Mourning a great loss for the osteopathic community

Late last week, the osteopathic community lost a true legend, an incredible practitioner and a world-class educator with the passing of Dr. Anthony Chila, Professor Emeritus of Family Medicine. As a leading authority on osteopathic manipulative medicine (OMM), Dr. Chila made a profound impact on the osteopathic profession through innovative research and scholarship over the course of his 50+ year career. His patients in our OMM clinic, which used to be affiliated with the college, continually sang his praises. But he is best known at Ohio University as a passionate and beloved OMM educator, who has made an indelible mark on the lives and careers of countless Heritage College graduates, as well as medical students and physicians across the globe.

Dr. Chila served the Heritage College from 1978 until his retirement in 2011. In addition to his teaching responsibilities, he served as our chief of clinical research and chair of our Department of Family Medicine. Dr. Chila is a fellow of the American Academy of Osteopathy and the Osteopathic Cranial Academy. His accolades include the American Osteopathic Foundation’s Educator of the Year Award, among many others.

I had the incredible opportunity to learn from Dr. Chila starting in 1989 as a student in New England and can personally attest to his masterful teaching, which transformed my patient care. I am honored that a physician of such distinction also played such a pivotal role in the lives of many Heritage College students. He will be greatly missed and forever treasured by the Heritage College family.

A funeral service will be held at 11 a.m. on April 6 at Jagers & Sons Funeral Home in Athens, Ohio, followed by burial at Athens Memory Gardens.  In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Osteopathic Cranial Academy Education Fund. Memories and notes of condolence may be shared at http://www.jagersfuneralhome.com.