Applications now open for the AOA’s 2026 Leadership Academy

Aspiring osteopathic leaders can now apply to join the 2026 cohort of the AOA’s Leadership Academy, a 10-month program that helps participants gain leadership skills in preparation for future leadership roles within the AOA, the osteopathic medical profession and beyond. You must be an AOA member to be eligible to apply. Applying is free; however, joining the Leadership Academy will now require a registration fee of $100 for selected participants. Applications are due by Nov. 23.

The Academy will include both virtual and in-person components:

• Jan. 30-31, 2026: Academy commences with an in-person session at the AOA offices in Chicago.
• February-September 2026: Six virtual sessions ranging from two to four hours each.
• Oct. 23, 2026: In-person session culminating with graduation at OMED26 in Las Vegas.

Participants are asked to cover their own travel expenses for the two in-person meetings in January and October. Limited scholarships are available on a first-come, first-serve basis for students.

Residents, fellows, early-career physicians and medical students who are AOA members are encouraged to apply for this highly competitive opportunity now through Nov. 23. Applicants will be notified of their status by Monday, Dec. 22. For more information on the 2026 Leadership Academy, please visit the program’s landing page or email Priya Garg, MBA, AOA chief engagement and diversity officer, at [email protected].