Realigning the JAOA to sharpen our focus.

Rogers • Editorial T osteopathic medical profession is in the midst of unprecedented growth. By way of perspective, when the American Osteopathic Association’s editor in chief, Gilbert E. D’Alonzo, Jr, DO, JAOA Associate Editor Michael M. Patterson, PhD, and I were new to the profession, the nation had only a handful of osteopathic medical colleges, and JAOA—The Journal of the American Osteopathic Association reached a mere 16,000 osteopathic physicians.1 Today, the profession has 26 schools with 31 sites (Andrea Williams, written communication, October 2009). In addition, the JAOA’s print editions reach more than 35,500 osteopathic physicians, while the JAOA’s online version reaches some 53,000 DOs, osteopathic medical students, and other members of the profession. Not only do we have more colleges and many more students than ever before, but the composition of the student body has changed, with women accounting for nearly 50% of current osteopathic medical students. In addition, research is becoming more prominent in osteopathic medical education,2 with even organizations such as the Student Osteopathic Medical Association3 and campus research clubs supporting research among the profession’s youngest members These exciting times for growth within the profession call for reinvigorating and redefining the JAOA to meet the needs of our readers.