Osteopathic Medicine: A complete system of medical care with a philosophy that combines the needs of the patient with the current practice of medicine, surgery and obstetrics; that emphasizes the interrelationship between structure and function; and that has an appreciation of the body's ability to heal itself.
The Difference a D.O. Makes, 2d ed. Jones, Bob. 2001, Oklahoma City, OK: Oklahoma Educational Foundation for Osteopathic Medicine.-----The D.O.s: Osteopathic Medicine in America, 2d ed. Gevitz, Norman. 2004. Baltimore, MD: The Johns Hopkins University Press.-----An Osteopathic Approach to Diagnosis and Treatment. DiGiovanna, Eileen. 2004. Philadelphia, PA: Lippincott Williams and Wilkins.-----Autobiography of A.T. Still. Still, A.T., M.D., D.O. 1908.-----Philosophy of Osteopathy. Still, A.T., M.D., D.O. 1899.
Heroes
Andrew Taylor Still, D.O., M.D., founder of osteopathic medicine, and Daniel B. McAuley, D.O., first AOA president.
About me: The American Osteopathic Association (AOA) is a member association representing more than 67,000 osteopathic physicians (D.O.s). D.O.s are fully licensed to prescribe medicine and practice in all specialty areas including surgery. They are also trained to consider the health of the whole person and use their hands to help diagnose and treat their patients. Headquartered in Chicago, the AOA’s mission is to advance the philosophy of osteopathic medicine by promoting excellence in education, research, and the delivery of quality, cost-effective health care within a distinct, unified profession. The AOA also works to promote public health; encourages scientific research; serves as the primary certifying body for D.O.s; is the accrediting agency for osteopathic medical colleges; and has federal authority to accredit hospitals and other health care facilities. For more information on D.O.s and osteopathic medicine, visit www.osteopathic.org.
Who I'd like to meet: Featured D.O.: Chad Gordon, D.O., a fellow in the Department of Plastic Surgery at the Cleveland Clinic, was part of the surgical team accomplishing the first near-total face transplant in the United States. In a 22-hour procedure performed in December 2008, surgeons transplanted 80 percent of a woman’s face who had suffered severe facial trauma. Shortly after Dr. Gordon began his fellowship at the Cleveland Clinic, he met the woman and thought she would make an optimal candidate for face transplantation. After working diligently with his plastic surgery staff on this case, Dr. Gordon helped coordinate surgery preparation. He also stayed with the woman for the first few days at her bedside, assisting with the management of her surgical critical care following surgery, before she was moved out of the ICU. “It was unbelievable. As a student at the Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine, I read about face transplantation but it was basically a fantasy. No one had ever done this type of transplant before,” Dr. Gordon said.
American Osteopathic Association's Friend Space (Top 29)
