PNWU visits the Washington State Capitol for DO Day 2024 to speak with legislators about a critical demand for preceptors.
Forty PNWU student doctors recently visited the Washington State Capitol in Olympia for DO Day 2024. Alongside representatives from our College of Osteopathic Medicine (COM), the students used the annual day of advocacy to voice their support for increasing access to essential training opportunities provided by practicing physicians.
“We encourage our students to get to know the legislators in their district so that they can be called upon as patient advocates when issues arise concerning patient care,” explained Thomas Scandalis, DO, Dean of PNWU-COM. “It’s critically important to spend time with our legislators to advocate for osteopathic medical education and residency training, and for issues relating to quality of medical care in the patient care environment. The voices of our students really matter, and legislators respect them as community leaders and patient advocates.”
“The voices of our students really matter, and legislators respect them as community leaders and patient advocates.”
This year, thanks to nearly twice as many DO student participants, PNWU took part in 26 more legislative visits than in 2023.
“DO Day is an excellent opportunity for our DO students to hone critical advocacy skills,” added Adam Story, PNWU’s Chief Development Officer. “DO Day also provides an important opportunity for PNWU students to advocate for important issues that impact rural and underserved communities.”
Following the visit, 11 legislators or legislative aides have reached out to express their support for PNWU.
