Lucia Schroeder, DO, MPH, alumna of ICOM’s Class of 2024, was bestowed an inaugural David Susser Award by the American College of Osteopathic Internists (ACOI).

Established in 2024, this award honors the legacy of David Susser, DO, MACOI, a cardiologist and former head of Internal Medicine at Botsford Hospital in Michigan, who also served as a past president of ACOI.

Among the first osteopathic internal medicine physicians to pursue sub-specialization, Dr. Susser was considered a pioneer in osteopathic Internal Medicine, as well as a paragon of ethical care, compassion, and commitment to quality in his professional and personal lives, according to the ACOI.

The Susser Memorial Award honors professionals who live out the traits Dr. Susser demonstrated throughout his life, especially:

• Commitment to excellence and integrity;
• Sense of compassion and care for others;
• Resilience in overcoming adversity;
• Academic performance and commitment to quality; and
• Generosity of spirit and commitment to community and self-improvement.

Dr. Lucia Schroeder is an Internal Medicine resident at Arrowhead Regional Medical Center in Colton, California. She demonstrates a passion for and commitment to women’s cardiovascular health, global health, health equity, and women’s representation in osteopathic medicine.

Dr. Schroeder has pursued these goals through volunteer work at a medical clinic for underserved and underinsured patients; involvement in the National Donor Marrow Program; and, as a former member of the American College of Cardiology (ACC) Medical Student Leadership Group, organizing educational webinars to promote cardiology among the female medical student body.