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HISTORY

Dr. Andrew Taylor Still - founder

Dr. Andrew Taylor Still (M.D./D.O.) founded the first college of Osteopathy in Kirksville, Missouri, in 1892.  Since this time, the profession has now grown to 29 colleges in the United States, and over 59,000 osteopathic physicians practicing in North America.  The first Osteopaths in Canada established their practices in the 1890s.  The Canadian Osteopathic Association was founded in 1926.

COA and AOA combined efforts

Continued efforts by the COA and AOA in cooperation with provincial and national regulatory bodies has led to full medical licensure of American osteopathic medical graduates with the provincial colleges of Physicians and Surgeons, as well as recognition by the College of Family Physicians of Canada and the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada.  Additionally, the Medical Council of Canada accepts the DO degree (Doctor of Osteopathy) granted by AOA approved American osteopathic colleges for entrance to the Medical Council of Canada licensing examinations.

There are small numbers of osteopathic physicians currently in practice in Canada due to historical discrimination against the profession by established medical organizations.  While these issues have largely been resolved, it will take time for there to be enough practitioners across Canada to meet demand.  

Advisory regarding non-physician osteopaths

Unfortunately, while there is a void in appropriately trained and registered D.O.s, other practitioners have taken advantage of public demand by holding themselves out as Osteopaths.  However, they fail to hold adequate training, and are ineligible for licensure in Canada.  Please be assured that the COA is actively pursing this issue in order to protect the public and maintain the integrity of the osteopathic profession (COA) in Canada.

July 6, 2010