Note: If you have a member news update you'd like to share, please send it to jennifer@acoi.org or acoi@acoi.org to be published in a future edition of ACOinfo!
James Groff, DO, MACOI, was honored for his over 25 years of service with Hypertension and Kidney Specialists, a practice based in the Lancaster, Pennsylvania community. Congratulations, Dr. Groff!
Cindy Hou, DO, MBA, FACOI, FACP, moderated a session on sepsis during IDWeek in Washington, DC. IDWeek is the joint annual meeting of the Infectious Diseases Society of America, the Society for Healthcare Epidemiology of America, the HIV Medicine Association and the Pediatric Infectious Diseases Society, and focuses on updates and breakthroughs in infectious disease medicine. Congratulations, Dr. Hou!
Brandon Hooks, DO, FCCP, FACOI, obtained a new certification in Clinician Leadership from Harvard Medical School. Congratulations, Dr. Hooks!
Virginia Irwin-Scott, DO, MBA, FACOI, received the Ambassador Award from the American College of Artificial Intelligence and Medicine. Congratulations, Dr. Irwin-Scott!
Under the leadership of Robert Juhasz, DO, MACOI, FACP, Kansas City University (KCU) Osteopathic Medical School has been nationally recognized as the first osteopathic medical school to be awarded a charter to Alpha Alpha Alpha, the National Honor Society for First-Generation College Students. Dr. Juhasz is a KCU alum and Chair of the Board of Trustees, and his dedication to supporting first-generation students helped make this achievement possible. Congratulations to Dr. Juhasz and to the KCU Osteopathic Medical School community!
Marc Kaprow, DO, MHA, MACOI, participated in the From the Start initiative with the Agency for Health Care Administration and Simply Healthcare Plans. The event, held in Estero, Florida, brought together stakeholders and community partners to discuss how to innovate better healthcare solutions for Floridians. Congratulations, Dr. Kaprow!
Sara Liter-Kuester, DO, FACOI, recently started a new role as Chief Medical Informatics Officer at UNC Health Pardee. She will lead efforts to align clinical care and technology, and ensure digital tools, data systems, and clinical workflows support high-quality patient care and organizational goals. Congratulations, Dr. Liter-Kuester!
Thomas Mohr, DO, MACOI, was part of the launch of a new mobile health clinic at Sam Houston State University (SHSU) Russell & Glenda Gordy College of Osteopathic Medicine. Dr. Mohr is the Dean of Gordy College of Osteopathic Medicine and Vice President for Medical Affairs at SHSU; the mobile health initiative focuses on preventive care for women in rural communities, and was made possible by a $1.4 million award from the Texas Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC). Dr. Mohr said about this clinic, "We are excited about what this will mean for the women and families we serve, as well as what it will mean for the education of future physicians."
Dr. Mohr was also featured on the DREAMERS podcast to discuss his journey through medicine, advice for medical school applicants, and his thoughts on the future of medical education. Congratulations, Dr. Mohr!
Richard Thacker, DO, MACOI, attended the American Osteopathic Association's (AOA) Corporate Advisory Circle Advocacy Fly-In and Bureau of Federal Health Programs Committee meetings in Washington, DC, last month. Participants met with members of Congress to discuss key health policy issues and advocate for priorities important to the osteopathic medical profession and the patients physicians serve. Dr. Thacker is a Past President of the Florida Osteopathic Medicine Association (FOMA), and attended alongside Michelle Mendez, DO, FOMA Second Vice President; Linda Delo, DO, FACOFP, FOMA past president; and Joseph Giaimo, DO, past FOMA & AOA president.
In addition, Dr. Thacker attended the AOA's Osteopathic Medical Education Conference (OMED) and ACOI 2026, and spoke at the American Association of Colleges of Osteopathic Medicine (AACOM) 2026 Advocacy Day. He also spoke at UNC College of Osteopathic Medicine this month, to share insights on the future of osteopathic medicine with students, faculty, and staff; at the Alabama College of Osteopathic Medicine's Coat Ceremony; and at the University of the Incarnate Word School of Osteopathic Medicine’s White Coat Ceremony. Congratulations and thank you to Dr. Thacker for his work advocating on behalf of the osteopathic medicine community!
Kardie Tobb, DO, FACOI, spoke at the American Association for Physician Leadership (AAPL) Annual Leadership Conference in Scottsdale, Arizona. Her talk, "From Meaning to Metric: How Physician Leaders Build Aspirational Goals That Transform Teams,” focused on turning a shared sense of purpose into goals that inspire teams and measurable progress. Congratulations, Dr. Tobb!
Keith Reich, DO, CPE, RhMSUS, MACOI, participated in Forefront First 2026, a University of Chicago Medicine Medical Group CME event. Dr. Reich led a session on Managing Osteoporosis in 2026. Congratulations, Dr. Reich!
Erik Wert, DO, MPH, FACOI, AAHIVS, recently was recertified in by the American Academy of HIV Medicine as an HIV Specialist (AAHIVS). Congratulations, Dr. Wirt!