Who founded the Chicago School of Osteopathy?

The Chicago School of Osteopathy was founded by John Littlejohn in 1900. Littlejohn was a prominent figure in the development of osteopathic medicine and played a crucial role in expanding the practice through education. He established the school with the aim of providing comprehensive training in osteopathy, emphasizing both its philosophical principles and practical applications.

The foundation of the Chicago School is significant as it became one of the earliest institutions dedicated specifically to osteopathic education, helping to shape the future of the profession and influencing many practitioners who were trained there. Littlejohn’s contributions to osteopathic education established a framework for how osteopathic principles would be taught, further legitimizing the discipline in the broader medical community.

Understanding the distinctions among the early figures in osteopathy is essential because while A.T. Still is recognized as the founder of osteopathy as a whole, John Littlejohn’s founding of the Chicago School represents a pivotal moment in the evolution of osteopathic training and education.