TITLE: Recognizing February 23, 2011, as Osteopathic Medicine Day at the State Capitol.

SUMMARY: Recognizing February 23, 2011, as Osteopathic Medicine Day at the State Capitol.

FULL TEXT:
WHEREAS, The Senate of the State of Texas takes pride in recognizing the osteopathic physicians of Texas and in recognizing February 23, 2011, as Osteopathic Medicine Day at the State Capitol; and WHEREAS, Osteopathic physicians, also known as D.O.s, are philosophically committed to meeting the health care needs of the whole person and the whole family; and WHEREAS, Osteopathic physicians embrace the concept that their patients' lifestyles, including home, family, work, spiritual, and social environments, have a tremendous impact on their health and well-being; and WHEREAS, Osteopathic physicians offer primary care through family practice, general practice, internal medicine, obstetrics and gynecology, and pediatrics, as well as preventive medical services, public health services, and an entire spectrum of specialty care to the citizens of Texas; and WHEREAS, The philosophy and practice of osteopathic medicine epitomizes the concept of the practice-centered medical-home model of health care intervention and care; and WHEREAS, There are 3,991 osteopathic physicians licensed to practice medicine in the State of Texas, including growing numbers of women, Hispanic, Asian American, and African American osteopathic physicians; and WHEREAS, Texas osteopathic physicians serve the needs of many citizens in rural and medically underserved areas of Texas; in some counties, a doctor of osteopathic medicine is the only physician in the county; and WHEREAS, Texas osteopathic physicians also serve their country and their state by serving in the military of the United States in this time of strife; and WHEREAS, Osteopathic medical students from Texas continue to study at many osteopathic medical schools across the country, including the University of North Texas Health Science Center's Texas College of Osteopathic Medicine, which currently has more than 700 students and whose graduates have historically entered primary care specialties in numbers well above the national and state average; and WHEREAS, Osteopathic physicians are providing medical care to Texas legislators and their staff while serving as the "Doctor of the Day" at the State Capitol during the week of February 21 through February 25, 2011; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That the Senate of the State of Texas, 82nd Legislature, hereby declare Wednesday, February 23, 2011, as Osteopathic Medicine Day at the State Capitol in recognition of the dedicated osteopathic physicians who give this state and its citizens quality, comprehensive, and personalized medical care and of the medical students currently studying to be the future osteopathic physicians of this state; and, be it further RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution be prepared for the osteopathic physicians of Texas in appreciation for their committed work for Texas. Nelson President of the Senate I hereby certify that the above Resolution was adopted by the Senate on February 22, 2011.