Awards & Recognition

The Illinois Osteopathic Medical Society (IOMS) and Partners recognize stakeholders for outstanding dedication and service to the profession. 

Physician of the Year
This award recognizes physicians who have a history of maintaining high professional and ethical standards for the osteopathic profession in the State of Illinois, contributions to the professional community, and the community at large.

Student of the Year
The Osteopathic Student of the Year Award is given to a student graduating from an accredited osteopathic medical school.

IO-PAC Legislator of the Year
This award recognizes Illinois legislators who support the initiatives that protect the health of the citizens of Illinois and furthers the mission of IOMS. This award is presented by the Illinois Political Action Committee during the Annual Winter Scientific Seminar.

Illinois/AOF State Emerging Leader Award

IOMS partners with the American Osteopathic Foundation annually to nominate one outstanding Illinois New Physician in Practice and IOMS member in good standing who upholds the tenets of osteopathic medicine and goes above and beyond in the areas of patient care and/or research.

The IOMS is proud to announce Curtis Johnston, DO a Family Physician in Springfield, IL has been recognized by the American Osteopathic Foundation as the 2025 Illinois State Emerging Leader. Learn more about Dr. Johnston here.

The nomination period for 2026 will begin in late Spring. Read the full program description.

IOMS/AOF Prairie State Scholarship 

A collaborative partnership with the American Osteopathic Foundation to provide financial assistance to osteopathic medical students who graduated from an Illinois high school.  An annual scholarship in the amount of $5,000 will be awarded to one student who exemplifies the ideals of the osteopathic profession and serves as an ambassador for the profession while completing their osteopathic education.

The IOMS is proud to announce Alec Bold, OMS III, Kentucky College of Osteopathic Medicine has been recognized by the American Osteopathic Foundation as the 2023 Prairie State Scholarship recipient. Read more about Student Doctor Bold.

Application period open through April 30, 2026. Read the full program description and apply here. 

Annual Student Research Poster Competition

Each year IOMS welcomes student and resident physicians to submit their current research into an annual poster competition as part of the Annual Winter Scientific Seminar. Details for submission requirements are announced in the Fall. The 2025 Finalists are highlighted below, congratulations on outstanding research furthering the field of osteopathic medicine!

Riya Patel, OMS II, MWU-CCOM & Selena Tian, OMS III, MWU-CCOM

PEA3 Transcription Factors Role in Cochlear Epithelial Development

Anisa Ciaciura, OMS II, MWU-CCOM et. al

Improving Colorectal Cancer Screening Adherence: The Impact of Multilingual Biweekly Text Reminders on FIT Kit Return Rates & Stratified Demographics