Podcast, leadership program and advocacy awards spotlight osteopathic excellence

Through an engaging podcast, an innovative training program and recognition of stellar advocacy, osteopathic voices continue to shape the profession and support future physicians. Below, learn more about a moving podcast appearance by Daniel J. Waters, DO, MA, focusing on career and persistence; the launch of the LEAD+ Program at the Orlando College of Osteopathic Medicine (OCOM), designed to help trainees navigate their careers with purpose; and the AOA’s 2026 Advocacy Awards, which honor outstanding contributions to public policy and support for the osteopathic profession.

Daniel J. Waters, DO, MA, talks career and persistence on the DO or Do Not podcast

A recent episode of the DO or Do Not podcast featured Daniel J. Waters, DO, MA, a retired cardiothoracic surgeon and author.

DO or Do Not spotlights the lives and careers of osteopathic physicians. Both the podcast’s host and mentor, Ian Storch, DO, and Dr. Waters are members of The DO’s Editorial Advisory Board.

Dr. Waters shared his journey through osteopathic medicine, from medical school at Rowan-Virtua School of Osteopathic Medicine (Rowan-VirtuaSOM) to specialty training at the Cleveland Clinic.

Dr. Waters shared that he recently completed the draft of his eighth novel, a pastime he has been able to immerse himself in since retirement. In addition to long-form writing, Dr. Waters shared that he has been able to focus more on his wife and daughter, and his schedule has become much more flexible.

When asked about the importance of the AOA and the American College of Osteopathic Surgeons (ACOS), Dr. Waters called both organizations, in addition to state associations, advocates for DOs and the osteopathic medical profession.

“It really is a question of, ‘Would you like to preserve the uniqueness of your [osteopathic] identity?’” Dr. Waters said. “What students can forget, what trainees forget, what sometimes physicians can forget, is they’re what stands between us as osteopathic physicians and complete anonymity.”

He emphasized that these organizations consistently represent and support osteopathic medical students and DOs, acting as champions for the profession and ensuring that osteopathic physicians have a voice, both in medicine and in broader healthcare discussions.

Dr. Waters also reflected on his childhood and the inspirations that led him to pursue medicine. Growing up in Riverside, New Jersey, he attended a Catholic grammar school, which he described as a “launching pad” into a bright career path. After completing his undergraduate degree, he joined Rowan-VirtuaSOM’s second class. Enrolling in a brand-new medical school was challenging, but it gave him and his classmates a lasting sense of identity.

Closing out the podcast, Dr. Waters shared a piece of advice that has stayed with him throughout his career. A mentor once compared him to a swimmer who, after swimming a half mile, feels tempted to turn back without realizing the distance to go forward is the same as the distance to go back. Even when the medical profession feels overwhelming, recognizing how far you’ve already come can give you the strength to keep moving forward.

As Dr. Waters said, “Never underestimate the power of persistence.”

The entire episode of DO or Do Not featuring Dr. Waters can be found on the podcast’s website, along with more than 160 additional episodes.

New leadership program helps trainees navigate careers

The Orlando College of Osteopathic Medicine (OCOM) recently launched the LEAD+ Certificate Program, designed to help trainees recognize their value, understand healthcare realities and develop leadership skills, ultimately preparing them for career paths in which they can thrive.

LEAD, developed by OCOM’s Chair for primary care, Amelie Oshikoya, MD, MHA, stands for leveraging your degree, embodying your identity and activating leadership skills to drive system impact. Rather than focusing on management or titles, the program is intended for those interested in leading their careers with clarity and purpose.

Each session of the LEAD+ Certification Program builds upon the last, integrating self-reflection, core leadership concepts, business and systems thinking, and exploration of diverse stakeholder perspectives across the healthcare landscape. Dr. Oshikoya explained that through “short didactics, case scenarios, peer dialogue and reflection assignments,” participants’ learning becomes experientially relevant and directly applicable to real-world challenges in healthcare.

Through this unique training program, debuting in spring 2026, future physicians will have the opportunity to deepen their self-understanding while navigating complex healthcare systems and making intentional career decisions aligned with their values. Initially, the initiative will be open at no additional tuition cost to first- and second-year OCOM students in good academic standing. Dr. Oshikoya added that there are plans to expand the program “through collaboration with community partners to reach early learners who share OCOM’s values of wellness, integrity and service.”

A central philosophy of the LEAD+ Certificate Program is self-awareness. It begins with guided self-assessments, reflective journaling and exercises that help learners explore their strengths, blind spots and growth areas through multiple perspectives, including peer and mentor feedback.

“Participants learn how self-awareness enhances patient care, teamwork and leadership effectiveness,” said Dr. Oshikoya. “The ultimate goal is to cultivate physicians who are less susceptible to burnout and who provide compassionate, high-quality care that is at the heart of OCOM’s mission.”

Aligning with the osteopathic philosophy of whole-person care, LEAD+ “prepares students to practice medicine with authenticity and balance,” which benefits personal well-being and ultimately enhances the patient care provided to the community. The goal is also that this certificate will serve as a signal to future employers that these graduates possess a grounded understanding of the healthcare system, have explored diverse practice settings and are prepared to make intentional first-job choices that align with their values and goals, leading to greater satisfaction, stability and longevity in their careers.

“Osteopathic medicine has always embraced the principle of treating the whole person: body, mind and spirit. If we expect graduates to provide compassionate, patient-centered care, we must also train them to understand themselves as whole individuals,” said Dr. Oshikoya. “To truly transform patient care, we must first prepare doctors to care for themselves.”

To learn more about the LEAD+ Program, please contact Dr. Oshikoya.

AOA seeking nominations for 2026 Advocacy Awards

The AOA is now accepting nominations for the 2026 Advocacy Awards, honoring outstanding contributions to public policy advocacy and support for the osteopathic profession through various platforms.

Award categories include:

• Individual Excellence in Advocacy, which recognizes individuals for their commitment to advocacy on behalf of the osteopathic profession. Three individuals will be chosen to receive this award: one student, one resident and one physician.
• Organizational Excellence in Advocacy, which recognizes a state osteopathic association, osteopathic specialty college, college of osteopathic medicine or non-practice affiliate for organizational activities and accomplishments.
• Congressional Champion of Osteopathic Medicine, which recognizes two members of Congress in a bipartisan fashion, one Democrat and one Republican, for their support of policy issues important to the osteopathic profession.

The winners of the 2026 Advocacy Awards will be recognized at DO Day 2026, taking place March 25-26, 2026, in Washington, D.C., following the virtual component on March 21 and 22. Past winners can be found on the AOA Awards landing page.

The deadline for submitting nominations is Friday, Nov. 28, 2025, at 5 p.m. CT. For more information or to nominate an outstanding osteopathic advocate, please visit the advocacy awards nomination page.