Osteopathic Medicine is a complete system of medical care with a philosophy of treating the whole person, not just the symptoms. It emphasizes the interrelationships of structure and function, and the appreciation of the body’s ability to heal itself.
Osteopathic Medicine provides all of the benefits of medicine including prescription drugs, surgery and the use of technology to diagnose and treat illness, disease and injury.
D.O.s are most likely to consider the impact that lifestyle and community have on the health of each individual before prescribing medication, and they work one-on-one with each patient to identify and erase barriers that may impede good health. Osteopathic physicians focus on prevention and strive to help you be truly healthy in mind, body and spirit, not just free of symptoms. The growing demand for osteopathic care among our population reflects an increasing desire of patients to resolve health problems with minimal drugs and surgery.
The Colorado Springs Osteopathic Foundation, a hospital conversion foundation (Eisenhower Medical Center), was established August 14, 1984 as a 501(c)(3) 509a public charity. Its original purpose was to engage primarily in the conduct of medical care, medical education and public education. This was accomplished by operating an ambulatory osteopathic family practice clinic for the underserved populations in El Paso County and environs; operating a Family Practice Residency Program and providing a facility to train and educate osteopathic students, interns, and residents; conducting continuing medical education programs; and finally, educating the public in matters relating to osteopathic medicine and health.
Today the Foundation is still organized and operated exclusively for charitable and educational purposes. On July 1, 2009, the Foundation became a private, non-operating foundation whose purpose is to improve the health and well-being of its community consistent with its osteopathic heritage by awarding Grants to health and human service nonprofit organizations in El Paso and Teller counties and Osteopathic Medical Student Scholarships to students from Colorado.
August 14, 1984
The Foundation is established
October 1985 to June 2002
The Foundation provides more than $3,000,000 in care for the uninsured and Medicaid populations
June 1987
The Foundation receives accreditation from the American Osteopathic Association to become a postgraduate training facility and to conduct a family practice residency program
1987 to 2006
61 family practice physicians train and graduate; four fellows are trained in geriatric medicine and two fellows are trained in sports medicine
July 2002 to 2004
An AOA-approved internship program is implemented; four D.O. physicians complete their internship through our program
July 1, 2009
The Foundation becomes a 501(c)(3) private, non operating foundation under section 509a
2009 – Present Day
$2,791,027 awarded in grants to health-related nonprofit organizations
$1,030,000 awarded in tuition scholarships to Osteopathic medical students
Maile Foster, CFP, President
Cynthia Lund, D.O., Immediate Past President
Karole Campbell, President-Elect
John Gebauer, J.D., Treasurer
Kristine Hembre, D.O., Secretary
Rita Burns
Meagan Jones, D.O.
Rae Loschen
William Mandel, D.O., J.D.
Michael Welch, D.O.
Doris L. Ralston, MPA
DRalston@csof.org