FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

May 13, 2026

INDIANAPOLIS, IN — Sheldon C. Yao, DO, FAAO, of Old Westbury, NY, was elected president of the American Academy of Osteopathy (AAO) on March 27 during Convocation 2026 at The Broadmoor in Colorado Springs, Colorado. Dr. Yao will lead the AAO as its 2026–27 president, guiding the nation’s premier specialty college devoted to neuromusculoskeletal medicine and osteopathic manipulative medicine (NMM/OMM).

Dr. Yao graduated from NYIT College of Osteopathic Medicine (NYITCOM) in 2002 and completed his internship and family practice residency at Good Samaritan Hospital in West Islip, NY. He subsequently completed a one-year NMM/OMM fellowship at North Shore-LIJ Plainview Hospital and is dual-board certified in family medicine/osteopathic manipulative treatment and NMM/OMM. He serves as Chair and Professor in the Department of Osteopathic Manipulative Medicine at NYITCOM, where he joined the faculty in 2006 and provides osteopathic family medical care at the school’s health centers. Dr. Yao’s research has examined OMM’s effects on conditions ranging from Parkinson’s disease and concussions to postpartum pain and pneumonia. He serves on the Osteopathic Principles and Practice COMAT committee for the National Board of Osteopathic Medical Examiners and as a reviewer for the Journal of the American Osteopathic Association.

Lisa DeStefano, DO, of East Lansing, MI, was elected President-Elect. Dr. DeStefano is Chairperson and Professor in the Department of Osteopathic Manipulative Medicine at Michigan State University College of Osteopathic Medicine, where she has served on the CME faculty since 1997. She is board certified in both Family Medicine and Neuromusculoskeletal Medicine and serves as course chair for Principles of Manual Medicine and Integrated Neuromuscular & Myofascial Release.

J’Aimee A. Lippert, DO, AOBFP, AOBNMM, of East Lansing, MI, was elected to the Board of Trustees. Dr. Lippert is an Associate Professor, Residency Faculty Physician and Preceptor, and Interim Department Chair in the College of Osteopathic Medicine at Michigan State University, where she earned her medical degree in 2000. She completed her family medicine and OMM residency at Metro Health Hospital in Wyoming, MI, and holds dual board certification in Family Practice/OMT and Neuromusculoskeletal Medicine. Her clinical interests focus on family medicine, osteopathic manipulation treatment, and neuromusculoskeletal medicine.

Heidi Molga, DO, of Lewisburg, WV, was elected Resident Trustee to the AAO Board of Trustees and will serve simultaneously as Chair of the Resident Executive Council. Dr. Molga earned her Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine degree from Touro University College of Osteopathic Medicine in 2024, where she also completed a pre-doctoral teaching fellowship in Osteopathic Manual Medicine. She currently practices at Robert C. Byrd Clinic, specializing in osteopathic neuromusculoskeletal medicine.

Michael Milius, OMS-III, was elected Student Trustee to the AAO Board of Trustees and will serve as Chair of the Student Executive Council. Mr. Milius represents the Academy’s student constituency in shaping the future of osteopathic manipulative medicine education and practice.

The United States currently has approximately 207,000 osteopathic physicians and medical students. Also known as DOs, osteopathic physicians are fully licensed physicians, as are MDs. The osteopathic profession represents approximately 11% of all physicians and more than 25% of all medical students in the U.S. 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 the Neuromusculoskeletal Medicine specialty college of the American Osteopathic Association.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

June 11, 2025

Indianapolis— Sheldon C. Yao, DO, FAAO, of Forest Hills, NY, was elected as the 2025-26 president-elect of the American Academy of Osteopathy (AAO) on March 27 during the AAO annual Convocation in Orlando, FL. After spending a year as president-elect, Dr. Yao will become the 2026-27 president of the AAO, the nation’s largest medical society devoted to fostering neuromusculoskeletal medicine and osteopathic manipulative medicine (NMM/OMM).

Sheldon Yao, DO, FAAO, graduated from New York Institute of Technology College of Osteopathic Medicine (NYITCOM) in 2002. He completed his Family Medicine residency at Good Samaritan Hospital and an NMM/OMM fellowship at North Shore-LIJ Plainview Hospital. Dual-board certified, he chairs the OMM Department at NYITCOM and serves as faculty at St. Barnabas Hospital’s NMM/OMM residency program. Dr. Yao has led over 40 research studies and published multiple peer-reviewed articles on osteopathic manipulation’s effects on medical conditions and education. He serves as faculty for the National Board of Osteopathic Medical Examiners (NBOME) and as a reviewer for multiple osteopathic focused journals. His research and service support his goal to advance osteopathic medicine.

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

June 11, 2025

Indianapolis, IN—Stefan Hagopian, DO, FAAO, of Los Angeles, CA, was installed as the 2025-26 president of the American Academy of Osteopathy (AAO) on March 27 during the AAO annual Convocation in Orlando, Florida. Before becoming president, Dr. Hagopian served for one year as the president-elect of the AAO, the nation’s largest medical society devoted to fostering neuromusculoskeletal medicine and osteopathic manipulative medicine (NMM/OMM).

Stefan Hagopian, DO, FAAO was born in Worcester, Massachusetts, graduated from Worcester Polytechnic Institute, and is a 1988 graduate of the University of New England College of Osteopathic Medicine (UNE-COM) in Biddeford, Maine. He has operated a private practice of family medicine and osteopathic manipulative medicine in the Los Angeles area of California, for the past 35 years. He has remained active in research and teaching at the invitation of osteopathic schools, professional associations and academies throughout the U.S. and internationally.

His current interests range from clinical anatomy and embryology to the application of osteopathic principles and philosophy. Most of this is based on the way in which he learned most effectively from his mentors, who placed great emphasis on the principles and practices described in our profession’s literature by A.T. Still, W.G. Sutherland, and their students. Dr. Hagopian also integrates nutrition and exercise guidance into his outpatient practice and teaching.

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

June 11, 2025

Indianapolis, IN—Dennis J. Dowling, DO, MA, FAAODist, of Baldwin, NY, was re-elected to be the 2025-28 secretary-treasurer of the American Academy of Osteopathy (AAO) on March 27 during the AAO annual Convocation in Orlando, FL.

Dr. Dowling is a 1972 graduate of Mater Christi Diocesan High School (St. John’s Prep), a cum laude graduate in 1976 of St. John’s University, and a 1978 Master’s Graduate of Long Island University (Zeckendorff campus). Both the undergraduate and the graduate degrees are in the field of psychology. He worked as a Master’s Level psychologist with children and adults with developmental disabilities until 1984 when he entered osteopathic medical school. Prior to 1978, he worked as a case worker, group home staff, special education counselor, and coordinator in the same field.

Dr. Dowling is a 1989 graduate of the New York  Institute of Technology College of Osteopathic Medicine (NYITCOM). He was a contributing author and illustrator for first three editions of An Osteopathic Approach to Diagnosis and Treatment and an editor on the third edition, and has illustrated journal articles and textbooks, most notably The Encyclopedia of Osteopathy and Easy EMG. He has authored or co-authored several articles and book chapters, including on Progressive Inhibition of Neuromusculoskeletal Structures (PINS), an OMT technique that he developed. He is a co-author of a JAOA George W. Northup, DO, Medical Writing Award–winning article. Over the years, he has delivered the 2001 David Heilig, DO, FAAO Memorial Lecture at the Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine; the 2004 Scott Memorial lecture at A.T. Still University Kirksville College of Osteopathic Medicine (ATSU-KCOM); the 2005 T.L. Northup Memorial Lecture at the American Osteopathic Association (AOA) annual convention; the 2010 Harold A. Blood, DO, FAAO Memorial Lecture, and the 2018 Turfler Family Memorial Lecture at the AAO Convocation. Dr. Dowling is also the recipient of the 2015 Andrew Taylor Still Medallion of Honor Award and the FAAO Distinguished Service and Dig On awards from the AAO. The National Board of Osteopathic Medical Examiners (NBOME) awarded him the 2024 John E Thornburg, DO, PhD NBOME National Faculty Leadership Award and he received the New York Osteopathic Medical Society (NYSOMS) President’s Award in 2025.

Dr. Dowling is a former professor and chairman of Osteopathic Manipulative Medicine at NYITCOM and he holds the rank of Clinical Professor at the Midwestern University College of Osteopathic Medicine, Western University College of Osteopathic Medicine, the Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine, the University of New England College of Osteopathic Medicine, The Kansas City University of Medicine and Biosciences (KCUMB), and also at NYITCOM. Since 2004, he has been a consultant and the Coordinator of OMM Assessment for the COMLEX-Level 2-PE examination and Chair of the POCKET Committee for NBOME. Currently, he is Consulting Coordinator for the NBOME Core Competency Capstone for DOs (C3DO) project.

Dr. Dowling has supervised residents in a clinic at the Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Department at Nassau University Medical Center (NUMC) in East Meadow, Long Island since 1991 and has been whole-time in that department as well as the Family Medicine department since September 2016. Prior to that he was in private practice in Syosset, New York from 2003 to 2016. During the months of April to August 2020, Dr. Dowling treated hospitalized COVID-19 patients in the NUMC intensive care units with osteopathic manipulative treatment, many of whom were on ventilator support.

Dr. Dowling received certification in OMM in 1995 from the American Osteopathic Board for Special Proficiency in Osteopathic Manipulative Medicine (AOBSPOMM) and was recertified in 2004 and 2015 by the American Osteopathic Board for Neuromusculoskeletal Medicine/OMM (AOBNMM) and is in the continuous certification process. He was certified as an Osteopathic Family Physician in 1997, recertified in 2005 and 2014 and is in the continuous certification process for that specialty. His AAO fellowship (FAAO) was earned in 1999. Dr. Dowling has served on the AAO Board of Trustees (1998-2003), was AAO President (2003-2004), and has been a member and chair on several other AAO committees. Currently, he is the Secretary-treasurer of the AAO (2022-2025). He is the former chairman of the AOA Committee on Osteopathic History and Identity (1999 - 2005)and a former vice-chairman of the Educational Council on Osteopathic Principles. During the latter half of the 1990s, he was a member of the certifying board for Neuromusculoskeletal Medicine (AOBNMM/OMM) and has been a consultant with the examination processes for greater than 25 years. Currently, he serves as the chairman of the New York State Osteopathic Medical Society (NYSOMS) delegation to the AOA House of Delegates.

Dr. Dowling has traveled eleven times with KCUMB faculty and students to Guatemala on medical missions to treat patients with osteopathic manipulative medicine andprovide primary care at makeshift rural clinics. He and his wife, Fran, have been married for 48 years and they participate in many road running events during the year and he has completed five marathons (Fran has completed seven). His most important and gratifying roles are as a father and grandfather, and he frequently gets to spend time with his young grandson and granddaughter.

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

June 11, 2025

Indianapolis, IN—Amy Joy Selwach, DO, MBA and Karen T. Snider, DO, MS, FAAO, FNAOME were elected to the Board of Trustees of the American Academy of Osteopathy (AAO) on March 27, 2025 at the AAO’s Convocation 2025 annual business meeting in Orlando, FL, each for a three-year term.

Additionally, the new Resident American Academy of Osteopathy (RAAO) chair, Jordan Little, DO, MS, and the new Student American Academy of Osteopathy (SAAO) chair, Ashley Hebenstreit Nichols, OMS IV, were appointed to the AAO Board of Trustees ex officio. The RAAO and SAAO are component societies of the AAO, and each chair serves a one-year term on the Board of Trustees.

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

June 11, 2025

Indianapolis— Twelve members of the American Academy of Osteopathy (AAO) were elected to the Board of Governors by the membership on March 27, 2025 at the AAO’s annual business meeting during Convocation 2025 in Orlando, FL.

The newly-elected AAO Governors are listed below.

• Millicent King Channell, DO, MA, FAAO, FNAOME (3-year term)
• Regina K. Fleming, DO (3-year term)
• Rebecca E. Giusti, DO (3-year term)
• Laura E. Griffin, DO, FAAO (3-year term)
• Sean J. Moloney, DO (3-year term)
• Judith A. O’Connell, DO, MHA, FAAODist (3-year term)
• Stacey L. Pierce-Talsma, DO, MS- EdL, FNAOME (3-year term)
• Sajid A. Surve, DO, FAOCPMR, FAAO (3-year term)
• Richard L. Van Buskirk, DO, FAAO (3-year term)
• (Ralph) Clay Walsh, Jr., DO, Col (Ret) (3-year term)
• Jonathan Torres, DO, MPA, FACOFP, FAAO (2-year term)
• David C. Mason, DO, MBA, FACOFP (2-year term)

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

June 11, 2025

Indianapolis, IN—William H. Devine, DO, of Phoenix, AZ, received the highest honor for members of the American Academy of Osteopathy (AAO) on March 28 during the AAO Convocation 2025 in Orlando, Florida. The Andrew Tay­lor Still Medallion of Honor award is given to the organization’s members who have exhibited an exceptional understanding and applica­tion of osteopathic principles and concepts and for outstanding accomplishments in scientific or professional affairs. The award takes its name from Andrew Taylor Still, MD, DO, the founder of osteopathic medicine.

 William H. Devine, DO, comes from a family of osteopathic physicians, including his father and two uncles and has always had an interest in Osteopathic Manipulative Medicine (OMM). That interest spurred his long and diverse career supporting the osteopathic profession in his roles as clinician, teacher, advocate, leader, and innovator. He has helped countless patients, students, organizations, and the profession experience the osteopathic approach to healthcare and is most deserving of this honor with his life-long devotion and advocacy of osteopathic medicine.

 Dr. Devine has served the osteopathic profession in numerous organizations at the local, national and international levels. As one of the original founders of the Midwestern University Arizona College of Osteopathic Medicine (MWU/AZCOM), he has worked as a clinical professor in the Osteopathic Manipulative Medicine (OMM) Department, as the director of postgraduate OMM for the university’s Osteopathic Postdoctoral Training Institute (OPTI), as the program director for the NMM residency, and served as the faculty sponsor to the Student American Academy of Osteopathy AZCOM Chapter. He has also advocated for osteopathy serving as a board member of the Arizona Medicare Carrier Advisory Committee, as a representative at the American Osteopathic Association (AOA) House of Delegates for Arizona, and as president and board member of the Arizona Academy of Osteopathy (an AAO component society). He has been involved nationally with the Association of Osteopathic Directors and Medical Educators (AODME), on the American Association of Colleges of Osteopathic Medicine (AACOM) Educational Council on Osteopathic Principles (ECOP), with exam writing for the National Board of Osteopathic Medical Examiners NBOME), and as a member of the American Osteopathic Board of Neuromusculoskeletal Medicine (AOBNMM). Internationally, Dr. Devine has given keynote presentations and presented workshops in the UK, Italy, Germany, Taiwan, Türkiye, Denmark and Norway.

 Dr. Devine has contributed his expertise to osteopathic literature through research with significant contributions to every edition of the AOA-sponsored Foundations of Osteopathic Medicine, where he served as an author and associate editor. He has written and coauthored chapters in other medical textbooks including two textbooks on Clinical Counterstrain Osteopathic Manipulation, many research papers, and articles published in the JAOA.

 Dr. Devine has expressed his support and commitment to the AAO through his activities on the Board of Governors; while on the Education, Osteopathic Medical Economics, Postdoctoral Training, and Student Academies Committees; and with his presentations at AAO lectures, workshops, and courses. His extensive experience and exceptional understanding of the application of osteopathic principles and practice are evident in his passion and excitement to practice and teach the application of the tenants of osteopathy.

 For more information on Dr. Devine, contact Sherri L. Quarles, Chief Executive Officer at the American Academy of Osteopathy at (317) 879-1881, ext. 214, or at [email protected].

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

June 11, 2025 

Indianapolis, IN—Doris B. Newman, DO, FAAO, of San Diego, CA, received the Fellow of American Academy of Osteopathy (FAAO) Distinguished Service Award at the American Academy of Osteopathy (AAO) Convocation 2025 Fellows Dinner on March 28, 2025. The award is presented to those FAAOs who have further distinguished themselves in contributions to osteopathic literature; development of osteopathic theory, method or procedure; research; osteopathic education; service to the AAO on committees, boards, etc.; public relations; service to public health; and/or osteopathic medical economics and advocacy.

Dr. Newman is the campus dean for the Burrell College of Osteopathic Medicine’s campus in Melbourne, FL, and professor of clinical medicine since July 2023. She received her Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine degree from the University of New England College of Osteopathic Medicine (UNECOM) in 1998. She attended Worcester Medical Center’s Internal Medicine residency and completed an Osteopathic Neuromusculoskeletal Medicine residency at UNECOM in 2002. She is board-certified by the American Osteopathic Board of Neuromusculoskeletal Medicine in Osteopathic Manipulative Medicine (AOBNMM/OMM) and Pain Medicine (AOBNMM/PM) and earned her FAAO in 2014.

Dr. Newman has broad experience in academic and clinical medicine with a focus on the art and science of osteopathic manipulative medicine in infants and children and receives great satisfaction and joy teaching these skills to osteopathic trainees at all levels, locally, nationally and internationally. She has been a volunteer physician leader for numerous osteopathic organizations on committees, councils, boards and bureaus, including the Maine Osteopathic Association (MOA) board of trustees, Vice Chair of the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education on the Osteopathic Neuromusculoskeletal Medicine Review Committee (ACGME ONMM RC) and as a member of the American Osteopathic Association’s Bureau of Osteopathic Graduate Medical Education (AOAOGME). Her most notable achievement was in service to the AAO as its president in 2015.

 For more information on Dr. Newman, contact Sherri L. Quarles, Chief Executive Officer at the American Academy of Osteopathy at (317) 879-1881, ext. 214, or at [email protected].

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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 IMMEDIATE RELEASE

June 6, 2025 

Indianapolis, IN— Hollis H. King, DO, PhD, FAAO, FCA, FAAPO, of San Deigo, CA, received the Fellow of American Academy of Osteopathy (FAAO) Distinguished Service Award at the American Academy of Osteopathy (AAO) Convocation 2025 Fellows Dinner on March 28, 2025. The award is presented to those FAAOs who have further distinguished themselves in contributions to osteopathic literature; development of osteopathic theory, method or procedure; research; osteopathic education; service to the AAO on committees, boards, etc.; public relations; service to public health; and/or osteopathic medical economics and advocacy.

Dr. King is a 1983 graduate of the Texas College of Osteopathic Medicine (TCOM) and completed his rotating internship in 1984. He has served on OMM/OPP faculties at TCOM, A.T. Still University School of Osteopathic Medicine-Arizona (ATSU-SOMA) and Western University Health Sciences-College of Osteopathic Medicine of the Pacific (WesternU-COMP). He is a voluntary clinical professor of family medicine at University of California San Diego (UCSD) School of Medicine, where he retired from clinical service in 2023. He continues a private practice at the Osteopathic Center for Children - San Diego and is the research director for Osteopathy’s Promise to Children. He is a fellow and past president of the AAO, and a fellow of the American Academy of Pediatric Osteopathy. He is the author of the chapter on “Osteopathic Cranial Manipulative Medicine” in the past four editions of Foundations of Osteopathic Medicine. He is completing manuscripts for publication on three clinical trials on the effect of OMT on intraocular pressure lowering, the effect of OMT in Parkinson’s disease, and on the effect of OMT on post-traumatic migraine cephalgia. He is a co-investigator for the ongoing clinical trial assessing the impact of OMT on plagiocephaly.

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - June 12, 2024 

DENNIS J. DOWLING, DO, MA, FAAODIST RECEIVES DISTINGUISHED LEADERSHIP AWARD
FROM NATIONAL NONPROFIT ORGANIZATION 

Indianapolis— Dennis J. Dowling, DO, MA, FAAODist of Baldwin, NY received The National Board of Osteopathic Medical Examiners (NBOME) John E. Thornburg, DO, PhD, National Faculty Leadership Award at its recent Board of Directors meeting on June 7, 2024. Dr. Dowling is currently the Secretary-Treasurer for the American Academy of Osteopathy (AAO), elected by the AAO membership in 2022, served as the AAO President from 2003-2004, and was on the Board of Trustees from 1998-2003.

As described by the NBOME, “[t]he Thornburg Award is bestowed periodically to National Faculty leadership members who have distinguished themselves by their longstanding contributions to examination development, committee work, or related activities. It is named for longtime National Faculty Chair John E. Thornburg, DO, PhD, who has diligently served the NBOME in numerous capacities for five decades, and continues to serve today.”

Dr. Dowling is a 1972 graduate of Mater Christi Diocesan High School (St. John’s Prep), a cum laude graduate in 1976 of St. John’s University and a 1978 Master’s graduate of Long Island University (Zeckendorff campus). Both the undergraduate and the graduate degrees are in the field of psychology. He worked as a Master’s level psychologist with children and adults with developmental disabilities until 1984 when he entered osteopathic medical school. Prior to 1978, he worked as a case worker, group home staff, special education counselor and coordinator in the same field.

Dr. Dowling is a 1989 graduate of the New York College of Osteopathic Medicine of the New York Institute of Technology. He was a contributing author and illustrator for all editions of An Osteopathic Approach to Diagnosis and Treatment and an editor on the third edition and has illustrated journal articles and textbooks, most notably The Encyclopedia of Osteopathy and Easy EMG and has authored or co-authored several articles and book chapters, including on Progressive Inhibition of Neuromusculoskeletal Structures (PINS), an OMT technique that he has developed. He is a co-author of a JAOA Northup writing award-winning article. Over the years, he has delivered the 2001 David Heilig, DO, FAAO Memorial Lecture at the Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine, the 2004 Scott Memorial lecture at what is now known as the A.T. Still University Kirksville College of Osteopathic Medicine (ATSU-KCOM) in Kirksville, Missouri, the 2005 T.L. Northup Memorial Lecture at the American Osteopathic Association annual convention, the 2010 Harold A. Blood, DO, FAAO Memorial Lecture and the 2018 Turfler Family Memorial Lecture. Dr. Dowling is also the recipient of the 2015 Andrew Taylor Still Medallion of Honor award from the American Academy of Osteopathy (AAO).

Dr. Dowling is a former professor and chairman of Osteopathic Manipulative Medicine at the New York Institute of Technology College of Osteopathic Medicine and he holds the rank of Clinical Professor at the Midwestern University College of Osteopathic Medicine, Western University College of Osteopathic Medicine, the Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine, the University of New England College of Osteopathic Medicine, The Kansas City University of Medicine and Biosciences and New York Institute of Technology College of Osteopathic Medicine. He had been in private practice in Syosset, New York from 2003 to 2016. Since 2004, he has been a consultant and the Coordinator of OMM Assessment for the COMLEX-Level 2-PE examination and Chair of the POCKET Committee for the National Board of Osteopathic Medical Examiners. Currently, he is Consulting Coordinator for the NBOME Core Competency Capstone for DOs (C3DO) project.

Dr. Dowling has supervised residents in a clinic at the Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Department at Nassau University Medical Center (NUMC) in East Meadow, Long Island since 1991 and has been whole-time in that department as well as the Family Medicine department since September 2016. During the months of April to August 2020, Dr. Dowling treated COVID-19 patients with osteopathic manipulative treatment in the NUMC ICUs, many of whom were on ventilator support. 

Dr. Dowling received certification in OMM in 1995 from the American Osteopathic Board for Special Proficiency in Osteopathic Manipulative Medicine (AOBSPOMM) and was recertified in 2004 and 2015 by the American Osteopathic Board for Neuromusculoskeletal Medicine/OMM (AOBNMM). He was certified as an Osteopathic Family Physician in 1997 and recertified in 2005 and 2014 and is in the continuous certification process for that specialty. His FAAO fellowship was earned in 1999. He is the former chairman of the American Osteopathic Association (AOA) Committee on Osteopathic History and Identity (1999 - 2005), former vice-chairman of the Educational Council on Osteopathic Principles, a former member of the certifying board for Neuromusculoskeletal Medicine (AOBNMM/OMM) and the current chairman of the New York State Osteopathic Medical Society (NYSOMS) delegation to the AOA House of Delegates.

Dr. Dowling has traveled several times with KCUMB faculty and students to Guatemala on medical missions as sponsored by DOCARE to treat patients with osteopathic manipulative medicine at rural clinics. He and his wife, Fran, have been married for 46 years and they participate in many road running events during the year and he has completed five marathons (Fran has completed six). His most important and gratifying roles are as a father and grandfather and he frequently gets to spend time with his four year old grandson and seven month old granddaughter.

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 3, 2024

NICHOLAS W. SALUPO, DO, NAMED RESIDENT OF THE YEAR
BY NATIONAL OSTEOPATHIC MEDICAL ASSOCIATION 

Indianapolis— Nicholas W. Salupo, DO, of Cleveland, OH, was named a 2024 Resident of the Year by the American Academy of Osteopathy (AAO) on March 7 at the AAO’s annual business meeting dur­ing its Convocation in Colorado Springs, Colorado. The 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’s program at the American Osteopathic Association’s annual conference.

Dr. Salupo is a 2017 graduate of Marian University College of Osteopathic Medicine. He completed a two-year family medicine residency with osteopathic recognition (OR) in Indianapolis followed by a three-year internal medicine program with OR at Kettering Grandview Medical Center (OH) and is currently in a nephrology and hypertension fellowship at the Cleveland Clinic. Dr. Salupo is a strong advocate for osteopathic manipulative medicine (OMM) and supports the AAO through various activities. During his term as Resident American Academy of Osteopathy (RAAO) Chair he focused and succeeded on increasing RAAO membership.

Throughout his residency training he has promoted OMM and integrates OMT into the care of his patients. Dr. Salupo has demonstrated leadership qualities as the chief resident of his family medicine residency, coordinating weekly lectures for colleagues in that program; and was the chief resident at his internal medicine residency involved in several committees at Kettering Grandview Medical Center.

He served as the Resident American Academy of Osteopathy (RAAO) vice chair, as its Chair representing the RAAO on the AAO Board of Trustees and Board of Governors; and currently serves as the RAAO immediate past chair, on the Education and Publications Committees and as an AAOJ peer reviewer. He is also involved on the Ohio Osteopathic Associations’ Board of Trustees as the Resident/Fellow representative and on the Executive Committee of the Cleveland Academy of Osteopathic Medicine.

Dr. Salupo’s scholarly activities express his strong interest in research. He has developed and published on several different subjects which include medical ethics, nephrology and osteopathic medicine with presentations at Convocation and in his residency programs, working closely with Academy mentors.

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 3, 2024 

BENJAMIN J. K. GREENE, DO NAMED RESIDENT OF THE YEAR
BY NATIONAL OSTEOPATHIC MEDICAL ASSOCIATION 

Indianapolis— Benjamin J. K. Greene of Lansing, MI, was named a 2024 Resident of the Year by the American Academy of Osteopathy (AAO) on March 7 at the AAO’s annual business meeting dur­ing its Convocation in Colorado Springs, Colorado. The 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’s program at the American Osteopathic Association’s annual conference.

Dr. Greene currently in the third year of a three-year NMM program at Michigan State, is an advocate for osteopathic manipulative medicine (OMM) through various activities which include founding and hosting “The Osteopathic Manipulative Medicine podcast,” of over 100 weekly interviews of healthcare providers who share their clinical experiences and pearls related to osteopathic medicine. As well as lecturing in Seoul, South Korea on the Zink Model, he created patient and physician pamphlets about OMT and how it may help new mothers with latching and plagiocephaly, and currently presents weekly “lunch n’ learn” MSK case study discussions and OMT topics of interest. Dr. Greene has demonstrated commitment to osteopathic philosophy through presentations nationally to the Student American Academy of Osteopathy (SAAO) members and at the AAO Convocation, as well as providing weekly lab instruction and presentations on OPP, sacral mechanics, and as a table trainer on manual medicine related to injuries to the extremities. He is a ringside physician at the USA Amateur Boxing Tournament providing physicals and medical examinations after a fight.

Dr. Greene has demonstrated leadership qualities as the chief resident of the MSU ONMM residency, is the RAAO national liaison to the SAAO, and co-leader of the MSU OMM sports medicine clinic and MSU OMM student clinic. He also founded and leads the MSK Ultrasound Group with weekly meetings to review specific anatomy and practice ultrasound scanning. Dr. Greene has demonstrated additional qualities such as strong interest in research with poster presentations, pending publications and development of research projects.

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 3, 2024

JOHN C. GLOVER, MS, DO, FAAO RECEIVES DISTINGUISHED SERVICE AWARD
FROM THE AMERICAN ACADEMY OF OSTEOPATHY 

Indianapolis— John C. Glover, MS, DO, FAAO of Vallejo, CA, received the Fellow of American Academy of Osteopathy (FAAO) Distinguished Service Award. The award is presented to those FAAOs who have further distinguished themselves in contributions to osteopathic literature; development of osteopathic theory, method or procedure; research; osteopathic education; service to the AAO on committees, boards, etc.; public relations; service to public health; and/or osteopathic medical economics and advocacy.

Dr. Glover is a retired professor in the Department of Osteopathic Manipulative Medicine at the Touro University College of Osteopathic Medicine–California. He graduated from the West Virginia School of Osteopathic Medicine, completed an osteopathic rotating internship at Florida Hospital, East Orlando Campus, and then completed both a family medicine residency and an osteopathic manipulative medicine residency at the Ohio University College of Osteopathic Medicine. While a student in WVSOM, Dr. Glover had the good fortune to learn from Lawrence Jones, DO, who developed the counterstrain technique. This relationship continued while Dr. Glover worked as an OMM undergraduate fellow and it developed into a friendship over the years of working together to help promote and improve the teaching of counterstrain.

Dr. Glover chaired the Educational Council on Osteopathic Principles (ECOP) of the American Association of Colleges of Osteopathic Medicine (AACOM) for 11 years. He served as the AAO’s 2001-02 president, and he has served on the AAO’s Board of Trustees, Board of Governors, Awards, Education, Fellowship, Nominating, OPTI Liaison, Membership, Post Doctoral Standards and Student Academies committees. He has been chosen to give the Thomas L. Northup Lecture, the Scott Memorial Lecture, and the Harold A. Blood, DO, FAAO, Memorial Lecture, and he is the recipient of the Andrew Taylor Still Medallion of Honor.

In his career, Dr. Glover has collaborated with a number of individuals who have added to the knowledge base of osteopathic literature. He is a coauthor of Counterstrain and Fascia in the Osteopathic Field as well as the chapter on counterstrain in all three editions of Foundations of Osteopathic Medicine. He is a contributing author of Clinical Application of Counterstrain, Counterstrain & Exercise: An Integrated Approach, Clinical Osteopathically Integrated Learning Scenarios, and four editions of Leitfaden Osteopathie.

Dr. Glover lectures and conducts workshops on a wide variety of topics nationally and internationally.

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 3, 2024 

DENNIS J. DOWLING, DO, MA, FAAO RECEIVES DISTINGUISHED SERVICE AWARD
FROM THE AMERICAN ACADEMY OF OSTEOPATHY 

Indianapolis— Dennis J. Dowling, DO, MA, FAAO, of Baldwin, NY, received the Fellow of American Academy of Osteopathy (FAAO) Distinguished Service Award. The award is presented to those FAAOs who have further distinguished themselves in contributions to osteopathic literature; development of osteopathic theory, method or procedure; research; osteopathic education; service to the AAO on committees, boards, etc.; public relations; service to public health; and/or osteopathic medical economics and advocacy.

Dr. Dowling is a 1972 graduate of Mater Christi Diocesan High School (St. John’s Prep), a cum laude graduate in 1976 of St. John’s University and a 1978 Master’s Graduate of Long Island University (Zeckendorff campus). Both the undergraduate and the graduate degrees are in the field of psychology. He worked as a Master’s Level psychologist with children and adults with developmental disabilities until 1984 when he entered osteopathic medical school. Prior to 1978, he worked as a case worker, group home staff, special education counselor and coordinator in the same field.

Dr. Dowling is a 1989 graduate of the New York College of Osteopathic Medicine of the New York Institute of Technology. He was a contributing author and illustrator for all editions of An Osteopathic Approach to Diagnosis and Treatment and an editor on the third edition and has illustrated journal articles and textbooks, most notably The Encyclopedia of Osteopathy and Easy EMG and has authored or co-authored several articles and book chapters, including on Progressive Inhibition of Neuromusculoskeletal Structures (PINS), an OMT technique that he has developed. He is a co-author of a JAOA Northup writing award-winning article. Over the years, he has delivered the 2001 David Heilig, D.O., F.A.A.O. Memorial Lecture at the Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine, the 2004 Scott Memorial lecture at what is now known as the A.T. Still University Kirksville College of Osteopathic Medicine (ATSU-KCOM) in Kirksville, Missouri, the 2005 T.L. Northup Memorial Lecture at the American Osteopathic Association annual convention, the 2010 Harold A. Blood, DO, FAAO Memorial Lecture and the 2018 Turfler Family Memorial Lecture. Dr. Dowling is also the recipient of the 2015 Andrew Taylor Still Medallion of Honor  Award from the American Academy of Osteopathy (AAO).

Dr. Dowling is a former professor and chairman of Osteopathic Manipulative Medicine at the New York Institute of Technology College of Osteopathic Medicine and he holds the rank of Clinical Professor at the Midwestern University College of Osteopathic Medicine, Western University College of Osteopathic Medicine, the Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine, the University of New England College of Osteopathic Medicine, The Kansas City University of Medicine and Biosciences and New York Institute of Technology College of Osteopathic Medicine. He had been in private practice in Syosset, New York from 2003 to 2016. Since 2004, he has been a consultant and the Coordinator of OMM Assessment for the COMLEX-Level 2-PE examination and Chair of the POCKET Committee for the National Board of Osteopathic Medical Examiners. Currently, he is Consulting Coordinator for the NBOME Core Competency Capstone for DOs (C3DO) project.

Dr. Dowling has supervised residents in a clinic at the Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Department at Nassau University Medical Center (NUMC) in East Meadow, Long Island since 1991 and has been whole-time in that department as well as the Family Medicine department since September 2016. During the months of April to August 2020, Dr. Dowling treated COVID-19 patients with osteopathic manipulative treatment in the NUMC ICUs, many of whom were on ventilator support. 

Dr. Dowling received certification in OMM in 1995 from the American Osteopathic Board for Special Proficiency in Osteopathic Manipulative Medicine (AOBSPOMM) and was recertified in 2004 and 2015 by the American Osteopathic Board for Neuromusculoskeletal Medicine/OMM. He was certified as an Osteopathic Family Physician in 1997 and recertified in 2005 and 2014 and is in the continuous certification process for that specialty. His FAAO fellowship was earned in 1999. Dr. Dowling has served on the AAO Board of Trustees (1998-2003), was AAO President (2003-2004), as well as a member and chair on several other AAO committees. Currently, he is the Secretary-treasurer of the AAO (2022-2025). He is the former chairman of the AOA Committee on Osteopathic History and Identity (1999 - 2005), former vice-chairman of the Educational Council on Osteopathic Principles, a former member of the certifying board for Neuromusculoskeletal Medicine (AOBNMM/OMM) and the current chairman of the New York State Osteopathic Medical Society (NYSOMS) delegation to the AOA House of Delegates.

Dr. Dowling has traveled several times with KCUMB faculty and students to Guatemala on medical missions as sponsored by DOCARE to treat patients with osteopathic manipulative medicine at rural clinics. He and his wife, Fran, have been married for 46 years and they participate in many road running events during the year and he has completed five marathons (Fran has completed six). His most important and gratifying roles are as a father and grandfather and he frequently gets to spend time with his four year old grandson and seven month old granddaughter.

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 3, 2024 

NATIONAL OSTEOPATHIC MEDICAL ASSOCIATION
ELECTS 5 NEW MEMBERS TO BOARD OF GOVERNORS

Indianapolis— Five members of the American Academy of Osteopathy (AAO) were elected to the Board of Governors by the membership on March 7, 2024 at the AAO’s annual business meeting during its Convocation in Colorado Springs, Colorado. All Governors will serve a 3-year term.

The newly-elected AAO Governors are listed below.

• Paula Archer, DO of Duffield, VA
• Michael S. Carnes, DO, FAAO of Banner, KY (formerly an AAO Trustee)
• Shawn R. Kerger, DO, FAOASM of Plain City, OH
• Richard G. Schuster, DO of Indianapolis, IN (formerly the Immediate Past President)
• Amy Joy Selwach, DO, MBA of Cocoa, FL

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 3, 2024 

NATIONAL OSTEOPATHIC MEDICAL ASSOCIATION ELECTS 2 NEW MEMBERS
 TO BOARD OF TRUSTEES; 2 ADDITIONAL APPOINTED BY COMPONENT SOCIETIES

Indianapolis— Lisa Chun, DO, MS, FNAOME and Brian F. Degenhardt, DO were elected to the Board of Trustees of the American Academy of Osteopathy (AAO) on March 7, 2024 at the AAO’s annual business meeting during its Convocation in Colorado Springs, Colorado. Both were previously Board of Governors of the organization and will serve 3 years as Trustees.

Additionally, the new Resident American Academy of Osteopathy (RAAO) chair, Ayat Shah, MD, and the new Student American Academy of Osteopathy (SAAO) chair, Audrey Lee Burnette, OMS III, were appointed to the AAO Board of Trustees. The RAAO and SAAO are component societies of the AAO, and the chairs serve a one-year term on the Board of Trustees as a result of their elected positions by their respective organizations.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 20, 2024 

SAJID SURVE, DO, FAOCPMR CONFERRED AS FELLOW OF
THE AMERICAN ACADEMY OF OSTEOPATHY

Indianapolis— Sajid Surve, DO, FAOCPMR was conferred as Fellow of the American Academy of Osteopathy (FAAO) on March 9, 2024. AAO 2023-24 President Millicent King Channell, DO, MA, FAAO, FNAOME conferred the honor on him during the Academy’s annual banquet ceremony in Colorado Springs, CO.

Dr. Surve has been a Performing Arts Medicine (PAM) clinician since 2007.  He apprenticed under Dr. Richard M. Bachrach, the renowned PAM physician in Manhattan, New York, and set up both dance and music medicine clinics during his time on faculty at the Rowan University School of Osteopathic Medicine. 

Since joining UNT Health Science Center in 2014 and taking over as Co-Director of the UNT Texas Center for Performing Arts Health, Dr. Surve has become the preeminent performing arts medicine physician in the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex, treating performers of all disciplines and skill levels.  He is also the music medicine provider for the UNT College of Music and Crossmen Drum Corps, and dance medicine provider for Texas Ballet Theater and Texas Christian University.

In 2019, Dr. Surve founded the world’s first physician fellowship for Performing Arts Medicine at HSC.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 15, 2024 

Indianapolis— Stefan Hagopian, DO, FAAO, of Los Angeles, CA, was chosen to be the 2024-25 president-elect of the American Academy of Osteopathy on March 7 during the AAO annual Convocation in Colorado Springs, Colorado. After spending a year as president-elect, Dr. Hagopian will become the 2025-26 president of the AAO, the nation’s largest medical society devoted to fostering neuromusculoskeletal medicine and osteopathic manipulative medicine (NMM/OMM).

Stefan Hagopian, DO, FAAO was born in Worcester, Massachusetts, graduated from Worcester Polytechnic Institute, and is a 1988 graduate of the University of New England College of Osteopathic Medicine in Biddeford, Maine. He has operated a private practice of family medicine and osteopathic manipulative medicine in the Los Angeles area of California, for the past 35 years. He has remained active in research and teaching at the invitation of osteopathic schools, professional associations and academies throughout the U.S. and internationally.

His current interests range from clinical anatomy and embryology to the application of osteopathic principles and philosophy. Most of this is based on the way in which he learned most effectively from his mentors, who placed great emphasis on the principles and practices described in our profession’s literature by A.T. Still, W.G. Sutherland, and their students. Dr. Hagopian also integrates nutrition and exercise guidance into his outpatient practice and teaching.

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 15, 2024

Indianapolis— William Stager DO, MPH, MS, FAAFP, FAAMA, FAAO, FACOFP dist., of West Palm Beach, FL, was installed as the president of the American Academy of Osteopathy (AAO) on March 9 during the AAO 2024 annual Convocation in Colorado Springs, Colorado. Before becoming president, Dr. Stager served for one year as the president-elect of the AAO, the nation’s largest medical society devoted to fostering neuromusculoskeletal medicine and osteopathic manipulative medicine (NMM/OMM).

William Stager DO, MPH, MS, FAAFP, FAAMA, FAAO, FACOFP dist., is in solo private practice in West Palm Beach, practicing direct primary care and osteopathic manual medicine. Dr. Bill Stager has BA (Philosophy) and MS (Anatomy) degrees from Rutgers University, an undergraduate OPP Fellowship and DO degree from NSUCOM in 1989, and MPH from ATSU in 2009. He completed a rotating internship at Humana South Broward Hospital in 1990. He has been in holistic private practice combining NMM/OMM, Family Medicine, and Medical Acupuncture in the Palm Beach area since 1990. He is Board Certified in NMM/OMM and Family Medicine, and is a Fellow of the AAFP, AAO, AAFP, and AAMA, and distinguished fellow of ACOFP.

He is a Life Member of the AAO and Osteopathic Cranial Academy, and an active member of the AOA, FOMA, AAO, ACOFP, FSACOFP, and FAO, serving on various committees and boards, including the AOA House of Delegates, FOMA Director-at-Large, FOMA President, FSACOFP President (2008-2009), the two-term FAO President, and NSUCOM Alumni Association Executive Committee President and Trustee. His many awards include the 2008 NSUCOM Distinguished Alumni Award, 2007 FOMA Presidential Achievement Award, 2007 AOA Mentor of the Year Nominee Finalist Award, the 2010 FSACOFP Physician of the Year Award, the 2011 FAO Distinguished Service Award, the 2013 AOA Unsung Heroes Award, the 2013 AOA Guardians of the Profession Award, the 2015 NSUCOM Alumni Association Distinguished Service Award, and the 2015 NSUCOM Distinguished Alumni Award.

Dr. Stager has taught NMM/OMM all over the USA, Canada, Norway, and China and has published over 200 articles and papers in health and fitness magazines and several in peer-reviewed medical journals. He is section editor and contributing author of the 2014 2nd edition of the ACOFP textbook Somatic Dysfunction in Osteopathic Family Medicine.

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