AACOM Recognizes Award-Winning Leaders and Students at Annual Conference
17 Abril 2024 - 7:35AM
Today, the American Association of Colleges of Osteopathic Medicine
(AACOM) is proud to honor four outstanding individuals during its
sold-out annual conference, Educating Leaders 2024.
“Dr. Rita Getz and
osteopathic medical students Paul Delgado, Sarah J. Adkins and
Saumya Shah serve as exceptional examples of what sets the
osteopathic medical education community apart,” said AACOM
President and CEO Robert A. Cain, DO. “AACOM is honored to
recognize Dr. Getz’s inspiring career and accomplishments and these
student doctors’ early display of passion and success.”
Robert A. Kistner
Award
The Robert A. Kistner
Award is presented each year on behalf of the AACOM Board of Deans.
Individuals who receive this award are nominated and selected in
recognition of their significant contributions to osteopathic
medical education throughout their careers.
Robert A. Kistner
Award 2024 Recipient: Rita Getz, PhD Professor
Emeritus Idaho College of Osteopathic Medicine
“In reflecting on
my 25 years in osteopathic medical education, a consistent theme
I’ve found is that it has been a collaborative journey,” said Dr.
Getz. “I express my thanks to Dr. Cain, AACOM and the AACOM Board
of Deans for selecting me for this wonderful award, and I encourage
every member of our community to determine how to create and
advance your own collaborative journey, which has been a hallmark
of our profession.”
National Student DO of
the Year
Every year, each college
of osteopathic medicine selects their own individual Student DO of
the Year based on a student’s service to their college, leadership
and research experience, as well as dedication to the osteopathic
profession. Out of this distinguished group, one National Student
DO of the Year is chosen by AACOM’s Council of Student Government
Presidents (COSGP).
National Student DO of
the Year 2024 Recipient: Paul
Delgado OMS III Oklahoma State University College of
Osteopathic Medicine
"I am incredibly honored
and humbled to be named National Student DO of the Year,” said
Paul. “As a first-generation Latina and the first recipient from
OSU-COM, I know I share this win with my entire community. Over the
years, my passion for addressing many of the health inequities that
impact historically marginalized communities has driven my work and
commitment to medicine. I believe receiving this award truly
translates to the power of intentionality and passion. It is also
the product of mentorship and community work. Thank you, AACOM for
this incredible honor. To be la primera to come this far is a great
responsibility and privilegio."
National Student
Researcher of the Year
The National Student
Researcher of the Year is chosen from among the outstanding
students selected by their schools on the basis of the student’s
contributions to osteopathic research that align with the mission
of both the osteopathic profession and COSGP—to advance the
philosophy, practice and science of osteopathic medicine.
National Student
Researcher of the Year 2024 Recipient: Sarah J.
Adkins OMS III Alabama College of Osteopathic
Medicine
“For every opportunity I
have been blessed with, there are many more that I sought out
unsuccessfully,” said Sarah. “I want this award and my story to
become a physician scientist to demonstrate to other students that
it is not always winning, but the next steps you take after you are
unsuccessful which breeds the tenacity and resilience needed in
research, medicine, and beyond. Thank you to AACOM for this
recognition and to my fellow student doctors at ACOM; learning from
and beside my colleagues continues to be invaluable.”
Global Scholar of the
Year
The Global Scholar of the
Year Award was established by COSGP to recognize students who take
an interest in advancing international understanding of osteopathic
medicine.
Global Scholar of the
Year 2024 Recipient: Saumya Shah OMS
IV California Health Sciences University College of
Osteopathic Medicine
"Thank you AACOM for the
honor of receiving the Global Scholar of the Year award,” said
Saumya. “I am humbled, especially knowing the incredible efforts of
fellow students around the world working to address healthcare
disparities. My achievements abroad were only possible through the
incredible support I received from my peers at CHSU and colleagues
in Central America and Africa. I look forward to making meaningful
strides in anesthesia and surgical care."
To learn more about
AACOM’s awards, and to view past winners, please visit our awards
web page.
Editor's
Note: pictures of recepients availabe upon request.
About
AACOM:
Founded in 1898, the
American Association of Colleges of Osteopathic Medicine (AACOM) is
the leading voice for the education and training of physicians who
practice osteopathic medicine in settings across the medical
spectrum—from primary care to the full range of medical
specialties. We support our member colleges of osteopathic medicine
in their efforts to attract and train individuals who are fueled by
a desire to make a difference in our healthcare system by treating
the whole person and building a future emphasizing health and
wellness for all people. Today, more than 35,000 future
physicians—25 percent of all U.S. medical students—are being
educated at one of our 41 accredited colleges of osteopathic
medicine, encompassing 66 teaching locations in 35 states. To learn
more about AACOM, please visit our website.
Joseph Shapiro
American Association of Colleges of Osteopathic Medicine
240-938-0746
jshapiro@aacom.org