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COM Outlook . Spring 2014
ne of the osteopathic profession’s longstanding
traditions has been the passionate commitment
of its healers to advance the vocation by serving
as mentors to the upcoming generation of osteopathic
physicians and giving back through altruistic, volunteer-
driven endeavors.
Over the past year, 1988 NSU-COM alumnus Gregory
James, D.O., M.P.H., FACOFP
dist.
, spent a significant por-
tion of his increasingly rare spare time epitomizing that
selfless and time-honored custom by serving as president
of the Florida Osteopathic Medical Association (FOMA). As
he explains, it was a practice he learned early in his career.
“During my medical training and at the beginning of my
career, some of my mentors told me that I cannot com-
plain about the health care system unless I am working to
improve it and offering my own solutions,” said Dr. James,
who serves as the state medical director for Optum Care
Delivery and Management—the long-term care division of
Dr.
Gregory
James
Gives
Back
by
Serving
as
FOMA
President
United Health Group. “I believe the best avenue for me to
do this is through the FOMA because it is the only organiza-
tion that represents and supports all the osteopathic physi-
cians in Florida. As the state with the third-largest number
of D.O.s in the country, I felt this would be the best way to
try to help our profession.”
As Dr. James can attest, serving as president of a major
statewide medical organization requires a significant com-
mitment from both a time and travel standpoint. “I spent
about 10 additional hours per week on the computer and
phone,” said Dr. James, who initially planned on becom-
ing a professional baseball player before wisely pursuing
a career as an osteopathic physician. “I also attended at
least one district meeting or seminar per month. The
FOMA also has quarterly board meetings that require
preparation and take place over two days every three
months in different parts of the state. On average, I was
away from home at least every two weeks for at least an
By Scott Colton, B.A., APR, COM/HPD Director of
Medical Communications and Public Relations
O
FAMILY PORTRAIT: Pictured (from left) with
Dr. James at the 2013 FOMA Convention are
his sons Nicholas and William and his
wife of 25 years, Carolyn Holly James.
Pictured in the far right photo (back row
from left) are Jeffrey James, Dr. Gregory
James, and Christopher James. Pictured
front row (from left) are Laura James
Grizzle, John James, and Joyce James.
