A senate RESOLUTION

TO RECOGNIZE MARCH 8, 2023, AS "SOUTH CAROLINA OSTEOPATHIC MEDICINE DAY" IN SOUTH CAROLINA in honor of the important role that doctors of osteopathic medicine play in meeting the health care needs of the citizens of SOUTH CAROLINA, the military of the united states, and our country as a whole.

Whereas, there are currently almost one hundred eighty thousand osteopathic physicians and osteopathic medical students in the United States; and

Whereas, South Carolina is a growing leader in osteopathic medicine with more than two thousand licensed osteopathic physicians in State; and

Whereas, osteopathic physicians have made tremendous contributions in leadership, research, and patient care in the United States, including treating United States Presidents, serving at the ranks of general and admiral in the United States military, Coast Guard, and public health service industry, as well as conducting research at NASA and the National Institute of Health; and

Whereas, osteopathic physicians have a strong tradition of caring for patients in rural and underserved areas in all parts of the country; and

Whereas, osteopathic physicians are trained to help patients heal in body, mind, and spirit, employing a hands-on, patient-centered approach that includes the use of osteopathic manipulative medicine when indicated to diagnose and treat conditions, preserve good health, and prevent the spread of disease; and

Whereas, South Carolina's osteopathic physicians are dedicated to improving the health of their community through education and awareness-based efforts, as well as by delivering quality health care services; and

Whereas, the Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine-Carolinas Campus in Spartanburg is South Carolina's first and only permanent four-year osteopathic medical school and is committed to training globally-minded, community-focused physicians to practice in rural and underserved areas; and

Whereas, the A.T. Still University School of Osteopathic Medicine in Arizona has a satellite clinical rotation site in Beaufort to prepare its graduates to practice in rural and underserved areas; and

Whereas, osteopathic physicians improve the health of all Americans through practice in primary care specialties and those additional specialties most needed in rural and underserved areas. Now, therefore,

Be it resolved by the Senate:

That the members of the South Carolina Senate, by this resolution, recognize March 8, 2023 as "South Carolina Osteopathic Medicine Day" in South Carolina in honor of the important role that doctors of osteopathic medicine play in meeting the healthcare needs of the citizens of South Carolina, the military of the United States, and our country as a whole.

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