A message from the AOBFP Chair
By Kenneth A. Heiles, DO, FACOFP dist.
September 2026
Dear colleagues,
As Chair of the American Osteopathic Board of Family Physicians (AOBFP), I extend my sincere appreciation to the physicians who volunteered their time and expertise to write items for the 2027 Initial Certification Examinations, as well as to the AOBFP Board members who devoted countless hours to reviewing, refining and finalizing them.
Developing a high-quality certification examination is a significant undertaking. Each question helps assess the knowledge and clinical judgment expected of today’s osteopathic family physicians. Through this year’s work, we have ensured that the 2027 examinations reflect current clinical practice and uphold the standards of excellence expected of AOBFP-certified physicians.
Thank you to our item writers
Our item writers are practicing physicians who generously share their time and clinical expertise in service to the profession. Their contributions are essential to maintaining the integrity, relevance and quality of our certification examinations.
I am especially grateful to the physicians who participated in our Item Writing Mentor Program. The program supports physicians who are new to item writing through education, structured assignments, feedback from experienced item writers and opportunities for collaboration. It helps participants develop the skills needed to create high-quality examination questions while strengthening the pipeline of future AOBFP volunteers.
If you have considered becoming more involved with AOBFP, please consider becoming an item writer. You do not need prior examination experience to begin. The AOBFP Mentor Program provides the training and support needed to develop your skills and make a meaningful contribution to examination development.
Item writing can also be the first step toward becoming an AOBFP examiner and, eventually, serving on an AOBFP committee or Board of Directors. Many physicians who now support the AOBFP in leadership roles began by sharing their clinical expertise as item writers.
Be an advocate for AOBFP certification and OMT
Our diplomates are among AOBFP’s most important ambassadors. I encourage you to speak with colleagues about the value of AOBFP certification and the importance of preserving osteopathic principles and practice within family medicine.
hare your experiences with colleagues, residents and medical students. Encourage physicians to pursue AOBFP certification and maintain their commitment to osteopathic medicine. For those who practice osteopathic manipulative medicine (OMM), please emphasize the value of OMT certification and the importance of preserving these skills as an integral part of osteopathic family medicine.
Your voice matters. The strength of our certification program depends not only on the work of the Board and its volunteers, but also on diplomates who promote the value of AOBFP certification in their practices, residency programs and communities.
A call to our program directors
I also ask our Family Medicine Program Directors to make AOBFP certification part of your conversations with residents.
Please discuss the eligibility requirements for the Early Entry Initial Certification and OMT Examinations early in residency and encourage qualified residents to consider pursuing AOBFP certification. Early guidance gives residents time to understand their options, plan ahead and appreciate the value of becoming board certified through AOBFP.
Our residents are the future of osteopathic family medicine. By introducing them to AOBFP certification early in their training, we can help the next generation recognize the importance of board certification, lifelong learning and the continued practice of osteopathic principles.
Contact us at [email protected] to schedule a 30-minute presentation at your program during a didactic session. We will provide valuable information about eligibility requirements and the Early Entry, Initial Certification and OMT Exams.
Join us
Whether you are interested in writing examination items, becoming an examiner, serving on a committee or eventually joining the AOBFP Board, there is a place for you in this work.
Thank you to every physician who has volunteered time, shared expertise, reviewed an item, written a question, served as an examiner or supported the AOBFP in any way. Your commitment strengthens our certification program and, ultimately, the profession we serve.
I am proud of what we have accomplished together in developing the 2027 examinations, and I look forward to welcoming more of you to the AOBFP volunteer community.
Thank you for your service, expertise and commitment to osteopathic family medicine.
Sincerely,
Kenneth A. Heiles, DO, FACOFP dist.
Chair, American Osteopathic Board of Family Physicians