Kevin M. Sanders

Although Mayor Richard Abel won’t officially proclaim September National Osteopathic Medicine Month in Athens until the morning of Saturday, Sept. 11, Community Service Programs began its NOM Month activities at 9 a.m. Sept. 3 by conducting Healthy Adult screenings, which include blood pressure, glucose and cholesterol screenings, and breast and cervical cancer education at the Scioto County Senior Expo, Scioto County Fairgrounds.

CSP will hold, said Janice Smith, Health Adult Program coordinator, three more screening clinics/educational events — including health fairs at Athen’s Wal-Mart and at the University’s Yamada International House — during NOM Month. Also, CSP and Ohio Athletics will be jointly sponsoring a Red Cross Blood Drive on two days during the month. (See schedule below.)

NOM Month is celebrated each September to raise awareness about osteopathic medicine and to encourage the American public to live healthier lives and to recognize the proud heritage and achievements of the osteopathic profession. This year, the osteopathic medical profession is celebrating 130 years of providing quality health care to all Americans regardless of age, income level or ethnicity. Among their many achievements, D.O.s have treated U.S. presidents and Olympic athletes, led the fight against AIDS, and worked to better understand and prevent violence in schools and the workplace.

That heritage, said Dean Jack Brose, D.O., includes our “philosophy of patient care, which focuses on the whole person, not just a specific illness or injury. This distinct approach has been the foundation of osteopathic medical education.”

During the NOM Month OU-COM students will be joining in the American Osteopathic Association’s “See D.O.s on TV Shows!” letter-writing campaign, which is designed to encourage the presence of D.O.s and osteopathic medicine in the storylines of popular television shows such as “ER,” “Everwood,” “Strong Medicine” and “The Young and the Restless.” Also during September students will be heading down to the Richland Avenue Wall to remake it in the face of NOM Month, said Christina Peters, president of Student Government.

NATIONAL OSTEOPATHIC MEDICINE MONTH 2004 EVENTS

·        Friday, Sept. 3, Health Adult Screenings, Scioto County Senior Expo, Scioto County Fairgrounds, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., Community Service Programs Mobile Health Unit
OU-COM’s Community Services Programs will provide blood pressure, glucose and cholesterol screenings (fasting not required for glucose or cholesterol screenings), and breast and cervical cancer education.

·        Thursday, Sept. 9, “Health Matters” with host Nancy Schell, WATH Radio, 970 AM, 10 a.m.
Janice Smith, OU-COM Community Service Programs Healthy Adult Program coordinator, will discuss women’s health and CSP upcoming activities with Nancy Schell, CSP supervisor.

·        Friday, Sept. 10, International Studies Student Health Fair, Yamada International House, Noon to 3 p.m.
OU-COM’s Community Services Programs will provide blood pressure, glucose and cholesterol screenings (fasting not required for glucose or cholesterol screenings); testicular, prostate and colon awareness education; prenatal health-care education; and car-seat safety information.

·        Saturday, Sept. 11, National Osteopathic Medicine Month Mayoral Proclamation, 8:45 a.m., Grosvenor Hall
Mayor Richard Abel will officially proclaim September National Osteopathic Medicine Month in Athens.

·        Saturday, Sept. 11, Old Portland Elementary School-Portland, Meigs County, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., Community Service Programs Mobile Health Unit
OU-COM’s Community Service Programs will provide blood pressure, glucose and cholesterol screenings (fasting not required for glucose or cholesterol screenings), and general health education for the community.

·        Friday, Sept. 24, “In Celebration of NOM Month,” Wal-Mart, 929 E. State Street, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., Community Service Programs Mobile Health Unit
OU-COM’s Community Services Programs will provide blood pressure, glucose and cholesterol screenings (fasting not required for glucose or cholesterol screenings) for the Athens community.

·        Monday, Sept. 27, Promoting Osteopathic Medicine, Noon to 2 p.m., Ohio University College Gate, Court and Union
Learn about osteopathic medicine from students and practitioners.

·        Wednesday, Sept. 30, and Thursday, Sept. 30, Red Cross Blood Drive, Convocation Center, Ohio University, Athens, Noon to 6 p.m.
OU-COM’s Community Service Programs and Ohio Athletics are sponsoring a blood donation drive. Power 105 Radio (105.5 FM) will be broadcasting live from 1 to 3 p.m. Sept. 29.