Meet Peter Bidey, DO, FACOFP

Peter Bidey, DO, FACOFP

As we continue our osteopathic journey, I would like to next introduce the next member of the ACOFP Board of Governors leading ACOFP! Please meet our newest governor, Peter Bidey, DO, FACOFP.

You have been very active in your local state society. How would you recommend students get involved in their local state societies?

The easiest and shortest answer is to just ask! I promise you: All the ACOFP state societies are always looking for students to join and, in some cases, sit on their boards. In regard to finding out about them, usually your student chapter’s e-boards and/or faculty advisors have contacts at the state societies. ACOFP would also be able to provide you with this contact information for your state.

In my state society (Pennsylvania), we love having the students participate in our meetings and events, and we even provide some additional funding for them to travel to conferences. As state society members, we know that our students are the future of our profession, and we want to enrich that as well as give back similarly to who that have given to us. So, as stated before, please outreach your ACOFP state societies; I know they would love to work with the students!

As the newest governor on the ACOFP Board of Governors, what is something that surprised you about becoming a governor? What would you like to see the Board implement in the future?

First and foremost, the thing that surprised me the most was that they would even choose me! Throughout my entire career as a student, resident, and now attending physician, the members of the ACOFP Board of Governors were such accomplished, amazing role models, and I never thought that I would be in their company, at this level. However, I am continually amazed by the Board of Governors’ openness, comradery and true devotion to the Board and the entire ACOFP membership. It really is like becoming part of a family, and you can tell that they really care about each other as well as everyone involved in ACOFP.

Regarding implementation over the next few years, I hope we continue our current trajectory. The Board is doing an amazing job of broadening the membership pool and increasing representation to bring novel ideas and opinions to the forefront for all osteopathic family physicians.

Where do you go to college, medical school and residency?

I went to college in Pittsburgh at Duquesne University and medical shool at the Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine (PCOM). I did my family medicine residency at PCOM - Mercy Suburban Hospital.

Where do you live and practice now?

I don’t like to travel too much, so excluding college, I haven’t moved more than 16 miles from where I was born in Philadelphia! I now live in Haddonfield, New Jersey, and I practice and work for PCOM.

What are your hobbies or interests?

I have a four year old and a three year old, so my wife and I are no longer able to have hobbies that don’t involve them (just kidding!). When I do get some free time, I really enjoy deep sea fishing, playing guitar, going to Phillies games, and—for those familiar with Philadelphia—I am also in the Mummer’s Parade.

What would you like to see from the student chapters or student members this year/next year?

I would say to get involved, stay involved and voice your opinion! The student chapters are so unique because they can see medicine in the present and the future. Similarly, I would say find a mentor! Medicine is ever changing and, as a student, you are often the mentee, but in any mentor/mentee relationship, you learn from each other, so your mentor is going to learn just as much from you. If you think about it, there are many aspects of the future of medicine that students have their fingers on the pulse, and this information is vital to you, your mentor and ACOFP, so we love to (and need to hear) your opinions.

You have the unique position of sitting on the NSEB, as well. What has it been like working with students outside your normal professorial role?

To be blunt, amazing! It is truly an honor to watch the NSEB in action. I am constantly amazed about how you are all able to truly represent the many school chapters to the Board, as well as enact change to the areas that really matter to students. I have said this before, and I will say it again: When I was a medical student, I did not have the capacity to even consider doing something like this. I am truly amazed by the NSEB’s devotion and ability to not only excel at their COMs in their studies, but still find the time to also create and implement so many amazing things for the student chapters.

Thank you Dr. Bidey!