Champions of change: Nominations for 2026 AOA advocacy awards now open

Nominations are now being accepted for the AOA’s 2026 cohort of advocacy awards, which recognize excellence in public policy advocacy and support for the osteopathic profession.

This year’s winners will be honored at DO Day 2026, beginning with two days of virtual programming on March 21 and 22, followed by two days of in-person Congressional meetings in Washington, D.C., on March 25 and 26.

Nominate a changemaker

Award categories and descriptions are as follows:

Individual Excellence in Advocacy – Recognizes individuals for their commitment to public policy advocacy on behalf of the osteopathic profession. Three honorees will be selected: one student, one resident and one physician. Selection criteria include in-person and online advocacy, participation in DO Day or other events and demonstrated leadership in engaging peers.
Organizational Excellence in Advocacy – Recognizes a state osteopathic association, osteopathic specialty college, non-practice affiliate or college of osteopathic medicine for outstanding organizational efforts to advance public policy. Criteria include advocacy achievements and participation in national advocacy events and initiatives.
Congressional Champion of Osteopathic Medicine – Honors members of Congress in a bipartisan manner, with one Democrat and one Republican selected for their support of osteopathic policy priorities. Criteria include introduction or co-sponsorship of priority bills, leadership on key issues, voting record and engagement with AOA or affiliate events.

The deadline to submit nominations is Tuesday, Jan. 30, 2026, at 5 p.m. CT. For details, please visit the AOA Awards landing page. Questions may be directed to the AOA’s public policy team at [email protected].

Submit a nomination