AOA President Addresses Students
May 6, 2016
John W. Becher, DO ’70, stressed the need for students to be advocates for the profession.
John W. Becher, DO ’70, chair, emergency medicine, lectures PCOM’s DO students regularly on the principles
and practice of emergency medicine, but at a recent lunchtime lecture he wore a very
different hat—addressing the students as the president of the American Osteopathic
Association (AOA).
Dr. Becher and AOA president-elect, Boyd R. Buser, DO, dean of the University of Pikeville-Kentucky
College of Osteopathic Medicine, spoke to the students about the benefits of AOA representation,
the organization’s new campaign to raise awareness of the profession, and the state
of the profession in general.
“There are 123,000 practicing DOs and osteopathic medical students in this country,
and that number is growing,” said Dr. Becher. “You are helping to make our profession
younger and more diverse.”
He also stressed the need for students to be advocates for the profession, amongst
their family, friends and even legislators. “It can be a two-minute conversation with
your friends or a family member,” he said. “Get to know your legislators, and become
a resource for them in healthcare. The future of osteopathic medicine is in your
hands, we need you to spread the word and educate others about what we do.”
Dr. Buser then spoke briefly about the status of the transition to a single accreditation
system for graduate medical education in the U.S. He noted that, thanks to a special,
osteopathic recognition committee under the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical
Education, the osteopathic philosophy could flourish under the new system, as any
program can apply for osteopathic status if it fulfills certain requirements laid
out by the committee.
“The first cohort of these programs recently received their osteopathic recognition,
and that is important because these programs made the choice to apply for that special
status,” said Dr. Buser. “That shows that they are clearly seeking access to candidates
like you—DO students.”
About Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine
Founded in 1899, Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine (PCOM) has trained thousands
of highly competent, caring physicians, health practitioners and behavioral scientists
who practice a “whole person” approach to care—treating people, not just symptoms.
PCOM operates three campuses (PCOM, PCOM Georgia and PCOM South Georgia) and offers doctoral degrees in clinical psychology, educational psychology, osteopathic
medicine, pharmacy, physical therapy and school psychology, and graduate degrees in
applied behavior analysis, applied positive psychology, biomedical sciences, forensic
medicine, medical laboratory science, mental health counseling, non profit leadership
and population health management, organizational development and leadership, physician
assistant studies, school psychology, and public health management and administration.
PCOM students learn the importance of health promotion, research, education and service
to the community. Through its community-based Healthcare Centers, PCOM provides care
to medically underserved populations. For more information, visit pcom.edu or call 215-871-6100.
For more information, contact:
Daniel McCunney
Associate Director, News and Media Relations
Email: danielmc1@pcom.edu
Office: 215-871-6304 | Cell:
267-449-1360