American Osteopathic Association Installs Cleveland Clinic Executive Robert S. Juhasz, DO, as President

CHICAGO, July 19, 2014 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Throughout his four decade career in osteopathic medicine, Robert S. Juhasz, DO, an AOA board-certified internist, has always strived for professional growth, working his way up from an after school job as a dishwasher to president of what is now Cleveland Clinic's South Pointe Hospital in Warrensville Heights, Ohio. Today, Dr. Juhasz takes his drive for excellence to the next level as he begins serving as the 118^th president of the American Osteopathic Association (AOA), the national professional membership organization for the nation's more than 104,000 osteopathic physicians (DOs) and osteopathic medical students.

"Out of all the positions I held at the hospital, I really enjoyed being an orderly because it was an opportunity to help patients meet their basic needs and I always felt the appreciation of not only the patients but their families as well," says Dr. Juhasz. "Many of my mentors taught me that we could improve health care by treating patients the way we would want ourselves and our families to be treated. As AOA president, I want to ensure DOs have the resources they need to provide the best care for their patients." 

For instance, Dr. Juhasz would like to facilitate more osteopathic medical research, which, he says, would provide DOs fact-based research to communicate their distinctiveness to their patients, their colleagues and the world.

As one of the fastest-growing segments of health care professionals in the nation, the number of DOs has grown more than 200% over the past 25 years. With more than 50% of DOs in active practice specializing in one of the primary care areas of medicine, the osteopathic medical profession also has a strong tradition of serving in rural and medically underserved areas.

Putting Patients First 
A pioneer in the adoption of electronic health records, Dr. Juhasz was actively involved with the implementation of the electronic medical record system at the Cleveland Clinic before many physicians used these systems. In 2005, he participated in a panel with President George W. Bush to discuss the benefits of electronic medical records. Dr. Juhasz uses electronic health records as a tool to educate patients and to engage them as partners in their care.

Another project Dr. Juhasz has been instrumental in is the Ohio University Heritage College of Osteopathic Medicine (OU-HCOM), Cleveland Clinic Extension Campus, which will welcome its inaugural class next year on the South Pointe Hospital campus. The extension campus will improve access to primary care physicians in northeast Ohio. Dr. Juhasz served as an associate dean at OU-HCOM, where he is an associate clinical professor of medicine. He is also assistant clinical professor at the Cleveland Clinic's Lerner College of Medicine at Case Western University in Cleveland.

Dr. Juhasz has made a difference in his community serving as the co-chair of the physician section of the professional division of the cabinet for United Way of Lake County in Ohio in 2011 and is a Lake County Medical Reserve Corps volunteer. He also is a member of the Tri-City Chamber of Commerce and the St. Gabriel Parish community in Concord Township.

Honors and Awards 
Dr. Juhasz's commitment to providing excellence in patient care has not gone unnoticed. He has been named a "Top Doc" by Cleveland Magazine for several years, including in 2013, and appeared in the former Northern Ohio Live – Best Doctors in Cleveland listing. In addition, he was awarded the Phillips Medal of Public Service by OU-HCOM, received the Ohio Osteopathic Association's Trustee Award and was named an Honorary Alumnus of OU-HCOM in 2008. 

Education 
Upon graduating from the Kansas City (Missouri) University of Medicine and Biosciences' College of Osteopathic Medicine, Dr. Juhasz completed his internship and internal medicine residency training at what is now South Pointe Hospital. Dr. Juhasz is a fellow and diplomat of the American College of Osteopathic Internists, and a fellow of the American College of Physicians.

What is a DO? 
DOs are licensed physicians who can prescribe medication and practice in all specialty areas, including surgery, in the United States. They complete four years of medical school followed by graduate medical education through internship and residency programs typically lasting three to eight years. In addition, DOs receive extra training in the musculoskeletal system, providing them with an in-depth knowledge of the ways that illness or injury in one part of the body can affect another. As one of the fastest-growing segments of health care professionals in the nation, the number of DOs has grown more than 200% during the past 25 years.

About the House of Delegates 
The AOA's House of Delegates, comprised of more than 500 delegates representing osteopathic state medical associations, specialty societies, interns, residents and students from throughout the country, meets annually in July to set organizational policies and elect new officers. 

About the American Osteopathic Association 
The American Osteopathic Association (AOA) represents more than 104,000 osteopathic physicians (DOs) and osteopathic medical students; promotes public health; encourages scientific research; serves as the primary certifying body for DOs; is the accrediting agency for osteopathic medical schools; and has federal authority to accredit hospitals and other health care facilities. More information on DOs/osteopathic medicine can be found at www.osteopathic.org.

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SOURCE American Osteopathic Association