American Osteopathic Association

American Osteopathic Association

Andrew Taylor Still (founder)

Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine (DO)

Medicine · US Medical education

Schools · Physicians

Osteopathic Manipulative Medicine

AOA · AACOM · AAO · COMLEX

MD & DO Comparison

Specialty Colleges · AOA BOS

The American Osteopathic Association (AOA) is the representative member organization for the over 78,000 osteopathic medical physicians (D.O.s) in the United States. The AOA is headquartered in Chicago, Illinois, and is involved in post-graduate training for osteopathic physicians. The organization promotes public health, encourages academic scientific research, serves as the primary certifying body for D.O.s overseeing 18 certifying boards, is the accrediting agency for osteopathic medical schools through its Commission on Osteopathic College Accreditation, and has federal authority to accredit hospitals and other health care facilities, through its program, the Healthcare Facilities Accreditation Program.

The AOA has held yearly conventions since its founding in 1897. The AOA also manages DOCARE International, a non-profit charitable organization. The AOA also publishes The DO, a monthly magazine, and the Journal of the American Osteopathic Association, a peer reviewed medical journal.