The American Osteopathic Foundation (AOF) is pleased to announce the election of Joel M. Feder, DO, FACOFP dist. Captain (Ret) U. S. Navy to the AOF Board for a three-year term starting on January 1, 2025. Dr. Feder, a Family Medicine physician, Navy veteran, and educator, brings excitement and purpose to his new role on the Board. 

"I have been attending the AOF's Honors Gala for the past five years, and have been absolutely amazed by their generosity," says Dr. Feder. "I was aware of the Foundation, but had no idea how much the AOF gives to the profession ... the scholarships, the disaster relief support ... there just isn't any other organization like the American Osteopathic Foundation, and I wanted to be a part of it."

Dr. Feder spent 38 years as a Navy Medical Officer before his retirement in 2008. 

Currently, he is an Adjunct Clinical Assistant Professor of Family Medicine in the Department of Primary Care, Kansas City University, College of Osteopathic Medicine and is the Medical Director of the Kansas Osteopathic Physician Assistance Program. He works as an Urgent Care Physician at the Kansas City Urgent Care Center, Independence, MO. 

He is also helping people experiencing homelessness as a Volunteer Staff Physician at Care Beyond the Boulevard and is affiliated with the Overland Park Regional Medical Center. His civic involvement includes having served as Chapter and Council President of the Military Officers Association of America. Dr. Feder has been married to Randi Feder for 53 years and has 2 daughters. 

A dedicated educator, Dr. Feder loves to teach and enjoys seeing Osteopathic medical students receive scholarships and awards. 

"Dr. Feder's love of teaching is inspiring and will help the Foundation in our work with students, residents, and physician-educators," says the Foundation's CEO, Rita Forden. "He understands our mission and will help us achieve greater visibility within the profession."

Previously, Dr. Feder was the Clinical Education Liaison for the Kansas City Metro at the Kansas City University, College of Osteopathic Medicine, a Staff Physician at the Kansas City Healthcare Center, a Staff Physician at CareNow/HCA Urgent Care, and a Staff Physician at the Dwight D. Eisenhower VA Medical Center, Leavenworth, KS. 

Dr. Feder is currently serving as a member of the Council of OMED and the Bureau of International Osteopathic Medicine for the American Osteopathic Association (AOA). He also serves on the AOA Advocacy with Affiliates work group, the Celebrating 150 Years of Osteopathic Medicine task force, and the OMED25 BEL Track Proposal committee. Dr. Feder is a Kansas delegate to the AOA House of Delegates. He is Chair of the American College of Osteopathic Family Physicians (ACOFP) KLA committee, a member of the OMED work group, and the Awards committee for the ACOFP. 

He received his Bachelor of Arts in Biology from The University of Kansas and a Doctor of Osteopathy from Kansas City University, College of Osteopathic Medicine.