American Osteopathic Association Installs Boyd R. Buser, DO, as 120th President

Kentucky College of Osteopathic Medicine Dean Focuses on Osteopathic Principles While Leading Fast Growing Profession

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Jul 25, 2016, 09:03 ET

CHICAGO, July 25, 2016 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Boyd R. Buser, DO, dean of the Kentucky College of Osteopathic Medicine, was installed Saturday as president of the American Osteopathic Association.

Dr. Buser assumed the presidency before an estimated 500 osteopathic physicians (DOs) at the American Osteopathic Association's annual business meeting in Chicago. The organization represents the professional interests of the nation's more than 123,000 DOs and osteopathic medical students.

Boyd R. Buser, DO, was installed Saturday as president of the American Osteopathic Association. Osteopathic physicians comprised 11 percent of American physicians in 2015 and the profession is among the fastest growing in health care, with one out of four medical students enrolled in an osteopathic medical school. Currently, there are more than 123,000 DOs and osteopathic medical students in the U.S.

"We are at a turning point in health care, when the focus on wellness and prevention has never been greater. Patients value our approach, how we partner with them to promote their health and wellbeing, whether the topic is preventing chronic disease or protecting patients from the threat of opioid addiction," said Dr. Buser. "As osteopathic physicians, we seek health in our patients and recognize that a person's state of health depends on their body, mind and spirit."

A fellow of the American College of Osteopathic Family Physicians, Dr. Buser is past president of the American Academy of Osteopathy. He currently serves as the vice president for health affairs and dean at the University of Pikeville Kentucky College of Osteopathic Medicine (UP-KYCOM), where he is also a professor of family medicine as well as osteopathic principles and practice.

During his career, Dr. Buser held numerous positions within the association and is best known for helping shepherd the profession through the transition to a single graduate medical education accreditation system.

Also Saturday, delegates named Texan Mark A. Baker, DO, president-elect of the AOA. Dr. Baker is an osteopathic diagnostic radiologist and clinical associate professor in the Department of Radiology at the University of North Texas Health Science Center Texas College of Osteopathic Medicine in Fort Worth. His term will begin in July 2017.

About the American Osteopathic Association
The American Osteopathic Association (AOA) represents more than 123,000 osteopathic physicians (DOs) and osteopathic medical students; promotes public health; encourages scientific research; serves as the primary certifying body for DOs; is the accrediting agency for osteopathic medical schools; and has federal authority to accredit hospitals and other health care facilities. To learn more, visit www.DoctorsThatDO.org.

About the AOA House of Delegates
The AOA's House of Delegates, comprised of more than 500 delegates representing osteopathic state medical associations, specialty societies, interns, residents and students from throughout the country, meets annually in July to set organizational policies and elect new officers.

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SOURCE American Osteopathic Association