41
COM Outlook . Spring 2014
overnight stay, and sometimes three
to four days.”
In terms of time spent working on
the computer, Dr. James’ responsi-
bilities included reviewing the FOMA
budget and expenses at least once a
week and assessing legislative updates
every few days when the Florida Leg-
islature was in session in March and
April—and at least every two weeks
during the remainder of the year.
“I also spent the month leading up
to every board meeting participating
in committee conference calls and
agenda preparation,” said Dr. James,
who spent the first 20 years of his
career working as a faculty member
and residency director for two family
medicine residency programs that
graduated over 100 family physicians.
“These tasks were made much easier
by an excellent staff in Tallahassee
led by our executive director, Steve
Winn, and the associate director,
Michelle Winn.”
For those who undertake an un-
paid leadership position for an organi-
zation such as the FOMA, the ultimate
goal is to leave a lasting legacy based
on outstanding service and achieve-
ment. During his one-year presidential
tenure, Dr. James admirably accom-
plished both of the aforementioned
objectives. When asked to cite his
proudest presidential achievement, he
tactfully deflected any discus-
sion of personal triumph to
focus on one specific FOMA-
related feat.
“For the first time in over
10 years, the FOMA put forth
a resolution to the American
Osteopathic Association’s
House of Delegates (HOD).
We took a strong stand that
any negotiations with the
Accreditation Council for
Graduate Medical Education
(ACGME) to absorb our resi-
dencies must guarantee the
survival of our profession,”
he proudly stated. “There
were several states and orga-
nizations that submitted resolutions
on the ACGME issue as well, but in
the end, it was the FOMA resolution
that was the only one accepted. It was
then passed unanimously by the en-
tire HOD. I am also proud of the fact
that I was able to attend every event,
and visit every district to which I was
invited, as the FOMA president. It was
a great privilege, so I want to thank
the osteopathic physicians in Florida
for allowing me to represent them as
their president this past year.”
As with any success, it’s rarely
achieved without the support and
sacrifice of devoted family members
who willingly share their loved one
with others for the sake of the greater
good. Such is the case with Dr. James’
wife of 25 years, Carolyn Holly James,
and their sons, William and Nicholas.
“They get all the credit for allowing
me the additional time needed to vol-
unteer to the profession,” he stated.
“They realize how important it is to
keep this great profession strong—
and under the direction of physicians.
I also give tremendous credit to my
parents, John and Joyce James, who
gave me the support I needed to get
into, and through, medical school.”
Now that his presidential term has
concluded, Dr. James hopes many of
his osteopathic peers will follow in his
footsteps and give back to a profes-
sion that has provided so much to so
many. “I am glad to be working in a
profession that makes a difference in
the lives of those we see and those we
touch every single day,” he explained.
“I recommend that those who read
this article find a way to volunteer
their time and talents to improve the
osteopathic profession and ensure
its survival. If anyone asks you in the
future if you did your part for the pro-
fession, you will want to answer yes
because it is very difficult to complain
about an issue unless you are doing
something positive to try and fix it.”
Pictured (from left) are FOMA leaders Stephen R. Winn (executive director),
Dr. James, and Jeffrey S. Grove, D.O., FACOFP (2011-12 FOMA president).
