Across the country, Osteopathic physicians are improving lives through compassionate, patient centered care.

Each fall, the American Osteopathic Foundation recognizes outstanding emerging Osteopathic physicians and surgeons through a special feature in the US News and World Report’s Best Hospitals edition.

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The AOF also celebrates these State Emerging Leaders at the Foundation’s annual Honors Gala. The Osteopathic community joined the foundation at the AOF 2026 Honors Gala in Las Vegas on October 23, 2026 to applaud their work and commitment to advancing Osteopathic excellence in the communities where they live and practice.

AOF 2026 State Emerging Leaders

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Congratulations to the following AOF 2026 State Emerging Leaders and to Katie Davenport-Kabonic, DO, who was selected by an independent panel of reviewers to receive an additional level of distinction as the American Osteopathic Foundation's 2026 National Emerging Leader!

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ADDICTION MEDICINE

  • Mohit Chhatpar, DO, New Jersey

EMERGENCY MEDICINE

  • Nicholas Camposeo, DO. New York

FAMILY MEDICINE

  • Libby Abbas, DO, Maine
  • Deseray Aguirre, DO, Illinois
  • Katie Davenport-Kabonic, DO, Missouri
  • Katherine Haga, DO, North Carolina
  • Michelle Lin, DO, Nevada
  • Sara Ann Lohbauer, DO, Florida
  • Michaela Miller, DO, Virginia
  • Catherine Njiru-Sewer, DO, Maryland
  • Samir Sood, DO, Tennessee
  • Stephen Stacey, DO, Wisconsin
  • Joy Zarandy, DO, Georgia

GERIATRIC MEDICINE

  • Leonard Powell, DO, New Jersey

INTERNAL MEDICINE

  • Matthew Hadfield, DO, Rhode Island
  • Nigel Jagoo, DO, Oregon

LIFESTYLE MEDICINE

  • Christopher Behringer, DO, Kentucky

NEPHROLOGY

  • Nicholas Salupo, DO, Ohio

NEUROMUSCULOSKELETAL MEDICINE (NMM)

  • Katherine Nixon, DO, New Mexico

OBSTETRICS AND GYNECOLOGY

  • Hannah Tilden, DO, Arizona

PHYSICAL MEDICINE & REHABILITATION

  • Dayna Yorks, DO, Massachusetts