Record Number of Medical Students Commit to “D.O. More”
Nicholas A. Kaup, an osteopathic medical student at the Kansas City University of Medicine and Biosciences College of Osteopathic Medicine (KCU-COM), is passionate about making life better for patients by one day becoming a doctor of osteopathic medicine (DO).
He explains, “Osteopathic medicine encompasses what it truly means to be a physician; that is, to treat the ‘whole’ patient. I would not want to learn medicine any other way.”
A record-breaking number of medical students now pursuing the DO path would probably agree. In fact, more than one in four—25 percent—of all first-year medical students throughout the United States are now students of osteopathic medicine, according to recent data released by the American Association of Colleges of Osteopathic Medicine (AACOM).
To engage undergraduates in applying to colleges of osteopathic medicine (COMs), AACOM launched the D.O. More campaign (#DOmore2016) on Wednesday, May 6, as potential applicants nationwide began to make big decisions about medical school. Designed to empower millennial students who want to improve the health of local communities and the world, D.O. More harnesses a combined digital and social media effort that works across social media channels, integrates web and email, and leverages visuals and testimonials to tell the story of osteopathic medicine.
Quickly, the campaign started making waves in osteopathic medical education (OME) circles, raising awareness about the benefits of attending an osteopathic medical school among millennials who have a passion for service. D.O. More provides easy touch points for those who are interested in applying to osteopathic medical school or learning about osteopathic medicine, want to download a free student guide, or would like to get information about upcoming recruitment events. D.O. More spotlights the personal approach of osteopathic medicine through powerful testimonials of future DOs who are committed to using their skills and expertise to improve communities, especially underserved ones, both near and far.
This innovative campaign connects DO students, like Amanda Quach—osteopathic medical student at the Pacific Northwest University of Health Sciences College of Osteopathic Medicine (PNWU-COM), with their passion and potential.
“The greatest thing about osteopathic medicine is that it enables us to be healers through our two portable hands, without any x-ray machine or surgical procedure,” Amanda said. “It has always been my goal to practice medicine abroad in communities that lack access to medical care. If I am alone in a remote village, I will still have the knowledge and skills to help these individuals.”
D.O. More campaign channels include:
- A main campaign landing page: http://www.aacom.org/domore
- A social share page: http://www.aacom.org/domore/social
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/AACOMmunities (@AACOMmunities) —#DOmore2016 for tweets
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AACOMAS
As momentum for D.O. More builds, current and future students, along with DOs and COMs, are enthusiastically stepping forward to educate others about the ways osteopathic medicine transforms lives through a patient-centered approach. Downloadable graphics, sample messages, and online tools also make it easier to spread the word about the unique value of osteopathic medicine, share student testimonials, and express pride in the growing DO field.
Are you a current or future student of osteopathic medicine? What inspires you to want to D.O. More? Now it’s your turn to share. Let us know in the comments section below, or send your story our way by clicking here.