Dr. Gautam J. Desai, an Indian-origin senior doctor from Kansas City University in the USA, has been chosen as the President of the American College of Osteopathic Family Physicians (ACOFP) for the year 2025-2026.
He was officially given this honour earlier this month during the ACOFP’s annual meeting. Dr. Desai become the first Indian American to hold this position and will serve in this role for one year.
As ACOFP President, Dr. Desai will help guide the group’s plans and activities, support the work of osteopathic family doctors, and speak for the more than 20,000 members of the organisation.
The ACOFP, established in 1950, is a professional community of over 26,000 current and future family physicians.
He said, “I am proud to accept the office of ACOFP president. Being president during our 75th anniversary year is particularly meaningful to me. In addition to celebrating this milestone, my term will see the launch of a new mentorship program and new resources to promote the profession of osteopathic family medicine. I look forward to working with ACOFP leaders and our members on these and many other initiatives.”
Dr. Desai has been a part of ACOFP for many years and has worked in several important roles. He has been on the ACOFP Board of Governors since 2016. He also led several committees such as the 75th Anniversary Task Force, the Annual Convention Work Group, and the Future Leaders Work Group. He has been honoured as a fellow and a distinguished fellow of the ACOFP.
At Kansas City University, Dr. Desai is a Professor of Family Medicine and also the Chair of the Department of Primary Care. He leads the Global Health Programme and the special track for students interested in Global Medicine.
He has written over 50 articles and book chapters, and has spoken at many events in the US and other countries on medical education and osteopathic manual medicine.
Over the past 25 years, he has provided medical care and taught in countries such as Guatemala, Kenya, the Dominican Republic, India, and China.
Dr. Desai is the second professor from Kansas City University to become ACOFP President. Earlier, in 2023, Dr. Bruce Williams from the university served as president from 2022 to 2023.
