WesternU hosts second annual A.P. Howells, DO, Endowed Lectureship

LEBANON, Ore., Sept. 22, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Western University of Health Sciences Heatherington College of Osteopathic Medicine (WesternU HCOM) was pleased to host the second annual A.P. Howells, DO, Endowed Lectureship Aug. 29-30, 2026.

The lectureship featured a hands-on introduction to the Fascial Distortion Model (FDM) to evaluate and treat common musculoskeletal conditions. The lectureship combined online learning, interactive demonstrations, and supervised practice to help participants recognize key distortion patterns and apply introductory treatment techniques in patient care.

The workshop was led by Todd Capistrant, DO. Capistrant teaches FDM nationally and is a physician with Foundation Health Partners where he has been serving as a Medical Director since 2013. He specializes in family medicine and osteopathic manipulative medicine (OMM) and is family practice board certified by the American Board of Family Medicine and the American College of Osteopathic Family Physicians. He currently practices OMM full-time.

"When teaching the FDM we are hoping that the participants will begin to look at patients as the expert and watch the pain gesture, listen to the patients' explanation of pain, and apply their toolkit to address fascial distortions. When attendees employ their own skills in the model, we routinely see excellent results and rapid improvement for patients. Helping patients stay active is one of my top priorities. We know that being able to be active is the best predictor of long-term health," said Capistrant. "I strongly feel that OMM is one of the most powerful tools that DOs have to help our patients stay healthy. Addressing the structure and function of patients, reducing pain, and improving their ability to stay active is one of the most powerful medicines we have. The osteopathic toolkit is invaluable at helping our patients achieve these goals. We know that remaining active is more powerful than any medication at reducing the risk of heart disease, stroke, dementia, and many cancers. If we use our toolkit to include FDM, we are helping patients help themselves by reducing the risk of disease and preventing illness."

The lectureship also offered a unique opportunity to reflect on the history and legacy of osteopathic medicine in Oregon. The lectureship honors Allen Page "A.P." Howells, DO, a pioneer of osteopathic medicine in Oregon. Howells was drawn to osteopathy after receiving treatment from an early osteopath that transformed his health. After graduating from A.T. Still College of Osteopathic Medicine in Kirksville, Missouri, in 1911, Howells moved to Oregon to begin his practice. At the time, osteopathic medicine was still establishing its place within the state's health care system. Howells served patients in and around the Willamette Valley for more than 50 years, eventually establishing a clinic in downtown Albany. His career was marked by a commitment to holistic patient-centered care.

"He was a general practitioner, that's what they were called back in the day. He was trained to do everything and he did everything. He delivered babies, he performed minor surgeries, and he did anesthesia for other surgeons," said Howells's daughter, Jocelyn Howells. "I would walk from high school to his office to do my homework in the back room and wait for him to leave the office and then I would ride around with him on his house calls, because we didn't go home until he was done. And I remember seven or eight o'clock at night sometimes I wouldn't get home because he was seeing a lot of patients. He would drive over to Lebanon, Scio, Crabtree, all those little towns around to serve people that couldn't get in to see him. He was so focused on service, taking care of his patients. And if they couldn't pay, he didn't worry about it."

On Saturday, Aug. 29, WesternU HCOM hosted the inaugural Shoulders of Giants Endowed Lectureship Dinner, celebrating Dr. Howells' legacy and recognizing osteopathic physicians and students who continue to advance the profession. The evening also celebrated the osteopathic medicine trailblazer Mary Howells, DO. Dr. Mary Howells earned her osteopathic medical degree from A.T. Still College of Osteopathic Medicine in Kirksville, Missouri, and practiced alongside her brother, Dr. A.P. Howells, in Corvallis before pursuing psychiatry and establishing her own practice in Portland.

The evening also marked the establishment of the John Stiger, DO, Student Champion of Osteopathic Medicine Award, designated and gifted by Jocelyn Howells in honor of Dr. Stiger's extraordinary commitment to supporting, mentoring and championing future osteopathic physicians. A family medicine physician in the Portland area, Dr. Stiger has devoted his professional career to caring for patients and advancing the principles and values of osteopathic medicine.

Three individuals were honored for their leadership and dedication: Micah Thorp, DO, received the inaugural A.P. Howells, DO, Leadership Legacy in Osteopathic Medicine Award; Maggie Doe, DO, received the inaugural Mary Howells, DO, Vanguard Women in Osteopathic Medicine Award; and WesternU HCOM fourth-year student Alissa Reed received the inaugural John Stiger, DO, Student Champion of Osteopathic Medicine Award.

"The A.P. Howells, DO, Endowed Lectureship provides an opportunity to recognize that the story of osteopathic medicine has always been shaped by pioneers, women and men who saw possibilities where others saw limitations, who understood that healing requires both scientific excellence and human compassion, and who advanced that vision with courage and conviction. We are here today because of those pioneers, and because of those who continue to inspire, mentor, and elevate others in service to that mission," said WesternU HCOM Site Dean Heather Phipps, DO, MBA, FAAOS. "This lectureship would not have been possible without Jocelyn Howells and the Howells family. Their legacy in Oregon is deeply woven into the fabric of community health, education, and service. Through their enduring commitment to osteopathic medicine and their belief in our collective responsibility to prepare future generations of physicians, they have created a lasting impact that continues to benefit communities across the region."

About Western University of Health Sciences

About Western University of Health Sciences Western University of Health Sciences (www.westernu.edu), located in Lebanon, Oregon and Pomona, Calif., is an independent nonprofit health professions university, conferring degrees in osteopathic medicine, physical therapy, biotechnology and pharmaceutical sciences, dental medicine, medical sciences, nursing, optometry, pharmacy, physician assistant studies, podiatric medicine, and veterinary medicine. WesternU is home to WesternU Health, where the best in collaborative health care services is offered.

SOURCE Western University of Health Sciences (WesternU)