AACOM Members Earn 2026 National Honors for Educational Excellence, Well-Being and Leadership
Published November 10, 2026
News Press Release
Four member institutions and one institutional leader recognized by INSIGHT Into Academia
IMMEDIATE RELEASE
(Bethesda, MD) – The American Association of Colleges of Osteopathic Medicine (AACOM) celebrates four member institutions and one institutional leader recognized with 2026 INSIGHT Into Academia awards for their commitment to excellence in health professions education, student well-being and institutional leadership.
“We are incredibly proud to see AACOM members and leaders recognized for the meaningful impact they are making across health professions education,” said AACOM President and CEO Robert A. Cain, DO. “Whether fostering a culture of belonging, prioritizing the well-being of future physicians or advancing innovative approaches to institutional leadership, these honorees exemplify the commitment to excellence that strengthens osteopathic medical education and the communities we serve.”
Two AACOM member institutions received the 2026 Health Professions Higher Education Excellence and Distinction (HEED) Award:
- A.T. Still University of Graduate Health Sciences (10th consecutive year)
- Alabama College of Osteopathic Medicine (4th consecutive year)
Two AACOM member institutions received the 2026 Excellence in Mental Health and Well-Being Award:
- Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine (2nd consecutive year)
- New York Institute of Technology, College of Osteopathic Medicine
Additionally, one AACOM member institutional leader received the 2026 Trailblazer in Higher Education Award:
Learn more about the HEED, Excellence in Mental Health and Well-Being and Trailblazer in Higher Education Awards. View the full lists of Health Professions HEED Award recipients, Excellence in Mental Health and Well-Being Award recipients and Trailblazer honorees.
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.
Contact:
Joseph Shapiro
Director of Media Relations
(240) 938-0746
jshapiro@aacom.org