Happy New Year, and welcome to 2026! I am thrilled to begin the new year with all of you at Concierge Medical Care. My name is Dr. Wendy Barrett, and I am excited to introduce myself as the newest physician on your team. I look forward to providing personalized care and supporting you throughout your health journey.
Over the past few months, I’ve had the pleasure of meeting many of you and learning about your lives and healthcare goals. One of the most common questions I have been asked is, “What exactly is a DO, and how does it differ from an MD?” For my first newsletter, I’d like to take a moment to explain.
At this point, the short answer is, not much. DOs (Doctors of Osteopathic Medicine) and MDs (Doctors of Medicine) are both fully trained and licensed physicians. We prescribe medications, perform procedures, and complete the same length of training – four years of medical school, followed by residency (3 years for internal medicine).
Osteopathic medicine began in the late 1800s by an MD who thought medicine could be better. He emphasized treating the whole person and incorporated both Eastern and Western medical principles. Today, the training and practice of DOs and MDs are largely aligned. In fact, since 2018, all residency programs have been fully integrated for both DOs and MDs (many, including mine, were integrated even earlier).
Currently, the primary distinction is DOs receive additional training in Osteopathic Manipulation Therapy (OMT), a hands-on approach to diagnosing and treating musculoskeletal issues. DO training, also, emphasizes treating the body as an interconnected whole rather than a collection of separate parts. One common misconception is that DOs are trained in alternative medicine which is not the case. DOs, like MDs, practice evidence-based medicine, meaning our decisions and treatments are based on validated medical science. Ultimately, the goal of DOs and MDs is the same, to help you live a long, healthy, and fulfilling life.
I hope this helps answer your questions. If you have others, or if you’d like to meet with me personally, please don’t hesitate to reach out to our office to schedule an appointment.
Wishing you a fantastic start to 2026. May this year be even more rewarding than the last.
