The American Osteopathic Foundation: Elevating Excellence in Osteopathic Medicine for 75 years

For 75 years, the American Osteopathic Foundation (AOF) has been working alongside leaders who have elevated excellence in Osteopathic medicine. Today, the Foundation proudly collaborates with the next generation of leaders to serve the profession through five funding priorities: educational scholarships, community service, scholarly research, international humanitarian outreach, and professional recognition. We are advancing our mission to invest in the future of the profession by supporting programs and services that promote Osteopathic medicine and enhance patient-centered care.

 The AOF has grown over 75 years to:

From our inception, the AOF has been committed to elevating excellence in Osteopathic medicine by supporting students, physicians, and researchers. 

Over the years, we’ve had the privilege to watch our investment in the profession grow, ensuring a more human-centered future of healthcare.

SPOTLIGHTS

Celebrate 75 years of the American Osteopathic Foundation and 150 years of the Osteopathic profession as we spotlight past, current, and future leaders who are elevating excellence in Osteopathic medicine:

 

Tyree Winters, DO

Interview

 

Ryan Smith, DO

Interview

 

Selena Raines, DO

Interview

The American Osteopathic Foundation is doing phenomenal work supporting rising physicians and recognizing those in the profession who are moving the needle in Osteopathic medicine.

- Crystal Goree, DO

The American Osteopathic Foundation has enabled me to realize my dream of serving the underserved, the underinsured, and the uninsured.

- Darrell Lynn Grace, DO

TIMELINE OF IMPACT

• 1874: The field of Osteopathic medicine is established
• 1949: Incorporated as The Osteopathic Foundation with a primary purpose of financing and managing student loans 
• 1960: Name changed to National Osteopathic Foundation
• 1964: Sterling K. Welch, DO, made a remarkable bequest donation of $114,000 to the Foundation, with the intention of providing student loans during a time when loans were hard to acquire
• 1990: AOF launches Professional Recognition Programs 
• 1993: AAOA-AOF Donna Jones Moritsugu Memorial Award established to honor the married life partners of graduating Osteopathic medical students
• 1997: AOF W. Douglas Ward, PhD, Educator of the Year Award established
• 1999: Foundation celebrates 50 years. Name changed to the American Osteopathic Foundation
• 2000: AOF Anderson Minority Scholarship Fund awards first scholarship
• 2001: The Sterling K. Welch, DO, Scholarship affords the opportunity for one student per College/School of Osteopathic Medicine (COM/SOM) the eligibility to receive a $2,000 financial scholarship
• 2006: AOF Lifetime Achievement Award established
• 2007-2008: AOF introduces Community Service and International Outreach Programs
• 2009: AOF Physician of the Year Award established
• 2013: The first AOF Karen J. Nichols, DO, LEAD Scholar Award is given
• 2014: NAM Osteopathic Fellowship created at the National Academy of Medicine
• 2019: First million-dollar gift received; All outstanding AOF student loans forgiven
• 2021: LGBTQIA+ Health Equity and Inclusion Initiative launched; Second million-dollar gift pledged to support initiative
• 2021: SOMA Foundation comes under auspices of the AOF
• 2022: SOMA Foundation Endowment created
• 2023: DOCare Endowment created
• 2023-24: The American Osteopathic Foundation celebrates its 75^th Anniversary Year