AOF Names Craig Dietz, DO, Physician of the Year

The American Osteopathic Foundation (AOF) has named Craig Dietz, DO, clinical adjunct faculty as an associate professor of internal medicine for the Kansas City University of Medicine and Biosciences (KCU) and medical director for the Kansas City CARE Clinic, as its 2015 Physician of the Year. The award recognizes an osteopathic physician who achieves greatness through integrity, commitment to service and community involvement.

“We congratulate Dr. Dietz on this prestigious award by the AOF,” said Bruce Dubin, DO, JD, executive vice president, provost and dean of KCU’s College of Osteopathic Medicine. “Dr. Dietz’s extraordinary compassion for his patients, service to the community and overall dedication to improving public health are the hallmarks that define our osteopathic profession; his commitment is much deserving of this recognition.”

Since 2004, Dr. Dietz has been affiliated with the Kansas City CARE Clinic, which provides basic health care for HIV-infected individuals, patients with hepatitis, and poor and underserved populations. At the clinic, Dr. Dietz oversees clinical outcomes of programs and provides direct patient care with an emphasis in primary and preventive care, public health, women’s health, chronic diseases, communicable diseases and mental health. He also serves as clinical assistant professor of internal medicine for the University of Kansas Medical Center internal medicine residency program and the University of Missouri-Kansas City School of Pharmacy.  

Dr. Dietz also serves as the medical director for the National Association of Free and Charitable Clinics (NAFCC), the only nonprofit organization whose mission is solely focused on the issues and needs of the more than 1,200 Free and Charitable Clinics in the United States.  

Dr. Dietz has published several research papers and is the principal investigator for all of the clinical trials conducted at the Kansas City CARE Clinic. Originally from Pratt, Kansas, he earned a bachelor’s degree in life science from Kansas State University, a master’s degree in public health from the University of Kansas School of Medicine, and a doctor of osteopathic medicine from Oklahoma State University College of Osteopathic Medicine. 

The AOF Honors 2015 recognizes the best and brightest in the osteopathic profession through scholarships, awards and grants.This year’s award recipients will be honored at a gala Friday, Oct. 16, at the Hilton Orlando.