FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

May 13, 2026

INDIANAPOLIS, IN — Sheldon C. Yao, DO, FAAO, of Old Westbury, NY, was elected president of the American Academy of Osteopathy (AAO) on March 27 during Convocation 2026 at The Broadmoor in Colorado Springs, Colorado. Dr. Yao will lead the AAO as its 2026–27 president, guiding the nation’s premier specialty college devoted to neuromusculoskeletal medicine and osteopathic manipulative medicine (NMM/OMM).

Dr. Yao graduated from NYIT College of Osteopathic Medicine (NYITCOM) in 2002 and completed his internship and family practice residency at Good Samaritan Hospital in West Islip, NY. He subsequently completed a one-year NMM/OMM fellowship at North Shore-LIJ Plainview Hospital and is dual-board certified in family medicine/osteopathic manipulative treatment and NMM/OMM. He serves as Chair and Professor in the Department of Osteopathic Manipulative Medicine at NYITCOM, where he joined the faculty in 2006 and provides osteopathic family medical care at the school’s health centers. Dr. Yao’s research has examined OMM’s effects on conditions ranging from Parkinson’s disease and concussions to postpartum pain and pneumonia. He serves on the Osteopathic Principles and Practice COMAT committee for the National Board of Osteopathic Medical Examiners and as a reviewer for the Journal of the American Osteopathic Association.

Lisa DeStefano, DO, of East Lansing, MI, was elected President-Elect. Dr. DeStefano is Chairperson and Professor in the Department of Osteopathic Manipulative Medicine at Michigan State University College of Osteopathic Medicine, where she has served on the CME faculty since 1997. She is board certified in both Family Medicine and Neuromusculoskeletal Medicine and serves as course chair for Principles of Manual Medicine and Integrated Neuromuscular & Myofascial Release.

J’Aimee A. Lippert, DO, AOBFP, AOBNMM, of East Lansing, MI, was elected to the Board of Trustees. Dr. Lippert is an Associate Professor, Residency Faculty Physician and Preceptor, and Interim Department Chair in the College of Osteopathic Medicine at Michigan State University, where she earned her medical degree in 2000. She completed her family medicine and OMM residency at Metro Health Hospital in Wyoming, MI, and holds dual board certification in Family Practice/OMT and Neuromusculoskeletal Medicine. Her clinical interests focus on family medicine, osteopathic manipulation treatment, and neuromusculoskeletal medicine.

Heidi Molga, DO, of Lewisburg, WV, was elected Resident Trustee to the AAO Board of Trustees and will serve simultaneously as Chair of the Resident Executive Council. Dr. Molga earned her Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine degree from Touro University College of Osteopathic Medicine in 2024, where she also completed a pre-doctoral teaching fellowship in Osteopathic Manual Medicine. She currently practices at Robert C. Byrd Clinic, specializing in osteopathic neuromusculoskeletal medicine.

Michael Milius, OMS-III, was elected Student Trustee to the AAO Board of Trustees and will serve as Chair of the Student Executive Council. Mr. Milius represents the Academy’s student constituency in shaping the future of osteopathic manipulative medicine education and practice.

The United States currently has approximately 207,000 osteopathic physicians and medical students. Also known as DOs, osteopathic physicians are fully licensed physicians, as are MDs. The osteopathic profession represents approximately 11% of all physicians and more than 25% of all medical students in the U.S. Osteopathic physicians prescribe medicine and practice in all specialties, including osteopathic manipulative medicine, family medicine, psychiatry, obstetrics and gynecology, and surgery. They are trained to consider the health of the whole person and to use their hands to help diagnose and treat patients.

The mission of the American Academy of Osteopathy is to teach, promote, and research the science, art and philosophy of osteopathic medicine, emphasizing the integration of osteopathic principles and practice in patient care. Founded in 1937, the Academy is the Neuromusculoskeletal Medicine specialty college of the American Osteopathic Association.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - June 12, 2024 

DENNIS J. DOWLING, DO, MA, FAAODIST RECEIVES DISTINGUISHED LEADERSHIP AWARD
FROM NATIONAL NONPROFIT ORGANIZATION 

Indianapolis— Dennis J. Dowling, DO, MA, FAAODist of Baldwin, NY received The National Board of Osteopathic Medical Examiners (NBOME) John E. Thornburg, DO, PhD, National Faculty Leadership Award at its recent Board of Directors meeting on June 7, 2024. Dr. Dowling is currently the Secretary-Treasurer for the American Academy of Osteopathy (AAO), elected by the AAO membership in 2022, served as the AAO President from 2003-2004, and was on the Board of Trustees from 1998-2003.

As described by the NBOME, “[t]he Thornburg Award is bestowed periodically to National Faculty leadership members who have distinguished themselves by their longstanding contributions to examination development, committee work, or related activities. It is named for longtime National Faculty Chair John E. Thornburg, DO, PhD, who has diligently served the NBOME in numerous capacities for five decades, and continues to serve today.”

Dr. Dowling is a 1972 graduate of Mater Christi Diocesan High School (St. John’s Prep), a cum laude graduate in 1976 of St. John’s University and a 1978 Master’s graduate of Long Island University (Zeckendorff campus). Both the undergraduate and the graduate degrees are in the field of psychology. He worked as a Master’s level psychologist with children and adults with developmental disabilities until 1984 when he entered osteopathic medical school. Prior to 1978, he worked as a case worker, group home staff, special education counselor and coordinator in the same field.

Dr. Dowling is a 1989 graduate of the New York College of Osteopathic Medicine of the New York Institute of Technology. He was a contributing author and illustrator for all editions of An Osteopathic Approach to Diagnosis and Treatment and an editor on the third edition and has illustrated journal articles and textbooks, most notably The Encyclopedia of Osteopathy and Easy EMG and has authored or co-authored several articles and book chapters, including on Progressive Inhibition of Neuromusculoskeletal Structures (PINS), an OMT technique that he has developed. He is a co-author of a JAOA Northup writing award-winning article. Over the years, he has delivered the 2001 David Heilig, DO, FAAO Memorial Lecture at the Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine, the 2004 Scott Memorial lecture at what is now known as the A.T. Still University Kirksville College of Osteopathic Medicine (ATSU-KCOM) in Kirksville, Missouri, the 2005 T.L. Northup Memorial Lecture at the American Osteopathic Association annual convention, the 2010 Harold A. Blood, DO, FAAO Memorial Lecture and the 2018 Turfler Family Memorial Lecture. Dr. Dowling is also the recipient of the 2015 Andrew Taylor Still Medallion of Honor award from the American Academy of Osteopathy (AAO).

Dr. Dowling is a former professor and chairman of Osteopathic Manipulative Medicine at the New York Institute of Technology College of Osteopathic Medicine and he holds the rank of Clinical Professor at the Midwestern University College of Osteopathic Medicine, Western University College of Osteopathic Medicine, the Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine, the University of New England College of Osteopathic Medicine, The Kansas City University of Medicine and Biosciences and New York Institute of Technology College of Osteopathic Medicine. He had been in private practice in Syosset, New York from 2003 to 2016. Since 2004, he has been a consultant and the Coordinator of OMM Assessment for the COMLEX-Level 2-PE examination and Chair of the POCKET Committee for the National Board of Osteopathic Medical Examiners. Currently, he is Consulting Coordinator for the NBOME Core Competency Capstone for DOs (C3DO) project.

Dr. Dowling has supervised residents in a clinic at the Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Department at Nassau University Medical Center (NUMC) in East Meadow, Long Island since 1991 and has been whole-time in that department as well as the Family Medicine department since September 2016. During the months of April to August 2020, Dr. Dowling treated COVID-19 patients with osteopathic manipulative treatment in the NUMC ICUs, many of whom were on ventilator support. 

Dr. Dowling received certification in OMM in 1995 from the American Osteopathic Board for Special Proficiency in Osteopathic Manipulative Medicine (AOBSPOMM) and was recertified in 2004 and 2015 by the American Osteopathic Board for Neuromusculoskeletal Medicine/OMM (AOBNMM). He was certified as an Osteopathic Family Physician in 1997 and recertified in 2005 and 2014 and is in the continuous certification process for that specialty. His FAAO fellowship was earned in 1999. He is the former chairman of the American Osteopathic Association (AOA) Committee on Osteopathic History and Identity (1999 - 2005), former vice-chairman of the Educational Council on Osteopathic Principles, a former member of the certifying board for Neuromusculoskeletal Medicine (AOBNMM/OMM) and the current chairman of the New York State Osteopathic Medical Society (NYSOMS) delegation to the AOA House of Delegates.

Dr. Dowling has traveled several times with KCUMB faculty and students to Guatemala on medical missions as sponsored by DOCARE to treat patients with osteopathic manipulative medicine at rural clinics. He and his wife, Fran, have been married for 46 years and they participate in many road running events during the year and he has completed five marathons (Fran has completed six). His most important and gratifying roles are as a father and grandfather and he frequently gets to spend time with his four year old grandson and seven month old granddaughter.

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 3, 2024

NICHOLAS W. SALUPO, DO, NAMED RESIDENT OF THE YEAR
BY NATIONAL OSTEOPATHIC MEDICAL ASSOCIATION 

Indianapolis— Nicholas W. Salupo, DO, of Cleveland, OH, was named a 2024 Resident of the Year by the American Academy of Osteopathy (AAO) on March 7 at the AAO’s annual business meeting dur­ing its Convocation in Colorado Springs, Colorado. The award recognizes a resident who has contributed to the AAO, who has contributed to osteopathic principles and practice (OPP) at their residency program, and who has participated in such educational events as the AAO’s annual Convocation and the AAO’s program at the American Osteopathic Association’s annual conference.

Dr. Salupo is a 2017 graduate of Marian University College of Osteopathic Medicine. He completed a two-year family medicine residency with osteopathic recognition (OR) in Indianapolis followed by a three-year internal medicine program with OR at Kettering Grandview Medical Center (OH) and is currently in a nephrology and hypertension fellowship at the Cleveland Clinic. Dr. Salupo is a strong advocate for osteopathic manipulative medicine (OMM) and supports the AAO through various activities. During his term as Resident American Academy of Osteopathy (RAAO) Chair he focused and succeeded on increasing RAAO membership.

Throughout his residency training he has promoted OMM and integrates OMT into the care of his patients. Dr. Salupo has demonstrated leadership qualities as the chief resident of his family medicine residency, coordinating weekly lectures for colleagues in that program; and was the chief resident at his internal medicine residency involved in several committees at Kettering Grandview Medical Center.

He served as the Resident American Academy of Osteopathy (RAAO) vice chair, as its Chair representing the RAAO on the AAO Board of Trustees and Board of Governors; and currently serves as the RAAO immediate past chair, on the Education and Publications Committees and as an AAOJ peer reviewer. He is also involved on the Ohio Osteopathic Associations’ Board of Trustees as the Resident/Fellow representative and on the Executive Committee of the Cleveland Academy of Osteopathic Medicine.

Dr. Salupo’s scholarly activities express his strong interest in research. He has developed and published on several different subjects which include medical ethics, nephrology and osteopathic medicine with presentations at Convocation and in his residency programs, working closely with Academy mentors.

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 3, 2024 

NATIONAL OSTEOPATHIC MEDICAL ASSOCIATION ELECTS 2 NEW MEMBERS
 TO BOARD OF TRUSTEES; 2 ADDITIONAL APPOINTED BY COMPONENT SOCIETIES

Indianapolis— Lisa Chun, DO, MS, FNAOME and Brian F. Degenhardt, DO were elected to the Board of Trustees of the American Academy of Osteopathy (AAO) on March 7, 2024 at the AAO’s annual business meeting during its Convocation in Colorado Springs, Colorado. Both were previously Board of Governors of the organization and will serve 3 years as Trustees.

Additionally, the new Resident American Academy of Osteopathy (RAAO) chair, Ayat Shah, MD, and the new Student American Academy of Osteopathy (SAAO) chair, Audrey Lee Burnette, OMS III, were appointed to the AAO Board of Trustees. The RAAO and SAAO are component societies of the AAO, and the chairs serve a one-year term on the Board of Trustees as a result of their elected positions by their respective organizations.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 3, 2024 

NATIONAL OSTEOPATHIC MEDICAL ASSOCIATION
ELECTS 5 NEW MEMBERS TO BOARD OF GOVERNORS

Indianapolis— Five members of the American Academy of Osteopathy (AAO) were elected to the Board of Governors by the membership on March 7, 2024 at the AAO’s annual business meeting during its Convocation in Colorado Springs, Colorado. All Governors will serve a 3-year term.

The newly-elected AAO Governors are listed below.

• Paula Archer, DO of Duffield, VA
• Michael S. Carnes, DO, FAAO of Banner, KY (formerly an AAO Trustee)
• Shawn R. Kerger, DO, FAOASM of Plain City, OH
• Richard G. Schuster, DO of Indianapolis, IN (formerly the Immediate Past President)
• Amy Joy Selwach, DO, MBA of Cocoa, FL

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 3, 2024 

DENNIS J. DOWLING, DO, MA, FAAO RECEIVES DISTINGUISHED SERVICE AWARD
FROM THE AMERICAN ACADEMY OF OSTEOPATHY 

Indianapolis— Dennis J. Dowling, DO, MA, FAAO, of Baldwin, NY, received the Fellow of American Academy of Osteopathy (FAAO) Distinguished Service Award. The award is presented to those FAAOs who have further distinguished themselves in contributions to osteopathic literature; development of osteopathic theory, method or procedure; research; osteopathic education; service to the AAO on committees, boards, etc.; public relations; service to public health; and/or osteopathic medical economics and advocacy.

Dr. Dowling is a 1972 graduate of Mater Christi Diocesan High School (St. John’s Prep), a cum laude graduate in 1976 of St. John’s University and a 1978 Master’s Graduate of Long Island University (Zeckendorff campus). Both the undergraduate and the graduate degrees are in the field of psychology. He worked as a Master’s Level psychologist with children and adults with developmental disabilities until 1984 when he entered osteopathic medical school. Prior to 1978, he worked as a case worker, group home staff, special education counselor and coordinator in the same field.

Dr. Dowling is a 1989 graduate of the New York College of Osteopathic Medicine of the New York Institute of Technology. He was a contributing author and illustrator for all editions of An Osteopathic Approach to Diagnosis and Treatment and an editor on the third edition and has illustrated journal articles and textbooks, most notably The Encyclopedia of Osteopathy and Easy EMG and has authored or co-authored several articles and book chapters, including on Progressive Inhibition of Neuromusculoskeletal Structures (PINS), an OMT technique that he has developed. He is a co-author of a JAOA Northup writing award-winning article. Over the years, he has delivered the 2001 David Heilig, D.O., F.A.A.O. Memorial Lecture at the Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine, the 2004 Scott Memorial lecture at what is now known as the A.T. Still University Kirksville College of Osteopathic Medicine (ATSU-KCOM) in Kirksville, Missouri, the 2005 T.L. Northup Memorial Lecture at the American Osteopathic Association annual convention, the 2010 Harold A. Blood, DO, FAAO Memorial Lecture and the 2018 Turfler Family Memorial Lecture. Dr. Dowling is also the recipient of the 2015 Andrew Taylor Still Medallion of Honor  Award from the American Academy of Osteopathy (AAO).

Dr. Dowling is a former professor and chairman of Osteopathic Manipulative Medicine at the New York Institute of Technology College of Osteopathic Medicine and he holds the rank of Clinical Professor at the Midwestern University College of Osteopathic Medicine, Western University College of Osteopathic Medicine, the Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine, the University of New England College of Osteopathic Medicine, The Kansas City University of Medicine and Biosciences and New York Institute of Technology College of Osteopathic Medicine. He had been in private practice in Syosset, New York from 2003 to 2016. Since 2004, he has been a consultant and the Coordinator of OMM Assessment for the COMLEX-Level 2-PE examination and Chair of the POCKET Committee for the National Board of Osteopathic Medical Examiners. Currently, he is Consulting Coordinator for the NBOME Core Competency Capstone for DOs (C3DO) project.

Dr. Dowling has supervised residents in a clinic at the Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Department at Nassau University Medical Center (NUMC) in East Meadow, Long Island since 1991 and has been whole-time in that department as well as the Family Medicine department since September 2016. During the months of April to August 2020, Dr. Dowling treated COVID-19 patients with osteopathic manipulative treatment in the NUMC ICUs, many of whom were on ventilator support. 

Dr. Dowling received certification in OMM in 1995 from the American Osteopathic Board for Special Proficiency in Osteopathic Manipulative Medicine (AOBSPOMM) and was recertified in 2004 and 2015 by the American Osteopathic Board for Neuromusculoskeletal Medicine/OMM. He was certified as an Osteopathic Family Physician in 1997 and recertified in 2005 and 2014 and is in the continuous certification process for that specialty. His FAAO fellowship was earned in 1999. Dr. Dowling has served on the AAO Board of Trustees (1998-2003), was AAO President (2003-2004), as well as a member and chair on several other AAO committees. Currently, he is the Secretary-treasurer of the AAO (2022-2025). He is the former chairman of the AOA Committee on Osteopathic History and Identity (1999 - 2005), former vice-chairman of the Educational Council on Osteopathic Principles, a former member of the certifying board for Neuromusculoskeletal Medicine (AOBNMM/OMM) and the current chairman of the New York State Osteopathic Medical Society (NYSOMS) delegation to the AOA House of Delegates.

Dr. Dowling has traveled several times with KCUMB faculty and students to Guatemala on medical missions as sponsored by DOCARE to treat patients with osteopathic manipulative medicine at rural clinics. He and his wife, Fran, have been married for 46 years and they participate in many road running events during the year and he has completed five marathons (Fran has completed six). His most important and gratifying roles are as a father and grandfather and he frequently gets to spend time with his four year old grandson and seven month old granddaughter.

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 3, 2024

JOHN C. GLOVER, MS, DO, FAAO RECEIVES DISTINGUISHED SERVICE AWARD
FROM THE AMERICAN ACADEMY OF OSTEOPATHY 

Indianapolis— John C. Glover, MS, DO, FAAO of Vallejo, CA, received the Fellow of American Academy of Osteopathy (FAAO) Distinguished Service Award. The award is presented to those FAAOs who have further distinguished themselves in contributions to osteopathic literature; development of osteopathic theory, method or procedure; research; osteopathic education; service to the AAO on committees, boards, etc.; public relations; service to public health; and/or osteopathic medical economics and advocacy.

Dr. Glover is a retired professor in the Department of Osteopathic Manipulative Medicine at the Touro University College of Osteopathic Medicine–California. He graduated from the West Virginia School of Osteopathic Medicine, completed an osteopathic rotating internship at Florida Hospital, East Orlando Campus, and then completed both a family medicine residency and an osteopathic manipulative medicine residency at the Ohio University College of Osteopathic Medicine. While a student in WVSOM, Dr. Glover had the good fortune to learn from Lawrence Jones, DO, who developed the counterstrain technique. This relationship continued while Dr. Glover worked as an OMM undergraduate fellow and it developed into a friendship over the years of working together to help promote and improve the teaching of counterstrain.

Dr. Glover chaired the Educational Council on Osteopathic Principles (ECOP) of the American Association of Colleges of Osteopathic Medicine (AACOM) for 11 years. He served as the AAO’s 2001-02 president, and he has served on the AAO’s Board of Trustees, Board of Governors, Awards, Education, Fellowship, Nominating, OPTI Liaison, Membership, Post Doctoral Standards and Student Academies committees. He has been chosen to give the Thomas L. Northup Lecture, the Scott Memorial Lecture, and the Harold A. Blood, DO, FAAO, Memorial Lecture, and he is the recipient of the Andrew Taylor Still Medallion of Honor.

In his career, Dr. Glover has collaborated with a number of individuals who have added to the knowledge base of osteopathic literature. He is a coauthor of Counterstrain and Fascia in the Osteopathic Field as well as the chapter on counterstrain in all three editions of Foundations of Osteopathic Medicine. He is a contributing author of Clinical Application of Counterstrain, Counterstrain & Exercise: An Integrated Approach, Clinical Osteopathically Integrated Learning Scenarios, and four editions of Leitfaden Osteopathie.

Dr. Glover lectures and conducts workshops on a wide variety of topics nationally and internationally.

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 3, 2024 

BENJAMIN J. K. GREENE, DO NAMED RESIDENT OF THE YEAR
BY NATIONAL OSTEOPATHIC MEDICAL ASSOCIATION 

Indianapolis— Benjamin J. K. Greene of Lansing, MI, was named a 2024 Resident of the Year by the American Academy of Osteopathy (AAO) on March 7 at the AAO’s annual business meeting dur­ing its Convocation in Colorado Springs, Colorado. The award recognizes a resident who has contributed to the AAO, who has contributed to osteopathic principles and practice (OPP) at their residency program, and who has participated in such educational events as the AAO’s annual Convocation and the AAO’s program at the American Osteopathic Association’s annual conference.

Dr. Greene currently in the third year of a three-year NMM program at Michigan State, is an advocate for osteopathic manipulative medicine (OMM) through various activities which include founding and hosting “The Osteopathic Manipulative Medicine podcast,” of over 100 weekly interviews of healthcare providers who share their clinical experiences and pearls related to osteopathic medicine. As well as lecturing in Seoul, South Korea on the Zink Model, he created patient and physician pamphlets about OMT and how it may help new mothers with latching and plagiocephaly, and currently presents weekly “lunch n’ learn” MSK case study discussions and OMT topics of interest. Dr. Greene has demonstrated commitment to osteopathic philosophy through presentations nationally to the Student American Academy of Osteopathy (SAAO) members and at the AAO Convocation, as well as providing weekly lab instruction and presentations on OPP, sacral mechanics, and as a table trainer on manual medicine related to injuries to the extremities. He is a ringside physician at the USA Amateur Boxing Tournament providing physicals and medical examinations after a fight.

Dr. Greene has demonstrated leadership qualities as the chief resident of the MSU ONMM residency, is the RAAO national liaison to the SAAO, and co-leader of the MSU OMM sports medicine clinic and MSU OMM student clinic. He also founded and leads the MSK Ultrasound Group with weekly meetings to review specific anatomy and practice ultrasound scanning. Dr. Greene has demonstrated additional qualities such as strong interest in research with poster presentations, pending publications and development of research projects.

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The American Academy of Osteopathy Celebrates GivingTuesday, joining millions around the world participating in the global generosity movement on November 28, 2023

Jasmine Eisinger, Communications
American Academy of Osteopathy
Phone: 317-879-1881
Email: [email protected]

Indianapolis, IN, November 13, 2023 – This GivingTuesday, The American Academy of Osteopathy (AAO) will inspire generosity by raising funds for osteopathic medical students to attend the premier hands-on osteopathic medical conference, Convocation. Convocation is scheduled for March 2024 and is the largest hands-on neuromusculoskeletal specialty college conference in the country, boasting over 1,000 physician, resident, and student attendees.

GivingTuesday is a global generosity movement, unleashing the power of people and organizations to transform their communities and their world. GivingTuesday will kick off the generosity season this year by inspiring people to give back on November 28, 2023, and throughout the year.

All funds raised during GivingTuesday for the Nicholas S. Nicholas student scholarship fund assists osteopathic medical students (OMS)—over one quarter of all medical students in the US—to attend Convocation.

“A deep, heartfelt thank you for awarding me with financial assistance from the Nicholas S. Nicholas fund for Convocation! This helps me tremendously and I am very excited to attend,” said Hannah, a second-year OMS.

Other recipients of scholarship funds last year reflected on their Convocation 2023 experience.

“I thoroughly enjoyed convocation and deepening my [osteopathic manipulative medicine] knowledge,” said Kimberly. “There were so many great sessions, and I learned so many new avenues of treatment I can explore in the future. The knowledge available at Convocation far exceeded what I had learned thus far in the classroom and made me feel far more confident in my intrinsic diagnostic skills. Thank you again for the opportunity!”

Other funds accepting donations include the annual Golden Ram Society campaign, the AAO Journal fund for osteopathic medicine research, or the Anne L. Kempf Memorial Fund for CME post-graduate education.

GivingTuesday was launched in 2012 as a simple idea: to create a day that encourages people to do good. Over the past 11 years, this idea has grown into a global movement that inspires hundreds of millions of people to give, collaborate, and celebrate generosity.

People demonstrate generosity in many ways on GivingTuesday. Whether it’s helping a neighbor or stranger out, showing up for an issue or people we care about, or giving to causes we care about, every act of generosity counts. GivingTuesday has raised billions of dollars for critical causes around the world and gets billions of impressions on social media from people and organizations speaking up for the causes that matter to them and encouraging others to get involved in their communities.

“GivingTuesday inspires people all around the world to embrace their power to drive progress around the causes they care about, not just on one day but throughout the year,” said Asha Curran, GivingTuesday’s CEO, and co-founder. “With country and community leaders, millions of organizations, and countless givers of all kinds, GivingTuesday is creating a shared space where we can see the radical implications of a more generous world.”   

If you are interested in joining AAO’s GivingTuesday initiative, visit the AAO donation page, visit the AAO Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/American.Academy.Osteopathy or the AAO X (formerly Twitter) page https://twitter.com/AmAcadOsteo

For more details about the GivingTuesday movement, visit the GivingTuesday website www.givingtuesday.org, Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/GivingTuesday or follow @GivingTuesday and #GivingTuesday on Instagram

About The American Academy of Osteopathy

The United States currently has more than 120,000 osteopathic physicians. Also known as DOs, osteopathic physicians are fully licensed physicians, as are MDs. The profession has grown 63% in the past decade and nearly 300% over the past three decades. Osteopathic physicians prescribe medicine and practice in all specialties, including osteopathic manipulative medicine, family medicine, psychiatry, obstetrics and gynecology, and surgery. They are trained to consider the health of the whole person and to use their hands to help diagnose and treat patients.

The mission of the American Academy of Osteopathy is to teach, promote, and research the science, art and philosophy of osteopathic medicine, emphasizing the integration of osteopathic principles and practice in patient care. Founded in 1937, the Academy is a specialty college of the American Osteopathic Association. 

About GivingTuesday

GivingTuesday is a global generosity movement unleashing the power of people and organizations to transform their communities and the world. GivingTuesday was created in 2012 as a simple idea: a day that encourages people to do good. Over the past eleven years, it has grown into a global movement that inspires hundreds of millions of people to give, collaborate, and celebrate generosity.

Whether it’s making someone smile, helping a neighbor or stranger out, showing up for an issue or people we care about, or giving some of what we have to those who need our help, every act of generosity counts and everyone has something to give. GivingTuesday strives to build a world in which the catalytic power of generosity is at the heart of the society we build together, unlocking dignity, opportunity, and equity around the globe.

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 30, 2023

Indianapolis—Leslie M. Ching, DO, of Tulsa, OK, Clinical Associate Professor at Oklahoma State University-College of Osteopathic Medicine, has been appointed the Editor in Chief of the nationally-recognized American Academy of Osteopathy Journal (AAOJ). The AAOJ, the official journal of the American Academy of Osteopathy (AAO), is a peer-reviewed publication focused on disseminating information on the science and art of neuromusculoskeletal medicine and osteopathic manipulative medicine (NMM/OMM). It is directed toward osteopathic physicians, students, interns, and residents, and particularly toward physicians with a special interest in osteopathic principles and practice (OPP) and osteopathic manipulative treatment (OMT).

Dr. Ching received her Bachelor of Arts from the University of Chicago. She graduated in 2010 from the Via College of Osteopathic Medicine-Virginia and completed a Family Medicine Residency at Doctors Hospital in Columbus, OH and the NMM/OMM Plus Program at Oklahoma State University-Center for Health Sciences in Tulsa, OK. She has been a member of the OMM department at Oklahoma State since 2014, with brief sabbaticals, and has served in many roles there. 

Dr Ching is board-certified in Family Medicine and OMM by the AOBFP and in Neuromusculoskeletal Medicine/OMM by the AOBNMM. Her published works include articles on exploring complex systems as a framework for explaining osteopathic principles and practices, morbidity and mortality of the patients treated by doctors of osteopathic medicine (DOs) and osteopathic physician mortality during the 1918 influenza pandemic, and a review of the history and treatment results at the Still-Hildreth Sanatorium. Dr. Ching has previously served on the AAO Board of Governors, Louisa Burns Osteopathic Research Committee, and the Education Committee.

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 30, 2023

KENNETH J. LOSSING, DO RECEIVES AWARD FOR EXCELLENCE IN EDUCATION FROM NATIONAL OSTEOPATHIC MEDICAL ASSOCIATION 

Indianapolis— Kenneth J. Lossing, DO of San Rafael, California, was honored with the Anne Wales, DO, Award for Excellence in Education of Osteopathic Clinicians. In 2019, the AAO Board of Governors approved this award named for Anne B. Wales, DO who exemplified excellence in the teaching of os­teopathic clinicians throughout her career. This award is to recognize those individuals or institutions who have demonstrated exceptional commitment and dedication to the education of osteopathic clinicians.

Dr. Lossing served as the AAO’s 2014-15 president, on its Board of Trustees and Board of Governors and on the Education Committee. He has also served as a member of the American Osteopathic Association (AOA) Bureau of International Osteopathic Medicine. He has also been involved in his state’s osteopathic association, the Osteopathic Physicians and Surgeons of California, on its Education, Publications, and Membership committees, as well as serving as a delegate to the AOA House of Delegates in 2013 and 2015.  

Lossing lectures frequently in International Osteopathic congresses, as well as for the American Academy of Osteopathy (AAO) and the American Osteopathic Association (AOA). He has taught courses in Australia, Canada, England, Germany, France, Italy, Japan, New Zealand, Norway, and the United States. He has contributed to the second, third, and fourth editions of the AOA’s Foundations of Osteopathic Medicine textbook, as well as writing chapters for the Textbook of Osteopathic Medicine. Dr. Lossing studied visceral manipulation with Jean-Pierre Barral, DO (France), and he also was greatly influenced by Robert Fulford, DO; Anthony Chila, DO; Stephen Miles Davidson, DO; and Viola Frymann, DO. Dr. Lossing and his wife, Margret Klein, OA, run a private practice in San Rafael, California.

For more information on Kenneth J. Lossing, DO, contact Sherri L. Quarles, Chief Executive Officer at the American Academy of Osteopathy at (317) 879-1881, ext. 214, or at [email protected].

The United States currently has more than 120,000 osteopathic physicians. Also known as DOs, osteopathic physicians are fully licensed physicians, as are MDs. The profession has grown 63% in the past decade and nearly 300% over the past three decades. Osteopathic physicians prescribe medicine and practice in all specialties, including osteopathic manipulative medicine, family medicine, psychiatry, obstetrics and gynecology, and surgery. They are trained to consider the health of the whole person and to use their hands to help diagnose and treat patients. 

The mission of the American Academy of Osteopathy is to teach, promote, and research the science, art and philosophy of osteopathic medicine, emphasizing the integration of osteopathic principles and practice in patient care. Founded in 1937, the Academy is a specialty college of the American Osteopathic Association.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

March 30, 2023

KENNETH J. LOSSING, DO, RECEIVES AWARD FOR EXCELLENCE IN EDUCATION

FROM NATIONAL OSTEOPATHIC MEDICAL ASSOCIATION

Indianapolis—Kenneth J. Lossing, DOof San Rafael, California, was honored with the Anne Wales, DO, Award for Excellence in Education of Osteopathic Clinicians. In 2019, the AAO Board of Governors approved this award named for Anne B. Wales, DO who exemplified excellence in the teaching of os­teopathic clinicians throughout her career. This award is to recognize those individuals or institutions who have demonstrated exceptional commitment and dedication to the education of osteopathic clinicians.

Dr. Lossing served as the AAO’s 2014-15 president, on its Board of Trustees and Board of Governors and on the Education Committee. He has also served as a member of the American Osteopathic Association (AOA) Bureau of International Osteopathic Medicine. He has also been involved in his state’s osteopathic association, the Osteopathic Physicians and Surgeons of California, on its Education, Publications, and Membership committees, as well as serving as a delegate to the AOA House of Delegates in 2013 and 2015.  

Lossing lectures frequently in International Osteopathic congresses, as well as for the American Academy of Osteopathy (AAO) and the American Osteopathic Association (AOA). He has taught courses in Australia, Canada, England, Germany, France, Italy, Japan, New Zealand, Norway, and the United States. He has contributed to the second, third, and fourth editions of the AOA’s Foundations of Osteopathic Medicine textbook, as well as writing chapters for the Textbook of Osteopathic Medicine. Dr. Lossing studied visceral manipulation with Jean-Pierre Barral, DO (France), and he also was greatly influenced by Robert Fulford, DO; Anthony Chila, DO; Stephen Miles Davidson, DO; and Viola Frymann, DO. Dr. Lossing and his wife, Margret Klein, OA, run a private practice in San Rafael, California.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 30, 2023

MILLICENT KING CHANNELL, DO, MA, FAAO, FNAOME INSTALLED AS PRESIDENT OF NATIONAL OSTEOPATHIC MEDICAL ASSOCIATION

Indianapolis— Millicent King Channell, DO, MA, FAAO, FNAOME, of Philadelphia, PA, was installed as the president of the American Academy of Osteopathy (AAO) on March 18 during the AAO 2023 annual Convocation in Colorado Springs, Colorado. Before becoming president, Dr. Channell served for one year as the president-elect of the AAO, the nation’s largest medical society devoted to fostering neuromusculoskeletal medicine and osteopathic manipulative medicine (NMM/OMM).

Dr. Millicent King Channell is a graduate of the Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine. After completing her residencies in Family Medicine and Neuromusculoskeletal Medicine/Osteopathic Manipulative Medicine, she joined the faculty of the Rowan University School of Osteopathic Medicine in the Departments of Osteopathic Manipulative Medicine and Family Medicine.

Dr. Channell has made numerous scholarly contributions to osteopathic medicine; most notably she co-authored the book The 5 - Minute Osteopathic Manipulative Medicine Consult (2nd Ed Wolters Kluwer 2019). She is a graduate of the Hedwig van Ameringen Executive Leadership in Academic Medicine® (ELAM) Program at Drexel University College of Medicine and the Costin Institute at Midwestern University. She has served as a member of the ACGME's Osteopathic Principles Committee and the NBOME’s Board of Directors.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 30, 2023

WILLIAM H. STAGER, DO, MPH, MS, FAAFP, FAAMA, FAAO, FACOFPDIST., ELECTED PRESIDENT-ELECT OF NATIONAL OSTEOPATHIC MEDICAL ASSOCIATION

Indianapolis— William H. Stager DO, MPH, MS, FAAFP, FAAMA, FAAO, FACOFP dist., of West Palm Beach, FL, was chosen to be the 2023-24 president-elect of the American Academy of Osteopathy on March 16 during the AAO annual Convocation in Colorado Springs, Colorado. After spending a year as president-elect, Dr. Stager will become the 2024-25 president of the AAO, the nation’s largest medical society devoted to fostering neuromusculoskeletal medicine and osteopathic manipulative medicine (NMM/OMM).

William H. Stager DO, MPH, MS, FAAFP, FAAMA, FAAO, FACOFP dist., is Medical Director of the Flagler Institute for Rehabilitation, Inc., a Comprehensive Outpatient Rehabilitation Facility (West Palm Beach), with a special interest in patients with cancer and lymphedema . Dr. Bill Stager has BA (Philosophy) and MS (Anatomy) degrees from Rutgers University, an undergraduate OPP Fellowship and DO degree from NSUCOM in 1989, and MPH from ATSU in 2009. He completed a rotating internship at Humana South Broward Hospital in 1990. He has been in holistic private practice combining NMM/OMM, Family Medicine, and Medical Acupuncture in the Palm Beach area since 1990. He is Board Certified in NMM/OMM and Family Medicine, and is a Fellow of the AAO, AAFP, AAFP, and AAMA, and distinguished fellow of the ACOFP.

He is a Life Member of the AAO and Osteopathic Cranial Academy, and an active member of the AOA, FOMA, AAO, ACOFP, FSACOFP, and FAO, serving on various committees and boards, including the AOA House of Delegates, FOMA Director-at-Large, FOMA President, FSACOFP President (2008-2009), a two-term FAO President, and NSUCOM Alumni Association Executive Committee President and Trustee. His many awards include the 2008 NSUCOM Distinguished Alumni Award, 2007 FOMA Presidential Achievement Award, 2007 AOA Mentor of the Year Nominee Finalist Award, the 2010 FSACOFP Physician of the Year Award, the 2011 FAO Distinguished Service Award, the 2013 AOA Unsung Heroes Award, the 2013 AOA Guardians of the Profession Award, the 2015 NSUCOM Alumni Association Distinguished Service Award, and the 2015 NSUCOM Distinguished Alumni Award.

Dr. Stager has taught NMM/OMM all over the USA, Canada, Norway, and China and has published over 200 articles and papers in health and fitness magazines and several in peer-reviewed medical journals. He is section editor and contributing author of the 2014 2nd edition of the ACOFP textbook Somatic Dysfunction in Osteopathic Family Medicine.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 30, 2023

NICOLE A. FREMAREK, DO, MBA, NAMED RESIDENT OF THE YEAR BY NATIONAL OSTEOPATHIC MEDICAL ASSOCIATION

Indianapolis— Nicole A. Fremarek, DO, MBA, of Christiansburg, VA, was named the 2023 Resident of the Year by the American Academy of Osteopathy (AAO) on March 16 at the AAO’s annual business meeting at its Convocation in Colorado Springs, Colorado. The award recognizes a resident who has contributed to the AAO, who has contributed to osteopathic principles and practice (OPP) at his or her residency program, and who has participated in such educational events as the AAO’s annual Convocation and the AAO’s program at the American Osteopathic Association’s annual conference.

Nicole A. Fremarek, DO, MBA completed a Pre-Doctoral OMM Fellowship and was AAO NUFA liaison for Kansas City University (KCU) and received a dual-degree DO/MBA in healthcare leadership during her medical school years. She received the KCU awards AT Still, MD, DO Memorial Medallion Award; Betty Jo White, DO Prize for Osteopathy; and Gold Humanism Honor Society.

She has served as Co-Chief resident of her family medicine residency, as a leader in the RAAO and SAAO, and spearheaded numerous osteopathic education projects and research during her family medicine residency. During her free time, she continues to volunteer to cover sporting events at a local high school and provide the athletes with medical support from the sidelines.

Dr. Fremarek has a passion for integrating Family Medicine, Osteopathic Neuromusculoskeletal Medicine, and Sports Medicine into her everyday patient care. She has served as a leader on the Resident American Academy of Osteopathy (RAAO) as the RAAO liaison to the Student American Academy of Osteopathy (SAAO) for 2 years, the RAAO executive council, and on the Marketing Committee with American Fascial Distortion Model Association.

For more information on Dr. Fremarek, contact Sherri L. Quarles, Chief Executive Officer at the American Academy of Osteopathy at (317) 879-1881, ext. 214, or at [email protected].

The United States currently has more than 120,000 osteopathic physicians. Also known as DOs, osteopathic physicians are fully licensed physicians, as are MDs. The profession has grown 63% in the past decade and nearly 300% over the past three decades. Osteopathic physicians prescribe medicine and practice in all specialties, including osteopathic manipulative medicine, family medicine, psychiatry, obstetrics and gynecology, and surgery. They are trained to consider the health of the whole person and to use their hands to help diagnose and treat patients.
The mission of the American Academy of Osteopathy is to teach, promote, and research the science, art and philosophy of osteopathic medicine, emphasizing the integration of osteopathic principles and practice in patient care. Founded in 1937, the Academy is a specialty college of the American Osteopathic Association.

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

March 28, 2023

MARGRET KLEIN, OA, RECEIVES AWARD FOR EXCELLENCE IN EDUCATION

FROM NATIONAL OSTEOPATHIC MEDICAL ASSOCIATION

Indianapolis— Margret Klein, OA,of San Rafael, California, was honored with the Anne Wales, DO, Award for Excellence in Education of Osteopathic Clinicians. In 2019, the AAO Board of Governors approved this award named for Anne B. Wales, DO who exemplified excellence in the teaching of os­teopathic clinicians throughout her career. This award is to recognize those individuals or institutions who have demonstrated exceptional commitment and dedication to the education of osteopathic clinicians.

Klein initiated her career as a leading physical therapist in the University of Cologne (Germany) Trauma clinic. She eventually opened her own private physical therapy practice. Soon after, she enrolled in a six-year intensive, nonphysician osteopathic program at the Still Academy in Germany, and simultaneously she was studying at the German American Academy of Osteopathy (DAAO). Both schools focused equally on cranial, visceral, and musculoskeletal manipulation.

Margret has studied with Robert Fulford, DO; Jean-Pierre Barral, DO; and many other osteopathic giants. She has table trained for Jean-Pierre Barral in his courses taught through the AAO and has assisted Kenneth J. Lossing, DO in nearly all of his courses over the past twenty years.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

March 28, 2023

HUGH M. ETTLINGER, DO, FAAO, FCA, AWARDED HIGHEST HONOR BESTOWED BY NATIONAL OSTEOPATHIC MEDICAL ASSOCIATION

Indianapolis— Hugh M. Ettlinger, DO, FAAO, FCA, of, Ossining, NY, received the American Academy of Osteopathy’s highest honor on March 18 during the AAO Convocation 2023 in Colorado Springs, Colorado. Named the Andrew Tay­lor Still Medallion of Honor, the award is given to AAO members who have exhibited an exceptional understanding and applica­tion of osteopathic principles and concepts and for outstanding accomplishments in scientific or professional affairs. The award is named after Andrew Taylor Still, MD, DO, the founder of osteopathic medicine.

Dr. Ettlinger is a long-standing member of the Academy and has spent his professional career dedicated to the osteopathic profession. Hugh M. Ettlinger, DO, FAAO, FCA is a 1987 graduate of the New York College of Medicine (NYCOM) after having completed an extra year of an OPP Undergraduate Fellowship. He did his traditional rotating internship at Coney Island Hospital and then returned to NYCOM as an assistant professor in the department of Osteopathic Principles and Practice. Dr. Ettlinger maintained his academic status but moved to St. Barnabas Hospital in the Bronx, New York in 1990 to become the Chair of the newly established Department of Osteopathic Manipulative Medicine, where he performed examination and treatment in outpatient clinics as well as consultation and treatment of medicine, surgery, ICU, pediatric, neonatal, and obstetric-gynecological inpatients. Within just two years, Dr. Ettlinger established a premier OMM residency program at that hospital and has been instrumental in the development of other similar programs within the region. His passion for teaching has resulted in his training and mentoring scores of specialists in OMM, many of whom are faculty in OMM Departments throughout the region and country. Some have even become chairs of their respective departments.

Dr. Ettlinger became certified in OMM by the American Board of Special Proficiency in Osteopathic Manipulative Medicine, received his Certificate of Competency in Cranial Osteopathy by the Cranial Academy in 1993, and received his Fellowship in the American Academy of Osteopathy in 1999.

The American Academy of Osteopathy has benefited greatly from the skills and leadership of Dr. Ettlinger.  He serves on the AAO Board of Governors and is a past Trustee of the AAO, is Vice President and on the Board of Trustees of the Sutherland Cranial Teaching Foundation (SCTF), and had been on the Board of Directors of the Osteopathic Cranial Academy (OCA; 1995-1997). Dr. Ettlinger has been a Chair, Vice-Chair or Member of several committees of AAO, SCTF, and OCA, and has served as the Advisor to the AAO National Undergraduate Fellows Association (NUFA) since 2005.

He has given numerous lectures at osteopathic conferences, special courses, through study groups, and at the New York College of Osteopathic Medicine in his capacity as an associate professor. His professional activities also include book chapters in An Osteopathic Approach to Diagnosis & Treatment, Foundations of Osteopathic Medicine, and Applied Anatomy and Physiology of the Thorax. He has also been a contributor to several research poster presentations.

Dr. Ettlinger has been recognized with the FAAO Dig on Award, Fellow of the Osteopathic Cranial Academy, the St. Barnabas Hospital Lifetime Achievement Award, the Sutherland Memorial Lecture, the Northup Memorial Lecture, the Sutherland Memorial Lecture, the Blood Memorial Lecture, as a St. Barnabas Hospital Honoree in 2010, the NYCOM Standard of Excellence Award, and the Heilig Memorial Lecture (PCOM).

Throughout his thirty-five career as an osteopathic physician and educator, Hugh Ettlinger, DO, FAAO, FCA has influenced hundreds of residents and colleagues as well as literally thousands of students. The legacy he has left will continue through the many people he has motivated and their contributions in the future.

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - April 6, 2022

Dowling is a 1989 graduate of the NYCOM and is a contributing author and illustrator to several journals and textbooks. He developed the PINS technique and is a co-author of a JAOA Northup writing award-winning article on the effect of OMT on gait in Parkinson’s patients. Dr. Dowling has delivered the Heilig, Scott, Northup, Blood and Turfler memorial lectures and is a recipient of the A.T. Still Medallion of Honor award.

Dowling is a former professor and chairman of OMM at the NYITCOM and is currently a clinical professor at the MWU-COM, PCOM, KCUMB, NYITCOM, COMP and UNECOM. He was in private practice from 2003-2016 and has been a consultant and the Coordinator of OMM Assessment for the NBOME since 2004. Dr. Dowling has supervised residents in the PM&R department at NUMC in East Meadow, Long Island since 1990, and is also currently working in the PM&R and Family Medicine departments at that hospital. He is certified by the AOBFP and the AOBNMM and earned his FAAO fellowship in 1999. He has served on the AAO Board of Trustees, AAO Board of Governors, is a past AAO president, has been a member and/or chair on several other AAO committees, and is a consultant to the AOBNMM for the Practical portion of the certification examination process. Dr. Dowling is also chair of the NYSOMS delegation to the AOA House of Delegates and remains active in state and local professional osteopathic activities.

As secretary-treasurer, Dowling’s goal is to support the AAO as the primary source in providing osteopathic education and leadership to osteopathic physicians and others who qualify by the nature of their licenses to practice, and to strengthen the organization to thrive in the upcoming 20-30 years both in structure and in function.

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Indianapolis, IN—On March 26, Richard G. Schuster, DO of Indianapolis, Indiana, was installed as the president of the American Academy of Osteopathy (AAO) during the AAO 2022 annual Convocation in Orlando, Florida. Before becoming president, Dr. Schuster served for two years as the president-elect of the AAO, the nation’s largest medical society devoted to fostering neuromusculoskeletal medicine and osteopathic manipulative medicine (NMM/OMM).

Richard G. Schuster, DO, is in solo private practice in Indianapolis, practicing direct primary care and osteopathic manual medicine.

He graduated from the Ohio University Heritage College of Osteopathic Medicine in 1994 after completing an undergraduate fellowship in osteopathic principles and practice. He completed a family medicine residency at the Firelands Regional Medical Center in Sandusky, Ohio, and a postdoctoral fellowship in sports medicine at Toledo Hospital in Ohio.

The chair of the AAO’s 2015 Convocation, Dr. Schuster is a member of the AAO’s Board of Trustees, AAO executive committee, Board of Governors, and a consultant for the AAO’s education committee of which he used to be the vice chair. of the AAO’s Education Committee.

Dr. Schuster’s academic interests include musculoskeletal medicine, biomechanics and functional anatomy, with an emphasis on how the body transmits and organizes information to coordinate movement.

In the presidential address after his induction, Dr. Schuster stated his vision for the AAO during his presidency:

“In order that we grow as an Academy, we must continue to advocate for, teach, and research osteopathic manipulation and philosophy. We must welcome those who wish to join us, wish to learn from us, as we learn from them. We do not represent the sum total of what it means to be osteopathic, nor do our schools. There is more depth within our profession than we realize. Let us all come together to build a future medicine, a distinctly osteopathic medicine” (emphasis in original).

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