Midwestern University Clinical Professor Appointed President of AOA

Teresa A. Hubka, D.O., FACOOG, FACOG, CS, Clinical Professor and Chair of the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology at Midwestern University’s Chicago College of Osteopathic Medicine (CCOM), was officially installed as the 128th President of the American Osteopathic Association (AOA). The AOA represents over 197,000 osteopathic physicians (DOs) and medical students in the United States.

“It’s a wonderful opportunity to lead our professional organization, the AOA. I was deeply honored, and I’m certainly looking forward to this leadership role,” Dr. Hubka said. “As osteopathic physicians, we bring a unique philosophy to the practice of medicine, treating the whole person rather than just symptoms. Our distinctive approach is exactly what is needed in healthcare today.”

Dr. Hubka is board-certified by the American Osteopathic Board of Obstetricians and Gynecologists and the American Board of Obstetrics and Gynecology. She is the first Obstetrician and Gynecologic surgeon and the second woman to serve as AOA President, following her mentor and another Midwestern University educator, Karen Nichols, D.O., M.A., MACOI, CS, Adjunct Faculty, and former Dean of CCOM (2002-2018), who served as President of the AOA in 2010.

“Dr. Hubka’s appointment as President of the AOA is a testament to her exceptional leadership and dedication to the osteopathic medical profession. Her commitment to holistic, patient-centered care exemplifies the values we uphold at Midwestern University,” said Kathleen H. Goeppinger, Ph.D., President and Chief Executive Officer of Midwestern University. “We are incredibly proud of her achievements and look forward to her impactful leadership in advancing osteopathic medicine. It is particularly noteworthy that both female presidents of the AOA have come from Midwestern University, underscoring our University’s commitment to fostering outstanding leaders in the field,” Dr. Goeppinger added.

During her presidency, Dr. Hubka plans to focus on enhancing osteopathic distinction, solidarity, and physician leadership. “Our unique approach enables us to provide our patients with the most comprehensive level of care found in medicine today. This is truly remarkable, especially in a healthcare landscape increasingly focused on patient-centered outcomes,” she stated.

Dr. Hubka began her tenure at Midwestern University in an official capacity in 2000. Previously, she served as a preceptor for CCOM from 1996 to 2000. In 2005, she was promoted to department chair and program director of the legacy MWU – CCOM Ob/GYN residency program. “I think that the guidance, leadership, and mentoring I received from individuals at Midwestern brought me to where I am today, and I want to pay that forward to the next group of individuals,” she said. Dr. Hubka will serve as the AOA President for a one-year term which began in July 2024.