42 Infrastructure OSTEOPATHIC MEDICAL COLLEGES Prior to 1962, the osteopathic medical profession had become complacent, and meaningful growth had stalled. New osteopathic colleges had not formed for many years, and the postwar student boom was over. The key to the survival of any membership organization is maintaining a sustained growth that surpasses the attrition of its legacy members, and the profession was lagging behind. The California Merger situation was a true turning point. For the profession, continuing on the present path would lead to certain oblivion, as had happened to other movements in the past, but a renewed commitment toward growth would infuse needed vitality into the osteopathic movement. The profession surged forward along the path of growth when the first of 15 new osteopathic colleges opened on the campus of Michigan State University in 1969. It also became the first college of osteopathic medicine in history to be based at a publicly supported institution. With the opening of this college came a renewed sense of validation and identity for osteopathic physicians and the profession. It also created a shift in the public’s attitude toward osteopathic medical education, resulting in osteopathic colleges that are now affiliated with universities. Osteopathic colleges came to realize that increasing awareness of and necessity for research and publication helps to elevate the stature of the osteopathic professionals equal to their MD colleagues. Today, there are more than 40 osteopathic medical colleges operating at 65 locations, training more than 38,000 students annually, with more new colleges providing additional educational opportunities to enter medicine than ever before. Osteopathic medical education is now the first choice of many students seeking physician training, which will be a positive force for answering America’s physician workforce needs well into the future. Also, with a majority of DO graduates choosing family medicine, ACOFP will be at their side to support them in their residencies and on into practice. See the list of Colleges of Osteopathic Medicine in the Appendix on page 183. 40 OSTEOPATHIC MEDICAL COLLEGES 65 LOCATIONS 38,000 STUDENTS ANNUALLY Osteopathic medical education is now the first choice of many students seeking physician training, which will be a positive force for answering America’s physician workforce needs well into the future.
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