American Association of Colleges of Osteopathic Medicine

The American Association of Colleges of Osteopathic Medicine (AACOM) is a non-profit organization that supports the 37 accredited colleges of osteopathic medicine (COMs) in the United States. These colleges are accredited to deliver instruction at 58 teaching locations in 33 states. In the current academic year, these colleges are educating more than 30,000 future physicians—25 percent of all U.S. medical students. Seven of the colleges are public and 29 are private institutions.

American Association of Colleges of Osteopathic Medicine
AbbreviationAACOM
Formation1898
TypeProfessional association
HeadquartersBethesda, MD
Location
  • United States
Official language
English
President/Chief Executive Officer
Robert Cain, DO
Websiteaacom.org
Osteopathic medicine in the United States
Andrew Taylor Still (founder)

AACOM serves as a unifying voice for osteopathic medical education (OME), fostering collaboration among its member institutions, and is active in advocacy at the federal government level. The Association is governed by its Board of Deans and led by President Robert A. Cain, DO

AACOM often works in collaboration with other allied organizations and promotes public awareness for osteopathic medicine and OME. The association provides centralized services to its members, including data collection and analysis, and operation of its online application service, AACOMAS, for prospective students[1][2] applying to U.S. osteopathic medical schools.

Mission

AACOM provides leadership[3] for the osteopathic medical education community by promoting excellence in medical education, research and service, and by fostering innovation and quality across the continuum of osteopathic medical education to improve the health of the American public.

History

Osteopathic medicine was founded in the late 1800s in Kirksville, Missouri, by Andrew Taylor Still, MD, DO, a medical doctor who recognized that the medical practices of the day often caused more harm than good. He focused on developing a system of medical care that would promote the body’s innate ability to heal itself and called this system of medicine osteopathy, now known as osteopathic medicine.

In 2012, AACOM worked with the Association of American Medical Colleges to improve medical education on post-traumatic stress disorder and traumatic brain injuries.[4]

Osteopathic physicians, also known as DOs, work in partnership with their patients. They consider the impact that lifestyle and community have on the health of each individual, and they work to break down barriers to good health. DOs are licensed to practice the full scope of medicine in all 50 states. They practice in all types of environments, including the military, and in all types of specialties, from family medicine to obstetrics, surgery, and aerospace medicine.

Publications

AACOM publishes the Student Guide to Osteopathic Medical Colleges[5] annually and Inside OME,[6] a biweekly e-newsletter covering news related to osteopathic medicine and OME, legislation, updates on the transition to a single graduate medical education (GME) system, and more. AACOM also publishes a number of reports[7] throughout the year which focus on original research and data in OME.

AACOM Councils

Created by the AACOM Board of Deans, AACOM councils[8] support the work of the Association on behalf of all member colleges. Councils typically meet twice a year and collaborate regularly through the AACOMmunities[9] online forum. AACOM also hosts online discussions for a wide variety of ad hoc committees and other interest groups in AACOMmunities.

Programs and initiatives

AACOM also sponsors or co-sponsors a variety of programs[10] and initiatives[11] for audiences at every level of osteopathic medical education, from students to senior administrators. AACOM also offers opportunities for both medical students and health care professionals, including scholarships, internships, fellowships, and grants.

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See also

References
  1. "About the AACOM Application Service (AACOMAS)" (PDF).
  2. "AACOMAS Application Deadlines". www.aacom.org. Retrieved 2016-06-20.
  3. "AACOM Leadership". www.aacom.org. Retrieved 2016-06-20.
  4. "Medical schools join first lady's health initiative for veterans". CNN. January 11, 2012.
  5. "2017 Osteopathic Medical College Information Book". www.aacom.org. Retrieved 2016-06-20.
  6. "Inside OME". www.aacom.org. Retrieved 2016-06-20.
  7. "AACOM Reports". www.aacom.org. Retrieved 2016-06-20.
  8. "AACOM Councils and Groups". www.aacom.org. Retrieved 2016-06-20.
  9. "Home - American Association of Colleges of Osteopathic Medicine". community.aacom.org. Retrieved 2016-06-20.
  10. "Programs and Funding Opportunities". www.aacom.org. Retrieved 2016-06-20.
  11. "AACOM Initiatives". www.aacom.org. Retrieved 2016-06-20.
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