The OIA Board Meeting commenced today in Little Rock, AR, in conjunction with the American Academy of Osteopathy’s Annual Convocation. International osteopathic leaders on the OIA Board of Directors discussed membership applications from several countries; received an update on the World Health Organizations’ Guidelines on basic safety and training in osteopathy, which is under development with input from the OIA and the AOA; and met with leaders of the World Osteopathic Health Organization to discuss merger and collaboration opportunities with them. AOA Trustee Boyd R. Buser, DO, and Immediate Past President Peter B. Ajluni, DO, serve on the OIA Board with me on behalf of the AOA.

The premiere osteopathic medical mission organization, DOCARE International, is currently running a series of mission trips to Guatemala. In the last several weeks, DOCARE has organized three trips to different regions of the country, sponsored by three osteopathic medical schools. From 2/13/09 to 2/28/09, students and professors from the Kansas City University of Medicine and Biosciences traveled to Antigua (base) and the surrounding villages. On 2/20/09 through 3/6/09, osteopathic family members at the Midwestern University – Arizona College of Osteopathic Medicine provided medical and dental care to residents of San Andreas. And from 3/7/09 to 3/21/09, Michigan State University College of Osteopathic Medicine students and faculty will be caring for rural residents of the San Martin & Chimaltenango regions. These and other DOCARE mission trips bring vital health care services to underserved, poor regions where care is needed most, while also providing excellent training opportunities for the students involved.

The Board of Directors of the Osteopathic International Alliance (OIA) convened via conference call today to address issues facing the international osteopathic profession. OIA Chair Clive Standen, DO (UK), reported on governance that supports OIA efforts to expand its outreach to and impact on countries that do not yet recognize osteopathic practice rights. Membership applications from several countries, increasing collaboration with the World Osteopathic Health Organization, preparation for the Board’s upcoming mid-year meeting, as well as future conference agendas and locations were also discussed. AOA Trustee Boyd R. Buser, DO, and Immediate Past President Peter B. Ajluni, DO, also participated on the call.