Voices Across ACOI: Annual Convention Highlights and Recap

All recorded sessions from ACOI 2026 are now available to watch on-demand! This gives you the flexibility to watch from anywhere you are on your own schedule. Access all recorded sessions through December 31, 2026, or through June 30, 2027, when you purchase Extended Access.

Whether you joined ACOI in Palm Springs or participated virtually for ACOI 2026, this year's Annual Convention was a fantastic and memorable week, offering over 60 sessions as well as exciting extras, from Exhibit Hall activities to the Welcome Party.

The theme for ACOI 2026 was “Connecting to the DO Within – IM: the Osteopathic Way.” It was an Annual Convention that certainly highlighted both elements of that theme: the different ways internal medicine and osteopathic medicine strengthen one another, and the power of the osteopathic perspective.

Wednesday, October 7

Day one commenced with Welcome Remarks from ACOI 2026 Program Chair Watson Ducatel, DO, MPH, FACOI. Educational sessions began in the afternoon and included compelling updates such as "Making AI Work for You," led by Charlene LePane, DO, MBA, MSPH, MACOI, FACG, FASGE; and an OMT Didactic Session led by Natalie Nevins, DO, MSHPE, MSS, FACOFP, FS, COL USAR. The latter was part of a series of OMT-focused sessions that continued over the course of the week.

The evening brought the New Member Welcome Reception and the Welcome Party. Held on the Rose Lawn at the Renaissance Esmeralda Resort & Spa, these festive gatherings took advantage of the California sunshine, giving members time to mingle, play games, and connect with one another.

Thursday, October 8

Day two brought us the first keynote address of ACOI 2026. After Welcome Remarks from ACOI CEO Karen Caruth, MBA, keynote speaker George Abraham, MD, MPH, delivered his address on "Leadership with Inclusivity: A Paradigm Shift." In it, Dr. Abraham shared his insights on what creates effective and inclusive leadership—including empathy, resilience, humility, integrity, and a sense of purpose—and spoke to how these elements can create stronger, more supportive healthcare teams.

Some of the standout educational sessions during day two included "Optimizing Lipid Management in Internal Medicine: Applying the 2026 ACC/AHA/Multisociety Dyslipidemia Guideline," delivered by Chad A. Link, DO, FACOI; and “Modern Obesity Care in Internal Medicine: Management, Guidelines, Medications and Real-World Application,” led by Eric Langer, DO, MACOI. Dr. Nevins led the first few hands-on OMT sessions on day two, which focused on Hematology/Oncology and Cardiology.

The Exhibit Hall opened on day two as well, and with that brought the Resident Poster Contest. Judging occurred over most of the day, and presentations and awards were held in the afternoon. Congratulations to the following finalists and winners:

Resident/Fellow Case Presentation Winners:

• First Place: Cameron Barton, DO (Oklahoma State University Center for Health Sciences (Tulsa), for A Brugada Mimic: Ventricular Fibrillation Arrest Unmasking an Atrial Septal Defect
• Second Place: Kimberly Magana, DO (Texas Health Resources/Harris Methodist Hospital Fort Worth), for Anaphylaxis Following First-Time Tirzepatide Injection Obtained From an Online Retailer: A Case Report 

Resident/Fellow Clinical Research Winners:

• First Place: Erika Bravo, DO (University Hospitals Community Consortium - Westlake), for Optimization of Laboratory Reflex Strategy to Reduce Meningitis/Encephalitis Panel Overutilization in Immunocompetent Adults 
• Second Place: Marielle Isenhart, DO (Community Memorial Health System), for Retrospective Review of Glucagon-Like Peptide-1 Receptor Agonist and Gastroparesis During EGD In A Community Setting

Resident/Fellow Quality Improvement Winners:

• First Place: Alexander Douglas, DO (Oklahoma State University Center for Health Sciences (Tulsa), for Does Structured Curriculum Improve Resident Confidence and Performance? An Academic Spin on Quality Improvement 
• Second Place: Justin Hicklin, DO (Oklahoma State University Center for Health Sciences (Tulsa), for No Time to Waste: Cutting Delays with Every Unit

Other activities in the Exhibit Hall this year included a photo booth, a Game Zone, and a Good News Board, where attendees could write down and share their personal highlights with the ACOI community. We also featured a book signing by Dominic Glorioso, DO, MACOI, PhD, later in the day, where he gave away copies of his recent release Applying Ethical Principles to Clinical Practice, as well as "Ask an OMT Professional" during a few of the day's breaks, giving attendees an opportunity to engage in more OMT-focused learning.

Day two ended with the vibrant Women Physicians Networking Reception, as well as several alumni receptions, where members had the chance to gather with one another, reconnect with friends and colleagues, and make new connections.

Friday, October 9

Day three started with an annual favorite: the Fun Run. The second keynote address was also on day three, and delivered by Carrie Janiski, DO, the President of the Osteopathic Physicians and Surgeons of California (OPSC). Dr. Janiski spoke on "The Elements of Well-being," sharing insights on the connections between different perspectives on wellness and overall health.

In the Exhibit Hall, the Student Poster Contest judging began; the presentations and awards for the contest were held in the afternoon. Congratulations to the following finalists and winners: 

Student Case Presentation Winners:

• First Place: Hannah Areechira, OMS-II (Touro College of Osteopathic Medicine - Great Falls), for Streptococcus Salivarius Bacteremia and Culture- Negative Meningitis Revealing an Occult Cerebrospinal Fluid Leak: A Case Report 
• Second Place: Katrina Knapik, OMS-IV (California Health Sciences University College of Osteopathic Medicine), for Serial BIA Body Composition Monitoring to Preserve Skeletal Muscle Mass and Optimize Metabolic Health in Patients on GLP-1 RA Therapy — A Three-Patient Case Series

Student Quality Improvement Winners:

• First Place: Megan Lange, OMS-II (Des Moines University College of Osteopathic Medicine), for Evaluation of Perioperative Glycemic Management in Diabetic Orthopedic Trauma Patients: A Quality Improvement Initiative
• Second Place: Casey Donahoe, OMS-III (West Virginia School of Osteopathic Medicine), for Partner with an O’Student: A Patient Perspective Program Connecting Medical Students with Patients in the Community

Student Clinical Research Winners:

• First Place: Rama Khawaldeh, OMS-III (Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine - Georgia Campus), for Fluctuating Epidemiology of Poliovirus in Conflict-Affected Regions: Comparative Trends in Wild-Type and Vaccine-Derived Cases Following Vaccination Campaigns
• Second Place: Atef Choudhury, OMS-II (Michigan State University College of Osteopathic Medicine at Detroit Medical Center), for Impact of Patient Narratives on Medical Student Perspectives in Cystic Fibrosis Care

Several popular plenary and concurrent sessions occurred on day three. A few of those highlights included "Early Detection and Early Treatment of Alzheimer’s Disease in Internal Medicine Practice," led by Stephan Dinsmore, DO, FACOI; “Tools and Resources for Advanced Care Planning,” led by Sherika Newman, DO; and the Jeopardy!-style "I’ll Take ID Facts for $1000 - A Knowledge Challenge," led by MarkAlain Déry, DO, MPH, FACOI, and Mia Taormina, DO, FACOI.

The 2026 Convocation of Fellows and Awards Ceremony was held in the evening. It was a moment to gather as a community and honor the newest Fellows and Master Fellows, as well as the annual award recipients. Mia Taormina, DO, FACOI, received the Internist of the Year Award. John Arthur, DO, received the Anthony J. Malcoun, DO, MACOI Emerging Leader Award. Marisela Benitez, OMS-III, received the Robert G. Good, DO, MACOI Student Leadership Award. Danielle Thor, DO, MAUB, was honored as the AOF/ACOI Outstanding Resident of the Year in Internal Medicine. Eight resident physicians received the David Susser, DO, MACOI Award: Mitchell Boshkos, DO; Ahmad Fouad Chaban, DO; Alexander Douglas, DO; Michele Guyette DO; Alyssa Lambrecht, DO; Batoul Sadek, DO; Brooklynn Scherer, DO; and Aliyah Stephens, MS, DO.

Congratulations again to all of the new Fellows, Master Fellows, and award recipients!

Saturday, October 10

After commencing with the annual Meeting of Members, day four brought with it virtually presented state sessions, the Student Sessions, and additional plenary sessions. The Student Sessions included compelling and helpful topics such as "Challenging the 'Other' Narrative," led by Ananya Devarajan, OMS-IV, and Momilani Tupu, OMS-IV; “Morning Report-Style Cases,” led by Robert Good, DO, MACOI, and Robert Aran, DO, FACOI; and "OMT for the Hospitalized Patient," led by Laura Rosch, DO, FACOI.

Highlights from day four’s plenary sessions included "Physician 3.0: Leading the Next Generation of Medical Practice," led by Seger Morris, DO, MBA, CPE, FACOI; "Empathy in Action: Developing Emotional Intelligence in Healthcare Providers," led by Antonio Graham, DO; and "Asthma Today: Diagnosis, Phenotypes, and Precision Treatment in 2026,” led by Timothy Barreiro, DO, MPH, MACOI.

ACOI Leadership Announcement

ACOI named C. Clark Milton, DO, FACOI, as the new President of ACOI for 2026-2027, during ACOI 2026. Dr. Milton is a 1982 graduate of the West Virginia School of Osteopathic Medicine, an ACOI member since 2005, and a member of the Board of Directors since 2018.

We are excited to welcome Dr. Milton into this new role and thank him for his service and leadership! You can learn more about Dr. Milton's background and service to ACOI through the press release on his presidency.

Photo & Video Highlights

Want more of ACOI 2026? You can have a look at our photo album of highlights on the ACOI Facebook page!