The American Osteopathic Association (AOA) represents more than 197,000 osteopathic physicians (DOs) and osteopathic medical students.
In addition to advancing the distinctive philosophy and practice of osteopathic medicine, the AOA promotes public health, encourages scientific research, serves as the primary certifying body for DOs and acts as the accrediting agency for all osteopathic medical schools.
March 21, 2025: Record number of DOs secure residency positions through NRMP Match
Over 8,000 osteopathic medical students and graduates matched into training programs during the 2025 NRMP Match, setting a record for the most DO students matching. This match cycle saw a 92.6% match rate, demonstrating the strong value that osteopathic physicians contribute. AOA President Teresa A. Hubka, DO, FACOOG (Dist.), CS, said, “We are ecstatic to see that our osteopathic medical students and graduates are being actively sought out by residency programs in every specialty across the practice of medicine.” READ MORE
March 20, 2025: Leading organizations unite to affirm vaccine safety amid rising misinformation and declining trust
The AOA joined the American Association of Immunologists and the American College of Physicians, along with 30+ additional organizations, to issue a statement emphasizing the critical role that vaccinations play in public health. This statement comes following a decline of trust in science, rising vaccine misinformation and outbreaks of preventable diseases. READ MORE
Feb. 13, 2025: AOA urges Congress to protect Medicaid program
The AOA, representing over 150,000 osteopathic physicians, recently called for the preservation of the Medicaid program. The statement reads, in part, “Medicaid is a lifeline for our nation’s most vulnerable … To that end, it is of the utmost importance that Congress protect this vital program.” READ MORE
Jan. 23, 2025: Statement from leading physician groups on announcement to withdraw U.S. from the World Health Organization
A statement issued by the AOA and five other leading physician groups urges Congress to reject the administration’s proposal to withdraw from the WHO in order to ensure the United States can continue to have a seat at the table where critical public health decisions are being made. Remaining part of the WHO is one way to ensure our nation’s success in achieving this goal for all Americans. READ MORE
Dec. 20, 2024: President Biden, 20 states and cities celebrate 150 years of osteopathic medicine
In recognition of the osteopathic medical profession’s 150th anniversary, 20 states and cities across the nation are observed December 2024 as Osteopathic Medicine Month. President Biden issued a congratulatory letter to NYITCOM in recognition of the osteopathic profession’s tremendous contributions to health care during the past 150 years. “As you celebrate this milestone anniversary, it is my hope that you are filled with pride in all the progress the osteopathic medical community has achieved—from pioneering medical discoveries to improving the health and well-being of Americans across the nation and so much more,” the letter states. READ MORE
July 24, 2024: AOA installs Teresa A. Hubka, DO, as 128th President
Teresa A. Hubka, DO, FACOOG, FACOG, CS, was installed Saturday as President of the American Osteopathic Association (AOA), the nation’s premier osteopathic medical organization representing more than 197,000 osteopathic physicians (DOs) and medical students across the nation. Dr. Hubka, an osteopathic OB-GYN who has practiced in Chicago for more than three decades, plans to champion excellence in osteopathic distinction, physician leadership and solidarity during her year in office. READ MORE
March 15, 2024: DO placements in 2024 NRMP Match reach all-time high
The American Osteopathic Association is pleased to announce that a record high number of 7,705 osteopathic medical students and past DO graduates matched into year 1 (PGY-1) residency positions through the National Resident Matching Program (NRMP). This number reflects a 92.3% match rate for the 8,033 DO seniors who participated, a 0.7% increase from last year. READ MORE
There are two types of physicians in the US: Medical Doctors (MDs) and Doctors of Osteopathic Medicine (DOs). Their training and education are similar and equally rigorous, involving four years of medical school followed by specialty training in a residency program. Both types of physicians practice in every medical and surgical specialty in the United States.
DOs bring a unique approach to the practice of medicine, focusing on prevention by examining how a patient’s lifestyle and environment impact well-being. As part of their education, DOs receive extra training in the musculoskeletal system (the body’s interconnected system of muscles, bones and joints), enabling them to provide patients with an advanced level of comprehensive care.
Today, there are approximately 149,000 licensed and practicing osteopathic physicians in the US, which is just over 11% of the physician population. Osteopathic medicine is the fastest growing medical field in the US, and one in four medical students in the United States is training to be an osteopathic physician.
Osteopathic medicine is practiced by Doctors of Osteopathic Medicine, or DOs, who make up 11% of the physician population in the US.
The osteopathic philosophy of medicine sees an interrelated unity in all systems of the body, with each working with the other to heal in times of illness.
The American Osteopathic Association (AOA) represents more than 197,000 osteopathic physicians (DOs) and osteopathic medical students. In addition to advancing the distinctive philosophy and practice of osteopathic medicine, the AOA promotes public health, encourages scientific research, serves as the primary certifying body for DOs and acts as the accrediting agency for all osteopathic medical schools. Learn more about DOs and their distinctive body, mind, spirit approach to care.
‘Osteopathic physician’ and ‘osteopathic medicine’ are the terms to use for the DOs. ‘Osteopath’ and ‘osteopathy’ refer to foreign-trained, non-physician health care professionals.
Osteopathic physician (DO) should be used when referring to a fully licensed physician who graduated from an accredited osteopathic medical school in the United States and is qualified to prescribe medication and practice in all specialty areas including surgery.
Osteopath describes a health care provider trained outside of the United States who does not qualify for licensure for the unlimited practice of medicine.
Osteopathic medicine should be used when referring to medicine practiced by osteopathic physicians who graduate from accredited osteopathic medical schools in the United States. Osteopathy should only be used when referring to the occupation of osteopaths trained outside of the United States who do not qualify for licensure for the unlimited practice of medicine.
Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine is the proper name for the degree granted by osteopathic medical schools in the United States and is represented by the acronym DO. Do not use Doctor of Osteopathy. DO also may be used in place of osteopathic physician.
Use the DO designation when referring to an osteopathic physician in the first reference:
State a DO’s specialty as:
Hold more than one professional degree? Use:
Use the terms family medicine and family physician instead of general practice and general practitioner.
Refer to osteopathic medical schools with their osteopathic identification:
Like MDs, DOs complete four years of medical school, followed by post-graduate training that may include an internship, residency and fellowship. Physicians licensed as DOs, like their MD counterparts, must pass a stringent national medical board examination and complete post-graduate training in order to be eligible for state licensure. DOs and MDs may also become board-certified in the practice of their medical specialty.
One way in which DOs are distinct from MDs is they receive an additional 200 hours of training in osteopathic manipulative medicine (OMM). Through their training, DOs come to understand the body’s musculoskeletal system, an interconnected system of nerves, muscles and bones.
DOs partner with patients to help them get healthy and stay well. They take a whole-person approach to treatment and care, focusing on the body, mind and spirit of their patients. DOs practicing OMM provide diagnosis and treatment through a system of techniques that also help alleviate pain, restore motion, and support the body’s structure to help it function more efficiently.
View the AOA’s annual Osteopathic Medical Profession (OMP) report for more information and current data on osteopathic medicine.