Skip to Content (press ENTER)
2017-10-12news-articleNews<p>The American Osteopathic Foundation (AOF) has named Ross Zafonte, DO, as the recipient of its 2017 Physician of the Year Award.</p>

Ross Zafonte, Do Named Aof Physician of the Year

news-article
October 12,  2017

CHICAGO – The American Osteopathic Foundation (AOF) has named Ross Zafonte, DO, as the recipient of its 2017 Physician of the Year Award.

The Physician of the Year Award recognizes an osteopathic physician who achieves greatness through integrity, commitment to service and community involvement. As one of the AOF’s highest honors, it honors individuals whose extraordinary accomplishments and service bring a sense of pride to the profession; who is looked upon as a role model by peers; and who uses extraordinary and innovative ways to improve public health through a specific act or service, among others.

Zafonte is a pioneer in the field of traumatic brain injury, having authored more than 300 peer review journal articles, abstracts and book chapters on the topic. He is currently directing several large clinical treatment trials funded by the National Institutes of Health and Department of Defense. He serves as Professor and Chair of the Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation at Harvard Medical School the first DO to be a chair in any department at the school. He also serves as Chief of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation at Massachusetts General Hospital, Brigham and Women's Hospital, as well as Senior Vice President Medical Affairs Research and Education at Spaulding Rehabilitation.

"Dr. Zafonte is a role model to all DOs seeking to become established leaders in their field. His innovative thinking, research, and teaching are pushing medicine and the osteopathic medical profession to new heights," says AOF Executive Director Stephen Downey, CAE.

The award will be presented to Zafonte in front of his fellow leaders of the osteopathic profession during Honors 2017, the AOF's annual fundraising event, on October 6, 2017 in Philadelphia.

Learn more about the AOF's awards programs at AOF.org/grants-awards.

About the AOF

For nearly 70 years, the Chicago-based American Osteopathic Foundation (AOF) has served the profession as the philanthropic heart of the osteopathic profession. The AOF supports philanthropic activities that promote and enhance the osteopathic profession.  Contributions to the AOF benefit thousands of osteopathic medical professionals through grants, scholarships and awards to students, physicians and osteopathic programs. The more than 11,000 donors include osteopathic physicians, industry benefactors, affiliates and others interested in advancing osteopathic medicine.  For more information, visit www.aof.org.

For more information, please contact: Maggie Burton, 312.202.8231,  mburton@aof.org.