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AACOM Publications

Osteopathic medical education (OME) plays a vital role in building a strong pipeline of competent, compassionate physicians, especially in rural and underserved communities.

Robert A. Cain, DOThese numbers tell a powerful story. Every new COM, every graduating class and every new physician represents healthier patients, stronger communities and real hope for the future of healthcare.

Robert A. Cain, DO, AACOM President & CEO

AACOM's member colleges of osteopathic medicine (COMs) play an important role in their communities. In addition to serving future physicians and providing high-quality medical education, COMs:

  • Address important physician workforce shortages, 
  • Create programming that improves health and well-being, 
  • Contribute to local economies and 
  • Advance innovative research.

Learn more about these topics in AACOM’s landmark publications below.

Current & Upcoming Publications

Report Cover of 2025 Osteopathic Medical Education Impact Report, Dec. 2025

2025 Osteopathic Medical Education Impact Report

Published 12/3/25

COMs are investing in communities across the nation by producing physicians that practice where they are most needed and contributing to local economies. This first-of-its-kind report from AACOM examines how the growing OME community is supporting the healthcare workforce, stimulating economies and increasing access to health services in COM communities.

 

2025 OME Impact Report

COM Research Report Cover 300x3852026 College of Osteopathic Medicine Research Report

Published 4/20/26

COMs are uniquely positioned to address healthcare's most pressing concerns by prioritizing community-focused research—in primary care, rural health and prevention—designed to transform care delivery for those most in need. This landmark report explores the landscape, capacity and impact of COM-affiliated research to strengthen high impact innovations from COMs that are shaping better health outcomes for our nation.

2026 COM Research Report  

Rowan-Virtua students conducting experiments in a lab.COM Research Directory

AACOM’s COM Research Directory serves as an initial database of COM-affiliated researchers and projects. Learn more about research our community is leading and connect and collaborate with researchers.

Explore the COM Research Directory

Five people stand on a staircase against a brick wall, smiling. They appear diverse and relaxed, with one in medical scrubs.

Quick Facts About the OME Community

  • 44 accredited COMs (as of September 2025)
    in the United States
  • 71 teaching locations
    across 36 states (as of September 2025)
  • 8,428 DO degrees
    were conferred by 36 AACOM members in 2024
  • More than 38,000 osteopathic medical students
    enrolled in the Fall of 2024