OMED 2015

More than 180 people attended the AAO's program at the 120th Annual Osteopathic Medical Conference and Exposition (OMED), Oct.17-20, 2015, in Orlando, Florida.

Performing arts medicine is a fledgling field of study, encompassing the study and care of performers within the disciplines of music, dance and drama. Osteopathic physicians are uniquely suited to care for these patients.

The program featured lectures and workshops by such experts as:

Longtime violinist David W. Shoup, DO, who played his violin to demonstrate how musicians can injure themselves.
Internationally renowned expert in the field of vocal studies Stephen Austin, PhD, who discussed the biomechanics of voice.
Former bandleader and the current director of the Texas Center of Music & Medicine, Kris Chesky, PhD, who discussed his research on the pain-relieving effects of music vibration.
Former professional dancer and singer Rebecca Fishman, DO, who addressed the principles of dance medicine.
The director of the Rowan University School of Medicine's NeuroMusculoskeletal Institute, Richard T. Jermyn, DO, who explained the role performing arts medicine can play in treating patients with brain disorders.

TOPICS AND SPEAKERS

With its theme of "Osteopathic Contributions to Performing Arts Medicine," the American Academy of Osteopathy's program will address hot topics and explain how DOs can use osteopathic manipulative medicine to care for highly talented patients with dysfunctions that arise from singing, dancing and playing musical instruments.

The AAO's kick-off speaker, David William Shoup, DO, played the violin to demonstrate how musicians can injure themselves. Dr. Shoup has been playing the violin since he was approximately 7 years old.

Addressing clinical research in the performing arts on Sunday was Kris Chesky, PhD, a former bandleader and sideman. Dr. Chesky is an associate professor at the UNT College of Music in Denton, Texas, and he is the director of the Texas Center of Music and Medicine in Denton. Dr. Chesky has researched the pain-relieving effects of music vibration.

Also of note for Sunday's program was Richard T. Jermyn, DO, the director of the Rowan University School of Osteopathic Medicine's NeuroMusculoskeletal Institute, a comprehensive pain center. His topic is "Performing Arts Medicine in the Treatment of Brain Disorders."

The third day of the AAO program was led by Rebecca Fishman, DO, a former professional dancer and singer.

Program director: Sajid A. Surve, DO
Dr. Surve is a 2005 graduate of what is now the Rowan University School of Osteopathic Medicine (RowanSOM) in Stratford, New Jersey. After completing a traditional rotating internship at Delaware County Memorial Hospital in Drexel Hill, Pennsylvania, he became an inaugural resident and the first chief resident of the physical medicine and rehabilitation residency at Long Beach (New York) Medical Center. He currently is an associate professor of osteopathic manipulative medicine at the University of North Texas Health Science Center—Texas College of Osteopathic Medicine.