Championing the profession: Meet the AOA’s 2026 HOD award winners

Many members of the osteopathic medical profession have gathered in Chicago for the AOA’s annual House of Delegates (HOD) meeting. Every year, the HOD awards ceremony serves to honor the dedication and excellence of distinguished DOs, researchers and affiliate leaders. 

Below is a list of this year’s award recipients, along with a brief overview of their remarkable contributions.

Bob E. Jones, CAE, award

The Bob E. Jones, CAE, award was established in 2001 to recognize outstanding state and specialty executive directors who regularly contribute to both the AOA and the osteopathic profession as a whole. 

This year’s recipients are Holly Macriss and Sherri L. Quarles.

Holly Macriss is the executive director of the Osteopathic Physicians and Surgeons of California (OPSC). Macriss has been a steadfast advocate not only for her state association, but also for the AOA and the broader osteopathic community nationwide.

She actively seeks opportunities to advance the profession and strengthen its future, consistently demonstrating a willingness to collaborate, contribute and lead. Beyond the OPSC, Macriss generously shares her expertise, supports colleagues across the country and inspires others to become more engaged leaders and advocates for osteopathic medicine.

Sherri L. Quarles currently serves as the chief executive officer of the American Academy of Osteopathy (AAO). Quarles joined the AAO in 2011 and has since been the driving force behind the organization’s continued growth and success.

Her leadership has guided the AAO through significant challenges, including the COVID-19 pandemic and market volatility, while also advancing new initiatives such as the state-of-the-art teaching center at the AAO’s headquarters. Beyond her contributions to the AAO, Quarles is actively involved in numerous osteopathic and association leadership organizations.

Distinguished Service Award

The Distinguished Service Award is the AOA’s highest honor. This award is given annually to deserving physicians or lay individuals and recognizes outstanding accomplishments in advancing the science and art of osteopathic medicine, education, philanthropy or other fields of public service.

This year’s recipient is John R. Gimpel, DO, president and CEO of the National Board of Osteopathic Medical Examiners (NBOME). For over three decades, Dr. Gimpel has embodied visionary leadership, advocacy, innovation and service. 

Throughout Dr. Gimpel’s distinguished career as an osteopathic physician, educator, researcher and leader, he has advanced the science and art of osteopathic medicine while strengthening osteopathic medical education, competency assessment and professional credentialing. 

As president and CEO of NBOME, Dr. Gimpel has championed excellence in assessment and lifelong learning, helping to elevate the recognition of osteopathic physicians and fostering collaboration across the U.S. and around the world. He has already left an enduring impact on the osteopathic medical profession and the patients it serves through his commitment to research, philanthropic leadership and the advancement of patient-centered, compassionate, body-mind-spirit care. Dr. Gimpel’s profound service has inspired generations of physicians and has helped shape the future of the profession.

Presidential Citations

Each year, the AOA president recognizes those who have made a significant contribution to the osteopathic medical profession. This year, four individuals and one organization have been recognized:

• Darrell Lynn Grace, DO, for her lifetime of service, leadership and compassion that exemplifies the highest ideals of osteopathic medicine. From her early career as a nurse to her distinguished work as a board-certified internist, educator, mentor and humanitarian, Dr. Grace has dedicated herself to improving the lives of patients and advancing health equity. Her leadership with the National Osteopathic Medical Association, volunteer medical missions and commitment to educating future physicians have made a profound impact on underserved communities and the osteopathic medical profession.

• Kris Nicholoff, JD, currently serving as the CEO and executive director of the Michigan Osteopathic Association (MOA). Under his guidance, the MOA has achieved remarkable financial strength, significant membership growth and an enhanced presence in public policy and healthcare advocacy. Nicholoff’s longstanding dedication to improving healthcare access has helped elevate the influence of osteopathic medicine throughout Michigan.

• Anthony Ognjan, DO, who has provided 35 years of exceptional hospital-based care in infectious diseases, internal medicine and HIV medicine while demonstrating an unwavering commitment to the osteopathic medical profession. As a dedicated advocate for osteopathic medicine, Dr. Ognjan has championed the Michigan Osteopathic Political Action Committee, authored more than 50 peer-reviewed publications and served in numerous professional organizations. Over the course of his distinguished career, Dr. Ognjan has been recognized with the Macomb County Osteopathic Medical Association’s Distinguished Service Award, four Physician of the Year honors and numerous additional accolades. His lifelong dedication to patient care, education, advocacy and service exemplifies the highest ideals of the osteopathic medical profession.

• Sue Wesserling is the executive director of the American College of Osteopathic Neurologists and Psychiatrists (ACONP). Wessering is being recognized for her decades of dedicated service and unwavering commitment to the osteopathic medical profession. Throughout her career with both the Michigan Osteopathic Association (MOA) and the ACONP, she has provided thoughtful leadership, guided organizations through challenging times and helped strengthen the communities she serves. 
   
  “My mother has taught me to plan for the worst, hope for the best and expect something in between. She has shown that being prepared and flexible allows you to react and adapt when things go off the rails,” Chris Wesserling, Sue Wesserling’s son, says. “Her career has been an interesting journey to follow, and it has resulted in many memorable stories and friendships along the way.”

• Canadian Osteopathic Association (COA), which has been a steadfast advocate for osteopathic physicians and for the delivery of high-quality, whole-person care to patients across Canada. Through the COA’s strong partnership with the AOA, they have played a vital role in advancing recognition and professional parity for osteopathic physicians, including significant achievements in the acceptance of AOA Board Certification in multiple Canadian provinces.

More details

To learn more about the annual HOD awards and the House of Delegates meeting, please visit the AOA’s website.