Welcome! It’s great to be back with another issue of our ACOI Student Spotlight newsletter. The semester is already moving quickly, and with it comes new challenges, opportunities, and milestones to celebrate.
2026 MIPS Payment Adjustment Information Now Available
The Centers for Medicare & Medicare Services (CMS) has released Merit-based Incentive Payment System (MIPS) payment adjustment information for the 2024 performance period/2026 MIPS payment year.
ACOI Members Urged to Be Alert for Payer Downcoding
An increasing number of payers are automatically ‘downcoding’ claims, resulting in lower payment, and the practice is gaining national attention. An Oct.
Why Every Student Should Experience the ACOI Convention: A Snapshot of My Experience
If you’ve ever wondered whether it’s worth juggling rotation schedules, looming exams, and a couple of flight delays just to attend a medical conference—let me save you the suspense: it absolutely is. The 2025 ACOI Annual Convention in Marco Island, Florida, was one of the most inspiring, educational, and unexpectedly fun experiences of my medical school journey so far. From day one, it was clear that this wasn’t just a conference—it was a community of physicians, residents, and students who genuinely care about lifting one another up.
During the ACOI 2025 Convocation of Fellows and Awards Ceremony, ACOI awarded several additional honors to members. Among those awards was the inaugural Robert G. Good, DO, MACOI Student Leadership Award. This award was created in honor of Robert G. Good, DO, MACOI, and will be presented annually to a student leader who lives out the dedication, commitment, and selfless service Dr. Good exemplifies.
On September 19, 2025, VCOM–VA held its latest organization fair showcasing about 20 organizations, including our Student Osteopathic Internal Medicine Association (SOIMA) chapter under ACOI.
ACOI Congratulates its 2025 Fellows and Master Fellows
ACOI is delighted to announce the induction of 47 new Fellows, as well as nine new members of the Gillum Society of Master Fellows. During the ACOI 2025 Convocation of Fellows and Awards Ceremony on Friday, October 10, ACOI president-elect Dr. Damon L. Baker and president Dr. Susan Enright led ACOI in recognizing these accomplished individuals.
October Student of the Month: Tori Hensley, OMS-III
Student Doctor Hensley is an exceptional leader, dedicated educator, and passionate researcher whose contributions extend to her peers, her institution, and the broader medical community. Her commitment to lifelong learning and advancing medical knowledge is evident in both her academic pursuits and leadership roles.
Damon L. Baker, DO, MACOI, Selected to Lead ACOI for 2025-2026
The American College of Osteopathic Internists (ACOI), a national professional organization representing osteopathic internal medicine physicians and subspecialists, has announced the appointment of Damon L. Baker, DO, MACOI, as President for 2025-2026. The announcement was made during the ACOI 2025 Annual Convention & Scientific Sessions in Marco Island, Florida.
As my year as President of the American College of Osteopathic Internists (ACOI) comes to a close, one word captures my reflection on this experience: grateful.
Every physician’s career is built upon the vital foundation of education. Educating new physicians, then, means not only guiding them on their own unique journeys, but also paying forward what one has been given. Mark Baldwin, DO, MACOI, has firsthand experience of this trajectory.
