AACOM Welcomes New Graduate Medical Education Development Fellows

26 fellows selected for leadership program to grow GME opportunities

IMMEDIATE RELEASE

(Bethesda, MD) – Today, the American Association of Colleges of Osteopathic Medicine (AACOM), in partnership with the University of North Carolina (UNC) Cecil G. Sheps Center for Health Services Research, welcomes the second cohort of the AACOM Graduate Medical Education (GME) Development Fellowship. The 26 fellows represent a broad institutional mix of colleges of osteopathic medicine (COMs), proposed COMs, state agencies, clinical partners and health systems.

“AACOM is proud to welcome this new class of fellows,” said AACOM President and CEO Robert A. Cain, DO. “The continued growth of the osteopathic profession depends on our ability to expand GME opportunities across the country. Our inaugural cohort helped strengthen GME infrastructure in rural and community-based settings, and this new class will build on that progress to further address healthcare access and workforce needs.”

The GME Development Fellowship is an innovative 10-month interactive program designed to develop leaders in graduate medical education. Through this partnership between AACOM and the Sheps Center, fellows gain hands-on experience in GME development strategies, collaborate with national experts and work closely with mentors to design capstone projects that strengthen GME opportunities at their institutions.

“We’re honored to continue our collaboration with AACOM and to support another outstanding class of fellows—building on the strong legacy of the colleges of osteopathic medicine in expanding and sustaining the rural and underserved physician workforce,” said Emily Hawes, Sheps GME Technical Assistance Center director.

Graduates of the inaugural cohort, who completed the program in August 2025, have already made a measurable impact. Their achievements include:

• Securing ACGME accreditation
• Earning a HRSA Rural Residency Planning and Development grant
• Introducing draft legislation in Virginia to establish technical assistance centers for GME development

The full list of 2025–2026 AACOM GME Development Fellows is provided below. For more information about the fellowship, please visit the program webpage.

About AACOM:

Founded in 1898, the American Association of Colleges of Osteopathic Medicine (AACOM) is the leading voice for the education and training of physicians who practice osteopathic medicine in settings across the medical spectrum—from primary care to the full range of medical specialties. We support our member colleges of osteopathic medicine in their efforts to attract and train individuals who are fueled by a desire to make a difference in our healthcare system by treating the whole person and building a future emphasizing health and wellness for all people. Today, more than 38,000 future physicians—close to 30 percent of all U.S. medical students—are being educated at one of our 44 accredited colleges of osteopathic medicine, encompassing 71 teaching locations in 36 states.  To learn more about AACOM, please visit our website.

About the Sheps Center:

The Cecil G. Sheps Center for Health Services Research seeks to improve the health of individuals, families and populations by understanding the problems, issues and alternatives in the design and delivery of healthcare services. This is accomplished through an interdisciplinary program of research, consultation, technical assistance and training that focuses on timely and policy-relevant questions concerning the accessibility, adequacy, organization, cost, effectiveness and equity of healthcare services and the dissemination of this information to policymakers and the general public.

Contacts:

Joseph Shapiro
Director of Media Relations
(240) 938-0746
jshapiro@aacom.org

Christine DeCarlo
Senior Manager of Media and Public Affairs
(202) 603-1026
cdecarlo@aacom.org

2025-2026 AACOM Graduate Medical Education Development Fellows

• James Angud, MBS – Director of Clinical Affairs and GME, Liberty University College of Osteopathic Medicine
• Tania Arana, PhD – Director of Graduate Medical Education, Nova Southeastern University Dr. Kiran C. Patel College of Osteopathic Medicine – Clearwater
• Robert Cermak, PhD, MM – Director of Faculty and Professional Development, Michigan State University College of Osteopathic Medicine
• Duc Chung, MD, MBA, FAAHPM – Associate Dean of Graduate Medicine Education, California Health Sciences University College of Osteopathic Medicine
• Rachael Cobbs, DO – Associate Program Director, Special Review Chair, Oklahoma State University Center for Health Sciences College of Osteopathic Medicine
• Shadia Constantine, MD, MPH, MSc, FACP – Program Director Internal Medicine Residency, Guam Regional Medical City
• Lynsey Drew, DO, MBA, FAAFP – Dean and Chief Academic Officer, Noorda College of Osteopathic Medicine
• Constance Earl – Clinical Professor, Osteopathic Manipulative Medicine, Touro University College of Osteopathic Medicine – California
• Jeremy Eaton, DO – Assistant Dean for Clinical Education, Pacific Northwest University of Health Sciences College of Osteopathic Medicine
• Jennie Faulkner, C-TAGME – Director of GME, Sam Houston State University College of Osteopathic Medicine
• Rebecca Giusti, DO – Chair NMM/OMM Department, Western University of Health Sciences College of Osteopathic Medicine of the Pacific
• Paula Gregory, DO, MBA ACOFP, CHCQM – Dean of the Proposed Larkin College of Osteopathic Medicine, Proposed COM: The proposed Larkin College of Osteopathic Medicine
• Brad Hall, EdD, MBA – Chief Medical & Strategic Partnerships Officer, Proposed Osteopathic Medical College at Eastern Kentucky University
• Stephanie Lea, MOL, C-TAGME, LSSGB – Director of Medical Education at Freeman Health Systems, sponsored by Kansas City University College of Osteopathic Medicine – GME Consortium
• Katie Marti, DNP, RN, CPPS – Ambulatory Operations Administrator/ Primary Care & SSM Health WI Residency Programs, SSM Health Monroe Hospital Family Medicine Residency, sponsored by UWDFMCH
• Tanya Martinez, C-TAGME – California Region GME Director, GME Institution: Common Spirit Health, CA
• Nitika Moibi, MPP – Supervisor, Workforce Research and Policy Analysis, State institution: Minnesota Department of Health
• Brooke Mullen – Executive Director Health Workforce, State Institution: Indiana Department of Health
• Lynell Newmarch, MD, ABIM – Associate Program Director, GME Institution: Health First Internal Medicine Residency Program
• Michael Rhodes, MD, FAAFP – Associate Dean for Clinical Affairs and DIO, Noorda College of Osteopathic Medicine
• Michael Semelka, DO, FAAFP – VP of Medical Education and Designated Institutional Official (DIO), Duquesne University College of Osteopathic Medicine
• Hannah Smitherman, MD, FAAP – Medical Director of Medical Education, Cook Children's Medical Center, Other affiliation: UNT Health Fort Worth’s Texas College of Osteopathic Medicine
• David Stephen, DO, CS – Associate Dean of OMSIV & GME, Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine – Auburn Campus
• Melissa R. Stevens, MA – Rural Training Programs Consultant/Administrator, Rural Training Programs, GME Institution: University of Minnesota Department of Family Medicine and Community Health
• Kevin Tulipana, DO, MS – Associate Dean, Clinical Education and Formation, Proposed COM: Benedictine College, School of Osteopathic Medicine
• Anne Marie Zeller, DO, MSc – Associate Professor of Family Medicine and Osteopathic Principles and Practices; course director for MSK systems course and OPP ScholarYear, Lincoln Memorial University – DeBusk College of Osteopathic Medicine – Knoxville