Assembly Resolution No. 860

BY: M. of A. Gunther

LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION memorializing Governor
Andrew M. Cuomo to proclaim April 15-21, 2018, 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 memorialize
Governor Andrew M. Cuomo to proclaim April 15-21, 2018, as Osteopathic
Medicine Week in the State of New York, in conjunction with the
observance of National Osteopathic Medicine Week, and to pay tribute to
the osteopathic physicians of this great Empire State; and

WHEREAS, There are currently close to 140,000 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 United States 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 tremendous 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 United States 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 5,000 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 bringing attention to
improving the health of Americans regardless of age, income level, or
ethnicity; and

WHEREAS, New York State has two colleges of osteopathic medicine,
The New York Institute of Technology (NYIT) College of Osteopathic
Medicine in Old Westbury, and the Touro College of Osteopathic Medicine,
New York, with campuses in Harlem and 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 our State; now,
therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That the Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
memorialize Governor Andrew M. Cuomo to proclaim April 15-21, 2018, as
Osteopathic Medicine Week in the State of New York, in conjunction with
the observance of National Osteopathic Medicine Week in appreciation to
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.