Dr. Norman Gevitz Addressed “The Seventh Generation of DOs” at Grand Rounds

BUIES CREEK – The Jerry M. Wallace School of Osteopathic Medicine hosted its monthly Grand Rounds lecture series last Friday, March 20, 2015 in Leon Levine Hall of Medical Sciences at Campbell University.  Dr. Norman Gevitz, historian and author of The DOs: Osteopathic Medicine in America spoke to the faculty and students about “The Seventh Generation of DOs”.  After providing a brief historic background of osteopathic medicine, Dr. Gevitz focused his remarks on the current state of the osteopathic medical profession and issued a challenge to the medical students present.
“The challenge for your generation of DOs should be research,” said Gevitz.  He encouraged them to pursue empirical evidence regarding osteopathic principles and practices including osteopathic manipulative treatment and aspects of the doctor-patient relationship.
Dr. Norman Gevitz received his PhD in Sociology from the University of Chicago in 1980.  Currently, Dr. Gevitz serves as Senior Vice President of Academic Affairs at A.T. Still University.  He has written numerous books and papers on the history of medicine. He is known for his book, The DO’s: Osteopathic Medicine in America, published by John Hopkins University. He has received grants and funding from the National Endowment for the Humanities, the U.S. Department of Education, and the Massachusetts Historical Society. He currently has a grant from the National Institutes of Medicine to research the origins of American medicine. He has received three honorary doctorates and three public service awards from osteopathic medical schools.
Dr. Gevitz concluded his visit with a book signing and lunch with MS-II students while continuing conversation regarding research.
“It was a pleasure having Dr. Gevitz here at CUSOM, said Dr. Lisa Chun, co-chair of osteopathic manipulative medicine at Campbell.  “To hear his perspective on where we are as a profession, where we have come from, and the possibilities and challenges that lie ahead. He encouraged our students to recognize and to embrace our osteopathic distinctiveness, and its contribution to medical education, patient care, and research.”