Special to IFN
Dr. Anthony Elkins was recently awarded fellowship of the American College of Osteopathic Family Physicians at the 62nd annual ACOFP national convention in Palm Springs, Calif.
The American College of Osteopathic Family Physicians (ACOFP) is the professional organization that represents, advocates for, and supports osteopathic family physicians. The award of Fellow of the American College of Osteopathic Family Physicians recognizes the contributions of physicians of the highest order to the advancement of family medicine. These physicians are distinguished in service to the profession at the national, state and local level through patient care, advocacy and healthcare policy, teaching, and scholarly activity throughout their career.
Candidates must meet the following criteria:
• Six consecutive years of active physician membership after residency;
• Currently certified in family medicine by the AOA or ABMS;
• Have no medical license restrictions;
• Actively participate and support local professional family medicine organizations;
• Complete contributions to family medicine on a national level through teaching, research, leadership, authorship, or as a presenter at ACOFP events; and
• Attend specific ACOFP educational events as outlined on acofp.org
Elkins has conducted clinical research in his time at Iredell Primary Care on Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome (POTS), a condition that causes an abnormally fast heart rate, dizziness and fainting due to standing up or exposure to heat. He developed a technique involving osteopathic manipulative treatment (OMT) to treat and improve this condition. This is a sequence of gentle and painless hand manipulations to treat the head, neck, and body that helps to normalize heart rate and the response to standing and other stresses.
“I have been a practicing family physician for over 20 years and am honored to provide care to my patients here in Iredell County,” said Elkins. “Besides providing patient care, I hold a faculty appointment at Campbell University School of Osteopathic Medicine, where I teach medical students and residents. I have also served in leadership roles at the state and national levels, including President of the North Carolina Osteopathic Medical Association and North Carolina Society of the American College of Osteopathic Family Physicians. The FACOFP award signifies my dedication to my patients, family medicine, and the osteopathic profession as a whole.”
Dr. Barbara Walker nominated him for the award. She is a family physician in Kure Beach.
“Dr. Elkins has demonstrated amazing leadership skills for the many years I have had the privilege of knowing him,” said Walker. “He is a dedicated physician constantly striving for excellence in his patient care and providing a strong role model for the student doctors who are able to train with him. The ACOFP Fellowship provides a way to publicly acknowledge his achievements. I am honored to have served as his sponsor for this well-deserved award.”
LEARN MORE
Elkins is accepting new patients at his practice in Mooresville. To schedule an appointment, visit IredellPrimaryCare.com or call 980-435-0406.
About Iredell Health System
Iredell Health System includes Iredell Memorial Hospital; Iredell Davis Medical Center; Iredell Davis Behavioral Health Hospital; Iredell Mooresville; Iredell Home Health; Iredell Wound Care & Hyperbaric Center; Community and Corporate Wellness; Occupational Medicine; the Iredell Physician Network and more. Iredell Memorial Hospital is the largest and only nonprofit hospital in Iredell County. The comprehensive healthcare organization has 391 licensed beds; more than 2,000 employees; and has approximately 365 healthcare providers representing various specialties. Centers of excellence include Women’s and Children’s; Cardiovascular; Cancer; Surgical Services and Wellness & Prevention. The health system’s Iredell Mooresville campus is home to the area’s only 24-hour urgent care facility, as well as an ambulatory surgery center, imaging center, rehabilitation services, and physician practices. The mission of Iredell Health System is to inspire wellbeing. For a comprehensive list of services and programs, visit www.iredellhealth.org.