Osteopathic Recognition Program: “OMM for the Underserved”

Osteopathic Recognition (OR) is an ACGME designation that demonstrates a residency program’s commitment to teaching and assessing Osteopathic Principles & Practice (OPP).  Osteopathic Recognition involves the incorporation of OPP into the six ACGME Core Competencies: Patient Care, Medical Knowledge, Professionalism, Interpersonal & Communication Skills, Practice-based Learning & Improvement, and Systems-based Practice.

The Morehouse School of Medicine Dominican Hospital Family Medicine Residency Program received the ACGME designation of Osteopathic Recognition for its inaugural class of residents, becoming one of the few programs in California to carry such a designation, with Touro University College of Osteopathic Medicine-CA as our academic partner.

The four tenets of Osteopathic Medicine integrated into our culture:

1. The body is a unit; the person is a unit of mind, body, and spirit
2. The body is capable of self-regulation, self-healing, and health maintenance
3. Structure and function are reciprocally interrelated
4. Rational treatment is based upon an understanding of these basic principles

Our Curriculum: OMM (Osteopathic Manipulative Medicine) for the Underserved
Osteopathic Principles and Treatment Practices are integrated into all of the residency’s curriculum and are practiced daily at the resident’s continuity Clinic at Santa Cruz Community Health Center (SCCH). SCCH is a Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC) and is the only clinic which provides Osteopathic care to the underserved community of Santa Cruz County. Our residency has designed a unique precepting system so that residents can perform Osteopathic Manipulative Treatment (OMT) techniques daily in their continuity clinic and in a weekly dedicated OMT clinic. The specialized OMT teaching clinic has built in mini-didactics and is precepted by OMM and/or ONMM (Osteopathic  Neuromusculoskeletal Medicine) specialists.  In addition, robust monthly hands-on OMT didactics for all residents take place during protected didactic time.  Inpatient OMT, OPP/Pain Journal Club, community OMT outreach events, and two integrated MSK/Orthopedic rotations are also carved out in our residency curriculum. 

Designated Osteopathic Residents will also have the added opportunity to work with our Community-based Osteopathic Faculty in their respective practices, experiencing a diverse array of techniques, styles of treatment, and billing models.  In addition, there is incorporation of OPP into Resident Scholarly/QI Projects, journal club, as well as collaboration with Touro’s Department of OMM who visit twice yearly for more in-depth resident and preceptor training.

A word from our Director of Osteopathic Education:

“I chose to learn Osteopathy because of my passion for service. Osteopathy gives me the opportunity to diagnose and treat patients with my hands, regardless of where I am in the world. Our residency is dedicated to treating underserved patients. Our residents and faculty provide a unique skill, Osteopathic Manipulative Treatments, that uninsured and underserved patients would otherwise not have access to in this community. The founder of Osteopathy, Andrew Still, MD and DO, once said that “the role of the Osteopath is to help the body heal itself”. I see our residents and faculty serving this community and helping patients heal everyday. I’m thankful to be a part of a program that provides the service of Osteopathic Medicine to all patients; particularly the most vulnerable and underserved.”

  -Ashley Rubin, DO MS: Director of Osteopathic Education

Program Osteopathic Faculty: 

• Gary Zane, DO – Program Director
• Ashley Rubin, DO MS – Associate Program Director & Director of Osteopathic Education (FMOB)
• Elisa Washburn, DO – Core Osteopathic Faculty 

Community Osteopathic Faculty:

• Kaitlin Best, DO
• Nathan Rheault, DO
• Andrew Smythe, DO
• Casey KirkHart, DO
• Kristin Thom, DO
• Mindy White, DO

Academic Partners: Touro University College of Osteopathic Medicine - CA

• Natalie Nevins, DO - Associate Dean for GME & Program Development
• May Lin, DO – Assistant Dean for GME & Program Development
• TUCOM-CA Department of OMM