Academy Osteopathic Medicine
Cleveland Academy of Osteopathic Medicine Announces National Osteopathic Medicine Week Business Editors & Health/Medical Writers
BEACHWOOD, Ohio--(BW HealthWire)--Nov. 6, 2001
National Osteopathic Medicine (NOM) Week, which helps to inform the public about osteopathic medicine and encourages individuals to practice a healthy lifestyle, has been celebrated by the American Osteopathic Association (AOA) every year since 1979.
This year, the AOA has designated November 11-18 as National Osteopathic Medicine Week.
Osteopathic medicine is a unique form of American medical care that was developed in 1874 by Dr. Andrew Taylor Still. It is a complete system of medical care with the philosophy of treating the whole person, not just symptoms. Osteopathic medicine emphasizes the interrelationship of structure and function, and the appreciation of the body's ability to heal itself.
Just as Dr. Still pioneered osteopathic medicine on the Missouri frontier in 1874, today osteopathic physicians serve as modern day medical pioneers.
They continue the tradition of bringing health care to areas of greatest need:
-- Over half of all osteopathic physicians practice in primary care areas such
as pediatrics, family practice, obstetrics/gynecology and internal medicine.
-- Many D.O.s fill a critical need for doctors by practicing in rural and
medically underserved areas.
Currently, 47,154 osteopathic physicians practice medicine in the United States. Of all the physicians in Ohio who practice in primary care areas, such as family medicine, internal medicine, and pediatrics, 35% are osteopathic physicians. Nineteen osteopathic medical colleges throughout the United States have a total medical student enrollment of more than 10,000. "Students are attracted to osteopathic medicine because D.O.s belong to a 'hands-on' profession," states Christopher J. Loyke, D.O., President of the Cleveland Academy of Osteopathic Medicine. "D.O.s touch people, not only directly with their hands, but also with their care and concern for the whole person, which includes their home, work, and family environments. This unique and compassionate approach to patient care has made D.O.s the physician of choice for many Americans."
Today osteopathic physicians continue to be on the cutting edge of modern medicine. Along with providing medical care to the community, D.O.s are also top physicians in AIDS/HIV research, organ transplantation, and steroid abuse. The first African-American woman to head a U.S. medical school was a D.O., and D.O.s today also serve in high-profile government roles. Among them are Sue Bailey, D.O., administrator of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration; Rear Admiral Joyce Johnson, D.O., chief medical officer and director of health and safety for the U.S. Coast Guard, and Lt. General Ronald Blanck, D.O., who recently completed a tour of duty as the Surgeon General of the U.S. Army.
The Cleveland Academy of Osteopathic Medicine is proud to support and recognize the medical advances achieved by our local D.O.s. "Our organization serves as the professional association for osteopathic physicians practicing medicine in all specialties," states Executive Director, Stacy C. Pot. "As active participants in NOM Week, the Academy is able to fulfill its mission of educating the community and assuring high quality and accessible care." Each year a theme for NOM Week is chosen and information is provided covering the latest medical topics. This year, NOM week will center on educating and informing Americans about end-of-life care and related topics, such as advances in pain management, cultural sensitivities toward final stages of life, organ donation, advance directives, and end-of-life care options and financing. As physicians who treat people, not just symptoms, D.O.s are dedicated to helping maintain health through a whole-person, patient-centered approach to health care. The dignity and special needs of death are respected as the endpoint of the lifecycle.
As participants in NOM week, the Cleveland Academy of Osteopathic Medicine has available to the community information on end-of-life care. For more information on osteopathic medicine, NOM Week or to receive a physician referral, call the CAOM at 216-595-0655.
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