AACOM Announces 2025-2026 Osteopathic Health Policy Interns

Jacqueline Shoemaker and Mara Krutsinger chosen for prestigious program

IMMEDIATE RELEASE

(Bethesda, MD) – The American Association of Colleges of Osteopathic Medicine (AACOM) is pleased to announce the selection of two exceptional osteopathic medical students as the 2025-2026 Osteopathic Health Policy Interns. Following a highly competitive review process, Jacqueline Shoemaker from the West Virginia School of Osteopathic Medicine (WVSOM) and Mara Krutsinger from the Idaho College of Osteopathic Medicine (ICOM) have been chosen to participate in AACOM’s esteemed Osteopathic Health Policy Internship (OHPI) Program.

The OHPI Program provides a unique opportunity for osteopathic medical students to deepen their understanding of federal healthcare and higher education policy, with interns developing the knowledge and skills necessary to make a foundational public policy impact.

Third-year students Jacqueline Shoemaker and Mara Krutsinger will spend eight consecutive weeks working virtually with AACOM’s Government Relations department. During their internships, they will engage in various activities, including observing and participating in legislative and regulatory processes, monitoring ongoing public policy issues, learning and implementing effective advocacy techniques and developing essential networking skills.

Meet the OHPIs

Jacqueline currently serves as a lieutenant colonel in the Air National Guard, where she holds the position of branch chief of strategic plans and policy. She also serves as the national president of the Student Association of Military Osteopathic Physicians and Surgeons and is the immediate past-president of the Student Government Association at WVSOM. Her prior experience includes serving as a legislative liaison for the National Guard Bureau at the Pentagon, where she advocated for defense health policy initiatives, as well as contributing to national public health efforts as a member of the White House Global Vaccination Committee during the COVID-19 pandemic.

"Being selected for the Osteopathic Health Policy Internship is both an honor and a meaningful opportunity to advocate for equitable, patient-centered health policy,” said Jacqueline. “As a military medical student with a passion for community health, I am deeply committed to ensuring that all individuals, regardless of background, geography or circumstances, should have access to quality care. This experience will allow me to bridge clinical practice with national policy advocacy that reflects the core osteopathic values at the highest level."

Mara’s passion for advocacy and leadership inspired her to create an educational series to engage ICOM students in legislative policy in Idaho. She serves as a member of the national Student Osteopathic Medical Association leadership team, promoting advocacy, political involvement and voting, and as a peer mental health ambassador, encouraging wellness and balance within her community.

"I am thrilled to be one of the Osteopathic Health Policy Interns this year,” said Mara. “I cannot wait to work with AACOM's health policy experts and learn how to cultivate impactful skills as a future patient advocate. As a student pursuing a career in primary care, I am eager to gain hands-on experience in advocacy and policy, and contribute to the impactful work that AACOM is involved in for medical students across the country."

AACOM looks forward to the contributions Jacqueline and Mara will make during their internships and beyond as they apply their knowledge and passion to advance the field of osteopathic medicine and healthcare policy.

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.

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