Student advocacy poster competition showcases future policy leaders

At DO Day 2026, osteopathic medical students and residents demonstrated their research and advocacy skills through the Advocacy and Policy Research Poster Competition, hosted in partnership with Omega Beta Iota (OBI). The competition highlights emerging physician leaders tackling critical healthcare challenges and advancing policy-driven solutions.

This year’s winning projects reflected key issues such as healthcare access, workforce distribution and social determinants of health. Congratulations to this year’s winners for their outstanding work and commitment to advancing health policy and patient care:

First place: Abraham Libman, MA, OMS III (Touro College of Osteopathic Medicine)
Environmental & Socioeconomic Drivers of Overdose Vulnerability Among Adults Experiencing Homelessness in Downtown Manhattan
Second place: Alexander Uhlman, OMS II (Orlando College of Osteopathic Medicine)
Identifying Healthcare Deserts: A Geospatial Analysis of Hospital Serviceability in Florida Census Tracts
Third place: Syed Sami N. Zafer Ahmed, OMS III (Touro College of Osteopathic Medicine – Great Falls)
Graduate Medical Education Expansion and Misalignment with Health Professional Shortage Areas

The AOA looks forward to continuing to grow this initiative and strengthen the pipeline of future advocacy leaders.