Dr. Allen recognized as a Pioneer of Osteopathic Medicine

Ethan R. Allen, DO, one of the founders of Western University of Health Sciences more than 30 years ago, has been named a Great Pioneer in Osteopathic Medicine by the American Osteopathic Association (AOA).

Allen served as the founding chairman of the board of directors of the College of Osteopathic Medicine of the Pacific (COMP), which later became Western University of Health Sciences with the addition of new colleges. He continues to serve on the board as treasurer.

He also helped found the Osteopathic Physicians and Surgeons of California and has served as a delegate to the AOA House of Delegates since 1967, according to AOA.

The Great Pioneers in Osteopathic Medicine project is an AOA effort to record the oral histories of important figures in osteopathic medical history.

The honorees are selected based on the following criteria, according to AOA:

• Great Pioneers must be living members of the profession who made significant contributions in osteopathic medicine.

• They must be able to share historical perspectives of the profession.

• They must have made a difference in the profession and helped move osteopathic medicine to where it is today.

• They should be the first to accomplish some feat.

• They are directly responsible for the growth of osteopathic medicine

• They must have been involved with the profession for at least 25 years.

• DO nominees must be AOA members or have been AOA members for the majority of their careers.