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!
Cassi Jones, DO, FACOI, recently started a new role with Aiken Physicians Alliance in Aiken, South Carolina. Congratulations, Dr. Jones!
Joshua Lenchus, DO, RPh, published an article on physician unionization in the August 2026 edition of the American Osteopathic Association (AOA) magazine The DO. His piece considers the dynamics of physician unions and their potential role in combatting physician burnout. Congratulations, Dr. Lenchus!
Charlene LePane, DO, MBA, MSPH, along with her colleagues at AdventHealth, spoke at Epic’s User Group Meeting (UGM) 2026, a major health technology conference held in Verona, Wisconsin. Their presentation was on “Deploying Lumens on a National Scale: A Recipe for Success.” Congratulations, Dr. LePane!
Creed Mainz, OMS-IV, has been named the American Osteopathic Foundation (AOF)/American Osteopathic Association (AOA) 2026 Presidential Memorial Leadership Scholar. This annual scholarship, now celebrating its 25th year, was established to honor the leadership, commitment, and philanthropic endeavors of Past Presidents of the AOA who proudly served the profession. It recognizes one osteopathic medical student who embodies osteopathic tenets through their outstanding character, service, and leadership. Congratulations, Student Doctor Mainz!
Seger Morris, DO, MBA, published a book, entitled Let Me Lead: Escaping the Experience Bias and Excelling as an Early-Career Professional. It addresses how ageism can show up across professions and how to transcend it. Congratulations, Dr. Morris!
Camilo Andrés Ruiz, DO, FACOI, recently launched an app, Somnera.ai, a medically-informed tool that helps people track their sleep and manage insomnia. Congratulations, Dr. Ruiz!
Nicholas Salupo, DO, was featured on the podcast “D.O. or Do Not,” in an episode about his journey from medical student to practicing nephrologist, and shared his experiences with the American Osteopathic Information Association (AOIA) online community Emerging DO. Congratulations, Dr. Salupo!
Melanie Spencer-Wolf, DO, was announced as new Chief Medical Officer of Providence Mission Hospital. Dr. Wolf brings nearly 20 years of experience as an internal medicine physician, hospitalist, and hospital leader to the position. For the past year, she has served as Chief of the Providence Mission Hospital Medical Staff and Medical Director for Utilization Management. She will officially transition into this new role in January 2027, following the retirement of Linda Sieglen, MD. Congratulations, Dr. Spencer-Wolf!
Richard R. Thacker, DO, MACOI, recently spoke to the Class of 2030 at the Baptist Health Sciences University College of Osteopathic Medicine (BUCOM) White Coat Ceremony. The ceremony brought together leaders from across the osteopathic profession, including Peter Bell, DO, Dean of BUCOM, and Julie Sees, DO, President of the American Osteopathic Foundation and keynote speaker.
Dr. Thacker's full inauguration and presidential address from the 2026 House of Delegates are now available online. The event brought together osteopathic physicians and leaders from across the profession to reflect on shared accomplishments and look ahead to the future of osteopathic medicine. Congratulations, Dr. Thacker!
Kardie Tobb, DO, FACOI, spoke at the American Society for Preventive Cardiology (ASPC) Congress 2026 in Scottsdale, Arizona. The ASPC mission is to promote the prevention of cardiovascular disease, advocate for the preservation of cardiovascular health, and disseminate high-quality, evidence-based information through the education of healthcare clinicians and their patients. Her session, “Cardiovascular Risk Reduction in Type 2 Diabetes,” was delivered for the ASPC Training Academy.
Dr. Tobb was also recently featured on the Centering Health Equity podcast, in an episode focused on Heart Health and Health Inequity. Congratulations, Dr. Tobb!