Building the Future: Medical Students at the Heart of ACOI

When I hear ACOI members describe what they like most about being ACOI members, I often hear words like family, home, friendships, and reconnecting.  I hear about great educational offerings taking place in more intimate settings rather than large convention halls.  Others, including myself, have also appreciated the opportunity to develop leadership and communication skills that have been demonstrated by phenomenal ACOI mentors. We have been surrounded by welcoming physicians and staff passionate about the mission of the ACOI.    

That community is the heart of this membership organization. It has been present for many years, and I hope it inspires and educates many generations of internists to come. Medical students that make up those new generations are the lifeblood and the future of internal medicine and the ACOI community—and ACOI is committed to supporting and empowering them. As osteopathic medical education continues to grow, ACOI remains a strong partner in helping shape tomorrow’s internists.

A Growing Osteopathic Footprint

Osteopathic medical schools have expanded rapidly, with 43 colleges at 69 locations across 36 states, educating over 38,000 future physicians. Today, nearly 30% of all U.S. medical school graduates come from osteopathic colleges. Wow!  

In addition, internal medicine is the #1 specialty of choice for DO graduates, with 23%, or 1,882 of the DO graduates entering IM.  

Despite the significant growth of medical students and graduates, many membership organizations, including the ACOI, have struggled to attract younger generations. Our Board, staff, and many physician volunteers continue to be nimble in altering programing and trying new initiatives to interest new generations of ACOI members. I would like to share some of the great work happening in student programming at the ACOI.  

ACOI’s Commitment to Students

ACOI has recognized the importance of engaging with students early in their training. The Visiting Professor Program has been the long-standing student engagement effort, bringing dedicated ACOI members to osteopathic campuses nationwide to share their expertise and build lasting relationships with students.

In 2020, Robert Good, DO, MACOI, founded the Student Osteopathic Leadership in Internal Medicine and Dialogue (SOLID) program to deepen that connection. SOLID fosters meaningful dialogue between students and practicing internists, covering not only academic medicine but also practical guidance on transitions through medical school, such as clerkships and audition rotations. Dr. Good’s leadership was instrumental in building the foundation for ACOI’s student outreach. His efforts continue to inspire the next generation of ACOI leaders.

SOIMA: A National Voice for Students

In addition to SOLID, the expansion of the Student Osteopathic Internal Medicine Association (SOIMA) has provided students with a national platform to learn, lead, and advocate for internal medicine. ACOI actively supports SOIMA by developing national student officers and encouraging the formation of new campus chapters to spread awareness and interest in internal medicine.

A Growing Student Community

Thanks to these and more student initiatives, student membership in ACOI has seen significant growth—from just 1,200 to over 4,000 student members in the past five years. Our Annual Convention participation has also grown, with nearly 300 students and 118 residents attending in 2024. These numbers reflect the energy and passion our students, staff, and physician mentors and leaders bring to the future of internal medicine.

A Heartfelt Thank You

This progress would not be possible without the dedication of many individuals. A special thank you goes out to our visiting professors, SOLID session leaders, and those who organize student programming, including Dr. Good, Dr. Rosch, Dr. Tolentino, Kara Kerns, Jeremy McFarland, and Tim McNichol. Your contributions are shaping the future of ACOI and internal medicine.

Looking Ahead

We look forward to welcoming even more students and residents at the upcoming ACOI Annual Convention and Scientific Sessions, taking place October 8–11 in Marco Island. Please consider supporting a student or resident as you register for the convention or donate to ACOI. Together, we are investing in the future of osteopathic internal medicine and the ACOI.