The AOA, ACGME and AACOM have entered an agreement to pursue a single, unified accreditation system for graduate medical education programs in the United States beginning in July 2015. The following statements of support have been received by the AOA from DOs, osteopathic medical students, osteopathic state and specialty groups and supporters of the osteopathic medical profession.
On behalf of the Missouri Association of Osteopathic Physicians and Surgeons (MAOPS) Board of Trustees, its 1,000 members and 1,700 student members, MAOPS would like to voice its support for the AOA's current strategy to work with AACOM to unify the accreditation process for postdoctoral training programs. In light of the current climate, we feel that this offers the profession an opportunity to advance. — Robert C. Scanlon, II, DO, President of the Missouri Association of Osteopathic Physicians and Surgeons
The Kansas Association of Osteopathic Medicine supports the AOA, ACGME and AACOM as they enter into an agreement to pursue a single, unified accreditation system for graduate medical education programs in the United States beginning in July 2015. Additionally, KAOM would like to emphasize that a vital component of any agreement is the retention of OPP/OMM core competencies for osteopathic-focused training programs and AOA board certification for all DOs. — Mary Franz, DO, President, and Robert R. Williams, Executive Director of the Kansas Association of Osteopathic Medicine
The American Osteopathic Colleges of Ophthalmology and Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery Board of Governors supports ongoing discussions with the AOA, ACGME and AACOM regarding the single unified accreditation process. — Carlo J. DiMarco, DO, Executive Vice President/CEO of the American Osteopathic Colleges of Ophthalmology and Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery
The Oklahoma Osteopathic Association supports the negotiations of the AOA, the ACGME and AACOM in their efforts to resolve issues related to the education of osteopathic medical students, residents and fellows. The OOA also strongly supports the retention of OPP/OMM core competencies for osteopathic-focused training programs and AOA board certification for all DOs through this new single accreditation system. — Lynette C. McLain, Executive Director of the Oklahoma Osteopathic Association
The Ohio Osteopathic Association Board of Trustees has voted unanimously to support the efforts of the AOA and AACOM to finalize an agreement with the ACGME. We have the utmost confidence that our national organizations will carefully weigh all options to preserve and protect osteopathic principles, certification standards, and the integrity of our residency programs. — John F. Ramey, DO, President of the Ohio Osteopathic Association
The North Carolina Osteopathic Medical Association supports the AOA, ACGME and AACOM as they enter into an agreement to explore the feasibility of a single, unified accreditation system for graduate medical education programs in the United States beginning in July 2015. NCOMA also supports the retention of OPP/OMM core competencies for osteopathic-focused training programs, the OPTI system, and AOA board certification for all DOs through this new single accreditation system. — Saundra Stanley, Executive Director of the North Carolina Osteopathic Medical Association
The Mississippi Osteopathic Medical Association (MOMA) fully supports a single, unified accreditation system for graduate medical education programs in the U.S. Preserving access to ACGME residency and fellowship programs for DOs and formally recognizing AOA training and board certification for DOs wanting to serve, and currently serving, as ACGME faculty is a critical component. MOMA strongly supports retention of OPP/OMM core competencies for osteopathic-focused training programs and AOA board certification for all DOs through this new single accreditation system. — Stephen P. Johnson, DO, President of the Mississippi Osteopathic Medical Association
The National Board of Osteopathic Medical Examiners joins in support of further negotiations with the ACGME towards a single, unified graduate medical education accreditation system for all physicians. This is an unprecedented opportunity to expand the training and faculty position opportunities for osteopathic medical graduates, while at the same time acting to preserve the distinctiveness of the osteopathic medical profession and its contributions to the health of the public. — Janice A. Knebl, DO, Chair of the National Board of Osteopathic Medical Examiners
A unified accreditation system will preserve access to ACGME residency and fellowship programs for DOs and formally recognizes AOA training and board certification for DOs wanting to serve, and currently serving, as ACGME faculty. The Colorado Society of Osteopathic Medicine also supports the retention of OPP/OMM core competencies for osteopathic-focused training programs and AOA board certification for all DOs through this new single accreditation system. — Colorado Society of Osteopathic Medicine
The Maine Osteopathic Association has approved a resolution supporting the possible formation of a unified accreditation system for graduate medical education, stating a belief that the initiative will maintain and enhance opportunities in postdoctoral training for osteopathic graduates. — Maine Osteopathic Association
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