OMED 2025 awards to honor leaders & innovators in osteopathic medicine

For over 150 years, osteopathic physicians have been at the forefront of medical innovation, advancing patient care and shaping the future of medicine. Every year, the AOA recognizes individuals whose work has left a lasting mark on the profession at OMED, the world’s largest annual gathering of osteopathic physicians. This year’s conference takes place in Nashville, Tennessee, from Sept. 25-28.

Below, read about 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 2025 award recipient article is “The impact of pre-pregnancy body mass index on pregnancy and neonatal outcomes.” This study found that higher pre-pregnancy BMIs increase the risk of pregnancy and neonatal complications, such as high blood pressure, gestational diabetes, Cesarean sections and larger babies, but lowers the risk of growth-restricted babies. The research suggests that having a healthier weight before pregnancy could help lower these risks.

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 “The effect of osteopathic manipulative treatment on quality of life in patients with cardiac implantable electronic devices.” The study examined how osteopathic manipulative treatment (OMT) affects patients with cardiac implantable devices. Participants who received OMT reported improvements in daily activities and less pain compared with a control group, suggesting OMT could boost quality of life in this population.

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 “Uncovering gaps in management of vasomotor symptoms: Findings from a national need assessment.” This national study found that many primary care physicians and OB-GYNs lack the knowledge and confidence to manage menopausal vasomotor symptoms, such as hot flashes and night sweats, especially among women of color. The findings highlight a need for more comprehensive and culturally informed education beginning in residency to help providers effectively support patients, improve quality of life and close gaps in healthcare.

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 “The predictive validity of MCAT scores and undergraduate GPA for COMLEX-USA licensure exam performance of students enrolled in osteopathic medical schools.” This study of DO students found that both MCAT scores and undergraduate GPAs can predict performance on COMLEX-USA licensing exams. Importantly, students from different backgrounds with similar scores performed similarly, showing these measures are reliable across sociodemographic groups.

JOM Junior Faculty/Young Investigators Research Award

The JOM Junior Faculty/Young Investigators Research Award is presented to an osteopathic medical student, resident, fellow 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 “The negative effects of long COVID-19 on cardiovascular health and implications for the presurgical examination.” Researchers found that long COVID-19 can cause a range of cardiovascular issues such as chest pain, arrythmia, blood pressure changes and even heart failure. These issues may complicate pre-surgical evaluations. The study suggests that physicians should consider more thorough assessments for patients with a history of COVID-19.

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 2025 award recipient is the article “The effect of osteopathic manipulative treatment on chronic rhinosinusitis.” The study found that OMT focused on cranial lymphatic drainage provided immediate relief for chronic rhinosinusitis symptoms, reducing congestion, postnasal drainage and sinus pain or pressure.

MOSAIC awards

The AOA’s newly renamed MOSAIC awards recognize one individual and one organization annually for exemplary leadership and commitment to promoting and advancing unity and equity in the osteopathic medical profession.

Individual recipient

The 2025 individual recipient of the MOSIAC award is Janie Orrington-Myers, DO. Fewer than 2% of U.S. surgeons are Black women. As a Black female surgeon, Dr. Orrington-Myers made history as the first Black woman to hold leadership positions on both the Board of Governors and the Executive Board of the American College of Osteopathic Surgeons (ACOS). Dr. Orrington-Myers is also a co-founder of the ACOS Inclusivity, Diversity and Equity Action (IDEA) Committee, a group dedicated to advancing system changes in surgical education and leadership.

Organizational recipient

The 2025 organizational recipient of the MOSAIC award is the American Osteopathic College of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation (AOCPMR) Medical Student Council’s Justice, Equity, Diversity and Inclusion (JEDI) Committee. The JEDI Committee has set a powerful example of how student-led initiatives can transform an entire specialty. This committee fosters a culture of belonging and champions systemic change in rehabilitation through advancing education, advocacy and visibility for underrepresented populations in physiatry.

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 first recipient of an Outstanding Affiliate award is the Missouri Association of Osteopathic Physicians and Surgeons (MAOPS). Over the past year, MAOPS worked alongside other organizations to provide innovation through its Virtual Osteopathic Conference, attracting almost 800 attendees and uniting multiple state affiliates in cost-saving, revenue-generating partnerships. The organization launched the Wetzel Scholar program to strengthen leadership as well as a Young Physicians Network that has increased engagement for students and early-career physicians. Through efforts of co-hosting the Missouri Physician Advocacy Day and partnering with the Missouri State Medical Association and Special Olympics Missouri, MAOPS has created meaningful opportunities for professional growth and impactful community involvement. Accepting the award will be MAOPS President Katie Davenport-Kabonic, DO.

The second 2025 Outstanding Affiliate award recognizes the American Osteopathic College of Radiology (AOCR). This year, the AOCR enhanced networking and professional development through expanded annual convention programming, daily networking meals, receptions and new student shadowing opportunities. Additionally, partnerships with the AOCR Education Foundation and the American Osteopathic Board of Radiology (AOBR) have expanded access to education and certification. Accepting the award are AOCR President Amy Kerger, DO, AOCR Past President and AOA Trustee Bruce Wolf, DO, and AOCR Executive Director Carol Houston.

Also receiving an Outstanding Affiliate award is the American Osteopathic College of Anesthesiologists (AOCA). Over the past year, the AOCA has delivered engaging education through its annual convention, midyear seminar and Second Sundays webinar series. Additionally, networking and mentorship opportunities have been offered to students, residents and early-career physicians. By providing leadership opportunities and supporting trainees via the Timothy D. Ernst Emerging Professionals Fund, the AOCA has strengthened the osteopathic anesthesiology community and created lasting opportunities for professional growth and collaboration. Accepting the award is AOCA President Ursula Landman, 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 2025 recipient of the Mentor of the Year award is AOA Trustee Julieanne P. Sees, DO. Dr. Sees is a nationally recognized pediatric neuro-orthopedic surgeon who is celebrated not only for her clinical excellence, but also for the way she guides countless students, residents and colleagues with compassion and integrity. Dr. Sees is described by her mentees as a teacher, cheerleader, sponsor and role model who embodies the osteopathic spirit in every interaction. Through her mentorship, Dr. Sees has inspired physicians to lead with kindness, embrace advocacy and carry forward a vision of osteopathic medicine rooted in service and whole-patient care.

Where to watch

OMED25 attendees can catch the awards ceremonies live on the main stage. The Journal of Osteopathic Medicine awards, the MOSAIC awards and the Mentor of the Year award will be presented on Friday, Sept. 26, while the Outstanding Affiliate awards will be presented on Saturday, Sept. 27.

For more information, please visit the OMED website.