TX-ACOFP's support of osteopathic identity of UNTHSC

The following letter to DOs dated on December 22nd, 2008 by Nancy Chasteen, DO, President TxACOFP

I have been quiet for the past several weeks on the issue of the joint M.D. degree plan for UNTHSC. Initially, I had some strong feelings and made them known. I have read all of your letters, all of the information that has been gathered and the information and rationalization from Dr. Ransom.  I have not changed my mind from my first reaction.

There is nothing to be gained for the osteopathic profession, the people of the State of Texas, the school or our graduates in pursuing this course. Those resources that are now limited will only be further strained by being made to cover two programs. Osteopathic physicians, and especially TCOM graduates, have provided more primary care to the citizens of Texas proportionately than all the MD programs combined. The changes anticipated for medicine will rely even more heavily on primary care physicians. If we don’t have those doctors available, it leaves the door open for justifying the use of physician extenders to provide that care. This is something even the MD’s would not like to see happening.

There are things that the National Osteopathic Organization can do to help solve some of the problems cited by Dr. Ransom.  Some changes in how mixed staff residencies are approved for AOA credentialing should be looked at.  More effort, not less, to have effective outreach and liaison with current MD programs and hospitals is needed. Look at what Dr. Palmarozzi accomplished with JPS hospital. This needs to become a model for approaching other hospitals. Those hospitals that do take our (TCOM’s) residents into a mixed program have no complaints about the DO’s. Many times a DO becomes chief resident, this has been happening since 1985 when Tom Walker was chief in an MD program.

If increasing grant money for research is the main force behind this change, then I suggest that the current research oriented staff members buckle down and start writing some proposals. NIH does not care if the school grants an MD or a DO degree. I doubt if any of the major granting agencies or pharmaceutical firms cares either.  If Dr. Yorio and Dr. Ransom are embarrassed by being associated with an Osteopathic institution and feel that is what is holding them back, there is a much more straightforward solution, and that would not have created nearly the outcry that their current plan has elicited.