Designating the week of April 13 through April 19, 2026, as “National Osteopathic Medicine Week”.

Designating the week of April 13 through April 19, 2026, as “National Osteopathic Medicine Week”.

Whereas there are more than 167,000 osteopathic physicians and nearly 40,000 osteopathic medical students in the United States;

Whereas the number of osteopathic physicians in the United States grew by over 70,000 in the last decade;

Whereas osteopathic physicians and medical students train at high-caliber schools of osteopathic medicine across the United States, including in rural and underserved communities;

Whereas osteopathic medical schools make up 4 of the top 10 medical schools, with the most graduates practicing in medically underserved areas;

Whereas, in 1874, Andrew Taylor Still, Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine, introduced the principles of osteopathic medicine, emphasizing the idea that the body is a unit, and its structure and function are interrelated;

Whereas osteopathic physicians have made significant contributions to the healthcare system of the United States since the founding of the first osteopathic medical school in 1892;

Whereas osteopathic medicine emphasizes a whole-person, patient-centric approach to healthcare, and osteopathic physicians play an important role in the healthcare system of the United States;

Whereas osteopathic physicians train and practice in all medical specialties and practice settings;

Whereas 53 percent of osteopathic medical students matched into primary care residency positions in 2025, helping address the growing United States physician shortage, of which half of the number of needed physicians are projected to be primary care physicians;

Whereas osteopathic physicians and medical students in the United States are dedicated to improving the health of their communities and delivering high-quality care for the body, mind, and spirit; and

Whereas osteopathic physicians practice in every State: Now, therefore, be it

Resolved, That the Senate—

(1) designates the week of April 13 through April 19, 2026, as “National Osteopathic Medicine Week”;

(2) recognizes the contributions of osteopathic physicians to the healthcare system of the United States; and

(3) celebrates the role that colleges of osteopathic medicine play in training the next generation of physicians.