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Historic Milestone in Osteopathic Medicine

For the very first time, statistics from the AOA Physician Masterfile reveal that women represent the majority of osteopathic physicians (DOs) actively engaged in primary care. The American Osteopathic Association (AOA) released its 2026 Osteopathic Medical Profession Report, which indicates that female DOs now make up 50.2% of those practicing in primary care, a slight increase from the previous year's 49.6%.

This significant change is primarily driven by the newest contingent of physicians entering the field. Among those DOs under the age of 35 in primary care, over half (55.4%) are women. Additionally, women currently comprise 46.1% of the overall practicing DO population, which now exceeds 50,000 female DOs under the age of 45—a historical landmark reached this year.

Growth Trends and Key Findings

The 2026 OMP Report outlines several compelling statistics: 151,240 DOs are presently in active practice—this marks a notable rise from just 63,121 in 2010. Furthermore, an impressive 67.7% of current DOs are younger than 45. The report highlights that 55% of DOs work within primary care specialties, reaffirming the trend towards comprehensive patient-centered care.

In higher education, there are now 41,001 students enrolled in osteopathic medical schools—a record number, reflecting a surge of interest among aspiring physicians. The participation in residency programs is also at an all-time high, with 93.2% of DO seniors successfully matching in the 2026 NRMP Main Residency Match.

The growth of the DO workforce has been consistent across all 50 states and Washington D.C., with some areas, particularly those with a historically lower number of DOs, witnessing the most significant increases. For instance, Louisiana leads the growth rate with a 13.8% increase, followed by Idaho (11%) and Nevada (10.4%). Over a span of five years, Arkansas has nearly doubled its DO population, recording a staggering 92.9% increase since 2021. Notably, Texas and Michigan have officially joined the ranks of states with over 10,000 DOs, alongside California, Florida, Pennsylvania, and New York.

The Future of Osteopathic Medicine

Richard R. Thacker, DO, MACOI, and President of the AOA, emphasized the importance of this growth, particularly among women and younger physicians, saying, "The growth we're seeing among women and younger physicians is encouraging for the future of osteopathic medicine. As more women choose osteopathic medicine and primary care, patients benefit from a broader range of perspectives, grounded in the whole-person care that defines our profession."

This expansion is pivotal as DOs increasingly serve communities where primary care is most needed. In a comprehensive healthcare setting, a patient might enter with a single concern but leave having addressed broader health issues, which is the essence of osteopathic practice.

For a detailed overview, the full report can be accessed at AOA Statistics. As the voice of osteopathic medicine, the AOA represents more than 218,000 osteopathic physicians and medical students, championing public health and educational advancements in the field.