Whereas there are more than 157,000 osteopathic physicians and nearly 40,000 osteopathic medical students in the United States;

Whereas osteopathic physicians and medical students train at high-caliber schools of osteopathic medicine across the United States, including in rural and underserved communities;

Whereas, in 1874, Andrew Taylor Still, MD, DO, introduced the principles of osteopathic medicine, emphasizing the idea that the body is a unit, and its structure and function are interrelated;

Whereas osteopathic physicians have made significant contributions to the healthcare system of the United States since the founding of the first osteopathic medical school in 1892;

Whereas the number of osteopathic physicians in the United States has increased by more than 70 percent in the past 10 years;

Whereas osteopathic medicine emphasizes a whole-person, patient-centric approach to healthcare, and osteopathic physicians play an important role in the healthcare system of the United States;

Whereas osteopathic physicians train and practice in all medical specialties and practice settings;

Whereas osteopathic physicians and medical students in the United States are dedicated to improving the health of their communities and delivering high-quality care for the body, mind, and spirit; and

Whereas osteopathic physicians practice in every State: Now, therefore, be it