicine, the osteopathic medical profession also has a strong tradition of serving in rural and medically underserved areas.

Before his role at the AOA, Simpson served as managing director for the Chicago office of Burson-Marsteller, a global public relations agency, where he led corporate reputation, media relations, social media, and community engagement initiatives for clients representing a range of health care related industries, from pharmaceutical and medical device manufacturers to health insurance providers.

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He also held senior communications roles with Porter Novelli and the American Cancer Society, Illinois Division.

“I am thrilled at the opportunity to join this venerable organization at a time when osteopathic medicine – with its focus on prevention and promoting the health of the whole person – so closely aligns with the promise of health care reform and the future of medicine,” says Simpson.

Simpson earned a bachelor’s degree in public relations from Illinois State University in Normal, Ill. 

He is an elected committeeman in Kane County, Ill., serves on the Zoning Board of Appeals for the city of St. Charles, Ill., and is a member of the Board of Directors of the Elgin Youth Symphony Orchestra and a member of the Executives Club of Chicago.

What is a DO?

DOs are licensed physicians who can prescribe medication and practice in all specialty areas, including surgery, in the United States. They complete approximately four years of medical school followed by graduate medical education through internship and residency programs typically lasting three to eight years. In addition, DOs receive extra training in the musculoskeletal system, providing them with an in-depth knowledge of the ways that illness or injury in one part of the body can affect another. As one of the fastest-growing segments of health care professionals in the nation, the number of DOs has grown more than 200% during the past 25 years.

About the American Osteopathic Association

The American Osteopathic Association (AOA) proudly represents its professional family of more than 104,000 osteopathic physicians (DOs) and osteopathic medical students; promotes public health; encourages scientific research; serves as the primary certifying body for DOs; is the accrediting agency for osteopathic medical schools; and has federal authority to accredit hospitals and other health care facilities. More information on DOs/osteopathic medicine can be found at www.osteopathic.org.

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