Osteopathic College in Oregon: a Reprise

The expansion of Osteopathic Colleges is astonishing.

The new Osteopathic College in Lebanon.

(MOLALLA, Ore.) - I couldn’t imagine the barrage of mostly horse hockey which emerged from the Oregonian story on July 31, 2011 some of the remarks were positive and but some were ridiculously negative which is saying it mildly. As an Osteopathic Doctor who also graduated from an M.D. school, University of Oregon Medical School (UOMS) in 1954, and also graduated from a D.O. school, College of Osteopathic Medicine and Surgery (COMS) in Des Moines, Iowa. I think I am qualified to comment on both D.O. and M.D. schools. I was an Instructor at UOMS and a Medical School Professor at 9 Medical Schools in the U.S., Puerto Rico and I was invited by the University of London to teach in Africa where I trained the first doctors in Tanzania.

I pointed out in my story about the New Osteopathic College in Lebanon that the curriculums are the same as most M.D. Medical Schools and the National Board Exams and every state’s Medical Boards strictly govern the action and practices of both M.D.s and D.O.s.

The comments by readers the stories about the new school and Osteopath wandered all over the place: six were definitely positive about Osteopaths, five were negative in the most crude ways for example 60 years ago D.O.s were much like Chiropractors with manipulations or adjustments almost exclusively. Nowadays most Osteopaths are more like old time General Practice M.D.s (G.P.s). Very few M.D.s are G.P.s. We both have almost exactly the same basic medical science training and are required to pass 2, 3 or more of the same National Board exams.

Some of the comments were way out in left field, seemingly comparing both M.D.s and D.O.s with Homeopaths, Naturopaths, Chiropractors, Oriental Medicine Practitioners, Acupuncturists, Faith Healers, Herbalists and God knows what else.

The expansion of Osteopathic Colleges is astonishing. When I got my D.O. in 1977, I think there were ten colleges now there are either 22 or 34 depending on how you read the statistics.

D.O.s have medical practice rights in all 50 states and 43 countries. One of OUR BOYS was Medical Superintendent at Walter Reed Hospital and one became Surgeon General of the United States. That is pretty good for a bunch of doctors who were for many years berated as quacks by the M.D. profession. Nowadays many M.D.s are sending their children to D.O. Colleges and most of our D.O. graduates go to M.D. hospitals for Medical Specialty Residency training

Dr. Phil Leveque is Salem-News.com’s Medical Expert

Dr. Leveque has a PhD in Pharmacology and Toxicology, with degrees in chemistry and biochemistry, working as an osteopathic physician and forensic toxicologist. He is currently a non-practicing physician in Oregon who has testified in over 400 court cases as an expert witness and continues to share his wisdom through speaking engagements and special events, as well as with readers far and wide. Phil Leveque has always been a fighter, from his days in the Army during World War Two, when he captured 26 Nazi officers in a single day -by himself - to the rigors of being a Professor while also a full-time medical student.

He spent 25 years as a Professor, teaching in 10 different colleges and universities in the U.S., and two years teaching in Africa through the University of London where he had the opportunity to help train the first physicians in Tanzania. He was also offered the position of Chief Toxicologist for Baltimore, Maryland, offered Chairman of Pharmacology in Texas and Deanship at the Osteopathic College in California.

He then settled down as a retired professor in Oregon, and continued to pursue an occupation as an osteopathic physician and forensic toxicologist.

Dr. Leveque was an integral force in the passing of Oregon’s Medical Marijuana Act in 1998, and co-founder of the THC Clinic in Portland, Oregon. He was a vigilant patient activist throughout his battle with the Oregon Medical Board, earning him the moniker “Most dangerous doctor in Oregon” and continues to serve the public good as a national spokesperson. (For consult or to invite Dr. Leveque to your event, contact via email, below)

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