12th Annual BIOMEA International Seminar: Global Health & Osteopathic Challenges

The Bureau on International Osteopathic Medical Education and Affairs (BIOMEA) is holding its 12th Annual International Seminar, “Global Health & Osteopathic Challenges,” on Sunday, Oct. 24, during this year’s OMED in San Francisco. This year’s Seminar will focus on global health issues, including a presentation from Dr. Terrie Taylor on pediatric malaria in Malawi; Exposure Analysis and Balkan Endemic Nephropathy from Professors Tom Voice and David Long; emergency health care in Haiti from Dr. Sidney Coupet, President, U.S. Doctors for Haiti; current challenges in osteopathy by Mr. Charles Hunt, Principal of the British School of Osteopathy; and a keynote address from Dr. Richard Alderslade, CEO, Children’s High Level Group, among others. The full agenda is available for download (PDF).

During the International Seminar, BIOMEA will co-host a poster session with the Student Osteopathic Medical Association (SOMA), focusing on the international medical experiences of osteopathic students and physicians. Experience can be in the form of research, training, volunteer medical work, or any other medicine-related work overseas. Please note: this program is independent from the Research Poster Exhibition that will also take place at OMED.

Although the poster session will be open to anyone in the profession, there will also be a competition for student members of SOMA. This year’s competition will include two different student categories, one based on broad outreach experiences and one based on research done while on outreach programs. BIOMEA & SOMA will determine and notify the top two entries in each category in September; the winners will be invited to the Seminar to discuss their posters and international experiences/research. All poster entries will be displayed at the Seminar.

POSTER SESSION DEADLINE EXTENDED
SUBMISSIONS and ELIGIBILITY: To apply for the Poster Session or the BIOMEA/SOMA Student Competition, please visit our online submissions page and under the “Submission Type” dropdown, be sure to select the “BIOMEA/SOMA/OIA” choice.

Poster applications and abstracts must be submitted by Tuesday, Aug. 31 Friday, Sept. 10, to ensure that BIOMEA and SOMA have ample time to select the top student submissions for the panel. No applications will be accepted after this date. If you have any questions or need additional information, please contact Verna Bronersky, BIOMEA Staff, at vbronersky@osteopathic.org or (800) 621-1773, ext. 8191. BIOMEA and SOMA look forward to a great competition and Seminar! 

About International Osteopathic Medicine

Osteopathic medicine, as practiced in the United States, continues to gain recognition throughout the world. The American Osteopathic Association has assigned responsibility for international activities to the Bureau on International Osteopathic Medical Education and Affairs (BIOMEA). The Bureau, which was founded in 1998, oversees activities including:

• Monitoring of licensing and registration practices in countries outside of the United States, particularly as it affects osteopathic medical education, and advancing the recognition of American-trained DOs.
• Contact with the World Health Organization (WHO), the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) and other international health organizations.
• An international seminar and poster session at the AOA's annual convention.
• Distribution of information on international activities of interest.
• Distribution of information about the AOA and American osteopathic medicine to interested parties outside of the U.S.
• Coordination of international activity with osteopathic medical students, colleges of osteopathic medicine and interested specialty colleges.

COM International Activities Survey

In an effort to expand opportunities for the international osteopathic profession, the AOA’s Bureau on International Osteopathic Medical Education and Affairs (BIOMEA) conducted a survey of all colleges of osteopathic medicine (COM) and their programs and activities in international student clinical electives, medical outreach, and professional interactions with international organizations. 

As the osteopathic profession continues to expand its international reach, the sharing of this information among different osteopathic bodies becomes more and more important. The intent of this survey is to help raise awareness of opportunities and interactions for osteopathic students and physicians in the international community. Read the survey results.

The Bureau strives to maintain the most current information, and therefore this document will be revised on a regular basis. If your COM has any changes or updates please, e-mail them to Joshua Kerr, BIOMEA Secretary, at jkerr@osteopathic.org or complete the survey.

Please note: this information is self reported by representatives at each college of osteopathic medicine; accurate reporting is the responsibility of each COM.

International Practice Rights

Osteopathic physicians currently have unlimited practice rights in roughly 45 countries, with partial practice rights in several more. Learn more by visiting the International Licensure page.