AACOM Awards Grants to Advance Innovation in Graduate Medical Education

Four osteopathic medical schools lead inaugural GME innovation cohort

IMMEDIATE RELEASE

(Bethesda, MD) – The American Association of Colleges of Osteopathic Medicine (AACOM) today announced the inaugural recipients of its Innovations in GME Development Grant, a new initiative designed to expand and strengthen graduate medical education (GME) opportunities for osteopathic physicians, particularly in high-need specialties and underserved communities.

“We are proud to support these forward-thinking projects at the forefront of GME innovation,” said AACOM President and CEO Robert A. Cain, DO. “This inaugural cohort will pilot approaches that can be scaled across institutions—leveraging emerging technologies to advance osteopathic-focused residency training, expanding training capacity in internal and family medicine through a community-based DO/MD consortium and strengthening the pathway of physicians prepared to serve rural and medically underserved communities.”

2026 Innovations in GME Development Grant Recipients

Nova Southeastern University Dr. Kiran C. Patel College of Osteopathic Medicine – Florida

This initiative will pilot a human-centered, AI-powered training and mentoring toolkit to strengthen osteopathic manipulative treatment (OMT) education and support residents as they transition into clinical practice.

“AIREO-G is a pioneering initiative to transform osteopathic medical education through a human-centered, AI-powered training and mentoring toolkit,” said Liz Oviawe, PhD, assistant professor and director of instructional technology and innovation, Nova Southeastern University – Dr. Kiran C. Patel College of Osteopathic Medicine. “This project strengthens Osteopathic Manipulative Treatment (OMT) education and its integration into clinical practice. Spearheaded by Nova Southeastern University’s Dr. Kiran C. Patel College of Osteopathic Medicine (NSU KPCOM) with academic and community partners, this national effort positions NSU at the forefront of AI-enabled medical training to enhance faculty development, learner readiness, and patient care outcomes.”

Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine, South Georgia – Georgia

This project will establish a Rural Health Track Certificate to prepare residents to deliver high-quality, equitable care in rural and underserved communities with a focus on improving community health outcomes. 

“This award represents a powerful commitment to Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine South Georgia and our mission to strengthen the rural physician workforce,” said Jennifer Jenkins, EdD, director, Office of Campus and Community Partnerships, South Georgia Campus, Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine. “It advances our ability to intentionally bridge undergraduate and graduate medical education through community-based GME training, deepening partnerships and preparing physicians who are not only clinically excellent but truly equipped to serve and lead in rural communities. Most importantly, it allows us to turn vision into action, creating pathways that will improve health outcomes across South Georgia for years to come.” 

Sam Houston State University College of Osteopathic Medicine – Texas

This initiative will pilot an “AI Across Residency” program that integrates artificial intelligence into residency training, equipping physicians to responsibly use and evaluate AI in clinical care while maintaining a holistic, patient-centered approach.

“Sam Houston State University College of Osteopathic Medicine is excited to be awarded the AACOM Innovation in GME Development Grant,” said Thomas Mohr, DO, vice president for medical affairs, dean, Sam Houston State University College of Osteopathic Medicine. “This grant aligns perfectly with SHSU-COM’s new Medical Artificial Intelligence Institute and our growing GME enterprise with Sam Houston Regional Education Consortium. As the ACGME accredited institutional sponsor for three existing programs with two new residencies launching this summer, we are focused on ensuring that our postgraduate trainees are ready to incorporate technology and AI into their practice to improve the quality and efficiency of patient care. With this grant, we will expand and implement a three-year curriculum on medical AI and technology that is specialty specific, immediately beneficial, and scalable to a busy practice.”

Illinois College of Osteopathic Medicine – Illinois

This project will support the development of new Internal Medicine and Family Medicine residency programs in an underserved Chicago community, expanding training capacity through a collaborative osteopathic and allopathic model.

“AACOM’s Innovations in GME Development Grant will facilitate the collaborative growth of novel GME programs in an underserved community south of Chicago, by connecting IllinoisCOM with a distinguished and nationally recognized MD granting University in the effort,” said Dr. John Lucas, DO, dean and chief academic officer, IllinoisCOM at the Chicago School. “This work allows us to operate in our respective strengths and achieve mutually beneficial outcomes for both the schools and the community which needs increased access to physician care.”

Strong National Interest and Competitive Application Pool

AACOM received 38 applications in the program’s first year, reflecting broad national interest in advancing GME innovation.

Applicants represented a diverse range of organizations, including colleges of osteopathic medicine, hospitals, federally qualified health centers, residency programs, GME consortia, government agencies, MD-granting institutions and private-sector partners. Submissions came from 19 states and one U.S. territory, with 23 colleges of osteopathic medicine represented. Applications reflected a broad and dynamic range of approaches to advancing GME nationwide. Proposed projects spanned immediate workforce needs and future-facing solutions, including rural training expansion, primary care pathway development, innovative funding and partnership model creation and the integration of technologies such as AI, telehealth and digital learning platforms, while reinforcing osteopathic principles such as whole-person, community-based care.

The program underscores AACOM’s commitment to advancing scalable, forward-looking solutions in physician training. By supporting these projects, AACOM aims to accelerate collaboration, elevate best practices and strengthen the future physician workforce.

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 46 accredited colleges of osteopathic medicine, encompassing 73 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