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The BEL represents the interests of osteopathic medical students, resident physicians, fellows and new physicians in practice.
The American Osteopathic Association’s Bureau of Emerging Leaders (BEL) is the representative body and advocate for all osteopathic medical students, osteopathic physicians in postdoctoral training and early career osteopathic physicians.
Looking for leadership opportunities within the osteopathic profession? Explore opportunities within the AOA and other osteopathic organizations to see where new physicians in practice, residents/fellows and osteopathic medical students can get involved. This directory outlines the governing bodies and committees driving the profession forward.
Each year, the BEL sponsors scholarships opportunities for residents, fellows and new physicians in practice to attend AOA events like DO Day and OMED. Learn more about how you can advance your professional development and engage with your profession through these events!
View updates below from the most recent issue of the Looking Forward BEL newsletter.
Sweeney is a student at MWU/CCOM and has recently taken on the role of National Research Director with SOMA.
Read moreDr. Parker is passionate about family and rural medicine, and his professional interests include POS ultrasound, OMT and office-based procedures.
Read moreFormer AOA President Teresa A. Hubka, DO, FACOOG (Dist.), FACOG, CS, reflects on what lies ahead for the osteopathic profession through leadership and stewardship.
Read moreMany medical students don’t pursue hobbies outside of their studies. Blake Kendrick, OMS II, encourages us all find a passion outside of medicine in the pursuit of mastery.
Read moreThe following BEL members represent osteopathic medical students, residents and new physicians on the AOA Board of Trustees.
Sara A. Lohbauer, DO
Sara A. Lohbauer, DO, currently serves as the AOA’s New Physician in Practice Member. Dr. Lohbauer is a family medicine resident in Gainesville, Florida. She has served on the BEL for several years, and was the BEL Resolutions Work Group Chair for 2022-23. She is a member of the Florida Osteopathic Medical Association (FOMA) and has served the organization in numerous capacities since 2018.
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Alissa Hendricks-Wenger, DO
Alissa Hendricks-Wenger, DO, currently serves as the Postdoctoral Trainee Member of the AOA Board of Trustees, and also serves as co-vice chair of the BEL. Dr. Hendricks-Wenger is an integrated interventional radiology resident in Jacksonville, Florida. She has served the osteopathic profession since her student years, serving on the BEL since 2023 in addition to her service on the AOA’s Bureau of Osteopathic Research and Public Health.
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Mara Krutsinger, OMS IV
Mara Krutsinger, OMS IV, currently serves as the Student Member on the AOA’s Board of Trustees. In her role on the BOT, Krutsinger acts as a liaison between the AOA and student organizations, such as the Student Osteopathic Medical Association (SOMA) and the Council of Osteopathic Student Government Presidents (COSGP). In addition to her work on the BOT, she serves as co-vice chair for the BEL. Krutsinger is a student at the Idaho College of Osteopathic Medicine (ICOM).
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David E. Garza, DO
David E. Garza, DO, is an osteopathic family physician, medical educator and healthcare leader. He is an assistant professor and Chair of Primary Care at the University of the Incarnate Word School of Osteopathic Medicine (UIWSOM) in San Antonio, Texas, where he also serves as a founding Chair of the CME Committee and leads the development of the school’s continuing medical education program (CME). He also currently serves as Chair of the AOA Department of Membership, which oversees the BEL.
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