Senate Resolution No. 648

BY: Senator STAVISKY

MEMORIALIZING Governor Andrew M. Cuomo to proclaim
April 18-24, 2021, as Osteopathic Medicine Week in
the State of New York, in conjunction with the
observance National Osteopathic Medicine Week

WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body to memorialize
Governor Andrew M. Cuomo to proclaim April 18-24, 2021, 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 over 151,000 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 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 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 7,500 osteopathic physicians
in practice, 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 four college of osteopathic medicine
campuses, The New York Institute of Technology (NYIT) College of

Osteopathic Medicine in Old Westbury, the Touro College of Osteopathic
Medicine in Harlem, the Touro College of Osteopathic Medicine in
Middletown, and the Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine in Elmira,
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 18-24, 2021, 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, the New York State Osteopathic Medical Society, and the
American Osteopathic Association.