A board-certified neurosurgeon, Dr. Michael Thomas serves as a neurosurgical spine specialist at Sea Spine Orthopedic Institute in Florida. An active member of the field, neurosurgeon Dr. Michael Thomas holds membership in professional groups such as the American Osteopathic Association (AOA).

1. AOA - Annual OMEL Conference
Encourages Osteopathic Discourse
Dr. Michael Thomas, Neurosurgeon

2. Introduction
• A board-certified neurosurgeon, Dr. Michael Thomas serves
as a neurosurgical spine specialist at Sea Spine Orthopedic
Institute in Florida. An active member of the field,
neurosurgeon Dr. Michael Thomas holds membership in
professional groups such as the American Osteopathic
Association (AOA).
Every year, AOA members congregate for the Osteopathic
Medical Educators & Leaders (OMEL) Conference. This
year’s conference was held on January 7-8, 2016, in San
Antonio, Texas. During the two-day conference, prominent
medical figures presented on a variety of subjects related
to the field of osteopathic medicine.

3. American Osteopathic Association
• These topics ranged from empathy in osteopathic
medical education to telemedicine and burnout. In
addition to presentations, the conference hosted two
panel discussions on osteopathic philosophy and
obtaining recognition in a single-accreditation system.
In addition, the 2016 gathering was the first OMEL
Conference to include OMEL TED Talks.
The 2017 OMEL Conference will be held in Tampa,
Florida, on January 19-21, 2017. For updates on the
upcoming conference, visit www.osteopathic.org.