Voice of the future News from the Bureau of Emerging Leaders
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.
Professional leadership
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.
Upcoming BEL webinars
| Preparing for Practice |
| Subject |
Date & time |
Link |
| Financial Literacy After Residency |
Wednesday, May 20
7 p.m. CT |
Registration |
| Leadership Development |
| Subject |
Date & time |
Link |
| Leadership Opportunities |
Tuesday, May 19
7 p.m. CT |
Registration |
OMED & DO Day Scholarships
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!
Spring 2026 Looking Forward newsletter
View updates below from the most recent issue of the Looking Forward BEL newsletter.
Medical student spotlight: Akul Gupta, OMS I
Gupta is a student at ASTU-SOMA in Mesa, Arizona, where he is working towards his goal of becoming a vascular surgeon.
Read more
Resident spotlight: Jacob Kalin, DO
This year, Dr. Kalin recently joined Morsani College of Medicine’s inaugural class on his journey as a PGY-1 family medicine resident.
Read more
New physician in practice spotlight: Dakota White, DO
Dr. White is a recent graduate from the internal medicine residency program at Baptist Memorial Hospital—Northern Mississippi.
Read more
Transformations through the transitions
Finding a support system and establishing a study plan that works for you are essential to a successful transition through medical school.
Read more
Creative corner: Painting
As you move through transitions this spring, consider the positive impacts of creativity, like this student who pursues her hobby of painting.
Read more
Meet your BOT representatives
The following BEL members represent osteopathic medical students, residents and new physicians on the AOA Board of Trustees.
Daniel M. Krajcik, DO, MBA
Daniel M. Krajcik, DO, MBA, currently serves as the AOA’s New Physician in Practice Member. Dr. Krajcik also serves on the Ohio Osteopathic Association’s (OOA) strategic planning committee. He is an associate staff physician with the Cleveland Clinic Primary Care Institute in Avon, Ohio, and coordinator of the osteopathic curriculum in the Family Medicine Residency Program.
Learn more

Suk-Lin Zhou, DO
Suk-Lin Zhou, DO, currently serves as the Postdoctoral Trainee Member of the AOA Board of Trustees. She is a second-year resident in internal medicine at Washington State University, where she provides comprehensive patient care across inpatient and outpatient settings. Dr. Zhou is is particularly interested in complex diagnostic medicine and patient-centered care.
Learn more
Ethan Galloway, OMS IV
Ethan Galloway, OMS IV, serves as the Student Member on the AOA’s Board of Trustees.
Jennifer Kendall, DO
Jennifer Kendall, DO, serves as the program lead for the Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation (PM&R) Spine Program at Hennepin Healthcare in Minneapolis. She is on the Board of Directors for the National Board of Osteopathic Medical Examiners (NBOME), and serves as Chair of the AOA Membership department, which oversees the BEL.
Learn more