Engagement & Resources

Arkansas Governor Appoints NYITCOM’s Speights to Arkansas State Board of Health: Arkansas Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders has appointed Shane Speights, DO, to the Arkansas State Board of Health. Dr. Speights is the dean of New York Institute of Technology College of Osteopathic Medicine at Arkansas State University (NYITCOM at A-State), a position he’s held since 2017, and a former chair of the AACOM board of deans. “I’m honored to be appointed to this position, and I’m grateful to Governor Sanders for entrusting me to serve our great state,” Dr. Speights said. “As a lifelong Arkansan, the health of our state’s residents is of utmost importance to me, and I appreciate the opportunity to join this team.” Read more.

NIH Seeks NINDS Director: The National Institutes of Health (NIH) is accepting applications for the Director, National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS) until April 20, 2026, at 11:59 PM ET. Learn more.

Join Us at Educating Leaders 2026: The AACOM Annual Conference will be held in Las Vegas, Nevada, from April 22-24, 2026. Our conference is the premier gathering for leaders, educators, staff and students from osteopathic medical colleges across the United States. Government Relations sessions will cover how rising costs, regulatory developments and evolving federal policies are affecting osteopathic medical students and institutions. For more information and to see the full conference line-up, visit our Educating Leaders home page.

HRSA Announces $135 Million in New Funding Opportunities: The Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) recently announced more than $135 million in new funding opportunities to expand nutrition services and strengthen the rural health workforce. This includes $125 million for Expanded Nutrition Services and $11.25 million for the Rural Residency Planning and Development Program. Learn more.

NIH Strategic Plan Request for Information (RFI): NIH issued an RFI to solicit feedback from the medical and research communities and the general public regarding the framework for the agency’s Strategic Plan for FY27. Responses are due at 11:59 PM ET on May 16, 2026. Learn more.