About Us Leadership & Policy Leadership Opportunities NPP & Postdoctoral Trainee BOT Members

NPP & Postdoctoral Trainee BOT Members

Make a lasting impact

Nominating the next generation

The application is now closed. Applicants will be notified of their status by June.

The AOA Bureau of Emerging Leaders (BEL) is responsible for nominating the New Physician in Practice (NPP) and Postdoctoral Trainee (PT) positions on the AOA Board of Trustees. These one-year voting roles offer a meaningful opportunity to contribute to the leadership, advocacy and strategic direction of our profession.

The BEL is a bureau of the AOA that provides representation for osteopathic medical students, postdoctoral trainees and new physicians in practice. BEL ensures that early-career voices are integrated into the policymaking and strategic direction of the AOA.

Continue reading to learn about the positions, criteria to be selected and the application process.

Please direct all questions to [email protected].


Position description

The NPP BOT Member and PT BOT Member shall:

  • Attend all monthly virtual AOA Board of Trustees meetings
  • Serve on AOA committees if appointed by the AOA President
  • Attend the following required annual AOA events:
  • Serve in additional leadership responsibilities, including:
    • The NPP BOT Member usually serves as Chair of the BEL, who is officially appointed by the AOA President
    • The BEL Chair will preside over all BEL meetings and coordinate BEL activities

Position requirements

To be eligible for the BEL NPP and PT positions, candidates must:

  • Be AOA board-certified (if applicable)
  • Have prior experience as an active member of the BEL or another AOA bureau/committee/council (B/C/C)
  • Be willing and able to attend all mandatory meetings and events outlined above
  • Meet all qualifications required to serve on an AOA B/C/C, including maintaining active membership with the AOA and your divisional society (i.e., state society or AMOPS)
  • Be in good professional and ethical standing, with no restrictions on licensure or training status (as applicable)

Application process

Completed applications will be distributed to all current BEL members for review. Applicant presentations and speeches will occur during the monthly virtual BEL meeting on Tuesday, May 12, 2026, at 7:15 – 8:30 p.m. CT.

Applicants must be present and prepared to give a speech not exceeding three minutes.

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