President Message
Dear ACOOG Member,
Welcome to the American College of Osteopathic Obstetricians and Gynecologists. It is a tremendous honor and privilege to serve as President of ACOOG for 2026–2027. As I begin this year of leadership, I continue to reflect on the strength of our organization, the dedication of our members, and the responsibility we share in shaping the future of osteopathic women's healthcare.
During my Presidential Address at ACOOG's 93rd Annual Conference in Orlando, I shared a simple but meaningful truth: I can see farther because I stand on the shoulders of those who came before me. That idea continues to guide my vision for this year. Leadership is not ownership — it is stewardship. None of us arrive here alone. We inherit values, responsibility, and momentum from the leaders who built and sustained this organization before us.
Since our founding in 1934, ACOOG has served as a professional home rooted in holistic care, educational excellence, mentorship, service, and osteopathic identity. Today, our members practice across every career stage and in every practice environment — academic medicine, private practice, hospital systems, military medicine, and rural communities across the country. What defines us is not where we practice, but how we serve.
"Wherever women need care, ACOOG physicians are there."
Service as Our North Star
This year's presidential theme, Service as Our North Star, reflects the principle that continues to guide both my career and our organization:
🤝
Service to Our Members
Through mentorship, support, and professional development.
❤️
Service to Our Patients
Through compassionate, evidence-based, human-centered care.
🌍
Service to Our Communities
Through advocacy, outreach, and our commitment to health equity.
Strengthening the Professional Journey
One of our greatest opportunities moving forward is strengthening connections across every stage of the professional journey — from medical student to resident to practicing physician to leader. Through key initiatives, we are building stronger pathways for engagement, belonging, and leadership development:
Visiting Professor Program
Prelude to Residency
ACOOG Mentorship Program
Java with Jen
Conference focus groups
Expanded educational programming
Education at the Heart of Our Mission
Education remains foundational to who we are. We continue strengthening ACOOG CME through:
🏛️
In-Person Learning
💻
Virtual Education
🎙️
Women's Health Minutes
📋
OCC & MicroQI Opportunities
These efforts ensure that ACOOG remains a trusted source of high-quality, clinically relevant education for busy physicians.
Celebrating Our Osteopathic Identity
New Initiative
ACOOG Osteopathic Moment
This year we are proud to launch the ACOOG Osteopathic Moment initiative — celebrating the moments where compassion, presence, and osteopathic principles shape patient care in meaningful ways. These stories remind us that healing is not only what we do — it is how we show up for our patients and for one another.
Our Strength Is Our People
Most importantly, ACOOG's strength comes from its people. I remain deeply grateful for the physicians, residents, students, committee members, educators, mentors, and leaders whose service and dedication continue to move this organization forward.
"Mighty oaks from little acorns grow."
— Harold Buckner
The work we do today — in mentorship, education, advocacy, and service — will shape the future of osteopathic women's healthcare for generations to come.
Thank you for the honor and privilege of serving as your President. I look forward to the year ahead and to continuing this journey together.
Jennifer L. Papp, DO, FACOOG (Dist.)
President, ACOOG 2026–2027
American College of Osteopathic Obstetricians and Gynecologists