Please join us in recognizing John Diefenderfer DO who was honored by the American Osteopathic Foundation (AOF) as the 2024 winner of AOF’s James M. Lally, DO, National Emerging Leader award. The National Emerging Leader award pays tribute to an outstanding osteopathic physician whose leadership inspires others, whose noticeable accomplishments motivate those around them, and whose medical knowledge, combined with patient empathy, enriches the lives of those they serve. The award recognizes early career physicians poised to become the next generation of leaders in osteopathic medicine. From all State Emerging Leader recipients, one national winner is chosen each year, selected by osteopathic peers and industry leaders across the country.
From AOF’s announcement:
Dr. Diefenderfer is not just a rising leader in osteopathic medicine – he’s a driving force for positive change, deeply rooted in his commitment to both his local community in Maine and the broader osteopathic community. A 2015 graduate of the West Virginia School of Osteopathic Medicine, Dr. Diefenderfer’s journey from medical school to becoming a recognized leader in his field has been marked by his dedication to advancing osteopathic medicine through education, patient care, and community service. In his role as faculty member at MDFMR, Dr. Diefenderfer wears many hats, balancing his time between teaching in the family medicine and ONMM3 residencies. His dual focus reflects his unwavering dedication to integrating osteopathic principles into every facet of medical training and practice. Whether he’s supervising residents, coordinating didactic sessions, or chairing committees focused on osteopathic education, Dr. Diefenderfer is fully immersed in shaping the future of osteopathic medicine.
Dr. Diefenderfer serves as core faculty for the ONMM3 Residency and Osteopathic Education Director for Maine-Dartmouth’s family medicine residency. His current medical leadership activities include chairing MDFMR’s Osteopathic Education Committee and the ONMM3 Residency’s Program Evaluation Committee; serving on the Board of Directors for the Maine Osteopathic Association and for MaineGeneral Health, and on the Medical Executive Committee for MaineGeneral Medical Center; and chairing the Professional and Public Education Committee for the Maine Osteopathic Association. Dr. Diefenderfer also has a deep commitment to giving back to his community, serving on the board of The Friends of Quarry Road, a nonprofit that promotes outdoor recreation and wellness, and providing sideline medical coverage for local high school athletic events. He was honored as the Maine Osteopathic Association Young Physician of the Year in 2022 and was selected to join the prestigious 2024 American Osteopathic Association Leadership Academy.