Supporting DEI in Northwest Osteopathic Physician Education

Foundation Statement of Diversity

The Foundation is committed to the philosophy that osteopathic medicine is “modern medicine for the body, mind, and spirit”. This is the fundamental and unique aspect of osteopathic medicine that has been taught in our medical schools for more than 100 years. 

This commitment is especially true when it comes to serving those in our society that have historically been and are often currently underserved in our healthcare system.

Along with our commitment to the continued teaching and reinforcing of osteopathic principles and practices (OPP), the Foundation is committed to formal and structured training that focuses on the unique healthcare needs of the LGBTQ+ and BIPOC communities.

We believe this commitment extends through all levels of physician training:

• Osteopathic Medical School – we remain committed to diversity scholarships for students in the LBGTQ+ and BIPOC communities.
• Graduate Medical Education (GME) – we continue to support residency programs with ‘Osteopathic Recognition” from the ACGME and all medical residents and programs that reinforce better healthcare outcomes in the LGBTQ+ and BIPOC communities they serve.
• Continuing Medical Education (CME) – we remain committed to providing financial support to our Northwest CME programs that emphasize and reinforce osteopathic principles and practices and include training patients in the LGBQ+ and BIPOC communities.

We also recognize that physicians and medical students in the BIPOC and LGBTQ+ communities help all of us become more aware and sensitive to the needs of these communities. We often ask them to serve on DEI committees; make special presentations and attend additional meetings and conferences. We need to recognize and appreciate their sacrifices in this effort. 

It may be decades before the sexual identity, ethnic, and cultural backgrounds of our physicians match our population. The more we can help physicians and medical students understand the unique opportunities in their diverse patient population, the better health outcomes we can expect in these populations.