The American Association of Colleges of Osteopathic Medicine (AACOM) is pleased to announce the appointment of William T. Betz, D.O., MBA, senior associate dean for osteopathic medical education and chair of family medicine at the University of Pikeville-Kentucky College of Osteopathic Medicine (KYCOM), to the Health Resources and Services Administration’s Advisory Committee on Training in Primary Care Medicine and Dentistry (ACTPCMD) by U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius. Betz’s appointment ensures that the interests of the nation’s colleges of osteopathic medicine will continue to be considered by ACTPCMD. He is one of just two osteopathic physicians currently serving on the 16-member committee, and was nominated by AACOM to serve on the ACTPCMD.

“I am very pleased that Dr. Betz has been appointed to this critical committee. Because of his appointment, the ACTPCMD will have the benefit of more input from the osteopathic medical education community and its longstanding primary care tradition. As a highly regarded family medicine practitioner and educator, Dr. Betz will bring a wealth of insight and innovation to the ACTPCMD’s work as it seeks to enhance primary care programs throughout the nation,” said Stephen C. Shannon, D.O., MPH, president and CEO of the American Association of Colleges of Osteopathic Medicine.

Betz earned his Master in Business Administration from the University of Tennessee at Knoxville and his Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine degree from the Kansas City University of Medicine and Biosciences. He spent the first 18 years of his professional career in family medicine, geriatric medicine and palliative care, before joining KYCOM as chair of its department of family medicine. Ultimately, he became the associate dean for clinical services. In 2006, Betz was named founding dean of the College of Osteopathic Medicine and vice president/chief academic officer of Pacific Northwest University of Health Sciences in Yakima, Wash. He returned to KYCOM in 2009 to become the senior associate dean of osteopathic medical education.

About ACTPCMD: The ACTPCMD was established in 1998 to advise and make recommendations to the Secretary of Health and Human Services concerning policy, program development and other matters of significance concerning the HRSA Bureau of Health Professions family medicine, general internal medicine, general pediatrics, general dentistry, pediatric dentistry and physician assistant programs.




Dr. Betz

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