PRINTER'S NO. 1547
THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA
SENATE RESOLUTION
No.
274
Session of
2024
INTRODUCED BY PHILLIPS-HILL, HUGHES, MARTIN, COLLETT, BREWSTER,
COSTA, KANE, HUTCHINSON, VOGEL, LAUGHLIN AND SCHWANK,
APRIL 22, 2024
REFERRED TO RULES AND EXECUTIVE NOMINATIONS, APRIL 22, 2024
A RESOLUTION
Recognizing the week of April 15 through 21, 2024, as "National
Osteopathic Medicine Week" in Pennsylvania.
WHEREAS, More than 186,000 doctors of osteopathic medicine
(DOs) and osteopathic medical students bring their distinctive
approach to providing health care for millions of patients
across the United States; and
WHEREAS, This Commonwealth's 11,117 DOs are dedicated to
improving the health of their communities through patient-
centered care focused on treating the body, mind and spirit; and
WHEREAS, DOs practice in every medical field and specialty,
combining medical expertise with a whole-person approach
centered on listening to and partnering with their patients; and
WHEREAS, DOs account for more than 11% of all physicians in
the United States; and
WHEREAS, More than 25% of all medical students in the United
States have chosen to practice osteopathic medicine; and
WHEREAS, This Commonwealth is a national leader in practicing
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DOs, ranking third out of all 50 states; and
WHEREAS, This Commonwealth is home to three Colleges of
Osteopathic Medicine: the Philadelphia College of Osteopathic
Medicine, Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine and Duquesne
University College of Osteopathic Medicine; and
WHEREAS, More than half of the nation's DOs practice in the
primary care specialties of family medicine, internal medicine
and pediatrics; and
WHEREAS, Approximately 62% of DOs are under 45 years of age;
and
WHEREAS, DOs have made tremendous contributions to the
American health care system since osteopathic medicine was
founded by Andrew Taylor Still, MD, DO, more than 130 years ago;
and
WHEREAS, DOs hold some of the most prominent positions in
medicine today, including serving as physician to the President
of the United States, as well as overseeing care for the NASA
medical team and many Olympic-level and professional athletes;
and
WHEREAS, DOs are trained to consider the health of the whole
person and use their hands to help diagnose and treat their
patients; and
WHEREAS, "National Osteopathic Medicine Week" is a national
observance dedicated to spotlighting the osteopathic medical
profession and raising awareness about the distinctiveness of
osteopathic medicine; therefore be it
RESOLVED, That the Senate recognize the week of April 15
through 21, 2024, as "National Osteopathic Medicine Week" in
Pennsylvania; and be it further
RESOLVED, That the Senate urge all Pennsylvanians to support
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this observance by helping to educate members of the public
about DOs and osteopathic medicine.
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