The American Osteopathic Foundation (AOF) proudly announces Robert DeLuca, DO, FACOFP dist., as the recipient of the 2025 AOF Physician of the Year Award, one of the Foundation’s highest honors. Dr. DeLuca will be formally recognized on stage at the AOF Honors Gala on Friday, September 26, 2025, in Nashville, Tennessee, held in conjunction with the American Osteopathic Association’s annual OMED conference.
Dr. DeLuca is currently in private family practice in Eastland, Texas, where he has been providing care for 39 years. His rural practice includes office, nursing home, and hospice care. He is an alumnus of the University of North Texas and the Texas College of Osteopathic Medicine. In 2012, he became a governor on the American College of Osteopathic Family Physicians (ACOFP) board and served as president in 2019.
“Dr. DeLuca is deeply deserving of this honor,” said Scott Cyrus, DO, President of the AOF Board. “He is emblematic of the care that Osteopathic physicians provide our great nation and how we are addressing gaps in rural care. Nearly one in five Americans relies on rural healthcare providers and facilities. Dr. DeLuca is committed to providing exceptional, quality care to the citizens of Eastland, TX, and the surrounding communities.
The Physician of the Year Award recognizes one individual who has been practicing for at least ten years, whose extraordinary service brings a sense of pride to the profession, and whose actions promote the science of Osteopathic medicine and the betterment of public health.
“We are looking forward to celebrating Dr. DeLuca at our Gala this September,” added Rita Forden, CEO of AOF. “His leadership of the ACOFP during the pandemic was masterful, and his unwavering service as an Osteopathic family physician in a rural, medically underserved community is truly commendable. Dr. DeLuca embodies the values of the Osteopathic profession and advances the Foundation’s mission each and every day.”
For over 75 years, the American Osteopathic Foundation has invested in the Osteopathic profession through scholarships, grants, research funding, and global humanitarian outreach. The AOF Honors Gala has raised millions of dollars to support DOs at every stage—from medical school to practice.
Sponsorships and Ticket Information
To recognize Dr. DeLuca, attend, or sponsor the 2025 Honors Gala, please contact Terry Sanders, Director of Development, at tlsanders@aof.org or 312.202.8230.
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Established in 2009, the American Osteopathic Foundation’s (AOF) Physician of the Year Award annually recognizes an Osteopathic physician whose dedication and leadership have dramatically improved the lives of their patients and their community. This individual achieves greatness through integrity, commitment to service, and community involvement.
The recipient of this award is nominated by three individuals who may include: a current or former employer, a current or past member of the AOA, AOF, or another Osteopathic organization’s board of directors, a practicing DO, or a current or former patient.
