I have gotten calls from mainstream media outlets, including the Wall Street Journal, the Washington Post, and even (rarely) MSNBC and CNN for interviews or to give comments on particular vaccine topics. At some point, the researcher or reporter says something like this in a disparaging tone, "But you're ONLY an osteopath. You just specialize in bones and muscles, right?"

Even though the first Osteopathic medical school was opened in 1874, millions across the US still have no idea about my profession, which is both sad and aggravating.

After graduating from osteopathic medical school, DOs complete internships, residencies, and fellowships, which can last between 3 to 8 years in preparation to practice a specialty of their choosing. Here is a basic list of 26 medical specialties and subspecialties that work to represent various osteopathic perspectives. During the 2020-21 academic year, more than 25,000 DOs participated in residency and fellowship programs in 124 specialties and subspecialties.  More than 2,600 of these physicians trained in programs with Osteopathic Recognition, a designation earned by ACGME-accredited postgraduate training programs for incorporating osteopathic principles and practice into the clinical learning environment. As of October 2023, there are currently 41 accredited colleges of osteopathic medicine in the United States. These colleges are accredited to deliver instruction at 66 teaching locations in 35 states. It is reported that during the current academic year, the colleges are educating more than 35,000 future physicians—25 percent of all U.S. medical students.

I probably do more every week to promote Osteopathic Medicine and the Osteopathic profession than the parent organization, the American Osteopathic Association, does each year with its $32.4M annual budget. From what I can see in their annual report, there isn't a single dollar allocated or a line item marked as 'marketing budget' to educate the general public on the significance of the Osteopathic profession. (page 16) Awhile back, I sent the AOA an email asking this question: "Can you point me to the efforts and the funds used for public education so I can write about it? (I am a physician and an author)." I got no response.

The Evolution of the MD Profession

In a previous substack, I wrote about the evolution of Integrative Medicine. If you missed it, you can read it here. Let's now take a look at the evolution of the allopathic, drug-based profession. Many books have been written on this topic; this is only a brief overview and some of the highlights. One of the best, most concise papers I've read on how the medical profession and its professional organization (AMA) came to be was published in 2014 in The Journal of Libertarian Studies by Ronald Hamowy, from the Department of History, University of Alberta. Entitled, "The Early Development of Medical Licensing Laws in the United States, 1875-1900," this 44-page paper is extremely interesting. I have excerpted some of its information for this substack. If you have further interest in this topic, you can read the entire excellent paper here.