WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Roger Wicker, R-Miss., and five of his Senate Colleagues led a bipartisan resolution designating this week, April 18-24, 2022, as National Osteopathic Medicine Week. The bipartisan resolution recognizes the service and dedication of doctors of osteopathic medicine (DOs) and schools of osteopathic medicine nationwide. The resolution was also led by Senators Joe Manchin, D-W.Va., Shelley Moore Capito, R-W.Va., Bob Casey, D-Penn., Martin Heinrich, D-N.M., and Chuck Grassley, R-Iowa.

“I am glad to join my colleagues in recognizing the hard work of doctors of osteopathic medicine across the country who continue to help provide care to Americans from all backgrounds,” said Senator Wicker. “I especially appreciate the work of Mississippi’s William Carey University, which is home to a strong osteopathic medicine program.”

 “Doctors of Osteopathic Medicine across America and in my state of West Virginia have played a vital role in ensuring Americans have access to the healthcare they need and deserve during the COVID-19 pandemic and beyond. There are currently 1,795 osteopathic physicians practicing in West Virginia and 759 West Virginians attending schools of osteopathic medicine throughout the United States,” said Senator Manchin. “I am proud to lead this bipartisan resolution to designate the week of April 18-24, 2022 as National Osteopathic Medicine Week to honor and thank DOs across the Mountain State and the nation for their critical contributions and for the schools of osteopathic medicine that are training the next generation of medical professionals.”

“National Osteopathic Medicine Week gives us an opportunity to bring awareness to the critical role osteopathic medicine, including those who practice it, plays in the health and well-being of West Virginia’s communities,” said Senator Capito. “I’m proud to join a bipartisan group of my colleagues in introducing this resolution today, and look forward to continue supporting those who provide these important health care services to West Virginians young and old across our state.”

DOs complete four years of osteopathic medical school and complete internships, residencies and fellowships over the course of three to eight years before they can become licensed and board-certified. DOs work alongside MDs, make up more than 10 percent of all physicians in the nation and practice in all specialties, with an emphasis on preventative medicine and comprehensive patient care.

“The American Osteopathic Association (AOA) thanks Senators Joe Manchin (D-WV) and Roger Wicker (R-MS) for their leadership on the resolution designating the week of April 18-24 as National Osteopathic Medicine Week,” said Joseph A. Giaimo, DO, MACOI, FCCP, president of the AOA. “This resolution recognizes the many contributions of osteopathic physicians to the United States healthcare system throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, as well as our emphasis on a whole-person approach to healthcare delivery in communities across the country that focuses not just on caring for people when they are sick but on keeping them well.”

The full text of the resolution is available here.