Committee on Fellowship in the American Academy of Osteopathy

Click to download FAAO Application (.pdf)

ORGANIZATION:

Members of the Committee on Fellowship shall consist of seven (7) Fellows. The members and Chairperson shall be appointed by the President of the American Academy of Osteopathy with approval by the Board of Trustees and the Board of Governors of the Academy. Members of the Committee will have three-year staggered terms, and no more than two consecutive terms.

PURPOSES:

1. To recognize continued and special achievement in the preservation and utilization of osteopathic principles and practices.
2. To acknowledge ability and service to the Academy and to the profession, with emphasis on the “categories� of activity as a gauge of achievement.
3. To maintain a group of leaders to encourage high standards of osteopathic medical practice with special emphasis on manipulative diagnosis and treatment, and to work for the integration of osteopathic concepts into all areas of practice. For this reason, physicians in other areas of practice or specialties are encouraged to qualify for this Fellowship.

Such leaders would serve as resources and inspiration for the entire profession, but especially for those who have sought certification in manipulative medicine under the requirements of the American Osteopathic Association.

Fellowship shall represent a second stage of high achievement in no way denigrating the importance of the first step which is Certification by the American Osteopathic Board of Special Proficiency in Osteopathic Manipulative Medicine or the American Osteopathic Board of Neuromusculoskeletal Medicine. It will represent an “earned� degree.

REQUIREMENTS:

1. Certification of Special Proficiency in Osteopathic Manipulative Medicine is a prerequisite.
2. Evidence of continued good standing in the American Osteopathic Association or the Canadian Osteopathic Association.
3. Membership in the American Academy of Osteopathy for a period of 5 years prior to application and to maintain Fellowship.
4. Practice requirement: Ordinarily, the practice requirements will be satisfied by the achievement of certification. At least three (3) years of practice should intervene between the Certification and Fellowship application in the case of resident-trained candidates.
5. Scientific Paper/Thesis requirement: A Scientific Paper/Thesis (primary author) suitable for publication is required. Such papers shall not have been part of any qualification for another degree. The scientific paper/thesis will hopefully reflect originality and make some contribution to the body of osteopathic literature. A topic heading and brief outline and tentative bibliography (approximately one to three (1-3) pages in length with appropriate explanatory statements) shall be approved prior to the writing of the scientific paper/thesis.
6. CME requirements shall include at least thirty (30) hours of AAO-sponsored or Committee approved training of each fifty (50) hours per year as required by the AOA. The candidate will give evidence of this for the previous three (3) years via the AOA CME printout. (There may be overlap here with the AOBSPOMM or AOBNMM requirement.)
7. Case histories: ten (10) case histories (not to include material supplied for certification) will be required.
8. Categories of service: the candidate shall supply evidence of fulfilling at least four (4) of the six (6) categories below:
   1. Contribution to osteopathic literature (specific publication, etc., should be listed)
   2. Development of osteopathic theory and/or manipulative method or procedure
   3. Research related to osteopathic theory and practice
   4. Contributions in the field of osteopathic education:
      • Faculty (College, AAO, Cranial, etc.)
      • Visiting Clinician
      • Visiting Scientist
      • Preceptorship Activity
      • Clinical and/or Hospital Supervision and/or Consultation
   5. AAO Organizational Activity (Boards, Committees, etc.)
   6. Public Relations:
      • Community Activity
      • School Physician
      • Sponsor of Health Activity
      • Public Health Service
      • Etc.

EXAMINATIONS:

No written examination will be given, but in-depth oral and practical examinations will be required.

The examiners will be trying to discern osteopathic “thinking� as applied to whatever aspect of practice the candidate is addressing. Thus the interrelation of structure and function, the integration of the body and the manifestations of its inherent healing powers will be emphasized.

Since there has already been a demonstration of special proficiency (through certification), it will be assumed that the candidate is familiar with all the facets of diagnosis and treatment regardless of the special area of practice.

It is the intention of the Committee on Fellowship that the Fellowship designation shall represent an exemplary level of osteopathic activity, wherefore it is the responsibility of the Committee to encourage and help the candidate; the requirements are not intended as impediments but rather as a means of maintaining a high standard of which the successful candidate shall be proud.

FEES:

Two hundred dollars ($200.00) (non-refundable) shall accompany the application. (This fee will cover the cost of a plaque).

Five hundred dollars ($500.00) (non-refundable) shall be paid before the oral and practical examinations are given. Should the candidate fail the oral and/or practical examinations, such examinations may be repeated after a year of recommended study or activity at no additional fee. Should the candidate fail a second examination, a two (2) year wait will be required followed by a completely new application.

CODE OF ETHICS:

The Code of Ethics of the Committee shall be the Code of Ethics of the American Osteopathic Association. The Examination Committee shall satisfy itself that the candidate has a good knowledge of the Code of Ethics of the AOA.

CHECKLIST FOR APPLICANTS
For Fellowship in the American Academy of Osteopathy (FAAO)

COMPLETED APPLICATION: shall be made to the Secretary of the COFAAO at:
3500 DePauw Boulevard, Suite 1080
Indianapolis, IN 46268
(A formal printed application will be sent to the applicant upon request.)

Deadline for application submission is August 1st, 2 years prior to the March examination. Application must be accompanied by:

1. evidence of certification by the AOBSPOMM or AOBNMM
2. CME printout (see requirements below)
3. non-refundable $200.00 application fee
4. thesis outline and 5 of the 10 case histories (9 copies of each)

CME DOCUMENTATION: This requires a minimum of three (3) years credits, with fifty (50) hours per year, totaling one hundred fifty (150) hours. Of these, ninety (90) hours must be programs approved by the American Academy of Osteopathy, or approved by the COFAAO.

INTERVIEW: This will be given only if the application is approved and only at the AOA's Annual Convention (usually in October). The scientific paper/thesis outline and tentative bibliography will be discussed at this time. If the outline and tentative bibliography is not approved, a revised outline/bibliography must be submitted and approved prior to the scientific paper/thesis being written.

REMAINING 5 CASE HISTORIES DUE:
The deadline for submission is by December 1 after the interview. Cases must be grouped in either sets of #1-5 or #6-10

THESIS FIRST DRAFT DUE:
Scientific Paper/Thesis first draft following outline approval (submit 9 copies) by March 1.

FINAL REWRITE OF CASES DUE:
Re-submission or rewrites of case histories (9 copies) must be submitted by May 1.

SCIENTIFIC PAPER/THESIS SECOND DRAFT DUE:
Rewrite of Thesis due by September 1 (submit 9 copies).

FINAL SCIENTIFIC PAPER/THESIS: nine (9) copies must be submitted to the COFAAO office January 1.

EXAMINATION FEE: $500.00 (non-refundable) is due January 1 prior to the March examinations.

CORRECTIONS/ADDITIONS/REVISIONS shall be made as required by the Thesis Chairman. If required, submit revised thesis and/or case histories in the same manner as above. Because changes may be required, it is strongly suggested that submission be made well ahead of the deadline.

ORAL AND PRACTICAL EXAMINATION may be taken after approval of the thesis and case histories. Examinations will be given only at the AAO's Annual Convocation (usually in March). You will be advised of the date, time and place. All costs involved will be the candidate's responsibility. Please note that all the above steps must be complete and the non-refundable $500.00 examination fee paid prior to the candidate taking the oral and practical examinations.

COFAAO will advise the candidate of the results of the examinations. Conferring of the earned FAAO degree takes place at the President's annual banquet at the AAO Convocation.