American Osteopathic Association Delivers Volunteer Physicians to Staff Muscular Dystrophy Association Camps

Partnership Provides Medical Support to Campers with Neuromuscular Disease

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Jun 11, 2015, 12:01 ET

CHICAGO, June 11, 2015 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The American Osteopathic Association (AOA), through its American Osteopathic Foundation, is providing volunteer medical students and practicing DOs to the Muscular Dystrophy Association's free summer camps for children battling neuromuscular disease.

AOA volunteers will work one-on-one with campers, providing the around-the-clock care, close supervision and the attention that children with muscle disease need. Counselors meet the daily needs of each child and serve as a source of friendship and support, helping campers to create lasting summer memories.

"We are thrilled for the opportunity to partner with such an outstanding organization for a remarkable cause," says AOA president Robert S. Juhasz, DO. "Not only does this allow our DOs the opportunity to engage within our communities, but it also allows us to share the osteopathic philosophy of medicine with these beautiful children and their families."

During the summer, the Muscular Dystrophy Association hosts more than 70 camps across the U.S. for children 6-17 who are diagnosed with muscular dystrophy, serving more than 3,500 campers, meeting their physical and medical needs with teams of dedicated health professionals and others who volunteer their time and talents.

"This is going to be a fantastic season for our campers, and it is made possible by our incredible volunteers and organizations like AOA," said Carolyn Minnerly, Director of Summer Camp and Support Services. "Parents and caregivers drop off their campers knowing that they have all the support they need to have fun and thrive. We are grateful to be able to provide this quality of care and assurance."

The DOs and medical students will care for campers at seven locations across the country, including:

Variety Club Camp: June 15-20, 2015 in Worcester, PA
Camp Cheerful: June 21-27, 2015 in Strongsville, OH
Canyon Camp: June 29-July 3, 2015 in Hinton, OK
Macleay Christian Retreat: July 12-18, 2015 in Salem, OR
Timber Pointe Outdoor Center: July 12-17, 2015 in Hudson, IL
Quest's Camp Thunderbird: July 19-24, 2015 in Apopka, FL
Camp Pa-Qua-Tuck: August 2-7, 2015: in Center Moriches, NY

For more information on Muscular Dystrophy Association's summer camps, visit www.mda.org/summer-camp.

About the American Osteopathic Association
The American Osteopathic Association (AOA) represents more than 110,000 osteopathic physicians (DOs) and osteopathic medical students; promotes public health; encourages scientific research; serves as the primary certifying body for DOs; is the accrediting agency for osteopathic medical schools; and has federal authority to accredit hospitals and other health care facilities. More information on DOs/osteopathic medicine can be found at www.osteopathic.org.

SOURCE American Osteopathic Association