All recorded sessions from ACOI 2025 are now available to watch on-demand. You have the flexibility to watch from where you are, on your own schedule. Access all recorded sessions through December 31, 2025, or purchase the Extended Access through June 30, 2026.
ACOI 2025 was a successful week that gave members a memorable, high-quality experience rich in education, networking, and more. Both members who joined us in Marco Island and virtual attendees had the chance to access interactive educational sessions, thought-provoking panel discussions, and inspiring keynote presentations. ACOI featured over 55 sessions and hosted over 1600 attendees for the Annual Convention.
This year’s theme was “The Power of Physician Leadership: Innovate, Influence, Inspire.” It was a week true to that name, filled with inspiring, forward-thinking content focused on how all physicians can serve as leaders both within their careers and in their connections with colleagues.
Wednesday, October 8
Day 1 began with Welcome Remarks from 2025 Convention Chair C. Clark Milton, DO, FACOI, who was accompanied by Bruce Rankin, DO, CPI, MRO, FACOFP, of the Florida Osteopathic Medical Association, and Robert G. G Piccinini, DO, D.FACN, of the American Osteopathic Association.
Following that was the standout plenary session “Physician Leadership: Turning Pitfalls into Pearls,” led by Karen Nichols, DO, MA, MACOI, MACP, CS-F. Dr. Nichols shared practical tips on self-reflection and emotional intelligence and ways for physicians to become more connective and communicative leaders.
Karen Nichols, DO, MA, MACOI, MACP, CS-F
The festive New Member and Welcome Receptions in the evening brought everyone together to connect with one another and enjoy refreshments. Though afternoon storms moved the reception indoors, members still got to experience the resort’s incredible fire dancing performance along with gorgeous views of the Marco Island coastline.
The Welcome Reception
Thursday, October 9
Day 2 began with the first keynote presentation of ACOI 2025, featuring speaker Simon T. Bailey. His presentation, “Resilience@Work – Leading Yourself and Your Team into a Thriving Future,” offered the audience practical advice and insights on thriving in work and life, backed by the latest research on well-being as well as Bailey’s own unique experiences. Bailey followed this presentation with a keynote workshop, “Brilliant Well-Being Is the Future of Leadership,” which offered attendees even more of an opportunity to engage with energy-recharging, well-being-centered habits that help leaders reflect and reset.
Simon T. Bailey
Concurrent sessions included presentations on Alzheimer’s and dementia: “Patients with Dementia – Best Practices,” led by Stephen Dinsmore, DO, FACOI; and “Alzheimer’s Diseases – The Newest Medications,” led by Janice Knebl, DO, FACP, MACOI, CPPS. Dr. Dinsmore touched upon emerging treatments for Alzheimer’s disease, evaluated underlying drivers, and discussed how future interventions and therapeutic strategies will likely require multi-target approaches. Dr. Knebl’s presentation highlighted the increasing rates of dementia and, alongside that, of family caregiving; evidence-based dementia care programs; and care innovation through programs like the Alzheimer’s Association’s Center for Dementia Respite Innovation (CDRI). Both presentations provided an empathetic, whole-person, community-focused lens for these conditions that primarily affect aging populations.
The Resident/Fellow poster finalist presentations and awards were held on Day 2 as well. The following were the finalists for each poster category:
Resident/Fellow Case Presentation Winners:
- First Place: Justin Hicklin, DO, Oklahoma State University Center for Health Sciences, for More Than Meets the Skin: Disseminated Histoplasmosis Hidden Behind HSV.
- Second Place: Samrah Noreen, MD, of Jamaica Hospital Medical Center, for Severe Proximal Muscle Weakness Revealing Statin-Associated Autoimmune Necrotizing Myopathy (IMNM).
Resident/Fellow Clinical Research Winners:
- First Place: Brett Cohen, DO, St. Luke's University Hospital, for Impact of Atrial Fibrillation on Mortality and In-Hospital Outcomes in Acute Pancreatitis.
- Second Place: Stefan Weston, DO, University of Tennessee Medical Center at Knoxville, for Plasma Cystatin C Versus Plasma Creatinine in Critically Ill Patients with Acute Kidney Injury Secondary to Rhabdomyolysis: A Prospective Study.
- Third Place: Mohammad Alajjuri, MD, Montefiore St. Luke's Cornwall, for Clinical Associations and Adverse Events Linked to Mechanical Thrombectomy Outcome in Acute Ischemic Stroke.
Resident/Fellow Quality Improvement Winners:
- First Place: Michael Ciesa, DO, OhioHealth/Doctors Hospital, for Safer Practices Start Here: Standardizing the Intrahospital Intensive Care Unit Transfer Process.
- Second Place: Jesse Woodall, IV, DO, University of Tennessee Medical Center at Knoxville, for Evaluation of Time to Therapeutic PTT and Overall Outcomes of Patients Presenting with Pulmonary Emboli and Treated with Heparin Infusion with or without Heparin Bolus.
The day came to a close with the Women Physicians Networking Reception, an enthusiastic, supportive gathering of both new and longtime women members. The reception featured remarks from Past President Dr. Susan Enright, who spoke to the robust support ACOI actively offers for women in medicine.
Friday, October 10
The second keynote of ACOI 2025 was on Day 3; Craig Karges delivered the impressive presentation “Ignite Your Intuition and Experience the Extraordinary.” Karges kept the audience captivated by demonstrating the ways the unconscious mind affects actions and decisions, and how everyone has more control over it than they realize. The presentation was a major topic of conversation among attendees all day long.
Craig Karges
The interactive, in-depth OMT Bootcamp was another highlight. This four-hour long session was led by Thomas Sabalaske, DO, and featured table trainers Victor Aramayo, DO; Cassi Jones, DO, FACOI; and Brett Thomas, DO, FACOI. The bootcamp allowed attendees the opportunity to practice osteopathic manipulation techniques, and to better use them to treat patients.
The student poster finalist presentations and awards were also held on Day 3. The following students were the finalists and winners in each category:
Student Case Presentation Winners:
- First Place: Kesha Amin, OMS-IV, West Virginia School of Osteopathic Medicine for Hypermobility Spectrum Digestive Disorder (HSDD): An Underdiagnosed Cause of Chronic GI Symptoms.
- Second Place: Maria Vera, OMS-IV, Nova Southeastern University Kiran C. Patel College of Osteopathic Medicine, for A Rare Case Presentation of Erdheim-Chester Disease.
Student Quality Improvement Winners:
- First Place: Raghavee Neupane, OMS-II, Nova Southeastern University Kiran C. Patel College of Osteopathic Medicine for Breaking the Fracture Cycle: How Fracture Liaison Services Improve Outcomes in Older Adults.
- Second Place: Nirali Trivedi, OMS-III, Rowan-Virtua School of Osteopathic Medicine for Targeting Cardiovascular Vulnerabilities in Women with HIV on ART: A Quality Improvement Initiative.
Student Clinical Research Winners:
- First Place: Mia Hudanich, OMS-II, Nova Southeastern University Kiran C. Patel College of Osteopathic Medicine - Clearwater for The Effects of GLP-1 Receptor Agonists on Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS).
- Second Place: Vyshnavi Pendala, OMS-II, West Virginia School of Osteopathic Medicine for Bridging Gaps in the Management of Metabolic Associated Steatosis Liver Disease and Obstructive Sleep Apnea.
Student Bench Research Winners:
- First Place: Mehar Nasir, OMS-III, Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine - Virginia for Myeloid-Derived Suppressor Cells Express Diverse Biomarkers Across Tumor Type and are Potential Targets for Cancer-Specific and Personalized Immunotherapies.
- Second Place: Maryam Salik, OMS-III, Chicago College of Osteopathic Medicine of Midwestern University for Serpin B5 as a Molecular Biomarker for Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma.
Concurrent sessions included presentations by newly inducted ACOI Fellows: “Colon Cancer Screening – Trends, Updates, & Guidelines,” was led by Joseph Salhab, DO, FACOI; and “AGA Clinical Practice Guidelines on the Gastrointestinal Evaluation of Iron Deficiency Anemia,” was led by Emmanuel McDonald, DO, FACOI. Dr. Salhab highlighted the increasing rates of colorectal cancer in the U.S., particularly in younger populations, and reasons for those changing trends; he also presented updated colorectal cancer screening guidelines and the different benefits, limitations, and recommended intervals of the available screening methods and tests. Dr. McDonald’s presentation addressed iron deficiency anemia (IDA) and specifically touched upon its GI-related causes. He spoke about different strategies for evaluating those different causes of IDA, as well as new recommendations and guidelines for treatment and approaches to its management.
Emmanuel McDonald, DO, FACOI, and Joseph Salhab, DO, FACOI.
The Convocation of Fellows & Awards Ceremony in the evening gave members another moment to gather and connect while honoring the newest ACOI Fellows and Master Fellows. It was also a time to celebrate this year’s award recipients: Malcoun Award winner Nicholas Salupo, Susser Award winner Pranati Shah, and Teacher of the Year Award winner Mark Baldwin. ACOI also presented a new award, the Robert G. Good, DO, MACOI Student Leadership Award, surprising Dr. Good with its establishment in his name. Luke Strong, OMS-III, was honored as the inaugural recipient.
Saturday, October 11
The final day of the convention had a number of highlights, including student sessions and the virtually presented state sessions.
The panel discussion “Healing Through Leadership: Strengthen Communities Amid Public Health Uncertainty” was moderated by Kellee Randle, DO, FACOI. The panelists included Berry Pierre, DO, FACOI; MarkAlain Déry, DO, MPH, FACOI; and Kardie Tobb, DO, MS, CPE, FACOI; in this discussion, each of these physicians addressed their distinct approaches to both current and impending changes in public healthcare, and especially to serving patients in any situation.
One of the final sessions of the convention, which drew a great deal of attention, was the panel discussion “Tests I Wish You’d Never Ordered.” This panel featured Gerald Blackburn, DO, MACOI; John Prior, DO, FACOI; and Mia Taormina, DO, FACOI. The speakers focused on sharing case studies that highlighted the potential harms and problems that can result from performing avoidable tests and procedures that are not as necessary as they may initially appear. They spoke about listening to patients and addressing their concerns while maintaining a position of expertise and leadership in the relationship.
ACOI Leadership Announcement
ACOI named Damon L. Baker, DO, MACOI, as the new President of ACOI for 2025-2026, during ACOI 2025. Dr. Baker is a 1993 graduate of the Oklahoma State University College of Osteopathic Medicine, an ACOI member since 1997, and a member of the Board of Directors since 2016.
We are excited to welcome Dr. Baker into this new role and thank him for his years of service and leadership! You can learn more about Dr. Baker’s background and service to ACOI through the press release on his presidency.
Photo & Video Highlights
Want more of ACOI 2025? You can check out our video recap here, and have a look at our photo album of highlights on the ACOI Facebook page!