Latest News From the AOA

Public Policy

AOA President joins doctors caucus to advocate for Medicaid access

On May 7, 2025, AOA President Teresa A. Hubka, DO, joined members of the newly formed Democratic Doctors Caucus and other physician leaders on the steps of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to advocate for protecting patients’ access to Medicaid. The event was an opportunity to engage directly with physician lawmakers … Read More

AOA Staff

05.13.25

JOM

Reduction in deep organ-space infection in gynecologic oncology surgery with use of oral antibiotic bowel preparation: a retrospective cohort analysis

Deep organ-space infection (OSI) following gynecologic surgery is a source of patient morbidity and mortality. There is currently conflicting evidence regarding the use of bowel preparation prior to gynecologic surgery to reduce the rates of infection. For the additional purpose of improving patient recovery at our own institution, a retrospective cohort study compared the rate … Read More

JOM Staff

05.11.25

The DO

Preparing for the transition from third to fourth year of med school

Transitions can be scary, especially when you’re in medical school. It is often very helpful to hear insights from DOs and medical students who have already been through these changes.

The DO Staff

05.09.25

JOM

Stressbusters: a pilot study investigating the effects of OMT on stress management in medical students

Medical students report high levels of perceived stress and burnout, especially during the preclinical years. The combination of physical stressors from poor posture, poor sleep quality, and mental stressors from the rigorous curriculum stimulates the sympathetic nervous system (SNS) to secrete cortisol. Previous studies have shown that persistent elevated cortisol levels are associated with negative … Read More

JOM Staff

05.09.25

The DO

The DO schools on U.S. News’ best medical schools list for 2025

U.S. News and World Report recently released its 2025 lists of the best medical schools in the U.S. The lists of the best medical schools for research and primary care each included 13 DO schools. Also, the lists of the medical schools producing the most graduates practicing in primary care, rural areas and underserved areas included many … Read More

The DO Staff

05.08.25

JOM

Elbow injuries in overhead throwing athletes: clinical evaluation, treatment, and osteopathic considerations

Injury to the elbow is very common in the throwing athlete and can potentially lead to long absences from play and, in the most severe scenarios, medical retirement. The throwing motion is a highly complex series of movements through the entire kinetic chain that results in very high angular velocities and valgus forces at the … Read More

JOM Staff

05.07.25

Public Policy

State advocacy spotlight: Protecting physician-led care across the nation

The AOA and its affiliates are leading efforts in multiple states to stop inappropriate scope expansion and preserve high standards in patient care: Nevada: The AOA and the Nevada Osteopathic Medical Association opposed Senate Bill 78, which would eliminate the state’s independent board of osteopathic medicine and place DOs under a joint regulatory board with … Read More

AOA Staff

05.06.25

Public Policy

AOA Supports the CONNECT for Health Act

The AOA submitted a letter of support for the CONNECT for Health Act of 2025, bipartisan legislation that would permanently extend critical telehealth flexibilities for Medicare beneficiaries. The bill supports use of remote patient monitoring, removes geographic restrictions on care and expands eligible originating sites. The AOA highlighted how telehealth has improved access to care, … Read More

AOA Staff

05.06.25

JOM

Recent and future trends in osteopathic orthopedic surgery residency match rates following the transition to a single accreditation system

Medical education in the United States has undergone significant changes, specifically within the osteopathic community. In 2020, a merger occurred between the American Osteopathic Association (AOA) and the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME), forming a single accreditation system (SAS) for graduate medical education and residency placement, with the purpose to create consistency within … Read More

JOM Staff

05.05.25