The American Osteopathic Foundation (AOF) proudly announces Frank A. Filipetto, DO, CPPS, CPHFH, FACOFP, as the recipient of the AOF 2026 Educator of the Year Award, one of the Foundation’s highest honors. Dr. Filipetto will be formally recognized at the AOF Honors Gala on Friday, October 23, 2026, in Las Vegas, Nevada, held in conjunction with the American Osteopathic Association’s annual OMED conference.

A board-certified family physician, Dr. Filipetto embodies the qualities this award was established to celebrate: lifelong service, compassionate leadership, and a lasting impact on learners, institutions, and the patients they ultimately serve. Over a distinguished career spanning more than three decades, he has contributed to Osteopathic medical education as a faculty member, residency program leader, department chair, academic dean, and, ultimately, Dean of the Texas College of Osteopathic Medicine (TCOM). Throughout these roles, he has mentored thousands of students and residents and has centered his teaching and practice on his deep commitment to patient safety.

“Dr. Filipetto's selection as AOF's 2026 Educator of the Year reflects his extraordinary leadership and lasting impact on Osteopathic medical education," said Seger Morris, DO, MBA, AOF President-Elect. "His work has advanced graduate medical education and patient safety while demonstrating how physician-educators can strengthen healthcare through visionary leadership."

The AOF Educator of the Year Award recognizes one Osteopathic professional who has dedicated at least ten years to medical education and demonstrated their commitment to uphold and raise the standards of Osteopathic medical education. 

Among the many ways Dr. Filipetto has elevated those standards is that he has presented widely, sharing a wealth of knowledge across and well beyond the walls of academia. One nominator noted that he consistently advances the conversation on why and how Osteopathic educators can prepare learners to deliver safer care and design safe systems of care.

“Dr. Filipetto has meant so much to TCOM, our mission, and our students, and I’m incredibly proud that the AOF has chosen him to receive this award,” said Lisa R. Nash, DO, MS-HPEd, FAAFP, Vice President of Clinical Affairs and Dean at TCOM. “He has been a trailblazer in the field of patient safety, bringing it to the forefront in medicine and making it a priority in medical education. His legacy as a leader in Osteopathic Medicine will last a lifetime, as he is the embodiment of what we all want in medical education. The AOF could not have chosen a better recipient than Dr. Filipetto.”

Dr. Filipetto is an alumnus of the Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine (PCOM). He has served on the American Association of Colleges of Osteopathic Medicine (AACOM) Board of Deans, the National Board of Osteopathic Medical Examiners (NBOME), and numerous accreditation, assessment, and curriculum committees. He is also a Certified Professional in Patient Safety (CPPS).

"We are honored to recognize Dr. Filipetto as AOF's 2026 Educator of the Year and look forward to celebrating his achievements at the AOF Honors Gala this October," said Rita Forden, Chief Executive Officer of the American Osteopathic Foundation. "Throughout his career, Dr. Filipetto has inspired generations of physicians through his leadership, mentorship, and unwavering commitment to excellence in Osteopathic medical education. It is our privilege to recognize an educator whose service so clearly reflects the Foundation's mission."

For over 75 years, the American Osteopathic Foundation has invested in the Osteopathic profession through scholarships, grants, research funding, and global humanitarian outreach. The AOF Honors Gala has raised millions of dollars to support DOs at every stage—from medical school to practice.

Sponsorships and Ticket Information
To recognize Dr. Filipetto, attend, or sponsor the 2026 Honors Gala, please contact Terry Sanders, Honors Gala Director, at tlsanders@aof.org.