AOA Advocacy 101: the Issues, the Process & How You Can Make a Difference in Virginia

Raine Richards, JD Related Seminars and Products

Raine Richards, JD, is the Vice President of State and International Affairs for the American Osteopathic Association (AOA). In this role, she oversees the AOA’s international portfolio, as well as US state policy and advocacy initiatives. On the international side, she serves as the Secretariat of the Osteopathic International Alliance, which unites the global profession to advance high-quality osteopathic healthcare worldwide and serves as the official vehicle for the profession within the World Health Organization. She also helps to advance international recognition of US-trained DOs through her role as Secretary of the AOA’s Bureau on International Osteopathic Medicine.

On the state side, Raine serves as the Secretary of the AOA’s Council on State Health Affairs, helping to develop new policies and respond to state legislative and regulatory proposals in conjunction with state and specialty affiliates. As Executive Director of the American Association of Osteopathic Examiners, which represents all DOs on state medical boards, Raine monitors issues affecting state licensure and responds to physician inquiries regarding licensure and discipline.

Raine has been with the AOA for over eight years; prior to that she was an attorney at the Cook County Treasurer’s Office in Chicago, Illinois. She received a JD from the University of Michigan Law School and a BA in Spanish from Emory University.

Raine Richards, JD has no actual or potential conflict of interest, financial relationship/arrangement or affiliation with any entity producing, marketing, re-selling or distributing health care goods or services consumed by, or used on, patients.

Sean Neal Related Seminars and Products

Vice President of Advocacy and Political Affairs with the American Osteopathic Association

Sean Neal is the Director of Grassroots and OPAC with the American Osteopathic Association and has more than ten years of political and advocacy experience with a focus on fundraising, government relations, and grassroots initiatives. Sean currently heads the AOA’s grassroots programs on both the state and federal, including DO Day on Capitol Hill.

In addition to his role with AOA, Sean also runs the Osteopathic Political Action Committee (OPAC) where he serves as the point person for all political campaigns. Sean was one of the original founders and board members of a physician-industry first Super PAC where he raised over $800,000 in less than 4 months. In addition, Sean developed a physician-industry first charity PAC match which netted $30,000 for charity.    

Sean is the co-chair of both the physician PAC Forum and Candidate Workshop where physicians are trained how to run for Congress. In addition, Sean is the chair of Innovate to Motivate, a program that fulfills the professional development requirements to earn or maintain the certified association executive credential.

Before joining the AOA, Sean began his political career as a field organizer and strategist for the U.S. House of Representatives, Senate and Presidential campaigns.

Mr. Neal has no actual or potential conflict of interest, financial relationship/arrangement or affiliation with any entity producing, marketing, re-selling or distributing health care goods or services consumed by, or used on, patients.