HR 458 — A Resolution recognizing April 13 through 19, 2026, as "National Osteopathic Medicine Week" in Pennsylvania.

PRINTER'S NO.   3049

                     THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA



              HOUSE RESOLUTION
                 No. 458
                                                 Session of
                                                   2026

     INTRODUCED BY VENKAT, HILL-EVANS, FREEMAN, CAUSER, HOHENSTEIN,
        RIVERA AND PASHINSKI, MARCH 23, 2026

     REFERRED TO COMMITTEE ON HEALTH, MARCH 23, 2026


                                  A RESOLUTION
 1   Recognizing April 13 through 19, 2026, as "National Osteopathic
 2      Medicine Week" in Pennsylvania.
 3         WHEREAS, More than 207,158 osteopathic physicians (DOs) and
 4   osteopathic medical students bring their distinctive approach to
 5   providing health care for millions of patients across the United
 6   States; and
 7         WHEREAS, Pennsylvania's 12,113 DOs are dedicated to improving
 8   the health of their communities through patient-centered care
 9   focused on treating the body, mind and spirit; and
10         WHEREAS, DOs practice in every medical field and specialty,
11   combining medical expertise with a whole person approach
12   centered on listening to and partnering with their patients; and
13         WHEREAS, DOs account for more than 11% of all physicians in
14   the United States, and more than 25% of all United States
15   medical students have chosen to practice osteopathic medicine;
16   and
17         WHEREAS, Pennsylvania is a national leader in practicing DOs,
18   ranking third out of all 50 states; and
 1         WHEREAS, Pennsylvania is home to three Colleges of
 2   Osteopathic Medicine, the Philadelphia College of Osteopathic
 3   Medicine, Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine and the
 4   Nasuti College of Osteopathic Medicine of Duquesne University;
 5   and
 6         WHEREAS, More than half of the nation's DOs practice in the
 7   primary care specialties of family medicine, internal medicine
 8   and pediatrics; and
 9         WHEREAS, Nearly 70% of DOs are under 45 years of age; and
10         WHEREAS, DOs have made tremendous contributions to the
11   American health care system since osteopathic medicine was
12   founded by Andrew Taylor Still, MD, DO, more than 130 years ago;
13   and
14         WHEREAS, DOs hold some of the most prominent positions in
15   medicine today, including serving as physician to the President
16   of the United States as well as overseeing care for the NASA
17   medical team and many Olympic-level and professional athletes;
18   and
19         WHEREAS, DOs are trained to consider the health of the whole
20   person and use their hands to help diagnose and treat their
21   patients; therefore be it
22         RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives recognize April
23   13 through 19, 2026, as "National Osteopathic Medicine Week" in
24   Pennsylvania; and be it further
25         RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives urge all
26   Pennsylvanians to support this observance by helping to educate
27   members of the public about osteopathic physicians and
28   osteopathic medicine.




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