The American Osteopathic Foundation (AOF) is pleased to announce that Amber Brown, DO has been named the recipient of the 2023 AOF Rocovich Research Award

Dr. Brown is currently a Pediatric Hematology/Oncology Fellow at Riley Hospital for Children in Indianapolis, IN. She completed her Pediatric Residency at Maine Medical Center in Portland, ME in 2022.

Her research project, titled "Investigating the Feasibility and Safety of Osteopathic Manipulative Treatment in the Pediatric Oncology Inpatient Setting," aims to address the dearth of clinical research studies on the use of Osteopathic Manipulative Treatment (OMT) in pediatric oncology. Her grant proposal noted that “despite promising existing data, no studies have explored the safety, feasibility, or efficacy of OMT as adjunctive therapy for acutely ill, hospitalized pediatric oncology patients.”

Jennifer Belsky, DO, who serves as the lead mentor on the project, had this to say about Dr. Amber Brown: "I have personally witnessed Dr. Brown's strong work ethic and her passion for enhancing the care of children and adolescents through OMT. She has positioned herself as an emerging leader in the field."

Dr. Derrick L. Goubeaux, DO, Assistant Professor of Clinical Pediatrics at Riley, noted, "Osteopathically trained physicians in the pediatric hematology/oncology field are rare, which exacerbates the scarcity of osteopathically driven research in this specialty. Dr. Brown, as a promising young osteopathic physician, is ready to address these gaps now rather than waiting for the future, and her dedication is inspiring to fellow DOs."

Dr. Brown graduated from Des Moines University College of Osteopathic Medicine (DMUCOM) in 2019, is a member of the American Academy of Osteopathy (AAO) and was honored as the AAO Resident of the Year in 2022.

Presented in partnership with the Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine (VCOM), the Rocovich Research Award recognizes a practicing DO or Osteopathic medical student working to advance the profession through research focused on the biomedical, biomechanical, or clinical aspects of Osteopathic Manipulative Treatment (OMT).