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Nominate Your Mentor

Leading by example

AOA seeks nominations for Mentor of the Year

Know an exceptional role model who deserves recognition? Consider nominating your DO role model for the 2025 award.

The AOA Mentor Recognition Program was developed to honor DOs who help shape the future of the osteopathic profession through their involvement with osteopathic medical students, residents, fellows and new physicians in practice. Students, DOs, AOA affiliates or any other member of the osteopathic professional family are welcome to submit nominations. Nominations for the 2025 Mentor of the Year Award will be accepted until April 11, 2025.

This year, add videos or photos to your submission. Email additional materials to [email protected].

Questions? Email Priya Garg, MBA, Chief Engagement and Diversity Officer, at p[email protected].

Submission instructions

To nominate your mentor, please complete the nomination form. The criteria for nominations are listed below. Please note that submissions are limited to one per person and will not be accepted after 11:59 p.m. CT on April 11, 2025. In addition, recipients may only receive this award once.

Nomination form

Criteria for nominations

  • The mentor is an AOA member in good standing, which will be verified.
  • The mentor is AOA board certified if they are eligible for board certification.
  • The mentor has maintained relationships with mentees through their training to becoming DO colleagues while encouraging them to develop talents and strengths.
  • The mentor helps mentees acquire the skills and resources needed to succeed as scholars and professionals.
  • The mentor is an advocate and leader in their profession and has helped mentees present research, find post-doctoral options and secure job placement.
  • The mentor demonstrates respect and a sincere and active interest in the well-being of mentees.

Nomination questions include

  • At what point in your career did this person mentor you?
  • What qualities made this person a good mentor?
  • Did you choose this person as a mentor? If so, what characteristics made you choose him/her? If not, how did the mentorship begin?
  • Have you picked up any personal/professional traits or characteristics from your mentor?
  • What activities did you share with your mentor?
  • How has your mentor had an impact on your life?
  • Please share your favorite mentor story/stories.

Past winners

  • 2024 Lorenzo L. Pence, DO
  • 2023 Teresa A. Hubka, DO
  • 2022 Michael B. Clearfield, DO
  • 2021 Joanne Kaiser-Smith, DO
  • 2020 Drew Lewis, DO
  • 2019 Gustav K. Barkett, DO
  • 2018 Dan E. Miulli, DO
  • 2016 Paula M. Crone, DO
  • 2015 Katherine Kropf, DO
  • 2014 Timothy D. Law Sr., DO
  • 2012 Robert Danoff, DO
  • 2011 Sara Sutton, DO
  • 2010 John Bertagnolli, DO
  • 2009 Lynn F. Brumm, DO
  • 2008 James M. Lally, DO
  • 2007 John T. Pham, DO
  • 2006 Ruth E. Purdy, DO
  • 2005 Cheryl B. Doane, DO

Examples from recent nominations

“He always had an open door to talk about anything that I needed assistance with … He has effectively shaped how I will approach patients, problems and hardships in the future. I know that I will always have him as both a mentor and a friend to call in times of need.”

“When he was chief resident and he had an unstable patient, even when he was in another state interviewing for fellowship, he would constantly call the other residents between meetings for updates. His heart is always with his patients no matter where he is. Seeing the way that he fought for his patients and truly made a difference made me want to follow in his footsteps.”

“I can only hope that I have acquired the characteristics that he has modeled. When he asks, ‘How are you?’ he waits for an answer – he listens. He is not just being polite; he really wants to know how you are doing. If there is one tiny thing, I hope I have picked that up from him.”

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