LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION memorializing Governor Andrew M. Cuomo to
proclaim April 17-23, 2011, as Osteopathic Medicine Week in the State of
New York in conjunction with National Osteopathic Medicine Week

WHEREAS, There are more than 70,000 osteopathic physicians in the United
States; this figure includes a growing number of women and minorities;
and
WHEREAS, Osteopathic physicians offer and emphasize primary care medi-
cine and also offer preventive medical services and specialty care,
often practicing in rural and urban medically underserved areas; and
WHEREAS, New York State has approximately 5,000 licensed osteopathic
physicians, which represents the sixth largest osteopathic physician
population in the country; and
WHEREAS, New York State has two colleges of osteopathic medicine--The
New York College of Osteopathic Medicine (NYCOM) of the New York Insti-
tute of Technology in Old Westbury and the Touro College of Osteopathic
Medicine-New York, in Harlem-- both of which train students who enter
primary care specialties in numbers well above the national average; and
WHEREAS, Osteopathic physicians are distinguished by their training in
osteopathic manipulative medicine which allows them to encourage the
body's natural tendency toward good health and to practice a holistic
approach to treatment; and
WHEREAS, Osteopathic physicians provide comprehensive medical care
including primary care, specialty care, preventive medicine, diagnoses
and the appropriate use of drugs, surgery, manipulation and hospital
referrals; and
WHEREAS, Close to 10% of all patient visits in the United States are
to osteopathic physicians; and
WHEREAS, Osteopathic physicians deserve acknowledgment for providing
high-quality, comprehensive care to New Yorkers across this great Empire
State; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
memorialize Governor Andrew M. Cuomo to proclaim April 17-23, 2011, as
Osteopathic Medicine Week in the State of New York in conjunction with
National Osteopathic Medicine Week, and to extend appreciation to osteo-
pathic physicians for their contributions to health care; and be it
further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to The Honorable Andrew M. Cuomo, Governor of the State of New
York.