Capito, Manchin, Wicker, Heinrich, Risch Reintroduce Bipartisan Resolution to Designate National Osteopathic Medicine Week

CHARLESTON, W.Va. - Last week, U.S. Senators Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.), Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.), Roger Wicker (R-Miss.), Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.), and Jim Risch (R-Idaho) reintroduced a bipartisan resolution designating April 15-21, 2024, 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.

"Osteopathic medicine plays a critical part in the health and wellbeing of Americans," Senator Capito said. "National Osteopathic Medicine Week provides a chance to highlight the incredible work of our Doctors of Osteopathic Medicine, including our innovative, intelligent practitioners and students at our West Virginia School of Osteopathic Medicine in Lewisburg who continue making significant contributions to this field."

"Doctors of Osteopathic Medicine play an essential role in West Virginia's healthcare workforce," Senator Manchin said. "I'm proud to lead this bipartisan resolution to honor the incredible contributions osteopathic physicians and schools of osteopathic medicine make to their communities to ensure all Americans have access to quality, specialized healthcare services. Their tireless dedication to their practice is truly commendable and this designation is extremely well deserved."

"Our bipartisan resolution honors doctors and schools of osteopathic medicine such as William Carey University, which helps Mississippi lead the way in this field," Senator Wicker said.

"The osteopathic community appreciates the U.S. Senate's recognition of National Osteopathic Medicine Week. With the osteopathic approach to wellness, doctors see patients as whole, complex beings and treat them with the philosophy that wellness is not just the absence of pain," James W. Nemitz, President of the West Virginia School of Osteopathic Medicine, said. "WVSOM is West Virginia's largest medical school and No. 1 in producing physicians who practice in West Virginia. Senators Manchin and Capito have recognized our value to the state and have been outspoken champions of WVSOM and osteopathic medicine, including their recent efforts to secure a $6 million federal appropriation to expand and renovation our existing research facility in the Fredric W. Smith Science Building. We can't thank them enough for their support and efforts on behalf WVSOM, our students and the people of West Virginia."

DOs complete four years of osteopathic medical school as well as internships, residencies and fellowships for three to eight years before they can become licensed and board-certified. DOs make up 11% of all physicians in the nation and practice in all specialties, with an emphasis on preventative medicine and comprehensive patient care.

The full text of the resolution is available here.

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