Professor Earns 2023 Emerging Leader Honors
The American Osteopathic Foundation Award for Dr. Nicole Peña Recognizes Outstanding Osteopathic Physicians in Practice Who Embody Exemplary Leadership Qualities and Contribute Significantly to Their Field
For Dr. Nicole Peña, winner of the 2023 James M. Lally National Emerging Leader Award from the American Osteopathic Foundation (AOF), the reward for all the hard work is simply helping others. As an Associate Professor and Osteopathic Manipulative Medicine (OMM) Department Chair at Touro University California (TUC), Peña does the work because it’s who she is. The core of being a physician for Peña is service, and it is part of the natural flow of living.
“I'm just living my life, doing my career path,” says Peña. “I didn't know there would be trophies along the way.”
The AOF National Emerging Leader award is given to a Doctor of Osteopathy (DO) in practice who embodies exemplary leadership qualities and contributes significantly to their field. Any DO who is licensed, practicing within 5-7 years post-residency/fellowship, and is a current member of their state Osteopathic Association qualifies for nomination. While the award was announced at the AOF’s Awards Gala on October 6th, Peña was not able to be present in person to receive the acknowledgement that highlights just one young DO professional doing exceptional work.
Peña's approach to leadership and service is deeply ingrained in her character, starting from her early years in high school through college and into her professional career in medicine.
Dr. Peña is also a Board Member of the Osteopathic Cranial Academy and Director of Healer’s Art Elective. She also has membership in TUC’s Performance Improvement Committee, TUCOM Leadership Council, Curriculum Committee, GMEC Wellness Committee, and Curriculum Redesign Committee.
In the community, Peña volunteers as a preceptor at the Student Run Free Clinic as well as at several community health fairs and outreach events and is the faculty advisor of the TUCOM Latino Medical Student Associate.
On a national level, Peña recently completed the Senior Leadership Development Program offered by the American Association of Colleges of Osteopathic Medicine. She is also the co-chair of the Osteopathic Cranial Academy Introductory Course Committee, and serves on their Online Education Taskforce, and the Board of Directors as the Secretary.
“Dr. Peña’s dedication to community service, exemplary leadership, and unwavering commitment to health advocacy not only elevate our institution but contribute significantly to the betterment of the entire medical community,” says Dr. Tami Hendriksz, Interim Chief Academic Officer, and Dean of the College of Osteopathic Medicine (COM). “We are privileged to have Dr. Peña as a member of our team, and her achievements resonate as a source of inspiration for us all.”
In high school, community service was Peña’s way of rebelling, because no one was going to tell her that she shouldn’t be cleaning up beaches or working in a soup kitchen.
“It was a way for me to get to do things with my friends and community that my parents wouldn't take away,” says Peña, who from then on just kept volunteering, often ending up in leadership situations. “A lot of the time, it was just me stepping into leadership roles where my skills were needed.”
Peña's story is about the power of dedication, hard work, and a genuine passion for service that can drive someone to achieve great heights in their field while remaining grounded. Her family's influence, fostering a strong work ethic, has shaped her character. Serving her community and profession by helping precept students at the Student Run Free Clinic, showcase her commitment to serving populations in need.
“I'm a hard worker, and I'm service oriented and I think the special sauce is that I have a supervisor, Dean Hendriksz, who really sees and appreciates me. She shines light on what people are doing well and nominated me for the award,” says Peña, who never even considered nominating herself. It was Hendriksz who convinced Peña that she would be a good nominee. Peña thinks that part of it is having people around you who will empower you, like “being surrounded by other amazing physicians who can see the light and the effort and the diligence that I'm bringing to my work, my career, and the profession.”