OMED 2024 awards to recognize leaders & innovators in osteopathic medicine

For 150 years, visionary osteopathic physicians have played a pivotal role in shaping the field of medicine, driving innovation and improving patient care. Each year, the AOA honors individuals whose contributions have made a lasting impact on osteopathic medicine at OMED, the profession’s premier educational event. This year’s conference takes place in San Antonio from Sept. 20-22.

Read on for a list of this year’s distinguished award recipients.

Journal of Osteopathic Medicine (JOM) awards

JOM Social Determinants of Health Research Award

The JOM Social Determinants of Health Research Award recognizes a research article that focuses on addressing patient equity in health care. The 2024 award recipient is the article “Associations of social determinants of health and childhood obesity: A cross-sectional analysis of the 2021 National Survey of Children’s Health.” The research objective was to determine associations between childhood obesity and social determinants of health using the data collected from the 2021 National Survey of Children’s Health. The findings suggested that improved policies on nutrition programs as well as addressing the lack of access to nutritious foods may alleviate some food insecurity among children and decrease childhood obesity and the risk of chronic disease.

JOM Innovations Research Award

The JOM Innovations Research Award recognizes an article documenting outcomes research related to a new concept in patient management or medical education delivery. This year’s recipient is the article “Effect of osteopathic manipulative treatment and Bio-Electro-Magnetic Energy Regulation (BEMER) therapy on generalized musculoskeletal neck pain in adults.” The research team set out to investigate both the individual and combined effects of osteopathic manipulative treatment (OMT) and BEMER therapy on patients suffering from neck pain. The study showed that each group experienced a decrease in pain, and the BEMER-specific study group achieved the most substantial improvements, both physically and mentally.

JOM Health Policy Research Award

Recognizing an article that contributes to the health care profession’s collective understanding of how policy can inform and be informed by clinical evidence, the JOM Health Policy Research Award this year goes to the article “Telehealth in opioid use disorder treatment: Policy considerations for expanding access to care.” The authors set out to research methods in which patients with opioid use disorder may continue to have increased access to care, as was the case during the COVID-19 pandemic thanks to widely available telemedicine care options, in addition to how policymakers may implement these strategies.

JOM Quality Improvement in Education Research Award

The JOM Quality Improvement in Education Research Award recognizes an article that documents a significant improvement in medical education delivery. This year’s recipient of the award is the article “Impact of the USMLE Step 1 and COMLEX Level 1 transition to Pass/Fail on osteopathic medical student stress levels and board preparation.” The study’s research team set out to assess the impact of the USMLE Step 1 and COMLEX Level 1 transition to Pass/Fail on medical students in terms of stress, wellness, board preparation decisions and future residency selection processes. They did not find that the transition reduced stress levels among the students they surveyed. One of the classes studied reported spending more weeks studying, but no difference between hours studied per day was determined.

JOM Junior Faculty/Young Investigators Research Award

The JOM Junior Faculty/Young Investigators Research Award is presented to an osteopathic medical student, resident, follow or DO in the first three years of practice who serves as a lead author for an article that addresses an important concept in patient care. This year, the award recognizes the article “Association between steroid use and concussions among high school athletes: A cross-sectional analysis of the Youth Risk Behavior Surveillance System.” This research examined steroid use trends among high school athletes with the goal of determining whether an association exists between steroid use and concussions in such athletes.

JOM Clinical Research Award

The JOM Clinical Research Award recognizes an article that assesses patient care outcomes with a special emphasis on reporting the results of a specific clinical patient intervention. The 2024 award recipient is the article “The process and outcomes of chronic low back pain treatment provided by osteopathic and allopathic physicians: A retrospective cohort study.” The study’s objectives were to measure and compare the process, as well as the longitudinal outcomes, of chronic low back pain treatment, and to identify mediators of the treatment effects of osteopathic medical care. The research concluded that, while there was no significant difference in prescribing opioids for low back pain between osteopathic and allopathic physicians, osteopathic medical care was associated with significant and relevant outcomes related to pain intensity, physical function and health-related quality of life.

Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Unification awards

Individual recipient

This year’s recipient of the Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Unification Award in the individual category is Cindy Hou, DO, in recognition of her innovative efforts to promote DEI initiatives in the osteopathic medical education community. Dr. Hou leads major patient education projects in the South New Jersey and Philadelphia areas for patients with limited language skills. These projects incorporate osteopathic medical students, medical translators and prominent community members to foster trust within the communities.

Organizational recipient

The 2024 organizational recipient of the Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Unification Award is the 482nd Medical Squadron of Homestead Air Reserve Base for establishing a robust mentorship program. This program’s aim is to support underrepresented groups; it pairs junior members with senior members who provide guidance and support. These partnerships help bridge gaps to build a more equitable workforce. Lt. Col. Troy Frazer, DO, MBA, will accept the award on behalf of the squadron.

Outstanding Affiliate awards

The Outstanding Affiliate awards are given annually to recognize osteopathic organizations helping to advance the AOA’s key initiatives through innovation.

The American College of Osteopathic Surgeons (ACOS) is a recipient of an Outstanding Affiliate award for their groundbreaking and creative programming that benefits osteopathic physicians and the community. These programs include leadership training, governor leadership development, physician-led initiatives and a mentorship committee. The ACOS has successfully increased engagement between leadership and committees through collaborative discussions as well as board liaison transparency. Accepting the award on behalf of the ACOS is Valerie L. Sheridan, DO.

The second Outstanding Affiliate award will be presented to the American Osteopathic Academy of Orthopedics (AOAO). Among many influential initiatives that benefit DOs, the specialty college offers research grants and scholarships for their member students, residents and fellows through its foundation. AOAC student members frequently work with resident members to provide regular webinars covering various topics important to medical students interested in orthopedics. AOA Trustee Julieanne P. Sees, DO, will accept the award on behalf of the AOAO.

Also receiving an Outstanding Affiliate award is the West Virginia Osteopathic Medical Association (WVOMA). The WVOMA worked with nearly 30 organizations in West Virginia to persuade the state’s governor to veto the West Virginia legislature that sought to weaken the state’s immunization laws. The WVOMA also worked with the AOA and other specialty colleges to argue for the veto of a bill that would have eliminated the West Virginia Board of Osteopathic Medicine. Accepting the award on behalf of the WVOMA are Michael Antolini, DO, and Matthew Davis, DO.

Mentor of the Year award

One of the AOA’s most prestigious honors, the Mentor of the Year award is presented to a member of the osteopathic medical profession who has dedicated their time, talent and expertise toward shaping the future of osteopathic medicine. Nominations for this award come from osteopathic medical students, residents, fellows and practicing physicians across the profession.

The 2024 recipient of the Mentor of the Year Award is Lorenzo L. Pence, DO. Dr. Pence has served as an influential osteopathic educator and physician. According to those fortunate enough to consider him a mentor, Dr. Pence’s mentorship qualities demonstrate an unparalleled commitment to fostering growth and learning. He shows genuine care and concern for his mentees’ professional and personal development. Dr. Pence offers guidance, support and encouragement that is both inspiring and empowering. Through this incredible combination of expertise, dedication and compassion, Dr. Pence has successfully created an environment that is both challenging and incredibly rewarding. Among his other qualities, Dr. Pence’s integrity makes him the ideal mentor.

Where to watch

OMED 2024 attendees can catch the awards ceremonies live on the main stage. The Journal of Osteopathic Medicine awards and the Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Unification awards will be distributed on Friday, Sept. 20, while the Outstanding Affiliate awards and the Mentor of the Year award will be distributed on Saturday, Sept. 21.

Virtual registration for on-demand OMED content opens on Sunday, Sept. 22, which will include all in-person CME sessions and programming, plus additional content only available via the on-demand platform.

For more information, please visit the OMED website.