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A historic gender shift in osteopathic medicine: women now make up 50.2% of primary care DOs, according to the American Osteopathic Association's 2026 report. The milestone comes as the profession hits record highs across the board — from total physician counts to medical school enrollment. The trend is especially pronounced among younger DOs, with women comprising 55.4% of primary care DOs under age 35.
For the first time in history, women outnumber men among osteopathic physicians (DOs) practicing primary care. According to the American Osteopathic Association's (AOA) 2026 Osteopathic Medical Profession Report, women now account for 50.2% of primary care DOs — up from 49.6% in 2025 and 46.3% less than a decade ago. More than 50,000 women DOs under age 45 are now in active practice, another first.
The broader profession is also booming. There are now over 218,000 total DOs and osteopathic students nationwide, with 151,240 actively practicing — more than double the 63,121 in active practice in 2010. A record 93.2% of DO seniors matched into residency programs in 2026, and 41,001 students are currently enrolled in osteopathic medical schools, representing more than one in four U.S. medical students.
By the Numbers:
Why it matters: The gender shift in primary care osteopathic medicine reflects broader changes in the physician workforce pipeline. With 55% of DOs practicing in primary care — a specialty facing chronic shortages — this growing, increasingly diverse workforce could help address gaps in access, particularly in rural and underserved communities where DOs disproportionately practice.
