ER meets IRL: How one DO is making medicine more human

Owais Durrani, DO, has had an unconventional journey to osteopathic medicine, and that’s exactly what makes his perspective so powerful. With a background in government and public policy, Dr. Durrani brings unique understandings to his work in emergency medicine and advocacy. From working with young people through the innovative STEM City platform to leading national conversations around health policy, he exemplifies what it means to be a physician who not only treats patients, but also champions change. Following is an edited Q&A.

You attended Oklahoma State University Center for Health Sciences College of Osteopathic Medicine (OSU-COM), and since then have been super involved in the medical field. What was your path to becoming an osteopathic physician and the reasoning behind pursuing emergency medicine?

I took a nontraditional path into medicine. I was a government and biology major at the University of Texas and interned at the White House before I ever stepped foot in a hospital. But it was those early experiences—seeing how policy impacts real people—that inspired me to pursue medicine. I chose osteopathic medicine because of its whole-person approach. As someone who grew up without health insurance, I appreciated a philosophy that emphasized prevention, empathy and understanding the social context of care.

Emergency medicine felt like a natural fit. It’s fast-paced, team-based and demands that you meet people exactly where they are—in moments of crisis, fear or uncertainty. What I love most is that you don’t check someone’s insurance status or background before treating them. You just act. You help. Everyone gets care, period. That kind of immediate impact and access is rare in medicine—and incredibly powerful.

You’ve held impressive roles in public policy, including a White House internship and work with the American Association of Colleges of Osteopathic Medicine (AACOM) and the Emergency Medicine Residents’ Association (EMRA). How have these experiences shaped your approach to practicing medicine in the emergency department?

Policy taught me to think systemically. In the ER, you quickly learn that so many of the decisions we make—whether it’s the cost of a medication or the availability of a psych bed—are downstream from policy choices. My background in health policy helps me connect those dots. It also fuels my advocacy—I know that speaking up as a physician doesn’t stop at the bedside. Whether it’s writing op-eds, talking to lawmakers or mentoring students, I see part of my job as making the system better for both patients and health care professionals.

“STEM City” has gained recognition as an innovative platform for science communication. What inspired you to create it, and how do you choose which topics to feature?

STEM City is a television series I host on KPRC NBC in Houston that connects the excitement of everyday life—like NASCAR pit crews, the physics of the Blue Angels or even the tech behind video games—to real-world careers in science, technology, engineering and medicine. We spotlight diverse professionals and break down big ideas into hands-on, engaging segments that show young viewers how STEM shows up in places they might not expect. The goal is to make STEM fun, relatable and a pathway that feels possible—especially for students from underrepresented communities.

STEM City was born from a simple goal: to make science exciting and accessible—especially for kids who may not see themselves in lab coats or scrubs. Growing up, I didn’t have a lot of role models in STEM who looked like me. Now I get to shine a light on the engineers, doctors and scientists changing the world—and show that the path to those careers is possible. We pick topics that blend curiosity with relevance: from the science of sports to AI in medicine to flying with the Blue Angels. STEM City sparks wonder and teaches something valuable; you, too, can be that STEM hero.

As someone deeply involved in advocacy for the osteopathic profession, what do you see as the most pressing legislative issues facing DOs today—and how can physicians get involved?

One of the most important opportunities—and challenges—for the osteopathic profession today is making sure our prevention-first, whole-person approach is better understood and valued in both policy and public discourse. Too often, health care legislation and innovation are reactive, focusing on treating illness after it occurs instead of promoting the conditions that keep people healthy in the first place. As DOs, we’re trained from day one to think holistically—fact-based, preventive care that considers the body, mind and spirit. That perspective is crucial as we rethink how care is delivered in this country.

But it won’t matter unless we speak up. We need more DOs writing, creating content, engaging in digital media and advocating for the value we bring to patient care. Whether it’s on Capitol Hill or Instagram, we need to push for policies and programs that reflect what we know works—community-based care, accessible prevention and patient-centered systems. Advocacy today means showing up both in traditional spaces and the digital ones where ideas are shaped.

You’ve received the AOA Excellence in Media Award twice. What do you think is the physician’s role in media, especially in an era of widespread misinformation?

Physicians have a responsibility to be part of the public conversation. In an era where misinformation spreads faster than truth, we can’t afford to stay silent. Our voices carry credibility, and when used thoughtfully, they can build trust and counter false narratives. I believe in meeting people where they are—whether that’s on social media, TV or podcasts—and translating complex medical topics in ways that are accurate but engaging. Media isn’t just a platform; it’s a public health tool.

Looking ahead, what are your goals for continuing to elevate public health literacy and support the osteopathic profession at large?

I want to continue bridging the gap between medicine, media and policy. That means expanding STEM City, writing and speaking more on national platforms, and mentoring the next generation of DOs who want to do more than clinical work. I also want to help shape the future of medical technology—particularly AI—so that it serves physicians and patients equitably. Ultimately, my goal is simple: make medicine more human, more accessible and more inclusive.

Related reading:

My DO Day 2025 experience: Advocating for Medicare physician payments, THCGME and Medicaid access

Why ensuring continued access to vaccines is essential to the health of America