Awards Overview and Deadlines

Help us recognize our talented members! There are so many people making valuable contributions to public health, education, scientific discovery, and leadership. Your College wants to acknowledge and celebrate our members and invites you to nominate someone you know for any of these wonderful awards and special recognitions.

Nominations for 2025 will be due by April 22.

View 2024 Fellows & Awardees

 Fellow of the American Osteopathic College of Anesthesiologists (FAOCA)

Earned through active participation in the College and the profession.

• A Candidate may self-nominate or be nominated by any member of the College and must be sponsored by an existing Fellow.
• Application Fee - $150 (one time, non-refundable)
• DEADLINE for submissions is April 22. 
• View nomination process
• Nomination Form

Timothy D. Ernst, DO AOCA Resident of the Year Award

The Timothy D. Ernst AOCA Resident of the Year Award is designated to provide up to two residents with an opportunity to attend the AOCA Annual Convention in honor of Dr. Timothy D. Ernst who had a passion for education and always strived to help and mentor residents. The grant includes $1,000, plus complimentary meeting registration, and lodging at the convention hotel.

• A Candidate may be nominated by any member of the College and must be supported by a Program Director. 
• DEADLINE for submissions is April 22.
• Nomination Form

AOCA Student of the Year Award

• A Candidate may be nominated by any member of the College and must be supported by a letter from the nominator and a letter from their academic advisor or Dean.
• DEADLINE for submissions is April 22.
• Nomination Form

 AOF Outstanding Resident of the Year Award

The Outstanding Resident of the Year (OROTY) Award recognizes and honors outstanding residents who embody a great spirit of altruism and whose combination of clinical promise, leadership, dedication, and commitment to Osteopathic--centered patient care separates them from their peers. The AOF’s Outstanding Resident of the Year Award is given annually to honor and co-recognize one outstanding resident per specialty and acknowledge professional excellence within the profession. A monetary award of $5,000 will be presented to one (1) recipient from each participating Specialty during OMED.

• A Candidate may be nominated by any member of the College and must be supported by a Program Director.
• All nominations must be submitted through AOF’s portal to ensure completion of required documentation. Nominations close May 19. 

Distinguished Service Award

The Distinguished Service Award is presented to recognize College members with outstanding accomplishments and leadership in the American Osteopathic College of Anesthesiologists. 

• A Candidate may be nominated by any member of the College.
• DEADLINE for submissions is April 22.
• Nomination Form

M. Adele King, DO Professional Service Award

The M. Adele King Professional Service Award recognizes an individual who has made contributions to the specialty of anesthesiology, public health, education, scientific discovery, and/or leadership. Dedicated to AOCA member and Past President, Dr. Adele King who throughout her career has made beyond valuable contributions to these areas of which the award honors. 

Nominees do not need to be a member of the College to be submitted.

• A Candidate may be nominated by any member of the College.
• Candidate must be an attending anesthesiologist.
• DEADLINE for submissions is April 22.
• Nomination Form

Arnold P. Gold Humanism in Medicine Award

Criteria is based upon the Arnold P. Gold’s Foundation on the attributes of a humanistic doctor: Integrity, Excellence, Compassion, Altruism, Respect, Empathy, and Service. AOCA is proud to partner with the Arnold P. Gold Foundation and share candidates. Nominees do not need to be a member of the College to be submitted.

• A Candidate may be nominated by any member of the College.
• Candidate must be an attending anesthesiologist.
• DEADLINE for submissions is April 22.  
• Nomination Form

Scientific Abstract Presentation Awards

Abstract submissions will be accepted for presentation at the AOCA 2025 Annual Convention & Conclave. Abstracts are accepted in two categories, complex case and scientific investigation. The peer-reviewed and accepted abstracts will be presented in a moderated poster scientific session on Saturday, September 6, 2025. Resident and Student presenters are eligible for monetary recognition for the top abstracts.

• DEADLINE for submissions is April 22.
• Complex Case
• Scientific Investigation

C M Esterline Lecture

This lecture series was established in 1979 by the Board of Governors in tribute to Crawford Myles-Esterline, DO, past president and secretary of the American Osteopathic College of Anesthesiologists during the organization, founding and growth of the College.

• View Past Award Recipients