The Ohio Osteopathic Association has established five awards to recognize individuals who have made a significant contribution to the osteopathic profession. View the award nomination procedures (PDF) here.

Distinguished Service Award

This award is the highest honor given to an osteopathic physician, who has shown outstanding accomplishments in personal, scientific, and professional affairs, especially in service to the osteopathic profession in Ohio. The nominee must be a long-standing member of his/her local academy, the OOA and the AOA. The nominee cannot be currently serving as an elected officer/trustee of the OOA.

View a list of past Distinguished Service Award recipients.

Meritorious Service Award

This award is given to an individual who is not an osteopathic physician in recognition of outstanding accomplishments in scientific, philanthropic, or other fields of public service.

View a list of past Meritorious Service Award recipients.

Trustees' Award

Presented from time to time for dedicated service to the Ohio Osteopathic Association, the award requires unanimous action of the OOA Board of Trustees.

View a list of past Trustee's Award recipients.

M. Bridget Wagner, DO, Humanitarian Award

Established in 2001, the award recognizes an osteopathic physician or individual associated with the osteopathic profession for acts of philanthropy and service to mankind.

View a list of past M. Bridget Wagner, DO, Humanitarian Award recipients.

J.O. Watson, DO, Memorial Lecture Award

The James O. Watson, DO, Memorial Lecture Award was originally established in 1972 to honor one of Ohio's most distinguished osteopathic leaders.

The J.O Watson Award will be presented each year at the Ohio Osteopathic Convention. This award recognizes individuals who have distinguished themselves through medical education or scientific endeavors that have resulted in the advancement of osteopathic healthcare, osteopathic medical education or research.

A Committee composed of representatives of the Osteopathic Heritage Foundation (OHF) and the Ohio Osteopathic Foundation (OOF) will select the J.O. Watson Award recipient. From OHF, the committee members will include the Board Chairman, the President /CEO and an osteopathic physician selected from the Board of Directors. From OOF, members will include the Board Chairman, the President/CEO and an osteopathic physician selected from the Board of Trustees.

Candidates for the J.O. Watson Award will be well known through their healthcare, medical education and/or research accomplishments. Therefore, a formal nomination process will not be implemented. However, the Committee may seek input from agencies, colleges of osteopathic medicine, research entities, foundations or other osteopathic-supportive organizations. 

George L. Eckert, Jr., DO, Mentor of the Year Award 

The  George L. Eckert, Jr., DO, Mentor of the Year Award was established in 2011 to honor a physician each year who  has a record of offering guidance and encouragement to medical students, residents, and fellows. Any Ohio osteopathic medical student, resident, or fellow may submit a nomination by March 1 of each year.  For a nomination form, criteria and additional information click here: Mentor Nomination Form. Funding for the award is provided by the Osteopathic Heritage Foundations (OHF). The award is presented during the Ohio Osteopathic Symposium each spring.  The winner receives a plaque from the association and the OHF presents a $1,000 contribution to a charitable organization, OU-HCOM or any post-graduate training program of the recipient's choice.  For additional information about the mentoring program click here.