Affiliate Society Name: North Carolina Society for the American College of Osteopathic Family Physicians (NCS-ACOFP)
Title: Executive Director City/State You Live In: Lillington NC
Education: BA in Psychology from Appalachian State University
Tell us about your role and how long you’ve been in it.
In 2016, NCS-ACOFP, NCOMA, and the Campbell University School of Osteopathic Medicine (CUSOM) partnered to hire an individual to serve as the director of NCS-ACOFP and NCOMA and as the director of professional relations and CME at CUSOM. I was hired as that individual. The job provided an opportunity to learn about osteopathic medicine both from the educational standpoint and the perspective of a membership-based organization. As an employee of the medical school, I had the opportunity to engage with students and foster their participation in the osteopathic membership-based organizations and to be introduced to the world of CME accreditation, as CUSOM was both an AOA- and ACCME-accredited organization. It was one of the most interesting jobs I have had in my 40-plus-year career.
As for NCS-ACOFP, I was the first executive director for their organization. When I decided to “retire” in 2021, NCS-ACOFP asked me to continue to serve as their director. I agreed and am now entering my ninth year in that role.
What’s your favorite part of working at NCS-ACOFP? What keeps you inspired day to day?
My retired friends often ask me why I continue to work. I tell them it is because I respect and admire the individuals I work for and value the work they do as osteopathic physicians. I am inspired by the commitment of the members of NCS-ACOFP, their genuineness in the care of their patients, and their desire to mentor the next generation of family medicine physicians.
What’s a project or accomplishment you’re especially proud of?
I encouraged the NCS-ACOFP Board of Directors to form an Awards Committee to establish awards to be presented at our annual meeting. Working with the committee to review the potential candidates, making the selection, and seeing the individuals recognized for their contributions to the profession is one of my favorite accomplishments.
What do you like to do for fun outside of work? Any hobbies or family?
I love to garden and to read. I am a member of a book club in my hometown of Lillington that was established in 1932 and has actively operated since then. The range of ages of club members, as well as the varying education and experience of club members, makes this one of my favorite clubs.
What’s a fun fact about yourself that people might not know?
My maiden name is Dawson. While watching an episode of Outlander recently, I heard the characters singing a song entitled "The Ballard of Nancy Dawson." Following some research, I learned it was a real ballad about a dancer and a musician that was popular in the late 1700s in England. How many people can say they have the same name as an individual honored in an English ballad from the 1700s?
