The American Osteopathic Foundation (AOF) created an International Volunteer of the Year Award in partnership with the Osteopathic International Alliance (OIA) to acknowledge the contributions of Osteopathic physicians and Osteopaths who have made significant contributions to the advancement of global Osteopathic healthcare.

Purpose

This annual award will publicly recognize one (1) Osteopathic professional (Osteopathic physician or Osteopath) whose body of work has enriched lives through public health outreach, advancing government recognition/regulation for Osteopathic professionals, published Osteopathic research, or demonstrated leadership in the investigation and improvement in population health via Osteopathic care. 

Award 

A recognition award will be presented during the OIA Annual General Meeting and Conference to one (1) Osteopathic professional who exemplifies the award’s charter and purpose.

Eligibility

• Nominee is an Osteopathic physician or Osteopath* member of an OIA member organization, with a minimum of 10 years’ experience with demonstrated, significant contributions in one or more of the following areas:
   
  • Humanitarian Public Health Outreach: Nominee has volunteered to provide Osteopathic treatment to an underserved or disaster-stricken community outside of their home country for a sustained period. Nominee has established partnerships to foster continuity of care in such communities. Nominee has served as a mentor, educator, or leader for medical students through international rotations or volunteer trips.
  • Osteopathic Professional Recognition & Practice Rights: Nominee has successfully contributed to the establishment or expansion of licensure and practice rights for DOs and/or Osteopaths in one or more countries.  Nominee has led significant efforts to advance parity for Osteopathic physicians to allopathic physicians or their international equivalent on an international scale.
  • Osteopathic Unity & Global Standards: Nominee has committed significant efforts to advance the global Osteopathic profession through creating international unity and/or helping to develop standards for safe and effective healthcare from Osteopathic physicians and osteopaths.
  • Population Health, Health Equity & Global Health Research: Nominee has demonstrated leadership and dedication to investigating and improving population health issues through the use of Osteopathic tenets and principles.
• Nominee’s contributions to the global Osteopathic profession are above and beyond the usual expected professional commitments or typical duties.
• Nominee exemplifies and encourages Osteopathic principles through action, word and deed.
• Nominee is recognized as a leader and seen as an example among their peers.
• Nominee volunteers a significant amount of time to advance the profession.

* If the nominee resides in a country that licenses DOs/osteopaths, they must possess a valid license, with no disciplinary actions pending or resolved against the nominee. All nominees must be free of criminal records, with no pending complaints. 

Nomination Requirements

• Completed online nomination form – Nominations will ONLY be accepted from OIA member organizations, including the AOA, and the AOF.
• One (1) letter of recommendation from the nominating organization.
• Two (2) additional letters of recommendation from the following list: current or former employer, board member, senior official, patient, or international organization with direct knowledge of the nominee’s relevant work.
• One letter must be from practicing Osteopathic professional.
• The nominee’s current curriculum vitae that demonstrates their recent body of work supporting global Osteopathic health outreach (include education, license(s) held, publications, and current memberships, Osteopathic or other).
• Optional: Supporting documentation in the form of formal commendations, citations or awards, newspaper or magazine articles, published research, or other items accepted, but shall serve only as evidence to support the nomination.  
• Note: Current members of the OIA board of directors are not eligible for nomination

Review Process

The nomination period will open March 3, 2026 and close April 20, 2026. The award recipient will be notified by June 15, 2026. The AOF/OIA International Volunteer of the Year Award recipient will be recognized at the OIA’s Annual General Meeting (AGM) and Conference. The award winner will receive one (1) complimentary conference registration from OIA. AOF will provide a travel stipend of up to $5,000 to help defray airfare and hotel accommodation associated with attending the AGM and Conference. The travel stipend will be paid directly to the winner as a lump sum after attending the event upon submission of required receipts and reimbursement form.  

Access the nomination portal here.