Be a leader Apply for the Bureau of Emerging Leaders OMED Scholarship Program
Want to make connections and make an impact?
The Bureau of Emerging Leaders’ OMED Scholarship Program was created to increase resident, fellow and new physician in practice participation in leadership. The application is now closed.
Please direct questions to [email protected].
Scholarship details
Three scholarship winners will receive:
- Up to $1,500 travel stipend to cover the cost of an economy round-trip flight booked at least 30 days before OMED and two nights’ hotel lodging
- Complimentary OMED registration
- Personalized OMED itinerary
- Exclusive opportunities to network with AOA leadership
Who can apply?
Osteopathic residents, fellows and new physicians in practice who meet the following criteria:
- Enrolled in an AOA- or ACGME-accredited postdoctoral training program (if you are a resident/fellow)
- Within five years of completing postdoctoral training (if you are a new physician in practice)
- First-time OMED attendee
- Current AOA member
- AOA-board certification is preferred when applicable
Applicants with an interest in the following are encouraged to apply:
- Continued engagement and leadership within the osteopathic profession
- Professional or political advocacy
Winner expectations
- Attend the following required events at OMED:
- Orientation with BEL OMED Scholarship Workgroup prior to the start of OMED
- Opening and general sessions
- Welcome reception
- Any AOA leadership receptions and networking events as invited
- Share your experience on social media during and after OMED
- Write a testimonial to use for future marketing materials
- Participate in mentoring sessions at OMED as requested
- Complete a post-OMED survey
Check out what some of our past scholarship winners had to say about OMED!
Mohit Chhatpar, DO, OMED 2024
Receiving the BEL Scholarship and attending OMED was a truly transformative experience in my osteopathic career. It provided an invaluable opportunity to connect with peers and leaders in the profession, opening doors to leadership and growth. The support and sense of community I found there reminded me why I chose osteopathic medicine and reignited my passion for advancing the field. The connections and insights gained through this experience will have a lasting impact on my career, and I’m deeply grateful for the opportunity.
Victoria Shadiack, DO, OMED 2024
I highly recommend the BEL program, especially for those passionate about making a meaningful impact in our organization. This program offers a unique opportunity to collaborate with professionals across various specialties, fostering an environment of shared knowledge and innovation. Only at OMED is it possible to have simultaneous lectures of varying interests being presented, giving me the opportunity to move seamlessly through them gaining knowledge I would otherwise may have missed. This program truly opened my eyes to the many facets of our larger organization, revealing how multiple committees and bureaus play a vital role in enhancing patient care, physician wellness and driving innovation. The camaraderie and shared insights among participants created a supportive environment that nurtures personal and professional growth. If you’re eager to develop your leadership skills and deepen your understanding of how medicine intersects with every aspect of our work, I encourage you to apply. It’s an opportunity that can shape your future in profound ways!
Scott Cuthbert, DO, OMED 2024
The BEL scholarship was so useful for allowing me to visit the OMED conference. It was my first time attending and it was great to connect with other colleagues in various specialties, attend lectures on such a broad variety of topics and learn about what is being done in the Bureau of Emerging Leaders. The scholarship helped me cover the costs of attending the conference that I would not have been able to attend otherwise. It was definitely an eye-opening experience and greatly appreciated.
Ashwin Shankar, DO, OMED 2023
I became an osteopathic physician because I believe that osteopathy’s foundation lies in service. Throughout my journey as an osteopathic medical student, a pediatric resident and now as a pediatric and adult allergy/immunology fellow, I have been given the opportunity to advocate for my profession and facilitate the implementation of osteopathic scholarly work in both the collegial and the patient environment. As a BEL Scholarship Recipient at OMED23, I had the pleasure to connect with like-minded individuals, network with various branches of the AOA and mentor medical students and residents. It was extremely fulfilling to pave the way forward and give back to my future colleagues, especially during the current political climate. This experience not only allowed me to stay grounded to the roots of my training but also helped me maintain and refine my engagement in our field and profession in order to ensure that our profession continues to stay active in the medical world. Over the years, I have found that the tenets of osteopathic medicine not only occur in the medical field but also in our day-to-day interactions with others. By acknowledging others respectfully no matter the background, providing assistance to those in need and promoting an environment of kindness, these tenets have shaped the way I have grown as an individual and a clinician. I hope to inspire and empower others through osteopathic medicine, just as my mentors, patients, colleagues, BEL and OMED23 have done for me.
Shahmir Naveed, DO, OMED 2023
I was fortunate enough to receive the BEL scholarship for OMED and it was an indescribable experience. I met so many wonderful physicians and students in training and to be able to bond with fellow osteopathic physicians was amazing. The program did well to incorporate us into the OMED experience and I could not recommend OMED enough to people who have never experienced it. Truly, it is an eye-opening experience to the world of osteopathic physicians!