Declare Osteopathic Medicine Week

Senate Resolution No. 996 BY: Senator STAVISKY MEMORIALIZING Governor Andrew M. Cuomo to proclaim April 14-20, 2019, as Osteopathic Medicine Week in the State of New York, in conjunction with the observance of National Osteopathic Medicine Week WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body to pay tribute to the osteopathic physicians of this great Empire State; and WHEREAS, Currently, there are over 145,000 osteopathic physicians (DOs) and osteopathic medical students in the United States; this figure includes a growing number of women and minorities; and WHEREAS, One in four medical students in the U.S. attends an osteopathic medical school, with enrollment increasing approximately 25% every five years; and WHEREAS, DOs are projected to represent more than 20% of practicing physicians by 2030; and WHEREAS, DOs have made significant contributions to the American health care system since the Osteopathic Medical Profession was founded by Andrew Taylor Still, MD, DO, in 1874; and WHEREAS, DOs have treated U.S. presidents; contributed to the fight against AIDS and the fight for civil rights; and served on nationwide 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, DOs provide comprehensive medical care, including primary care, specialty care, preventive medicine, diagnoses and the appropriate use of medication, surgery, manipulation and hospital referral, often practicing in rural and urban medically underserved areas; and WHEREAS, New York State has more than 7,000 licensed osteopathic physicians who are dedicated to improving the health of their communities through education and advocacy, as well as by delivering quality health services; and WHEREAS, The citizens of New York State recognize the need for osteopathic physicians who are committed to improving the health of Americans, regardless of age, income level, or ethnicity; and WHEREAS, New York State has three colleges of osteopathic medicine: The New York Institute of Technology (NYIT) College of Osteopathic Medicine in Old Westbury, the Touro College of Osteopathic Medicine-Harlem, and the Touro College of Osteopathic Medicine-Middletown, all of which train students who enter primary care specialties in numbers well above the national average; and WHEREAS, Osteopathic physicians deserve acknowledgment for providing high-quality, comprehensive care to New Yorkers across the State; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That the Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to memorialize Governor Andrew M. Cuomo to proclaim April 14-20, 2019, as Osteopathic Medicine Week in the State of New York, in conjunction with the observance of National Osteopathic Medicine Week in appreciation of osteopathic physicians for their contributions to health care; and be it further RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be transmitted to The Honorable Andrew M. Cuomo, Governor of the State of New York.