David Connett, DO, FACOFP, dist.
Acting Dean
College of Osteopathic Medicine of the Pacific
2006 - American College of Hyperbaric Medicine - Certified Hyperbaric Medicine - Garden City, MI
2000 - American College of Osteopathic Family Physicians, Fellowship Family Medicine - American Osteopathic Association
1995 - Level II Cerified Colorado Division of Workman's Compensation - Re-certified, 1988, 2001
1991 - American Board of Osteopathic Family Physicians, Board Certified - American Osteopathic Association
1988 - School of Aerospace Medicine USAF, Flight Surgeon - Brooks Air Force Base, San Antonio, Texas
1988 - USAF Medical Center Wilford Hall - Allergy Extended Provider - San Antonio, Texas
1984-1985 - Rotating Internship/Family Medicine - Chicago College of Osteopathic Medicine
1980-1984 - Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine - Western University of Health Sciences - College of Osteopathic Medicine of the Pacific - Sigma Sigma Phi Honor Society
1977-1980 - Graduate Student Embryology - California State University, Fullerton
1973-1977 - Bachelors Biology/Minor Biochemistry with Honors - California State University
2022- Present - Acting Dean - Western University of Health Sciences - College of Ostepathic Medicine of the Pacific Pomona, California
2013- 2022 - Vice Dean - Western University of Health Sciences - College of Osteopathic Medicine of the Pacific Pomona, California
2009-Present - National Consultant Graduate Medical Education Development AOA and private consultant - financial projections for residency development
2007- Present - Family Medicine Clinical Practice Rancho Cucamonga/Pomona, California
2012-2016 - Osteopathic Medical Board of California OMBC California - President 2013, Board Member 2012
2007- 2014 - Medical Director, Chief Medical Officer Western University College of Osteopathic Medicine of the Pacific - Clinic Systems Pomona, California
2007- 2013 - Associate Dean Clinical Services / Assistant Dean Post-Doctoral Education and Development - Western University of Health Sciences - College of Osteopathic Medicine of the Pacific Pomona, California
2003- 2007 - Vice President/Chief Medical Officer, Garden City Hospital Garden City, Michigan
2003- 2007 - Institutional Review Board-Garden City Hospital, Chairman Garden City, Michigan
2003-2005 - Director of Medical Education, Garden City Hospital Garden City, Michigan
1999-2003 - Medical Director Primary Care and Occupational Medicine, Gates Clinic, Managed Care and Transitional Care Facility St. Joseph’s Hospital, Exempla Medical Group - Denver, Colorado
1999-2003 - Family Medicine and Occupational Medicine Physician
Medical Director, Exempla Medical Group
Includes expert Witness Testimony regarding issues of Casuality and Apportionment
2000-2003 - Colorado Medical Board, Office of the Attorney General for the State of Colorado and Department of Justice-Case Review and Expert Witness Testimony
2000-2003 - Colorado Osteopathic Education Consortium (COEC)Founding Board Member for development and management of all osteopathic education in Colorado
2000-2002 - Regional Dean - Touro University College of Osteopathic Medicine Mare Island Vallejo Denver, Colorado
1996- 1999 - Medical Director Health One-Columbia HCA Primary Care Clinics and Managed Care Organization Denver, Colorado
1993- 1999 - Family Medicine- Part time clinical practice with duties as Program Director and Medical Director of Health One Columbia Medical Group.
1994- 1999 - Presbyterian/Saint Luke’s Medical Center, Chairman Department of Family Medicine Denver, Colorado.
1994- 1996 - Presbyterian/Saint Luke’s Family Practice Residency Program, Program Director and Director of Medical Education Aurora, Colorado
1993- 1996 - Presbyterian/Saint Luke’s Family Medicine Residency, Medical Director Commerce City, Colorado
1993- 1997 - Emergency Medicine - US Army Hospital, Fort Carson, Colorado
1990- 1993 - Kaiser Permanente- Full Partner in the Southern California Permanente Medical Group (SCPMG),
Family Medicine and Emergency Medicine Physician,
Physician in Charge Minor Surgery Clinic,
Physician in Charge of Flexible Sigmoidoscopy Clinic,
Member of Emergency Critical Transport Team (ECT), Department of Dermatology, Physician
1991 - Re-activated to Active Military Status for Operation Desert Storm- 22nd Air Refueling Wing March Air Force Base deployed to Beale Air Force Base in support of the U-2/TR1 Spy Plane
1985-1990 - Air Force Systems Command Clinic, Los Angeles Air Force Base Chief, Aerospace Medicine Services,
Flight Surgeon Los Angeles Air Force Base & 14 Military Airlift Squadron Norton Air Force Base
Flight Surgeon Coast Guard Air Station Los Angeles, 11th District Coast Guard Headquarters
Chief Medical Consultant for Search and Rescue Operations
Chief, Allergy and Immunizations, Officer In Charge, Clinical Laboratory, Officer In Charge, Minor Surgery Dermatology Clinic in consultation with Dr. Arnold Gurevitch, Chief of Dermatology Harbor Division, UCLA
1979-1980 - Automated Control Laboratories- Corporate Office, Computer Operator and Programmer
1975 -1979 - Fluorocarbon Corporation- Corporate Office, Computer Operator and Programmer
Academic Appointments
2015-Present - Professor Family Medicine - Western University of Health Sciences - College of Osteopathic Medicine of the Pacific Pomona, California
2007-2015 - Associate Professor Family Medicine - Western University of Health Sciences - College of Osteopathic Medicine of the Pacific Pomona, California
2000-2002 - Regional Dean - Touro University College of Osteopathic Medicine Mare Island Vallejo, Denver, Colorado
1995-2007 - Associate Clinical Professor - Western University of Health Sciences - College of Osteopathic Medicine of the Pacific, Pomona, California
1997-2003 - Clinical Assistant Professor of Family Medicine - Kirksville College of Osteopathic Medicine (KCOM)
Teaching Activities and Presentations
- Presbyterian St. Luke’s Medical Center – Family Medicine Residents – “Decompression Illness,” Denver, CO, July 1993.
- Presbyterian St. Luke’s Medical Center – Family Medicine Residents – “High Altitude Pulmonary Edema,” Denver, CO, July 1994
- Presbyterian St. Luke’s Medical Center – Family Medicine Residents – “Management of Air Embolism Following Therapeutic Phlebotomy,” Denver, CO, July 1995.
- Garden City Hospital – Annual House Staff Orientation – “Shock; Cardiogenic vs. Traumatic,” Garden City, MI, July 2003, July 2004, July 2005, July 2006.
- Garden City Hospital – Board of Trustees and Medical Staff Meeting – “Medical Staff Plan,” Garden City MI, November 2006.
- California State University, Los Angeles– Student Professional Education Organization – “Western University – The Discipline of Learning, The Art of Caring,” January 2007
- California State University, Fullerton – Student Professional Education Organization – “Western University – The Discipline of Learning, The Art of Caring,”
- Desert Regional Medical Center Executive Committee – Osteopathic OGME Task Force Presentation – “The Value of Graduate Medical Education,” Palm Springs, CA, October 2007.
- American College of Osteopathic Physician and Surgeons – ACOFP 45th Annual Convention and Exhibition – “Electronic Medical Records – Evaluation of the Products Battle of the EMR,” Denver, CO, March 2008
- American College of Osteopathic Physician and Surgeons – ACOFP 45th Annual Convention and Exhibition – “Business of Medicine,” Denver, CO, March 2008
- American Osteopathic Association/American College of Osteopathic Physician and Surgeons – AOA 113TH Annual Convention and Scientific Seminar– “EMR and E-Prescribing: The Shape of Things to Come,” October 2008.
- American Osteopathic Association/American Osteopathic Association of Medical Informatics – AOA 113TH Annual Convention and Scientific Seminar– “Implementation of a Cost Effective Electronic Health Record in a Small Office” October 2008
- Western University of Health Sciences – Second Year Medical Students – “History and Physical Examination 2007 CMS Requirements,” February 2007, September 2007, October 2008, November 2008, August 2009
- Western University of Health Sciences – Second Year Medical Students – “Coding and Documentation” September 2008, November 2008
- Osteopathic Physicians and Surgeons of California – 2008 Annual Meeting – “EMR and E Prescribing: The Shape of Things to Come,” Monterey, CA, September 2008
- Western University of Health Sciences – Second Year Medical Students – “Credentialing, Hospital Medical Staff, Medical Boards” November 2008
- California State University San Diego – Student Professional Education Organization – “Western University – The Discipline of Learning, The Art of Caring,” San Diego, November 2008.
- University of California, Riverside – Student Professional Education Organization – “Western University – The Discipline of Learning, The Art of Caring,” Riverside, CA 2008.
- Osteopathic Graduate Medical Education Conference – “OGME Financial Projections,” Fort Lauderdale Fl, January 2009
- Western University of Health Sciences – Second Year Medical Students – “Selection of Residencies” February 2009.
- Grand Strand Medical Center Executive Committee – Osteopathic OGME Task Force Presentation – “Graduate Medical Education Development Initiative,” Myrtle Beach, SC, June 2009.
- ExcelaHealth Westmoreland Hospital Medical Center Executive Committee – Osteopathic OGME Task Force Presentation – “Graduate Medical Education Development Initiative,” Greensburg, PA June 2009.
- Doctors Medical Center Executive Committee – Osteopathic OGME Task Force Presentation – “Graduate Medical Education Development Initiative,” San Pablo, CA September 2009.
- Western University of Health Sciences – Second Year Medical Students – “Hospital Systems, Quality, Inpatient Medicine, EMR and Residency Development” May 2009, May 2010, May 2011
- Western University of Health Sciences – Second Year Medical Students – “Coding and Medical Decision Making” November 2008, September 2009.
- Western University of Health Sciences – Second Year Medical Students – “Making Your Way In the Medical World” May 2010, May 2011
- Osteopathic Physician and Surgeons of California – Annual Meeting Palm Springs- “Certification Criteria for Electronic Health Record Technology,” February 2010
- Osteopathic Physician and Surgeons of California – Annual Meeting San Diego- “Meaningful Use, HIPAA,” February 2012
- Western University of Health Sciences – COMP First Year Medical Students – "History and Physical Examination-Presentations," August 2010, August 2011
- Osteopathic Medical Board of California Department of Consumer Affairs, El Dorado Conference Room - Board Meeting "Pain Management Guidelines," September 26, 2013
- Western University of Health Sciences – COMP First Year Medical Students – "Professionalism, Ethics and Student Honor Code," August 2012
- AACOM and AODME 2013 Annual Meeting – Bureau of Osteopathic Graduate Medical Education OPTI Workshop – "OGME Financial Projections AODME," – April 23, 2013
- University of Southern California - Keck School of Medicine – Women’s Health Symposium – “Osteopathic Medicine” – January 2014
- San Diego State University Pre-Health Organization– “Catch the Wave to Success – Western University of Health Sciences Osteopathic Medicine” – March 2014
- Western University of Health Sciences – Masters Science Medical Science Program – "History and Physical Examination-Presentations," April 2014, April 2015
- Western University of Health Sciences – Masters Science Medical Science Program– " Medical Professionalism," April 2014, April 2015
- American College of Osteopathic Family Physicians - ACOFP-CA 39 - Townhall Meeting - "Update of Single Accreditation System" - August 2015
- Western University of Health Sciences – Family Medicine Interest Groups - "ACOFP Family Medicine," September 22, 2015
- Western University of Health Sciences – Dermatology Interest Group - "Dermatology for the non-Dermatologist," September 25, 2015
- University of California, Davis - UC Davis 13th Annual Pre-Med and Pre-Health Professional National Conference- "Single Accreditation System," October 10, 2015
- Western University of Health Sciences – Wilderness Medicine Interest Group - "High Altitude Pulmonary Edema/High Altitude Cerebral Edema," October 20, 2015
- US Health Works Hyatt Regency Indial Wells Resort and Spa - Occupational Medicine Conference - "Occupational Dermatology'" February 7, 2016
- American College of Osteopathic Family Physicians- ACOFP-CA 40 - Townhall Meeting - "Update of Single Accreditation System" - August 2016
- Western University of Health Sciences – Emergency Medicine Symposium - "High Altitude Medicine," February 13, 2016
- American College of Osteopathic Family Physicians- ACOFP-CA 41 - Townhall Meeting - "Update of Single Accreditation System" - August 2017
- Western University of Health Sciences– "Clinical Practice Guidelines for Use of Opioids for Chronic Non-Cancer Pain," February 2018
- American College of Osteopathic Family Physicians- ACOFP-CA 42 - Townhall Meeting - "Update of Single Accreditation System" - August 2018
- Commission on Osteopathic College Accreditation - Expert Testimony -"Update of Single Accreditation System" - November 2018
- Osteopathic Physicians and Surgeons of California - 58th Annual Convention San Diego - Keynote Address - "Update of Single Accreditation System" - February 2019
- American College of Osteopathic Family Physicians- ACOFP '19 Chicago IL - "Update of Single Accreditation System" - March 2019
- Western University of Health Sciences – COMP Second and Third Year Medical Students - "Introduction to Dermatology," March 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020
- Western University of Health Sciences– COMP Third Year Medical Students - "Dermatology Online Virtual Rotation in cooperation with the American Academy of Dermatology," March 2020
- American College of Osteopathic Family Physicians- California ACOFP - CA, Anaheim, CA, March 2022, September 2021, March 2019- "Update of Single Accreditation System"
American College of Osteopathic Family Physicians, 2014 “Distinguished Fellowship” Family Medicine - American Osteopathic Association
“Educator of the Year- 2012 ACOFP-California”-American College of Osteopathic Family Physicians - California Chapter of the American College of Osteopathic Family Physicians – August 2012
“Physician of the Year- 2012 OPSC”-Osteopathic Physicians and Surgeons of California - California Chapter of the American Osteopathic Association – February 2012
“Presidential Commendation - for Leadership and Advancement of the Osteopathic Profession" - American College of Osteopathic Family Physicians 2010 - California Chapter – August 2010
“Physician of the Year” - American College of Osteopathic Family Physicians 1997 – Colorado Chapter 1997
Southern California Permanente Medical Group 1992 “Primary Care Award” - First Family Physician to receive this award in the SCPMG for productivity and optimal use of in-patient services.
Meritorious Service Medal 12 Aug 85 to 23 Jul 90 - Chief Medical Officer for Search and Rescue Operations - Created a joint military command structure utilizing Air Force, Navy and Coast Guard personnel and equipment. This joint military command serviced over 200 search and rescue missions and saved over 180 lives.
Coast Guard Commendation Medal - 8 Aug 88 to 23 Jul 90 outstanding support of the Los Angeles Coast Guard Air Station.
National Defense Medal – 1991 Flight Surgical Support for the U-2 Reconnaissance mission during Operation Desert Storm.
Unit Letter Of Commendation – 1990 Unplanned search and rescue life saving event while on a routine Coast Guard surveillance mission.
Federal Executives Board of Los Angeles - 11 May 1990 Distinguished Public Service Award.
2018 - Present American College of Osteopathic Family Physicians (ACOFP), Board of Governors
2011- Present American College of Osteopathic Family Physicians (ACOFP), California Chapter - Past President 2017, President 2015, President Elect 2013, Treasurer, Board Member 2011, ACOFP Delegate
2007- Present Osteopathic Physicians and Surgeons of California (OPSC) - Past President 2015, President 2014, President Elect 2013, Vice President 2012, Secretary Treasurer 2010-2011, Board of Directors 2007, Legislative Committee, Finance and Budget Committee, Political Action Committee, Educational Committee, California
2000- 2019 Healthcare Facilities Accreditation Program (HFAP) - Vice-Chairman Bureau of Healthcare Facilities Accreditation Program.
2011- 2014 American Osteopathic Association Medical Informatics (AOAMI), American Osteopathic Association, Board Member
1980- Present American Osteopathic Association - National Delegate 1987-present
1984- Present Sigma Sigma Phi - National Osteopathic Medical Honor Society - Life Member; Western University Advisor, Vice President - National Board of Trustees 2009-2014
2007- 2012 Pomona Valley YMCA Board Member (Young Men's Christian Association), Pomona, California
1997- 2003 American College of Osteopathic Family Physicians (ACOFP), Colorado Chapter - President 1998-00, National Delegate
2003 - 2006 American College of Osteopathic Family Physicians (ACOFP), Michigan Chapter - President Elect 2006, National Delegate
2004- 2006 Michigan Osteopathic Association (MOA) - Political Action Committee, Okemos, Michigan
2004- 2006 Wayne County Medical Association-Michigan Osteopathic Association (MOA) - President
2002- 2004 Western University of Health Sciences- College of Osteopathic Medicine of the Pacific-President Alumni Association
1991- 2003 Colorado Society of Osteopathic Medicine - President 2000, President Elect 1999, Vice President 1997-Present & Trustee and Board Member 1995- Secretary/Treasurer
1997- 2007 American College of Osteopathic Family Physicians (ACOFP), Colorado Chapter - President 1998-00, National Delegate
1999- 2003 Colorado Osteopathic Education Center (COEC) - Founding Board Member 1999-2003
1998- 2003 United HealthCare Quality Board, Colorado Chapter - 1998 to 2003
1998- 2003 Colorado Collaborative of Clinical Pathways - 1998 to 2003
1993- 1996 Colorado Commission on Family Medicine - Trustee 1993-1996
1987 - Present American College of Osteopathic Family Physicians (ACOFP) National Chapter - Member
1987- 1990 Association of Military Osteopathic Physicians and Surgeons (AMOPS) - Continuing Medical Education Coordinator 1989-1990
2000- 2019 Healthcare Facilities Accreditation Program (HFAP)– Vice Chairman - Executive Committee Member and Chair Standards Sub Committee Bureau Member – ACOFP Representative - American Osteopathic Association
2015- 2018 Bureau of Osteopathic Education (BOE) – Member, American Osteopathic Association
2015- 2018 Council on Postdoctoral Training (COPT) – Member, American Osteopathic Association
2008- 2018 Bureau of Osteopathic Graduate Medical Education Development (BOGMED) – Chair and Consultant for residency development, American Osteopathic Association
2009- 2014 Information Technology Advisory Bureau (ITAB) – American Osteopathic Association
2008-2011 ACOFP Practice Management Subcommittee; Quality Pay for Performance, Safety Committee – Chairman the National American College of Osteopathic Family Physicians
2007-2008 ACOFP Resolutions Review Committee – member
2004-2005 ACOFP Medical Informatics Committee – member
2003- 2006 Garden City Hospital – Vice President and Chief Medical Officer - Chairman Institutional Review Board (IRB), Credentials Committee, Medical Executive Committee, Quality Assurance Committee, Risk Management Committee, Mortality Committee, Finance Committee, Osteopathic Graduate Medical Education Committee.
2002-2010 ACOFP Practice Management Committee – Chairman of the National American College of Osteopathic Family Physicians, Chairman 2006 - 2007
2000-2005 ACOFP Affiliate Relations Committee – Chairman the National American College of Osteopathic Family Physicians
1999- 2002 ACOFP Managed Care Curriculum Development Task Force – Chairman the National American College of Osteopathic Family Physicians
1999- 2002 ACOFP Managed Care Curriculum Development Committee – Chairman the National American College of Osteopathic Family Physicians
1999- 2001 ACOFP Managed Care Committee – Member of the National American College of Osteopathic Family Physicians
1999- 2003 Ambulatory Clinics Medical Quality Assurance Committee – Chairman; Exempla Medical Group
1998- 2003 Colorado Collaborative for Clinic Pathways – Colorado Society of Osteopathic Medicine; HealthONE Columbia HCA; Exempla’s Representative; Board of Directors
1994- 1999 Ambulatory Clinics Medical Quality Assurance Committee - Chairman; HealthONE Columbia Continental Division
1. Connett, D, Effect of the Single Accreditation System. The Journal of the American Osteopathic Association; July 1, 2014, vol. 114, No 7, 524-526.
2. Seffinger, M, Foundations of Osteopathic Medicine Philosophy, Science, Clinical Applications and Research Fourth Edition, Chapter 51 Effectiveness and Safety of Osteopathic Manipulative Treatment, page 1531-1542, February 2018.
David Connett, DO, FACOFP dist. is the Acting Dean of the College of Osteopathic Medicine of the Pacific (COMP) and COMP-Northwest at Western University of Health Sciences (WesternU). In addition he is a Professor of Family Medicine at WesternU/COMP. Dr. Connett serves on the Board of Governors for the national organization of the American College of Osteopathic Family Physicians, and is the past President of the American College of Osteopathic Family Physicians-California, the Osteopathic Medical Board of California and the Osteopathic Physicians and Surgeons of California.
In addition to his duties as Acting Dean, Dr. Connett is a national consultant for residency development, having provided consultation for over 105 healthcare facilities throughout the United States. He is the lead consultant for residency development for the American Osteopathic Association (AOA) and the former Chairman of the Bureau of Graduate Medical Education Development for the AOA.
Graduating from WesternU/COMP in 1984, Dr. Connett did his postgraduate training in family medicine at the Chicago College of Osteopathic Medicine. He is currently board certified by the American Osteopathic Board of Family Medicine and earned his Distinguished Fellowship by the American College of Osteopathic Family Physicians. With 37 years of clinical practice, Dr. Connett currently practices family medicine in Pomona, California, and previously practiced emergency medicine and aerospace medicine serving as a flight surgeon in the United States Air Force. He is also a veteran of Operation Desert Storm and served in the United States Air Force for five years as a family physician and flight surgeon.
Dr. Connett has two children. His son David is a national expert in cybersecurity, and his daughter Breanna is Chief Resident in her 5th year of surgical residency and a proud alum of COMP-Northwest. His hobbies include mountain biking, weightlifting, downhill skiing, world travel, and spending time with his granddaughter.