SECOND REGULAR SESSION

House Resolution No. 1773

96TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

INTRODUCED BY REPRESENTATIVES WYATT (Sponsor), CONWAY (14), McNEIL, REDMON, CAUTHORN, RIZZO, TALBOY, FREDERICK AND FRANKLIN (Co-sponsors).

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            WHEREAS, there are currently more than 78,000 osteopathic physicians (DOs) in the United States; and

            WHEREAS, DOs have made tremendous accomplishments to the American health care system since it was founded by Andrew Taylor Still, MD, DO, in 1874; and

            WHEREAS, DOs have treated United States Presidents, Olympic athletes, contributed to the fight against AIDS and the fight for civil rights, and served on national health care panels; and

            WHEREAS, DOs are fully-licensed to prescribe medicine and practice in all specialty areas of medicine, including surgery; 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, ranking 7th in the nation in terms of numbers of DOs, Missouri's 2,500 osteopathic physicians are dedicated to improving the health of their communities through education and awareness-based efforts, as well as by delivering quality health services; and

            WHEREAS, Missouri has two osteopathic medical schools - the A.T. Still University-Kirksville College of Osteopathic Medicine, established in 1892 as the first established osteopathic medical school in the nation, and the Kansas City University of Medicine and Biosciences-College of Osteopathic Medicine, the largest medical school in Missouri; and

            WHEREAS, the citizens of Kirksville, Kansas City, and the State of Missouri recognize the need for osteopathic physicians who are committed to bringing attention to improving the health of Americans, regardless of age, income level, or ethnicity:

            NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that we, the members of the Missouri House of Representatives, Ninety-sixth General Assembly, hereby recognize the week of April 15 - 21, 2012, as "National Osteopathic Medicine Week" and urge all citizens and community organizations to support this observance by helping to educate citizens about DOs and osteopathic medicine; and

            BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Chief Clerk of the Missouri House of Representatives be instructed to prepare properly inscribed copies of this resolution for the A.T. Still University-Kirksville College of Osteopathic Medicine and the Kansas City University of Medicine and Biosciences-College of Osteopathic Medicine.

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