ATSU-KCOM alumnus Richard W. Koss, DO, delivers Tinning Founder’s Day Osteopathy Lecture

ATSU-KCOM alumnus Richard W. Koss, DO, delivers Tinning Founder's Day Osteopathy Lecture

A.T. Still University-Kirksville College of Osteopathic Medicine (ATSU-KCOM) alumnus Richard W. Koss, DO, C-SPOMM, ACOFP, '82, presented the 2024 Tinning Founder's Day Osteopathy Lecture on Thursday, Oct. 17, 2024, in Kirksville, Missouri.

Dr. Koss' lecture, "Osteopathy: The Science and Philosophy of LIFE," may be viewed here.

An Air Force veteran, Dr. Koss worked with well-known and respected osteopathic physician Robert C. Fulford, DO, who was a student of W.G. Sutherland, DO. Dr. Fulford's osteopathic practice explored Dr. A.T. Still's original philosophy and principles of the body, mind, and spirit and the living bio-energy fields.

Dr. Koss' private practice in Maple Valley, Washington, is a traditional osteopathic practice of 100% osteopathic manipulation treatment (OMT) using the philosophy and principles of Dr. Still and incorporating the work of Dr. Fulford. Dr. Koss continues to research, study, and practice Dr. Still's osteopathy and pursue the current research in physics and the energy principles in biological systems, incorporating it all into osteopathic diagnosis and treatment. He continues to teach Dr. Fulford's osteopathic work all over the U.S., Japan, and Europe.

Dr. Koss' passion is to study, practice, and teach osteopathy from ATSU founder, Dr. Still. Dr. Koss brings out modern scientific research proving the validity and timeless truths of osteopathy in the true healing of the body, mind, and spirit. His enthusiasm to demonstrate healing success in the clinic attests to the efficacy of Dr. Still's genius and the vision of his discovery and ensures osteopathy's rightful place in the present and future of medicine of the world.

The late Fred C. Tinning, PhD, DOEd (hon.), '14, and his late wife, Janet, established the Fred C. Tinning, PhD, DOEd (hon.), '14, President Emeritus, Founder's Day Osteopathy Lecture Endowment in 2009. Dr. and Mrs. Tinning created the endowment based on their strong belief in perpetuating the importance of osteopathic principles and practices.

The endowment provides a perpetual source of income that will sponsor a lecture by a nationally recognized expert on neuromusculoskeletal medicine/osteopathic manipulative medicine annually. The osteopathy lecture was formerly known as the Scott Memorial Lecture and was sponsored and funded by the American Academy of Osteopathy.

Each year, the lecture is presented to ATSU-KCOM students, faculty, staff, and alumni as part of Founder's Day activities.

Dr. Tinning served as the eighth president of ATSU-KCOM from 1984-96. Because of his exceptional service to the University, ATSU's Board of Trustees named the Tinning Education Center building on the Kirksville, Missouri, campus in his honor, and in 2014, awarded him the doctor of osteopathic education honorary degree.