“The most dangerous person in the room is the one who knows enough about everything to carry a discussion in all matters,” is my father’s most impactful advice. This became my mission, to endeavor into all opportunities in the pursuit of knowledge. Once my purpose had been set, to pursue a career in medicine, I knew immediately that I needed to build a repository of knowledge that would allow me to be the best that I could be. For me, this became a tool belt - the analogy that I used for all the prodigious experiences I began to collect. My most notable experience to date is my candidacy for Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine (DO) at the Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine in Blacksburg, VA. Here I am not only a Student of Medicine but a novice practitioner, where I am being trained to use my hands to aid one’s body in healing. Recently my peers and I have participated in many local health fairs and “OMM at the Farmers Market”, which has allowed us to not only practice OMM (Osteopathic Manipulative Medicine) under supervision but advocate for our students and physicians. There have been many instances where we have encountered community members who have never before interacted with Osteopathic Providers.

Recently, in my role as the VOMA (Virginia Osteopathic Medical Association) VCOM Student Chair, I have been able to advocate for my peers by reaching further than just my local community. In one of our recent efforts, we delved into FREIDA (Fellowship and Residency Electronic Interactive Database Access) to analyze DO residency placements and requirements for all programs in the state of Virginia. Herein we uncovered a challenge: of the 50 programs that supplied complete data to FREIDA, 22% did not accept COMLEX Scores and of those same 50 programs, 14% required a higher COMLEX Score Equivalent when compared to USMLE. However, most disheartening is that 12% of the 50 programs report a 0% DO residency representation. The data illustrates an unnecessary burden placed on DO students. Specifically, students may find that pursuing their interested field of medicine may require them to leave our state or forfeit the chance at their desired program. Additionally, a significant portion of osteopathic students must both afford and study for two licensure exams: their COMLEX-USA licensure examination, which is required for graduation from a college of osteopathic medicine, as well as the USMLE which is arbitrarily required by some Program Directors.

Thereupon, I began advocating for the FAIR Act - legislative action that calls for equality for Osteopathic and Allopathic (MD) Medical Students in pursuing residency training program positions. Following the ACGME Merger, it was hoped osteopathic students would have begun to realize more equalized representation within all government-funded residency programs. A review of the data demonstrates significant barriers still exist in several ACGME residency training programs in the US. Achieving parity for DO and MD students in all ACGME training programs would increase access to holistic, well-rounded, patient-centered care in communities that osteopathic graduates have been trained to support. Currently, selected Program Directors generate restrictions that prevent osteopathic students from matriculating into competitive residency programs in communities, whether they be in rural or metropolitan areas. The FAIR Act will require programs that receive government funds to report annually their applicant numbers, acceptance numbers, and medical degree type for accepted applicants, as well as accept COMLEX results equally to USMLE results when licensing exam performance is utilized in resident selection. These changes will relieve the stress and burden felt by osteopathic students who feel obligated to take two licensing examinations just to compete for an ACGME residency training position. Moreover, communities will realize improved access to osteopathically based treatment by DOs who tend to settle in the communities in which they train.

Though it would be preferred that DO Discrimination be addressed within the House of Medicine, until that time comes, there is a strong need for advocacy - let us continue the momentum in this movement. Please visit AACOM Action Center to send a pre-populated letter of support to your local Congressman. I encourage you to join us in supporting the future of FAIR access for both communities and osteopathic candidates for residency.