Osteopathic Care

ACOOG Membership

As a member of ACOOG, an OB/GYN has undergone rigorous training. After four years of medical school, they complete four years of residency training in obstetrics and gynecology. They may also complete an additional three-year fellowship in the subspecialties of Maternal Fetal Medicine, Reproductive Endocrinology/Infertility, Gynecologic Oncology, or Female Pelvic Medicine Reconstructive Surgery.

To merit certification in obstetrics and gynecology, DOs must pass special oral and written examinations, and while in practice they are evaluated for continuous certification. Certification is maintained through a combination of continuing education, practice assessments, and teaching. Board certified members obtain the title of Fellow and may use the FACOOG credential.

What Does Osteopathic Mean?

Osteopathic Medicine

In 1874, Andrew Taylor Still, MD, DO developed Osteopathic Medicine. Dr. Still, a Civil War physician, became dissatisfied with the effectiveness of 19th century medicine after the great personal tragedy of losing three children to meningitis and another to pneumonia. He believed that many of the medicines of the day were useless or even harmful. His inability to save his family, coupled with his grim experiences as a war doctor, led Still to reject most of what he had learned about medicine and search for new and better methods.

Osteopathic Manipulative Treatment (OMT)

Osteopathic medical schools emphasize the "whole person" approach to medicine. Osteopathic physicians receive extra training in the musculoskeletal system and embrace a philosophy of health rather than simply treating disease. This gives DOs a therapeutic and diagnostic advantage over those who do not receive additional training.

Osteopathic Manipulative Treatment (OMT) is part of every osteopathic physician's training. By combining this with all other medical and surgical procedures, DOs offer their patients the most comprehensive care available in medicine today.

DO Means DOctor

Doctors of Osteopathic Medicine (D.O.) have a four-year undergraduate degree. They complete four years of medical school and a 3–5 year residency in their chosen specialty. They must then pass state licensing examinations in order to practice and pursue specialty board certification.

Osteopathic Pledge of Commitment

As members of the osteopathic medical profession, in an effort to instill loyalty and to strengthen the profession, we recall the tenets on which this profession is founded: The dynamic interaction of mind, body and spirit; the primary role of the musculoskeletal system; the preventive medicine is the key to maintain health. We recognize the work our predecessors have accomplished in building the profession. We will commit ourselves to continuing that work.

I pledge to:

Provide compassionate, quality care to my patients;
Partner with them to promote health;
Display integrity and professionalism throughout my career;
Advance the philosophy, practice and science of osteopathic medicine;

Continue life-long learning;

Support the profession with loyalty in action, word and deed; and

Live each day as an example of what and osteopathic physician should be.