A concurrent RESOLUTION

TO RECOGNIZE MARCH 6, 2024 AS "OSTEOPATHIC MEDICINE DAY" IN SOUTH CAROLINA IN HONOR OF THE IMPORTANT ROLE THAT DOCTORS OF OSTEOPATHIC MEDICINE PLAY IN MEETING THE HEALTHCARE NEEDS OF THE CITIZENS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, THE UNITED STATES MILITARY, AND THE NATION.

Whereas, there are currently over one hundred eighty thousand osteopathic physicians and osteopathic medical students in the United States, representing a thirty percent increase over the past five years; and

Whereas, the number of osteopathic physicians in South Carolina has grown by over three hundred sixty percent in the last fifteen years; and

Whereas, South Carolina is a growing leader in osteopathic medicine, with more than two thousand seven hundred licensed osteopathic physicians in the State; and

Whereas, colleges of osteopathic medicine make up twenty percent of our nations medical schools, students of osteopathic medicine make up twenty-five percent of our nation's medical students, and doctors of osteopathic medicine make up eleven percent of our nation's physicians; and

Whereas, osteopathic physicians have made tremendous contributions in leadership, research, and patient care in the United States, including treating United States presidents; serving as flag officers in the United States military, Coast Guard, and Public Health Service; and conducting research at the National Aeronautics and Space Administration and the National Institutes of Health; and

Whereas, osteopathic physicians have a strong tradition of caring for patients in rural and underserved communities in all parts of the country, with a strong representation in the primary care specialties; and

Whereas, osteopathic physicians are trained to help patients heal from within, in body, mind, and spirit, employing a hands-on, patient centered approach, which includes the distinctive use of osteopathic manipulative medicine, when indicated, to diagnose and treat conditions, preserve good health, and prevent the spread of disease; and

Whereas, South Carolina's osteopathic physicians are dedicated to improving the health of their community through education and awareness-based efforts, as well as by delivering quality health-care services; and

Whereas, the Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine-Carolinas Campus in Spartanburg is the State's only permanent four-year osteopathic medical school, committed to training globally minded, community-focused physicians to practice in the rural and underserved areas of the State and nation; and

Whereas, the AT Still University School of Osteopathic Medicine has an Affiliated Health Center Training Site in Beaufort, Jasper, and Hampton counties which prepares its graduates to practice in the rural and underserved areas of South Carolina and the nation; and

Whereas, South Carolinians recognize the need for osteopathic physicians who are committed to improving the health of all Americans through practice in primary care specialties and those additional specialties most needed in rural and underserved areas.  Now, therefore,

Be it resolved by the Senate, the House of Representatives concurring:

That the members of the South Carolina General Assembly, by this resolution, recognize March 6th, 2024 as "Osteopathic Medicine Day" in South Carolina in honor of the important role that Doctors of Osteopathic Medicine play in meeting the healthcare needs of the citizens of South Carolina, the United States military, and our nation.

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