Total Credits: 40 including 40 AOA Category 1-A
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Foundations of Osteopathy in the Cranial Field
Introduction to the Concepts and Skills Fundamental to Osteopathy in the Cranial Field
This course will be held live and in-person.
Course Director: Mitchell Hiserote, DO
Date: July 9-13, 2025
Time: 8:00 AM to 5:30 AM PST
CME: 40 Hrs (maximum) AOA Category 1-A CME provided by Osteopathy’s Promise to Children
Cost: $2,400
Location: San Diego, CA
Course materials will be provided: Exploring Osteopathy in the Cranial Field, by Raymond J. Hruby, DO, with supplement
Target Audience
Medical physicians (DO or MD); Dentists (DDS or DMD); Resident physicians (DO or MD); Medical students currently enrolled at a US AOA-approved college of osteopathic medicine; Medical physicians (MD) who reside and actively practice internationally, under certain conditions; and we cordially invite International osteopaths under certain conditions (please contact us at cme@the-promise.org to confirm eligibility).
Prerequisite
Basic cranial course content and skill building requires an education in the biomedical health sciences and training in clinical interactions with an understanding of the pathophysiology of medical disorders. This course assumes a strong background of education and training in the biomedical sciences and in the clinical observation and treatment of pathology in patients.
Course Description
The OPC Foundations of Osteopathy in the Cranial Field (FOCF) course is a 40-hour didactic and laboratory experiential course designed to introduce practicing physicians, resident physicians, dentists, and current medical students to the uniquely osteopathic modality of cranial diagnosis and treatment. This FOCF course is consistent with the teachings of W.G. Sutherland, DO, and is a direct continuation and legacy of Expanding Osteopathic Courses offered by the late V.M. Frymann, DO.
The course didactic components introduce cranial anatomy, physiology, pathophysiology, and applied clinical Osteopathic principles and is directly synergistic with closely precepted, (4:1 student to faculty ratio), hands-on laboratory experiences. Thus, pedagogically addressing the cogent understanding and efficacious clinical application challenges of osteopathy in the cranial field (OCF). OCF, as presented in the FOCF course, is intended as an aspect of patient centered care applied synergistically within an integrated osteopathic medical model of diagnosis and treatment, designed to serve patients of all ages, gender, and levels of health challenges. The FOCF faculty preceptors and lecturers are practicing physicians chosen for their extensive osteopathic clinical experience, knowledge of applied OCF, and competency as excellent clinical educators to facilitate and optimize the practical educational experience.
Learning Objectives
Upon completion of this course, the participant will have basic/fundamental skills and conceptional knowledge to safely Osteopathically assess and offer treatment to patients with a variety of complaints common to the cranial region. Treatment techniques will be intended either generally or specifically to improve a patient’s clinical presentation, while concurrently deepening the practitioner’s understanding and skill of applied osteopathy in the Cranial Field. Concurrently this course will offer to those of a more experienced perspective the opportunity to renew/explore a deeper integrative understanding in the application of Osteopathy in patient care.
After completion of the FOCMM course, participants will be expected to:
1. Identify and appreciate the historical roots and challenges codifying the osteopathic cranial concepts as elucidated by Dr. W.G. Sutherland, DO and endeavor to appreciate its continuity within the application and philosophy of osteopathy first described by Dr. A.T. Still, DO; (Osteopathic Principles and Practice, Medical Knowledge and Its Application into Osteopathic Medical Practice, Osteopathic Patient Care, Interpersonal and Communication Skills in Osteopathic Medical Practice, Professionalism in Osteopathic Medical Practice)
2. List and describe the five (5) phenomena of the Primary Respiratory Mechanism (PRM) within the osteopathic cranial concept and begin to construct cogent applications of the phenomena to common clinical patient presentations. (Osteopathic Principles and Practice, Medical Knowledge and Its Application into Osteopathic Medical Practice, Osteopathic Patient Care, Interpersonal and Communication Skills in Osteopathic Medical Practice, Professionalism in Osteopathic Medical Practice)
3. Identify common craniometric anatomical regions, specific sutural, dural, and parenchymal relationships as applied within the PRM concept (Osteopathic Principles and Practice, Medical Knowledge and Its Application into Osteopathic Medical Practice, Osteopathic Patient Care, Interpersonal and Communication Skills in Osteopathic Medical Practice, Professionalism in Osteopathic Medical Practice)
4. Demonstrate osteopathic cranial manipulative skills and approaches, within a small group setting, that include diagnosis and treatment that are consistent with accepted safe practices. Said skills serve as a foundation for future growth and mastery in the efficacious application of the osteopathy in the cranial field; (Osteopathic Principles and Practice, Medical Knowledge and Its Application into Osteopathic Medical Practice, Osteopathic Patient Care, Interpersonal and Communication Skills in Osteopathic Medical Practice, Professionalism in Osteopathic Medical Practice)
5. Demonstrate, through open non intimidating Socratic methods, understanding of the cognitive osteopathic cranial concepts processes and purpose consistent with the foundational level presented at this course (Osteopathic Principles and Practice, Medical Knowledge and Its Application into Osteopathic Medical Practice, Osteopathic Patient Care, Interpersonal and Communication Skills in Osteopathic Medical Practice, Professionalism in Osteopathic Medical Practice)
Dr. Hiserote, DO, is a graduate of Western University College of Osteopathic Medicine in Pomona, CA., and is board certified in Neuromusculoskeletal Osteopathic Manipulative Medicine from the American Osteopathic Board of Neuromuscular Medicine. Additionally, he holds Osteopathic Cranial Academy Certification of Proficiency, and is a Midwestern University Chicago College of Osteopathic Medicine Costin scholar. Dr. Hiserote is a veteran director of Osteopathy in the Cranial Field courses at the Osteopathy’s Promise to Children and internationally. He has served as Associate Professor/past Chairman of the Touro University California College of Osteopathic Medicine - Osteopathic Manipulative Medicine (OMM) Department. and currently practices osteopathy in his private office in Sebastopol, CA. His Memberships include: American Osteopathic Association (AOA), American Academy of Osteopathy (AAO), Osteopathic Cranial Academy (OCA), Institute of Functional Medicine (IFM), Sonoma Mendocino Lake Medical Association (SMLM).
Dr. Raymond J. Hruby, DO, MS, FAAO (Dist) is a graduate of the College of Osteopathic Medicine and Surgery in Des Moines, Iowa. He is board certified in Family Medicine/OMT by the American Board of Osteopathic Family Practice and Osteopathic Manipulative Medicine by the American Osteopathic Board on Special Proficiency in Osteopathic Manipulative Medicine. Dr. Hruby completed a traditional internship at Osteopathic Hospital of Maine, Portland, ME and was in private practice for sixteen years. Retired as professor and chair of the Department of Osteopathic Manipulative Medicine at COMP, he continues consulting with the school’s Department of NMM/OMM on teaching, research, curriculum analysis and development, new faculty mentorships and Predoctoral OMM Fellows. He is involved with WUHS’s Interprofessional Education program, and lectures part-time in the Graduate School of Basic Medical Sciences, among others. He is a fellow of the American Academy of Osteopathy and a member of the American Osteopathic Association, American Academy of Osteopathy, American College of Osteopathic Family Practitioners, Osteopathic Cranial Academy, Osteopathic Physicians and Surgeons of California, Memberships: AOA, AAO. ACOFP, OCA, OPSC. Cranial proficiency (OCA).
Dr. Vuksich, DO, is a graduate of the College of Osteopathic Medicine of the Pacific in Pomona, CA. She completed an HIV Fellowship, Sonoma County Dept of Public Health, Santa Rosa, CA. She completed a Family Practice Residency, UCSF Program B, Santa Rosa, CA. She held an Osteopathic Principles and Practice Undergraduate Teaching Fellowship during her undergraduate medical education and holds a MA, from Calif. State Univ., San Jose, CA in Biology (concentration in Molecular Genetics). She is currently working as a Family Practice Physician in Santa Rosa, CA. Her areas of emphasis are Family Medicine and Osteopathic Manipulative Medicine. Memberships include: AOA, AAO, and OCA. She holds a Certificate of Proficiency in Osteopathy in the Cranial Field from the Osteopathic Cranial Academy.
Dr. Kimberly J. Wolf, DO, FAAP, FACOP, FAAPO is a graduate of Seton Hall University, South Orange, NJ and Western University of Health Sciences, College of Osteopathic Medicine of the Pacific (COMP), Pomona, CA. She is board-certified in Pediatrics. Dr. Wolf completed a dually-accredited Pediatric Residency at Nationwide Children’s Hospital and Doctors Hospital, Columbus, OH. She is currently an Associate Professor of OMM and Director of Pediatric OMM at Touro University California College of Osteopathic Medicine and the Research Director for Osteopathy's Promise to Children. Dr. Wolf is a Fellow of the American Academy of Pediatrics, the American Academy of Pediatric Osteopathy, and the American College of Osteopathic Pediatricians. She is a member of the AOA, AAO, ACOP, AAP, AAPO, and OCA and holds leadership positions within most of these organizations.
Dr. Hollis H. King, DO, PhD, FAAO, FCA is a graduate of Texas College of Osteopathic Medicine, Fort Worth, TX . He is board certified in Family Medicine/OMT from the American Osteopathic Board of Family Physicians and certified with Special Proficiency in Osteopathic Manipulative Medicine from the American Osteopathic Board of Neuromusculoskeletal Medicine. He is a Founding Diplomate of the American Board of Holistic and Integrative Medicine. His postdoctoral training was at Dallas Memorial Hospital, Dallas, TX. His internship was at the VA Hospital & Univ. of Kentucky Medical School, Lexington, KY. His Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology is from Trinity University, San Antonio, TX. He is a Fellow of and Past-President of the American Academy of Osteopathy. He is a Fellow of the Osteopathic Cranial Academy. Dr. King is currently a Clinical Professor of Family Medicine at the University of California San Diego School of Medicine. He also has a private practice at Osteopathic Center San Diego. His memberships include: AOA, AAO, OCA.
TARGET AUDIENCE:
* Medical physicians (DO or MD) with a current unrestricted license to practice medicine in the US
* Dental physicians (DDS or DMD) with a current unrestricted license to practice dentistry in the US
* Resident physicians (DO or MD) who are under contract with an ACGME-accredited residency program
* Currently enrolled students at a US AOA-approved college of osteopathic medicine
* International medical physicians (MD) who reside and actively practice internationally
* International osteopaths who reside and actively practice internationally
INTERNATIONAL OSTEOPATHIC GRADUATES
Osteopathy’s Promise to Children’s FOCF International and Alternative Practitioner Student Eligibility
“International Osteopathic Graduates” refers to Osteopathic physician graduates of osteopathic educational programs outside the United States who practice and reside outside the United States. “Alternative Practitioners” refers to practitioners of Osteopathy who have completed programs in non-physician health care professions and completed an osteopathic education program outside of the United States
Osteopathy’s Promise to Children (OPC) is committed to advancing the practice, research, and teaching of osteopathy within the United States as well as throughout the world. It is also very aware of the diminishing study and practice of traditional Osteopathy by United States trained Doctors of Osteopathy. Conversely OPC recognizes the increasing international interest and practice by International Osteopathic Graduates and Alternative Practitioners in Osteopathy that are fulfilling the growing patient need, as well as advancing the practice and science of Osteopathy both within as well as outside of the United States.
OPC therefore welcomes qualified International Doctors of Osteopathy, Registered Practitioners of Osteopathy practicing in countries other than the United States, and OPC approved Alternative Practitioners into the OPC Foundations of Osteopathy in the Cranial Field (FOCF) course.
Qualification for International Doctors of Osteopathy and Registered Practitioners of Osteopathy admission into OPC’s FOCF requires that individuals fulfill the following:
1. successfully complete an international accredited osteopathic educational program
2. show a deep and ongoing commitment to the practice and philosophy of Osteopathy
3. reside outside the United States
4. either possess unlimited licensure for the practice of medicine or are members in good standing of an OPC recognized affiliate society (a national osteopathic registry or the appropriate governmental licensing authority, the standards of which have been reviewed and approved by OPC).
Qualification for Alternative Practitioners of Osteopathy admission into OPC’s FOCF requires a more nuanced process that include:
1. Have completed an accredited clinically-oriented health care program either within or outside the United States
2. Have successfully completed an accredited minimum 4 year educational program of Osteopathy (accreditation will be evaluated and approved by OPC CME Leadership)
3. have demonstrated at least 2 years of deep ongoing commitment to the philosophy, practice, and continuing study of traditional Osteopathy
4. Remains in good standing within any and all professional organizations, licensure organizations, and applicable legal requirements
OPC CME will evaluate all applications from International Osteopathic Graduates, Registered Practitioners of Osteopathy, and Alternative Practitioners for participation in the OPC FOCF course on a case-by-case basis. OPC CME leadership reserves the right to request additional materials from any applicants for the FOCF course deemed necessary for participation qualification. OPC CME leadership determinations will be final.
Submit your application with proof of requirements to cme@the-promise.org for review. You will be notified by email with final approval.
This activity has been planned and implemented in accordance with the accreditation requirements and policies of the American Osteopathic Association (AOA). This education program is designed to provide CME for osteopathic physicians and other health care professionals who practice OMM/OMT.
Osteopathy’s Promise to Children (OPC) designates this activity for a maximum of 40 AOA Category 1-A credits anticipated and will report CME and specialty credits commensurate with the extent of the physician’s participation in this activity. This is OMM/OMT/OPP activity and as such is part of the profession and exempt from the AOA practice gap analysis requirement.
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HILTON GARDEN INN San Diego Mission Valley/Stadium
3805 Murphy Canyon Road, San Diego, CA 92123
Block of rooms are reserved for this course at a rate of $199 plus tax per night.
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Cancellation and Refund Policy
OPC reserves the right to change the delivery format, delay, or cancel a CME event due to any unforeseen circumstances. If an event is canceled, OPC will refund your registration fee in full. OPC will not be held responsible for the registrant's travel, hotel or other costs incurred resulting from the cancellation. Substitutions of other CME events may be made at any time without an additional charge; email cme@the-promise.org with your request. Refunds will be issued for all cancelations received two weeks prior to the start of the event. However, an administrative fee of $100.00 will be charged for all refunds. “No shows” are subject to the full CME event fee. Cancelations/substitutions must be made in writing by email to cme@the-promise.org. No refunds or credits will be issued once the CME event has started.
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