Osteopathic medicine’s annual awareness week honors the achievements of the nation’s 151,000 osteopathic physicians and osteopathic medical students
Chicago—April 21, 2021—Each year, the osteopathic medical profession joins together during National Osteopathic Medicine Week (NOM Week) to raise awareness of osteopathic medicine and the distinctive care osteopathic physicians (DOs) provide. This observance, which runs April 18-24, 2021, will highlight the many milestones achieved since the founding of osteopathic medicine in 1892.
“Please join me in celebrating the heroic efforts of our frontline physicians as well as the daily service of our physicians who promote health and wellness,” said Thomas Ely, DO, president of the American Osteopathic Association (AOA). “I’ve never been prouder to be an osteopathic physician and am incredibly grateful for the many sacrifices made in the past year. I also appreciate the students who, in the midst of a global pandemic, continue to join our growing ranks.”
Osteopathic medicine is one of the nation’s fastest-growing health care professions. Every year, significantly more osteopathic physicians enter the workforce and help shape the practice of medicine. Today, DOs hold some of the most prominent positions in medicine. They oversee care for our nation’s astronauts, serve in the uniformed services, and even serve as the physician for President Joe Biden.
The osteopathic profession, which includes pediatricians, OB-GYNs, internists, anesthesiologists, psychiatrists, oncologists, family medicine physicians, emergency medicine physicians, dermatologists, plastic surgeons, ophthalmologists, cardiothoracic surgeons, and more, has grown 63% in the past decade and nearly 300% over the past three decades.
Our nation’s 121,000 doctors of osteopathic medicine (DOs) comprise 11% of the American physician population. Additionally, one in four medical students attends a college of osteopathic medicine. Between DOs and osteopathic medical students, the profession is more than 151,000 strong.
Throughout the week, the AOA, in collaboration with our state affiliates, specialty colleges and other partner organizations, will share celebratory videos, stories, and infographics that honor the achievements of the osteopathic community. These assets and historical artifacts will be available on AOA social media channels and digital properties including The DO and Osteopathic.org.
Join the AOA in honoring DOs by sharing your own NOM Week achievements with @AOAforDOs on Twitter and Instagram using the hashtags #NOMWeek and #DOProud.
Finally, the AOA encourages our members to join the Osteopathic Advocacy Network, the advocacy platform that connects osteopathic physicians and osteopathic medical students with their lawmakers to help craft the legislation that supports our health system and the patients we serve.
“As we continue to fight one of our nation’s greatest health crises, we are also looking ahead, advocating for and charting a course toward our brightest future,” said Kevin Klauer, DO, EJD, CEO of the AOA. “In doing so, we honor those who have sacrificed and the many accomplishments of this proud profession.”
The American Osteopathic Association (AOA) represents more than 151,000 osteopathic physicians (DOs) and osteopathic medical students; promotes public health; encourages, funds and disseminates scientific research; serves as the primary certifying body for DOs; and is the accrediting agency for osteopathic medical schools. To learn more about DOs and the osteopathic philosophy of medicine, visit www.osteopathic.org.
Jessica Bardoulas
Director of Media Relations, American Osteopathic Association
jbardoulas@osteopathic.org