Tough Act to Follow

Wow! May I repeat: Wow! I hope you had the opportunity to experience ACOI 2026 in Palm Springs, CA. If you were unable to attend on-site at the beautiful Renaissance Esmeralda Resort & Spa, the conference experience remains available on-demand now through December 31, 2026.

Congratulations to this year’s program chair, Watson Ducatel, DO, MPH, FACOI, whose theme Connecting to the DO Within – IM: The Osteopathic Way exceeded all expectations. Not only were the lectures and keynote addresses executed flawlessly; the hands-on OMT sessions were highly complimented. Remember the CME credits continue to be of high value. I commend ACOI leadership and staff on a compelling and academic experience at this year’s Annual Convention.

The academic bar has been set high for ACOI 2027. Program chair Charlene LePane, DO, MBA, MSPH, MACOI, has assured me that plans for next year’s Annual Convention in Orlando, FL, are well in progress. Details are soon to come, so you can begin to make your plans for 2027.

Reflecting on what has been a remarkedly successful year for the American College of Osteopathic Internists, as the newly elected President, I am filled with immense gratitude and pride. Our recent Annual Convention truly showcased the vibrant heart of our osteopathic internal medicine community. Bringing together exceptional minds from across the country, the event set an innovative benchmark for continuing medical education, influential professional fellowship, and inspiring shared vision.

The combined leadership of Karen Caruth, Susan Enright, DO, MACOI, and Damon Baker, DO, MACOI, poured their passion, experience, and leadership into shaping a strategy to captain the ACOI ship. No ship sails without a captain; no captain sails without a crew. The ACOI Board of Directors, staff, committee members, and members like YOU have worked tirelessly to elevate our College.

Looking back at what we have accomplished together in 2026, it is clear to this newly elected President we have a Tough Act to Follow in 2027.

The incredible energy, engagement, and breakthrough ideas generated this past year do more than just mark a milestone; they solidify a bright future for the ACOI. Membership trajectory is upward, ACOI’s finances are stable with robust reserves, executive leadership is stable and proactive, and the number of osteopathic medical students is accelerating.

You know the numbers! Osteopathic medical school students are now 30 percent of all graduating seniors. Internal medicine is the number one specialty chosen by US DO graduates in the NRMP match. Early-stage physicians, residents, and students are the future of ACOI!

ACOI 2026 keynote speaker George Abraham, MD, eloquently noted in his address “Leadership with Inclusivity: A Paradigm Shift” – “If you are NOT at the table, you’re on the menu.” As a professional osteopathic medical association, ACOI must demonstrate value to its osteopathic internal medicine physicians so that they desire to be “AT the TABLE.”

My vision for the ACOI future journey requires your involvement with ideas, respectful debate, shared experiences, leadership, mentorship, health, and wellness. The ACOI future requires innovation, influence, and inspiration. With high level education, advocacy-most important patient advocacy yet of similar magnitude physician-NOT provider-advocacy will shape the future of health care.

Guided by our shared principles and unified community, we are perfectly positioned to drive osteopathic internal medicine innovation.  

The ACOI future is bright. I invite you to join us at the Osteopathic Internal Medicine Table.

Yes, Dr. Damon Baker, is a Tough Act to Follow! We cannot replace you, but with your input and assistance, we can build on the success started.

Do not put your sunglasses away!

Clark

C. Clark Milton, DO, FACOI