Thursday, November 20, 2008
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Members of the American Academy of Osteopathy (AAO) have access to two levels of certification within the osteopathic medical profession.
General certification in neuromusculoskeletal medicine and osteopathic manipulative medicine (C-NMM/OMM); and Fellowship in the American Academy of Osteopathy (FAAO).
The American Osteopathic Board of Neuromusculoskeletal Medicine (AOBNMM) is one of 18 certifying boards operating under the jurisdiction of the American Osteopathic Association in Chicago, the parent organization for the osteopathic medical profession. The AAO Board of Governors nominates candidates to serve on the AOBNMM, which reviews applications of candidates seeking certification in NMM/OMM, administers written, oral and practical examinations, and recommends general certification for successful examinees to the AOA's Bureau of Osteopathic Specialists. The American Osteopathic Association has responsibility for granting the certification in NMM/OMM. Hence, the Academy has only an indirect role in general certification in NMM/OMM. In addition to nominating AOBNMM board members, the Academy oversees residency training programs in NMM/OMM and offers to physicians a variety of continuing medical education programs dedicated to NMM/OMM.
| Walter C. Ehrenfeuchter, DO, FAAO, Chair | Laura E. Griffin, DO |
| Wm. Thomas Crow, DO, FAAO | Ann L. Habenicht, DO, FAAO |
| William H. Devine, DO | Jeanne E. Heyser-Easterly, DO |
| Dennis J. Dowling, DO, FAAO | Michael J. Warner, DO |
Candidates, who already have earned general certification in NMM/OMM, can make application for Fellowship in the American Academy of Osteopathy (FAAO). The Academy has charged its Fellowship Committee with recognizing continued and special achievement in the preservation of and utilization of osteopathic principles and practices. The Fellowship Committee reviews candidates' applications, provides peer review in the development of candidates' scientific papers/theses, and administers oral and practical examinations. Upon the recommendation of the Fellowship Committee, the AAO Board of Governors has responsibility for granting Fellowship in the American Academy of Osteopathy.
The FAAO represents a second stage of high achievement following the attainment of certification by an AOA certifying board. It represents an "earned" degree.