ACOI Recognizes Mia Taormina, DO, FACOI, as 2026 Internist of the Year

The American College of Osteopathic Internists (ACOI), a national professional organization representing osteopathic internal medicine physicians and subspecialists, has selected Mia A. Taormina, DO, FACOI, as the 2026 Internist of the Year. Dr. Taormina will be presented with the award at ACOI 2026 in Palm Springs, California.

Board-certified in internal medicine and infectious disease medicine, Dr. Taormina currently serves as the Chair of the Department of Infectious Disease at Duly Health and Care, a large private practice in the Chicagoland area. Additionally, she serves as a Director on their Clinical Board of Directors. In these roles, she collaborates with her organization's leadership, several hospital partners, and many community organizations on infection-control strategies and system-level responses to emerging threats. Dr. Taormina has also taught second-year medical students at Midwestern University Chicago College of Osteopathic Medicine for many years and has received multiple Teacher of the Year awards. She is a graduate of the Michigan State University College of Osteopathic Medicine.

A central figure in the ACOI educational and community spheres, Dr. Taormina co-chairs the Infectious Diseases section of the Annual Convention and the Hospital Medicine lectures at the Spring Meetings, developing rigorous, high-yield programs for internists and trainees. She has served on the CME Committee since 2013 and has been its Vice Chair since 2021 and is a member of the PRIDE Committee. In addition, she organizes the ACOI Fun Run at the Annual Convention to support physician wellness and collegiality.

MarkAlain Déry, DO, FACOI, an ACOI Board Member as well as Dr. Taormina’s co-chair of the Infectious Diseases section at the Annual Convention, shared these words in his letter of nomination:  

“Mia A. Taormina, DO, FACOI, stands out as an exemplar of osteopathic internal medicine. Leaders and peers recognize her as an exceptionally skilled clinician and diagnostician whose judgment is sought on the most complex cases. Hospitals, health systems, students, and community organizations have honored her with major awards that attest to her clinical excellence, teaching impact, and COVID‑era leadership. She has developed and led impactful clinical and educational programs that improve safety, quality, and relevance for internists, while serving in key leadership roles in clinical direction and ACOI’s core educational missions. Her approach to patients—rooted in careful listening, honest communication, and evidence‑based decision‑making—combined with her lifelong learning and Ironman‑level endurance, makes her a uniquely compelling representative of our specialty.”

About ACOI

Since 1941, the American College of Osteopathic Internists (ACOI) has represented current and aspiring osteopathic internal medicine physicians and subspecialists. The ACOI provides leadership, networking, and education to help members be successful and stay true to why they pursued medicine. For more information, visit www.acoi.org.