In recent years, a subtle but significant shift has crept into the language of health care. Increasingly, those of us who have dedicated more than a decade of our lives to becoming fully licensed physicians find ourselves labeled with the catch-all term “provider.” It has become common in legislation, administrative documents, insurance policies, and even hospital vernacular. But I am not a “provider.” I am an osteopathic physician.
Voices Across ACOI: 2026 Spring Meetings Preview Featuring Dr. Leonard Hock, Dr. Emmie Strassberg, and Dr. Jeffrey Freeman
For this month’s edition of Voices Across ACOI, we spoke with a few of the physicians who will present at the virtual 2026 Spring Meetings. Read on for more about their areas of practice and their presentations, as well as agenda and registration information.
ACOI Congratulates Florida Osteopathic Medical Association (FOMA) Leaders Steve Winn and Michelle Winn Larson
On January 1, 2026, the Florida Osteopathic Medical Association (FOMA) had a major change in its leadership; after 51 years of service, Steve Winn, the former executive director, has retired, and Michelle Winn Larson has been selected as the new Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the organization.
Grief in Medicine: There Is No Right Way to Carry It
I began medical school at the same time my father was diagnosed with stage IV cancer. What should have been a season defined by anatomy labs, white coats, and new beginnings was instead marked by oncology appointments, emergency department visits, ICU admissions, and long conversations that never felt long enough. While I was learning how to become a physician, my family and I were learning how to live with uncertainty.
Why Medical Education Must Integrate Paramedicine Now
Medicine today is evolving rapidly—not just in what we know clinically, but in where and how care is delivered. For decades, medical training has focused on hospital-based care and outpatient clinic experiences, often sidelining one of the most impactful sectors of modern health care: paramedicine.
Each year, ACOI honors its members with awards that reflect their impressive contributions to the osteopathic internal medicine community. Nominations are now open for the 2026 Teacher of the Year, Researcher of the Year, and Internist of the Year awards.
The ACOI Fellowship is an incredible opportunity to demonstrate your commitment to the osteopathic internal medicine community. If you are considering taking your career and your ACOI membership to the next level, and want to step into a new leadership role, this is a wonderful way to do so.
