ATHENS, Ohio (Sept. 1, 2004) -- National Osteopathic Medicine (NOM) Month is celebrated each September to raise awareness about osteopathic medicine and to encourage the American public to live healthier lives. NOM Month focuses on educating the public that osteopathic physicians (D.O.s) are one of only two fully licensed physicians in the United States able to prescribe medicine and perform surgery. Preceding the college's Convocation Ceremony on Sept. 11, Mayor Richard Abel will officially proclaim September to be NOM Month in Athens.

The D.O. philosophy of patient care focuses on the whole person, not just a specific illness or injury. This distinct approach has been the foundation of the college's medical education for approximately 130 years. Ohio University's College of Osteopathic Medicine is one of the nation's 20 schools of osteopathic medicine.

Today, there are more than 54,000 D.O.s practicing throughout the United States, representing six percent of all practicing physicians. Sixty-four percent of D.O.s practice in the primary care areas of medicine such as family medicine and pediatrics. D.O.s account for about 18 percent of all family physicians and make up 15 percent of the total physician population that practice in towns of 10,000 people or less. The number of D.O.s has increased almost 70 percent since 1990, making osteopathic medicine one of the nation's fastest growing health-care professions.

During NOM Month, OU-COM will be sponsoring several events in celebration of the osteopathic medical profession in Athens.

National Osteopathic Medicine Month 2004 events

• Friday, Sept. 3: Healthy Adult Screenings, Scioto County Senior Expo, Scioto County Fairgrounds, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., Community Service Programs Mobile Health Unit
  OU-COM's Community Services Programs will provide blood pressure, glucose and cholesterol screenings (fasting not required for glucose or cholesterol screenings), and breast and cervical cancer education.
  
  
• Thursday, Sept. 9: "Health Matters" with host Nancy Schell, WATH Radio, 970 AM, 10 a.m.
  Janice Smith, OU-COM Community Service Programs Healthy Adult Program coordinator, will discuss women's health and CSP upcoming activities with Nancy Schell, CSP supervisor.
  
  
• Friday, Sept. 10: International Studies Student Health Fair, Yamada International House, Noon to 3 p.m.
  OU-COM's Community Services Programs will provide blood pressure, glucose and cholesterol screenings (fasting not required for glucose or cholesterol screenings); testicular, prostate and colon awareness education; prenatal health-care education; and car-seat safety information.
  
  
• Saturday, Sept. 11: National Osteopathic Medicine Month Mayoral Proclamation, 8:45 a.m., Grosvenor Hall
  Mayor Richard Abel will officially proclaim September National Osteopathic Medicine Month in Athens.
  
  
• Saturday, Sept. 11: Old Portland Elementary School-Portland, Meigs County, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., Community Service Programs Mobile Health Unit
  OU-COM's Community Service Programs will provide blood pressure, glucose and cholesterol screenings (fasting not required for glucose or cholesterol screenings), and general health education for the community.
  
  
• Friday, Sept. 24: "In Celebration of NOM Month," Wal-Mart, 929 E. State Street, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., Community Service Programs Mobile Health Unit
  OU-COM's Community Services Programs will provide blood pressure, glucose and cholesterol screenings (fasting not required for glucose or cholesterol screenings) for the Athens community.
  
  
• Monday, Sept. 27: Promoting Osteopathic Medicine, Noon to 2 p.m., Ohio University College Gate, Court and Union
  Learn about osteopathic medicine from students and practitioners.
  
  
• Wednesday, Sept. 29, & Thursday, Sept. 30: Red Cross Blood Drive, Convocation Center, Ohio University, Athens, Noon to 6 p.m.
  OU-COM's Community Service Programs and Ohio Athletics are sponsoring a blood donation drive. Power 105 Radio (105.5 FM) will be broadcasting live from 1 to 3 p.m. Sept. 29.

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Related Links

• Ohio University College of Osteopathic Medicine 

Media Contact: Writer/editor Kevin Sanders, (740) 593-0896