Thomas L. Northup Lecturer Award

FOUNDING FATHER OF THE AMERICAN ACADEMY OF OSTEOPATHY

FOR ACHIEVEMENTS IN OSTEOPATHIC EDUCATION, RESEARCH, CLINICAL PRACTICE, OR PROFESSIONAL MANAGEMENT

To be named a Thomas L. Northup Lecturer, an individual must reflect the stature of Dr. Northup in fields such as education, research, clinical practice, professional management or allied categories of activity. The lecture is delivered during the Academy’s program at the American Osteopathic Association’s annual Osteopathic Medical Conference and Exposition.

Thomas L. Northup, DO, was considered the founding father of the American Academy of Osteopathy. In 1937, Dr. Northup led the movement to establish a specialty section of the American Osteopathic Association that would focus on osteopathic structural diagnosis and manipulative therapy. In 1943, the specialty section became known at the Academy of Applied Osteopathy. It was renamed the American Academy of Osteopathy in 1970. Dr. Northup was the secretary-treasurer from 1938 to 1947.

Dr. Northup was the Academy’s first editor. He worked to provide all members with copies of selected papers presented at the AOA’s conventions. This project became known as the yearbook of selected osteopathic papers, and Dr. Northup was the editor until 1950.

Dr. Northup also chaired the Academy’s Publications Committee and the Endowment Committee. In 1948, the Academy granted him the Andrew Taylor Still Medallion of Honor, and he delivered the Academy Lecture in 1955. In addition, he was a prolific contributor to The Journal of the American Osteopathic Association. He also served as the AOA’s 1951-52 vice president, and he was the AOA’s 1955 A.T. Still Memorial Lecturer.