Emerging Professionals Membership

Photos of Student and Resident MembersThe AOCA welcomes doctors actively engaged in an ACGME-approved residency training program in anesthesiology and full-time students desiring to pursue a career in anesthesiology to apply for complimentary student or resident membership. The College encourages and supports emerging professionals through key career milestones and offers emerging professionals an opportunity to network with practicing anesthesiologists and residency programs.

The College is comprised of dedicated leaders who share a commitment to building solutions to the challenges medical students face who are interested in practicing anesthesiology. AOCA is thankful to include many student voices on our active committees and looks forward to welcoming new students into the professional home for future and current physician anesthesiologists working to advance and promote the distinctive philosophy and practice of osteopathic anesthesiology.

Our online application is your gateway to all the privileges and benefits of membership in the AOCA.

Joining the AOCA is easy:

  1. Choose from the categories below. Once you click on the Join Now button below, you will be taken to an application.
  2. Create a Username and Password and fill out the application.


Timothy D. Ernst 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. 
  • The deadline for submissions has passed and will reopen Spring 2024.

AOF 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.
  • The deadline for submissions has passed and will reopen Spring 2024.

Scientific Abstract Presentation Awards

Abstract submissions are now being accepted for presentation at the 2023 AOCA Annual Convention & Conclave/VAPOR. 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 the afternoon of Saturday, September 30, 2023. Resident and Student presenters are eligible for monetary recognition for the top abstracts.

  • The deadline for submissions has passed and will reopen Spring 2024.

AOBA Certification Exams

American Osteopathic Board of Anesthesiology (AOBA) initial certification exams are administered annually by remote proctor through MonitorEDU/Paradigm.

Key Deadline Dates:

  • August 2, 2023 | Written certification exam
    • June 1, 2023 | First application deadline
    • July 1, 2023 | Final application deadline (applications will not be accepted after this date)
  • August 23, 2023 | Subspeciality certification exams

Critical Care Medicine, Pain Management, Pediatric Anesthesiology

    • June 24, 2023 | First application deadline
    • July 24, 2023 | Final application deadline (applications will not be accepted after this date)
  • October 14, 2023 | Oral certification exam (tentative exam date)
    • July 14, 2023 | First application deadline
    • August 14. 2023 | Final application deadline (applications will not be accepted after this date)
    • Successful completion of the Written Exam is required prior to registration for the Oral Exam
  • April - September 2023 | Clinical certification exam
    • March 5, 2023 | Final application deadline (applications will not be accepted after this date)
    • Successful completion of the Written and Oral Exams is required prior to registration for the Clinical Exam
  • October 2023 – March 2024 | Clinical certification exam
    • June 30, 2023 | First application deadline
    • August 14, 2023 | Final application deadline (applications will not be accepted after this date)
    • Successful completion of the Written and Oral Exams is required prior to registration for the Clinical Exam
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