A Legacy of Innovation1874 - Present - Future
Osteopathic medicine has always been about challenging the status quo. From A.T. Still's revolutionary vision to today's AI revolution, see how innovation has defined our profession.
From frontier medicine to frontier technology, osteopathic medicine has always been defined by innovation. This timeline shows how DOs have repeatedly embraced change - and how AI is the next chapter in that legacy.
Osteopathy Founded
A.T. Still "flings the banner of osteopathy to the breeze," challenging medical orthodoxy with a revolutionary approach to healthcare.
- Challenged the medical orthodoxy of his time
- Emphasized hands-on diagnosis and treatment
- Founded a new philosophy of medicine based on the body's self-healing abilities
First Osteopathic School
The American School of Osteopathy opens in Kirksville, Missouri, systematizing osteopathic education.
- Founded in Kirksville, MO by A.T. Still
- Systematized osteopathic education
- Began building the evidence base for osteopathic medicine
Full Practice Rights
DOs gain full practice rights, integrating with mainstream medicine while maintaining their distinctive approach.
- DOs achieve full practice rights across all states
- Integration with mainstream medicine begins
- Adoption of modern diagnostic tools (X-rays, labs)
EHR Adoption
Osteopaths embrace digital records. Initial resistance gives way to widespread adoption - a pattern that mirrors today's AI journey.
- Initial resistance to electronic health records
- Gradual, then widespread adoption
- Parallels today's AI hesitation - and opportunity
AI Revolution
The "rebirth of osteopathy" - AI frees time for what matters most: hands-on care and patient connection.
- Ambient documentation reduces administrative burden
- Clinical decision support enhances diagnosis
- AI frees physicians for hands-on, whole-person care
The Future
AI builds the OMT evidence base at scale. Osteopathic medicine leads healthcare's AI transformation.
- AI enables large-scale OMT outcome tracking
- Evidence base for osteopathic techniques grows exponentially
- Osteopathic medicine leads healthcare's AI transformation
Then vs Now: The Pattern Repeats
The 1990s EHR adoption mirrors today's AI moment. Initial skepticism gave way to transformation. Those who led the change shaped the future of their practices.
"You are here, at the inflection point. Just as A.T. Still challenged the status quo in 1874, you have the opportunity to lead the next great transformation in healthcare."