[Congressional Record Volume 146, Number 47 (Thursday, April 13, 2000)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E560]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                  APRIL 13, 2000 IS NATIONAL D.O. DAY

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                          HON. JAMES M. TALENT

                              of missouri

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, April 13, 2000

  Mr. TALENT. Mr. Speaker, today I honor National D.O. Day. I rise to 
recognize members of the osteopathic medical profession for their 
substantial contributions to American healthcare. I congratulate the 
American Osteopathic Association on its 103 years of service to 
osteopathic physicians and their patients. It is my pleasure to 
acknowledge members of the osteopathic medical profession, their 
spouses, and osteopathic medical students who have chosen today to make 
visits to their representatives and senators. It's good to see these 
individuals taking time to educate our colleagues on the values and 
principles of osteopathic medicine.
  Mr. Speaker, I am fortunate to represent the State of Missouri, which 
is the home of osteopathic medicine. In 1892, a charter was obtained 
for the American School of Osteopathy. The original school was located 
in a small one room building in Kirksville, Missouri and today is known 
as the Kirksville College of Osteopathic Medicine. A revised and 
expanded charter was issued on October 3, 1894, in accordance with the 
laws regulating educational institutions in the State of Missouri. Dr. 
Andrew Taylor Still, an allopathic physician (or M.D.), was the founder 
of the Kirksville school and, indeed, the father of osteopathic 
medicine.
  Osteopathic medicine is a unique form of American medical care 
developed in 1874 by Dr. Still who was dissatisfied with the 
effectiveness of 19th century medicine. Dr. Still was one of the first 
in his time to study the attributes of good health so that he could 
understand the process of disease. Dr. Still's philosophy focused on 
the unity of all body parts. He identified the musculoskeletal system 
as a key element of health and recognized the body's ability to heal 
itself. Dr. Still pioneered the concept of ``wellness'' over 100 years 
ago. He stressed preventative medicine, eating properly and keeping 
fit. Dr. Still's philosophy--that in coordination with appropriate 
medical treatment--the osteopathic physician acts as a teacher to help 
patients take more responsibility for their own well-being and change 
unhealthy patterns--is every bit as viable today as it was when he 
developed it.
  D.O.s complete four years of basic medical education, followed by an 
intern year and specialty training. In fact, D.O.s are certified in 23 
specialties and subspecialties. They pass state licensing examinations 
and practice in duly accredited and licensed osteopathic and allopathic 
healthcare facilities. D.O.s comprise a separate, yet equal, branch of 
American medical care.
  It is the ways that D.O.s and M.D.s are different that brings an 
extra dimension to healthcare. Just as Dr. Still pioneered osteopathic 
medicine on the Missouri frontier in 1874, today's osteopathic 
physicians serve as modern day medical pioneers. They continue the 
tradition to bringing healthcare to areas of greatest need. 
Approximately 64 percent of all osteopathic physicians practice in 
primary care areas such as pediatrics, family practice, obstetrics/
gynecology and internal medicine. Many D.O.s fill a critical need by 
practicing in rural and medically underserved areas.
  To the over 1,600 D.O.s in my state, the approximately 2,000 students 
at Colleges of Osteopathic Medicine in Kirksville and Kansas City, and 
to all 45,000 D.O.s represented by the American Osteopathic 
Association--congratulations on your contributions to the good health 
of the American people. I look forward to working with you to further 
our mutual goal of continually improving our nation's healthcare.

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