The American Osteopathic Foundation (AOF) and the Osteopathic International Alliance (OIA) congratulate Simon Fielding, DO (UK), OBE, of England, on receiving the 2026 International Volunteer of the Year Award.

Philippe Sterlingot, DO (France), Chair of the OIA and Scott Cyrus, DO, FACOP, Past-President of the AOF, presented the award to Mr. Fielding in Paris.

This inaugural honor is presented jointly by the AOF and the OIA.

Mr. Fielding, as the first recipient, sets a high benchmark. His more than 45 years of service have advanced recognition, regulation, education and international unity in osteopathy.

Simon was a principal architect of the UK Osteopaths Act 1993 and became the first Chair of the UK regulatory body, the General Osteopathic Council. He is a founding OIA leader, who helped bring osteopathic physicians and osteopaths together around strong global standards. His career includes 13 years of service as a specialist advisor to the UK Department of Health.

His policy, academic, and research work supported primary care, health studies, and evidence-informed practice. His humanitarian service has extended outside of osteopathy to support sustainable water initiatives, healthcare, education, and women's empowerment in Southern India. 

“Across every dimension, the common thread of Simon’s career is service beyond his professional obligation that strengthens trust, access, and collaboration within the osteopathic community and patients worldwide. That breadth becomes even more powerful when viewed across the arc of his career,” said Sterlingot.

The award’s four cornerstones are public health; professional recognition; unity and standards; and population health and research. Together, these four cornerstones reflect both direct service and the systems that make safe, effective care possible. Eligibility is intentionally rigorous: nominees must have at least 10 years of professional experience, exhibit a substantial volunteer commitment, and have a history of leadership that has been recognized by peers.

Rita Forden, CEO of the AOF stated after the ceremony, “The AOF and OIA have a shared commitment: to advance osteopathic healthcare through service and unity. This award recognizes exceptional volunteers while connecting osteopathic physicians and osteopaths across countries and training traditions. Mr. Fielding is the embodiment of this award, and we are so pleased to announce him as our first recipient.”

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The Osteopathic International Alliance is the leading organization for the advancement and unity of the global osteopathic profession. As an “organization of organizations,” the OIA unifies osteopathic medicine and osteopathy by connecting schools, regulatory bodies, and regional, national, and multi-country groups.

The American Osteopathic Foundation (AOF) has been proudly serving the Osteopathic profession since 1949 through five funding priorities — educational scholarships, community service, scholarly research, international mission trips, and Osteopathic recognition.

The AOF is the only national 501c3 charitable Osteopathic foundation that supports and invests in the whole profession by recognizing Osteopathic students, residents, fellows, physicians, and faculty across the United States, as well as abroad.