The American Osteopathic Association (AOA) announced today the recipients of its 2026 awards, recognizing physicians, medical students and affiliate organizations across four categories. Honorees will be celebrated at OMED 2026, held Oct. 22-25 at Caesars Palace in Las Vegas. The conference centers on the theme of “Your Career. Your Path. Your OMED.” Registration and housing are open now.
A career in osteopathic medicine is rarely built alone, and this year’s honorees are proof. Each of them made room on the path for someone else: a student who needed a mentor, a researcher who needed a place to start or a patient that needed to be heard. The awards recognize that work across four categories, including the MOSAIC Awards, Mentor of the Year, the Outstanding Affiliate Awards and the Journal of Osteopathic Medicine (JOM) Research Awards.
“Integrity, service, passion, innovation, respect, excellence and the distinctiveness of osteopathic medicine are the values that guide this profession,” said AOA President Richard R. Thacker, DO, MACOI. “This year’s honorees exemplify those values in practice. Every one of them has spent a career making the path easier for the physicians and patients who come next. That is inspired leadership, and it is what I hope every DO who comes to Las Vegas takes home with them.”
“OMED offers osteopathic physicians a place to celebrate their achievements and connect with those who have made an impact on the profession,” said Peter B. Ajluni, DO, Chair, Council of OMED. “It provides physicians with the unique opportunity to engage with peers and leaders, building meaningful connections and returning to their communities with new ideas to improve patient care. The future of osteopathic medicine starts here, creating a sense of purpose which makes OMED an invaluable experience for physicians.”
MOSAIC Award
Mentor of the Year*
Outstanding Affiliate Awards
Journal of Osteopathic Medicine (JOM) Award Recipients*
The awards are one part of four days in which the osteopathic profession does its thinking out loud. DOs, residents, students and the broader care team can earn up to 60 AOA Category 1-A credits across clinical tracks developed with the AOA’s specialty colleges. Meet program directors face to face at the Residency Fair. Visit the simulation center and see the new tools and technology reshaping patient care in the exhibit hall.
For physicians who want to keep their skills current and their practice connected to the wider profession, OMED26 puts both in one place. Most in-person CME content will also be available through OMED On-Demand for those who cannot travel. Full program, registration and housing information are available at omed.osteopathic.org.
“As the professional home for osteopathic physicians and students, the AOA provides consistent, high-quality continuing medical education for all members,” said AOA CEO Kathleen S. Creason, MBA. “The AOA strives to be more than just a medical association, but a homebase and true partner for students and practicing DOs throughout their career. By bringing together leading experts and encouraging discussions on medical advancements, OMED inspires DOs to remain at the forefront of patient-centered care.”
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About the American Osteopathic Association
As the nation’s leading voice for osteopathic medicine, the American Osteopathic Association (AOA) represents more than 207,000 osteopathic physicians (DOs) and medical students, championing public health, scientific research and the highest standards of DO certification. For over a century, the AOA has advanced whole-person healthcare, shaping the future of the osteopathic profession and ensuring its founding principles remain a vital force in modern medicine.
To learn more about DOs and the osteopathic philosophy of medicine, visit Osteopathic.org or to find a DO in your area visit findado.osteopathic.org.
AOA media contact
Amanda Pavic
Corporate Communications Specialist
[email protected]