WHEREAS, There are 80,000 osteopathic physicians currently practicing medicine in the United States; and

WHEREAS, Osteopathic physicians make up one-fifth of all practicing physicians in the United States; and

WHEREAS, There are 4,500 osteopathic physicians currently residing and practicing medicine in the State of California; and

WHEREAS, California is home to two fully accredited osteopathic medical schools; and

WHEREAS, Osteopathic physicians have provided quality health care and health education outreach to all of California’s residents since the founding of the Osteopathic Medical Board of California in 1922; and

WHEREAS, Osteopathic physicians seek to provide the best and highest quality health care to all individuals regardless of race, religion, ethnicity, sexual orientation, or socioeconomic standing; and

WHEREAS, Osteopathic physicians seek to treat the whole person through the practice of medicine and hands-on manipulation; and

WHEREAS, Osteopathic physicians seek to bring a humanistic world view of treatment and care to patients and individuals in need; and

WHEREAS, Osteopathic physicians are licensed to practice in all areas and specialties and may prescribe medication and perform surgery; and

WHEREAS, Osteopathic physicians have played an influential role in shaping health care policies that have affected the health and well-being of all citizens of the State of California; and

WHEREAS, National Osteopathic Medicine (NOM) Week is celebrated during the third week of April annually. NOM Week brings the osteopathic medical profession together to focus on the common goal of increasing awareness of osteopathic medicine and osteopathic physicians in communities across the country; now, therefore, be it