Olympic Medalist Chaunté Lowe to Headline OMED26 in Las Vegas

Lowe joins leaders from Rush, CVS Health, Fountain Life and the U.S. Air Force at the American Osteopathic Association's annual conference, Oct. 22-25 at Caesars Palace 

CHICAGO, Sept. 22, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Olympic bronze medalist Chaunté Lowe will deliver the keynote address at the Osteopathic Medical Education Conference (OMED26), the American Osteopathic Association's (AOA) annual meeting, held Oct. 22-25 at Caesars Palace in Las Vegas. A panel of physician leaders from hospital, retail, longevity and military medicine will take the stage during Friday's keynote.

Lowe, a four-time Olympian and the American record holder in the high jump, won bronze in Beijing in 2008. She was later diagnosed with triple-negative breast cancer and has since become a national advocate for early detection and clinical trial access. Her keynote on Saturday, Oct. 24, 4:00 pm PST, will focus on what physicians and care teams can take from that experience about building resilience, in their practices and in themselves.

The day before, on Friday, Oct. 23, 8:00 am PST, four physician leaders will discuss how to keep patients at the center of care as AI tools, retail clinics and virtual care change where and how people receive it. Panelists include:

• Omar B. Lateef, DO, president and CEO, Rush University System for Health and Rush University Medical Center
• Creagh Milford, DO, MPH, president, Oak Street Health, CVS Health
• Dawn Mussallem, DO, chief medical officer, Fountain Life
• Maj. Gen. (Dr.) Leigh A. Swanson, deputy surgeon general and deputy commander, Air Force Medical Command, Headquarters U.S. Air Force and U.S. Space Force

"Patients meet the healthcare system in more places than ever: a retail clinic, a hospital or even a base overseas," said AOA President Richard R. Thacker, DO, MACOI. "This panel puts physicians who lead in each of those settings on one stage. And Chaunté Lowe will remind everyone in that room what patients carry with them when they walk through the door to see their physician."

OMED draws 3,500 osteopathic physicians, residents and medical students to 175 sessions each year, making it the largest annual gathering of the osteopathic profession.

Opportunities to complete CME credits

The conference also offers continuing medical education (CME) across a wide range of specialties and clinical topics, helping physicians stay current and meet licensure and professional development requirements. Physicians who cannot attend in person can earn credit through OMED On-Demand, a growing library of self-study courses featuring top-rated OMED lectures they can complete on their own schedule. Course packages offer either AOA CME credit or AMA PRA Category 1 Credit™.

"OMED gives osteopathic physicians the tools to keep growing throughout their careers," said Dr. Thacker. "Whether they join us in Las Vegas or learn through OMED On-Demand, these resources help them stay at the forefront of clinical excellence."

Media registration and interviews

Credentialed media can register for OMED26 and interview requests with Lowe, the panelists or AOA leadership, along with speaker photos and event b-roll, can be directed to Amanda Pavic at [email protected].

Registration for OMED26

OMED26 takes place Oct. 22-25 at Caesars Palace in Las Vegas. The full program, along with registration and housing information, is available at omed.osteopathic.org.

About the American Osteopathic Association

As the nation's leading voice for osteopathic medicine, the American Osteopathic Association (AOA) represents more than 218,000 osteopathic physicians (DOs) and medical students, championing public health, scientific research and the highest standards of DO certification. For over a century, the AOA has advanced whole-person healthcare, shaping the future of the osteopathic profession and ensuring its founding principles remain a vital force in modern medicine.

To learn more about DOs and the osteopathic philosophy of medicine, visit osteopathic.org, or to find a DO in your area, visit findado.osteopathic.org.

SOURCE American Osteopathic Association