ACOI Student of the Month Recognition Program
The ACOI Student of the Month Recognition Program is an opportunity to recognize osteopathic medical students who are outstanding members of their medical schools and their communities. ACOI wants to recognize these students and share their achievements with the ACOI community. Students who are recognized for this award will have demonstrated their commitment to their communities through community service, leadership, achievements in research, educational development, and personal achievement, among other things.
What are the criteria?
The ACOI Student of the Month Recognition Program is open to all current osteopathic medical students.
Who can nominate?
A student can be nominated by their fellow students, osteopathic physicians, and members of the medical school community.
When is the deadline?
The deadline for nominations is the 15th of each month.
How is the winner chosen?
ACOI will review all nominations and choose the winner each month.
What does the winner receive?
The winner of the ACOI Student of the Month recognition will be highlighted in the ACOI monthly newsletter and will receive a digital certificate signed by the ACOI President and the National Student Osteopathic Internal Medicine Association (N-SOIMA) President.
2026 Winners
April 2026
Ismihan Uddin, OMS-III, Midwestern University Chicago College of Osteopathic Medicine.
Student Doctor Uddin was nominated in recognition of her exceptional leadership, scholarship, and service dedicated to advancing culturally competent internal medicine. Her many accomplishments include being the founder and board member of Chi-Care Mobile Medical Services, a student-led mobile clinic providing free, longitudinal primary care to underserved communities across Chicago. Through Chi-Care, she delivers and coordinates internal medicine-centered services, including chronic disease screening and management, preventive care, health education, and referral navigation. By meeting patients where they are, Chi-Care exemplifies osteopathic, whole-person care in action.
Her commitment to culturally competent internal medicine extends beyond the United States and has included serving as a medical volunteer with the Red Cross in Sarajevo, Bosnia, and Herzegovina. Participating in health promotion and community outreach efforts serving local and refugee populations deepened her understanding of cross-cultural care, trauma-informed medicine, and the global burden of chronic disease. Read more.
March 2026
Angelo Monaco, OMS-II, VCOM-Carolinas.
Angelo Monaco was nominated in recognition of his outstanding commitment to osteopathic internal medicine through service, leadership, scholarship, education, and professionalism. He consistently demonstrates compassion and a patient-centered approach rooted in osteopathic philosophy. He volunteers at community health events offering blood pressure checks, diabetes counseling, and preventive care education to underserved populations. His approachable communication style helps patients better understand chronic disease management and empowers them to make sustainable health choices.
As an active member of SOIMA, Angelo leads by example. He organizes multidisciplinary case-based discussions that highlight the integration of osteopathic principles with internal medicine practice. He mentors first- and second-year students on clinical reasoning and professional development, improving the preparedness and confidence of those entering their first hospital rotations. Read more.