About: Affiliates of the Foundation
The Mission of the Osteopathic Cranial Academy (OCA), a nonprofit membership organization, is: to teach, advocate and advance Osteopathy, including Osteopathy in the Cranial Field, as envisioned by Andrew Taylor Still, DO, and William Garner Sutherland, DO.
Julie Mai, DO Legacy Fund offering 100% Tuition Support
Sterling Foundation Management, from a Donor-Advised Fund, gifted $100,000 to the Osteopathic Cranial Academy Foundation. This Gift is a purpose restricted donor directed fund under The Julie Mai, DO, Legacy Fund in honor and acknowledgement of Dr. Mai’s leadership as President of the Osteopathic Cranial Academy. The Fund will be used to match the existing tuition assistance for medical and osteopathic students only who are enrolled in the credentialed Hybrid Introduction to Osteopathy in the Cranial Field course by the Osteopathic Cranial Academy (OCA) which allows for full tuition coverage for first-time participating students.
Our foundation has played a critical role in funding these educational efforts and helps to ensure that the principles and techniques of Cranial Osteopathy continue to be taught and disseminated.
Financial Contributions:
The Facts: OCAFoundation has consistently provided substantial financial support to the OCA. By providing financial support, we help students focus on their studies and achieve their academic and professional goals.
Voices of Impact: Testimonials.
The impact of operating as a financial benefactor toward the OCA’s mission is best told through the stories of those students who have been supported by our work.
“I enjoyed spending so much time with different mentors throughout those days and having that hand-over-hand learning is something I won’t take for granted because it really made a huge difference in how much I was able to learn through my hands. I would not have been able to attend this course without the generous donors, so I thank them!”
– Cathy Tran, Tuition Assistance Recipient
The American Academy of Osteopathy (AAO) is an Osteopathic Medical Society with a focused educational mission.
Sponsoring F.O.R.C.E
March 2023, Convocation: OCAFoundation was proud to sponsor $3,375.00 of awards given from the Fund for Osteopathic Research & Continuous Education (FORCE) to nine student poster presentations and eight Resident poster presentations. Awards were given for first, second, and third place, and the categories were Original Research, Education and Public Health, and Case Study Posters.
Sponsoring L.B.O.R.C
March, 2023 Convocation: OCAFoundation sponsored the Louisa Burns Osteopathic Research Committee (LBORC) Mentorship Grand Rounds for $3,000.00.
OCAFoundation Sponsoring Poster Presentations
March, 2024 Convocation: OCAFoundation again proudly sponsored the awards from the OCAFoundation FORCE research fund for research poster presentations. 15 winning students and Residents were awarded a total of $2,875.00 in prize money. Categories were Education and Public Health, Original Research, and Case Studies.
OCAFoundation into 2025:
March, 2025 Convocation: the OCAFoundation
• Again proudly sponsored the awards from the OCAFoundation F.O.R.C.E research fund for research poster presentations (See 2025 winners here);
• Sponsored the RAAO Business Luncheon for $3,000.00;
• Sponsored 200 students’ Convocation Registration Fees for a total of $25000.00 for the Student Track, “The Proteges, Walking in the Footsteps of Giants.”
The OCAFoundation has proudly supported the AAO Convocations in 2023 and 2024, and did again for the 2025 Convocation.
The Louisa Burns Osteopathic Research Committee (L.B.O.R.C) and the National Undergraduate Fellows Association (NUFA) hosted their annual poster presentations during the AAO 2023, 2024, and 2025 Convocations.
Highlights from AAO 2025 Convo
Grace Miller, Poster Presenter
2025 Convo LBORC Poster Presenter, Grace Miller
Poster Presentation Attendees
Poster Presentation Attendees
Tatiana Abdulnour, OCA 2025 Winter Intro Tuition Assistance Awardee
Tatiana Abdulnour, OCA 2025 Winter Intro Tuition Assistance Awardee
Tuition Assistance Awardees
Tuition Assistance Awardees
Dr. Cruz Addresses the SAAO:
2025 AAO Annual Convocation
At the 2025 American Academy of Osteopathy’s annual Convocation, Jared Cruz, DO, OCAF Board Member and Chair of the Website and Marketing Committee, saw a unique opportunity to address the Student American Academy of Osteopathy (SAAO) organization. He realized not enough students knew OCAF could provide Tuition Assistance and Grants to them. Armed with a slide-deck, he introduced the students to the Foundation, and explained OCAF understands the financial and time-related problems of attending courses like Introduction to Cranial Osteopathy. He let them know the assistance we have to offer, and even expanded OCAF’s mailing list with a clever giveaway so we can stay in touch about upcoming opportunities. His presentation was received exceptionally well, and will hopefully gain more students’ Tuition Assistance applications for future courses.
Osteopathy’s Promise to Children (OPC) is anchored in its commitment to cultivate a perpetual spirit of inquiry, focused on outstanding evidence-based health care, rigorous research and scholarships, and inspired teaching.
The OCAFoundation proudly supported OPC’s first Conference on Osteopathic Research and Knowledge (CORK) in 2024 granting $8,750.00 for 5 Student Researchers to attend the conference in person and give their research presentations. The CORK conference was designed to lead Osteopathic Medicine into the future by gathering those interested in advancing the field of Osteopathic Medicine through the use of evidence-based practices.
OCAFoundation into 2025:
CORK Participant Feedback:
“I am extremely honored to have received a scholarship to the CORK Conference this year. I would not have been able to attend if it weren’t for OCAF, so for this I am very grateful. I felt CORK was a think tank, a community of professionals advocating for OMM throughout a variety of fields. I felt I was walking among giants, and I look forward to returning next year. Thank you again, OCAF!“
– Maret Rossi
2025 Foundations of Osteopathy in the Cranial Field
2025 Foundations of Osteopathy in the Cranial Field – Osteopathic Cranial Academy Foundation 2025 Tuition Assistance.
Foundations of Osteopathy in the Cranial Field (FOCF)
Scholarship Awards
Course Participant Feedback
“I just was hired as an incoming ONMM resident for MountainView Regional Medical Center on June 23rd, so I was not able to sign up for the Foundations of Osteopathy in the Cranial Field: Introduction to the Concepts and Skills Fundamental to Applied Osteopathy in the Cranial Field (the 40-hour Basic Course) until after my hiring date.”
“Being reintroduced to cranial anatomy in a more profound way than in medical school has made an enormous difference in my ability to perceive the CRI and successfully perform treatments. The faculty were incredibly kind and supportive, and the clinical applications for pediatrics and neonates have inspired me to integrate OMM into my future family medicine practice.”
“Thank you again for the scholarship to allow me to join the cranial course. It exceeded my expectations, and I am so grateful to have the opportunity to train with some of the leaders in the field.”
Sutherland Cranial Teaching Foundation, Inc. (SCTF) is a not-for-profit organization established in 1953 by William Garner Sutherland, DO, D.Sc.(hon.) and senior members of his teaching faculty. Dr. Sutherland conceived of the Foundation as a way of providing continuity for his teaching.
The OCAFoundation proudly awarded $6,300 in Tuition Assistance for SCTF’s 2024 Osteopathy in the Cranial Field – a Basic Course held in Portland Oregon in October.
OCAFoundation into 2025:
Once again the OCAFoundation granted SCTF $17,600 for 16 attendees at their Osteopathy in the Cranial Field – Basic Course in Westbury, NY May 29-June 2, 2025.
Basic Course Participant Feedback:
I have described my attendance to colleagues as, “now I know how the students of Plato and Socrates must have felt”. The lessons taught during this course have changed my mindset and how I approach patient care forever.Thank you to all who allowed me to the attend the Sutherland Cranial Teaching Foundation, Inc. Osteopathy in the Cranial Field, Basic Course through the generous grant. It really has changed my life.
Kevin Hauns, PhD, awarded from the David Coffey, DO Legacy Fund
The Post Graduate Institute for Osteopathy (PGIO), a 501(c)(3) corporation, is dedicated to creating a renaissance in the profession and to disseminate Andrew Taylor Still’s gift of healing to the world.
The OCAFoundation supports PGIO with administrative and management support for courses for post-graduate students. PGIO intends to advance Osteopathy and its supportive practices through intermediate and advanced education and research.
PGIO promotes the philosophy, research, and practice of Osteopathy for physicians in practice to build upon their knowledge and skills. They provide medical education that utilizes the integration of living structural and functional relationships to promote self-healing within the body, mind, and spirit. They endeavor to evolve this science and demonstrate the value of its integration into the medical standard of care.
Join us in Supporting Education
Join us in our mission to make education accessible for all. As the OCAFoundation continues to evolve, we are expanding our scope and vision. Our goal is to cast a wider net, supporting diverse educational opportunities while ensuring transparency and accountable management for our donors and grantors, thereby strengthening our Foundation and enhancing our impact on Osteopathic education and research. Your support can help provide more Tuition Assistance and educational opportunities.
There are several ways you can get involved:
- Donate: Your contributions can directly support Tuition Assistance for deserving students. Click to Donate.
- Connect with Us: Learn about affiliate opportunities and how your organization can collaborate with the OCAFoundation. Email us at osteopathiccaf@gmail.com or call directly by dialing 818-796-6750.
- Share Our Mission: Help spread the word about our work and its impact on students and physicians.
Thank you for supporting our mission and helping us create educational opportunities for all. Together, we are making a difference!