JUSTINE A. TRAN-SERRANO, DO, NAMED RESIDENT OF THE YEAR BY NATIONAL OSTEOPATHIC MEDICAL ASSOCIATION
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June 11, 2025
Indianapolis, IN—Justine A. Tran-Serrano, DO, of Lansing, MI, was named the 2025 Resident of the Year by the American Academy of Osteopathy (AAO) on March 27 at the AAO’s annual business meeting during its Convocation in Orlando, Florida. This annual award recognizes a resident who has contributed to the AAO, who has contributed to osteopathic principles and practice (OPP) at their residency program, and who has participated in such educational events as the AAO’s annual Convocation and the AAO program at the American Osteopathic Association’s annual conference.
In her final year of a three-year NMM residency program at Michigan State University, Justine A. Tran-Serrano, DO, embodies the principles and leadership that the osteopathic profession values, demonstrating exceptional commitment to advancing the field and serves as a role model for peers and future osteopathic physicians.
Dr. Tran-Serrano has demonstrated commitment to osteopathic philosophy through mentorship of 1st and 2nd year medical students at the student OMM free clinic. She gave multiple lectures to SAAO students on the topics of balanced ligamentous tension, physical exam skills, and cranial topics. She facilitates medical students during free OMT clinics in the community for uninsured and underinsured populations.
As co-chief resident, Dr. Tran-Serrano organizes weekly didactics with an emphasis on preparing residents for thorough training in the topics of anatomy, clinical correlations and approach. This past year, she coordinated a 3-day anatomy workshop with Dr. Frank Willard for Michigan's ONMM Statewide Campus System.
Dr. Tran-Serrano exemplifies a strong interest in research, national and international work. She has presented research on spinal health and on OMT for sinusitis relief. She served as a lecturer and table trainer on various osteopathic topics for visiting medical students and physicians from Korea. As an international volunteer, she has provided medical aid and humanitarian relief in Vietnam and Myanmar.
Dr. Tran-Serrano was selected as a recipient of the AAO Resident of the Year award for demonstrating the qualities of an outstanding resident through her: enthusiasm and commitment to osteopathic philosophy, application of osteopathic manipulative medicine, her involvement in the profession, and interest in scientific exploration of osteopathy.
For more information on Dr. Tran-Serrano, contact Sherri L. Quarles, Chief Executive Officer at the American Academy of Osteopathy at (317) 879-1881, ext. 214, or at [email protected].
The United States currently has more than 120,000 osteopathic physicians. Also known as DOs, osteopathic physicians are fully licensed physicians, as are MDs. The profession has grown 63% in the past decade and nearly 300% over the past three decades. Osteopathic physicians prescribe medicine and practice in all specialties, including osteopathic manipulative medicine, family medicine, psychiatry, obstetrics and gynecology, and surgery. They are trained to consider the health of the whole person and to use their hands to help diagnose and treat patients.
The mission of the American Academy of Osteopathy is to teach, promote, and research the science, art and philosophy of osteopathic medicine, emphasizing the integration of osteopathic principles and practice in patient care. Founded in 1937, the Academy is a specialty college of the American Osteopathic Association.