ACOI Congratulates the 2026 Student and Resident/Fellow Poster Contest Finalists

The American College of Osteopathic Internists (ACOI) is proud to recognize the outstanding 2026 Poster Contest finalists. The finalists were awarded at ACOI 2026, held October 7-10 in Palm Springs, California.

Annually, ACOI honors research by students, residents, and fellows with the Awards for Clinical Research, Case Presentation, and Quality Improvement Posters. The entries are prepared and submitted by students interested in internal medicine, and residents or fellows practicing internal medicine and its subspecialties. All subject matter is highly encouraged to be relevant to osteopathic principles and practice.

Keith A. Reich, DO, MACOI, the Chair of the ACOI Research Committee, along with other members of ACOI who are engaged in research, reviewed and judged each poster. The top two finalists in the different categories, which included clinical research, quality improvement, and case presentations, presented their work at a plenary session during the Annual Convention. At the end of that session, the winners were recognized, and those who placed first and second each received cash awards.

Listed below are the finalists and winners in all contest categories.
 

Resident/Fellow Case Presentation Winners

First Place: Cameron Barton, DO (Oklahoma State University Center for Health Sciences (Tulsa)
A Brugada Mimic: Ventricular Fibrillation Arrest Unmasking an Atrial Septal Defect

Second Place: Kimberly Magana, DO (Texas Health Resources/Harris Methodist Hospital Fort Worth)
Anaphylaxis Following First-Time Tirzepatide Injection Obtained From an Online Retailer: A Case Report

Resident/Fellow Clinical Research Winners

First Place: Erika Bravo, DO (University Hospitals Community Consortium - Westlake)
Optimization of Laboratory Reflex Strategy to Reduce Meningitis/Encephalitis Panel Overutilization in Immunocompetent Adults

Second Place: Marielle Isenhart, DO (Community Memorial Health System)
Retrospective Review of Glucagon-Like Peptide-1 Receptor Agonist and Gastroparesis During EGD In A Community Setting

Resident/Fellow Quality Improvement Winners

First Place: Alexander Douglas, DO (Oklahoma State University Center for Health Sciences (Tulsa)
Does Structured Curriculum Improve Resident Confidence and Performance? An Academic Spin on Quality Improvement

Second Place: Justin Hicklin, DO (Oklahoma State University Center for Health Sciences (Tulsa)
No Time to Waste: Cutting Delays with Every Unit

Student Case Presentation Winners

First Place: Hannah Areechira, OMS-II (Touro College of Osteopathic Medicine - Great Falls)
Streptococcus Salivarius Bacteremia and Culture- Negative Meningitis Revealing an Occult Cerebrospinal Fluid Leak: A Case Report

Second Place: Katrina Knapik, OMS-IV (California Health Sciences University College of Osteopathic Medicine)
Serial BIA Body Composition Monitoring to Preserve Skeletal Muscle Mass and Optimize Metabolic Health in Patients on GLP-1 RA Therapy — A Three-Patient Case Series

Student Quality Improvement Winners

First Place: Megan Lange, OMS-II (Des Moines University College of Osteopathic Medicine)
Evaluation of Perioperative Glycemic Management in Diabetic Orthopedic Trauma Patients: A Quality Improvement Initiative

Second Place: Casey Donahoe, OMS-III (West Virginia School of Osteopathic Medicine)
Partner with an O’Student: A Patient Perspective Program Connecting Medical Students with Patients in the Community

Student Clinical Research Winners

First Place: Rama Khawaldeh, OMS-III (Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine - Georgia Campus)
Fluctuating Epidemiology of Poliovirus in Conflict-Affected Regions: Comparative Trends in Wild-Type and Vaccine-Derived Cases Following Vaccination Campaigns

Second Place: Atef Choudhury, OMS-II (Michigan State University College of Osteopathic Medicine at Detroit Medical Center)
Impact of Patient Narratives on Medical Student Perspectives in Cystic Fibrosis Care

All posters can be viewed on the ACOI 2026 agenda by clicking on the "Posters" tab on the left hand menu.