MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE
2015 Regular Session
To: Rules
By: Senator(s) Hudson, Polk, Butler (38th), Jackson (11th), Jackson (32nd), Parker, Watson
A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION RECOGNIZING THE OUTREACH ACHIEVEMENTS OF THE COLLEGE OF OSTEOPATHIC MEDICINE AT WILLIAM CAREY UNIVERSITY AND ACKNOWLEDGE THAT APRIL 19-25, 2015, IS NATIONAL OSTEOPATHIC MEDICINE (NOM) WEEK IN MISSISSIPPI.
WHEREAS, there are currently more than 110,000 osteopathic physicians (DOs) and osteopathic medical students in the United States. Mississippi's 440 osteopathic physicians, many of whom are certified by the American Osteopathic Association and who hold professional membership in the AOA and the Mississippi Osteopathic Medical Association, are dedicated to improving the health of their communities through education and awareness-based efforts, and have delivered quality health services in Mississippi since 1976; and
WHEREAS, William Carey University students, employees and their families are benefiting from the services of an on-campus osteopathic manipulative treatment (OMT) clinic operated by faculty members from the College of Osteopathic Medicine. The clinic, located in Mary Ross Hall on the Hattiesburg Campus, utilizes OMT procedures to diagnose, treat and prevent illness or injury. OMT involves hands-on care from osteopathic physicians, including the movement of muscles and joints using techniques including stretching and gentle pressure. The treatment, used to treat ailments such as back pain or migraines, can ease pain, promote healing and increase overall mobility; and
WHEREAS, Dr. James Turner, Dean of Carey's Medical College, said the goal in opening this clinic is to introduce osteopathic medicine and its techniques to the Carey Community as part of the college's outreach efforts. The college's mission is to educate osteopathic physicians who will be committed to serving the health care needs of all individuals with special attention directed to the medically underserved populations of the state and region. The new clinic, which opened January 26, 2015, is operated under the supervision of Dr. Richard Sloan, Assistant Professor of Clinical Sciences; and
WHEREAS, in addition to the clinic, the Medical College also reaches out beyond its curriculum and physical walls by setting up health fairs for local events; leading activities in elementary schools for National Physiology Understanding Week; volunteering at health care clinics in the impoverished areas of the Mississippi Delta; leading exercise classes and activities at local retirement homes; raising money and awareness for the American Heart Association; assisting with cleanup efforts at Gordon's Creek in Hattiesburg; and helping build homes for Habitat for Humanity; and
WHEREAS, students, faculty and staff members from the William Carey University College of Osteopathic Medicine recently attended the American Osteopathic Association's annual Osteopathic Medical Conference and Exposition in Seattle. Several Carey Medical College students presented at the conference and Student Doctor Alexis Cates, a fourth-year student from Mandeville, Louisiana, was presented the Nichols LEAD Scholar Award. The award, given by the national American Osteopathic Association, is presented to an osteopathic medical student whose leadership, excellence, achievement and dedication are proven in the classroom and community. The conference, the premier educational event for the osteopathic medical profession, brings together more than 5,000 physicians and osteopathic medical students from around the United States and also offers valuable continuing medical education credits; and
WHEREAS, DOs have treated U.S. Presidents; Olympic athletes; contributed to the fight against AIDS and the fight for Civil Rights; served on nationwide health care panels; served as physician members in all branches of the U.S. Military both at home and abroad; and have treated Mississippians since 1976. DOs are fully licensed in all 50 states to prescribe medicine and practice in all specialty areas of medicine, including surgery; and
WHEREAS, the citizens of Mississippi recognize the need for osteopathic physicians who are committed to bringing attention to improving the health of Americans, regardless of age, income level or ethnicity, have been so treated by osteopathic physicians in Mississippi since 1976:
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES CONCURRING THEREIN, That we do hereby join the health care community in recognizing the outreach achievements of the College of Osteopathic Medicine at William Carey University, the achievements of osteopathic physicians throughout the state, and acknowledge that April 19-25, 2015, is National Osteopathic Medicine (NOM) Week in Mississippi.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That this resolution be presented to Dr. James Turner, Dr. Richard Sloan, and Student Dr. Thomas David Buford, forwarded to the Board of Trustees of William Carey University, and made available to the Capitol Press Corps.