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BIOM Abstract Competition

Global health

2023 BIOM Abstract Competition

Just announced: Winners of our 25th annual global health abstract competition! View presentations starting Oct. 6.

The American Osteopathic Association’s Bureau of International Osteopathic Medicine (BIOM) recently held its 25th annual global health competition. This year’s abstract competition provides an opportunity for osteopathic medical students and residents to disseminate their global health* research and narrative medicine experiences to a broad audience via a virtual poster expo at OMED23. From a pool of outstanding submissions, the following winners have been selected:

Best overall ($1,500 prize)

Tafadzwa Amani, OMS IV, Kansas City University College of Osteopathic Medicine
Abstract: Epidemiology of Diabetic Peripheral Neuropathy and Associated Factors in Rural Guatemala” (research abstract)

Research category

First place ($750): Megan Sampath, OMS II, and Onyinyechi Nwosu, OMS II, Burrell College of Osteopathic Medicine
Abstract: Knowledge and beliefs about the human papillomavirus and its vaccine are consistent across healthcare providers in the Paso del Norte region…”

Second place ($500): Akila Goel, OMS II, New York Institute of Technology College of Osteopathic Medicine
Abstract: Utilization of multivitamin supplementation in conjunction with albendazole antiparasitic agent protocols among patients in the Dominican Republic”

Narrative category

First place ($750): Samyukthaa Saiprakash, OMS III, Sam Houston State University College of Osteopathic Medicine
Essay: The Mother of Invention”

Second place ($500): Kamryn Benscoter, OMS II, Marian University College of Osteopathic Medicine
Essay: Honduras: A Mutualistic Experience”


The BIOM thanks everyone who participated in this year’s competition, and encourages anyone with an interest in global health to log on to our free, virtual platform on Friday, Oct. 6 to view the competition posters and chat with the winners live. OMED registration is not required, and the recorded poster presentations will be available on the site from Oct. 6 until the end of December. Access a registration link and save the date for your calendar!

Oct. 6 live presentation schedule (all times in EST):

  • 11:30 a.m. – 12 p.m. — Samyukthaa Saiprakash, OMS III (First place, Narrative)
  • 1-1:30 p.m. — Kamryn Benscoter, OMS II (Second place, Narrative)
  • 1:30-2 p.m. — Akila Goel, OMS II (Second place, Research)
  • 2-2:30 p.m. — Tafadzwa Amani, OMS IV (Best Overall [Research])
  • 4:30-5 p.m. — Megan Sampath, OMS II, and Onyinyechi Nwosu, OMS II (First place, Research)

*For the 2023 program, the BIOM considered abstracts reflecting work with migrant and/or refugee populations within the United States as programs work to re-implement international opportunities following the pandemic.

The submission portal for the 2023 competition closed July 31, 2023. Check back in the spring for information about the 2024 competition.


Thank you to our co-sponsors for their generous support!

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