AACOM Launches ClinEd Accelerator to Reimagine the Future of Osteopathic Clinical Education

Today, the American Association of Colleges of Osteopathic Medicine (AACOM) kicked off its ClinEd Accelerator: Hacking the Future of Osteopathic Clinical Education, presented by the American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP). The Accelerator is a national virtual innovation challenge designed to generate bold, actionable solutions to one of the most pressing issues in healthcare today: the growing gap in clinical education capacity.

Running from September 1 through October 13, 2026, the six-week virtual hackathon gives participants six weeks to develop practical, scalable solutions on their own schedules. Participants may work independently or collaboratively, with opportunities to connect with students, educators, clinicians, healthcare leaders and other innovators from across the country. Ninety-three percent of colleges of osteopathic medicine have already registered to compete and bring their ideas to a national stage.

As the nation confronts physician shortages and increasingly complex patient needs, the demand for high-quality medical training continues to rise. At the same time, clinical education is navigating a range of challenges—from limited rotation sites and skilled preceptors to evolving approaches to assessment, emerging technologies and the need to prepare future physicians for a rapidly changing healthcare environment.

"The challenges facing clinical education are directly tied to the future of the healthcare workforce," said AACOM President and CEO Robert A. Cain, DO, in an introduction to the Accelerator. "If we are to meet the growing needs of patients and communities, particularly in rural and underserved areas, we must urgently reimagine how we train the next generation of physicians. The ClinEd Accelerator reflects AACOM’s commitment to finding bold, meaningful solutions that expand clinical training capacity and strengthen the foundation of medical education."

Developed by AACOM’s UME-GME Task Force, the ClinEd Accelerator seeks to generate targeted solutions that improve, expand and modernize clinical education. Throughout the event, participants will work in collaborative teams across sectors, disciplines and career stages to tackle key challenges, including training capacity, access to care and evolving educational needs.

Teams will:

• Conceptualize and develop solutions to real-world challenges in clinical education
• Receive mentorship from leaders across the osteopathic and healthcare community
• Pitch their ideas to a panel of experts and innovators
• Compete for $10,000 in prize funding and up to $70,000 in sponsor funding to pilot and implement your innovation
  

It’s not too late to take part! AACOM is welcoming participants committed to strengthening medical education and whole-person, patient-centered care to join the ClinEd Accelerator through September 21, 2026. Interested participants, mentors, sponsors and partners are encouraged to learn more and register: https://www.aacom.org/gme/aacom-clined-accelerator.

Thank you to our sponsors for supporting the inaugural ClinEd Accelerator!

American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP)
Founding Sponsor; Presenting Sponsor

National Board of Medical Examiners (NBME)
Founding Sponsor; Track Sponsor: Progression by Mastery

Medtrics
Founding Sponsor; Track Sponsor: DOs as the Human Interface in AI-Enabled Care

American Osteopathic Association (AOA)
Founding Sponsor; Track Sponsor: From Rotation Sites to Strategic Partners

Osteopathic Heritage Foundation (OHF)
Founding Sponsor; Track Sponsor: OPP/OMM as a Measurable Clinical Service Line

AMBOSS
Supporting Sponsor; Session Sponsor

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 48 accredited colleges of osteopathic medicine, encompassing 75 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